Climate Delay
Far from winding down their activities and rapidly transitioning to renewable energy, the oil companies are now spending millions of dollars a year on trying to delay action on climate change.
They invest in think tanks, tame scientists, politicians and front organisations to muddy the waters and spread confusion, to steer everyone away from the simple fact that to stop climate change and secure a liveable future we have to stop burning their product. Researchers at the University of Cambridge have broken down these tactics into 12 “discourses of climate delay” and you can see examples of them every day on television, on social media, in the newspapers and from the mouths of politicians. Some of the people passing on this fossil fuel propaganda are probably being paid directly or indirectly by the oil companies but for many others there is something more subtle going on.
Cognitive Dissonance
The existential risk posed by climate and nature breakdown is something we, as humans, rightly fear. But many of us also fear the lifestyle changes that might be necessitated by tackling the problem, and even if we don’t, the changes we need to make are often outside our control because the societal infrastructure is not in place.
For example, we know driving a car adds to the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere but there is no attractive alternative in place for most people as the public transport infrastructure is not convenient or cheap enough. When we feel these two contradictory fears, and can see no easy solution to the problem, we experience cognitive dissonance; our minds downplay the seriousness of the problem, or deny it completely. That’s why the “discourses of climate delay” are so appealing to many of us – they give our minds a way of dodging this difficult dilemma, even in the face of common sense and scientific fact.
Read more:
| The original Cambridge University research paper The University of Cambridge research that identified and categorized 12 “discourses of climate delay” used by those seeking to delay action on climate change. |
| UK Government – Climate Change Misinformation Impacts This government publication examines the effects of climate change misinformation and disinformation, highlighting how such narratives distort discussions on climate solutions and hinder effective action. |
| London School of Economics (LSE) Grantham Institute – Climate Misinformation and Disinformation This resource defines climate misinformation and disinformation, discussing their impact on public understanding and policy decisions. It also explores the concept of ‘climate delayism,’ where the urgency of climate action is downplayed. |
| Reform UK and Climate Denial This article from LSE Blogs critiques Reform UK’s promotion of climate misinformation, arguing that such denial undermines public trust and democracy. |
| Reuters Institute – Covering Climate Change and Misinformation This piece discusses the prevalence of climate ‘delay’ narratives, which argue against immediate climate action, and the challenges journalists face in countering these misleading claims. |
| Euronews – Confronting Climate Denial and Delayism This article offers insights from a climate psychologist on addressing climate denial and delayism, emphasizing the importance of understanding the psychological factors behind these attitudes. |
Tufton Street Think Tanks
Several Tufton Street think tanks have been associated with downplaying the climate crisis or promoting policies that resist strong climate action. These organizations often advocate for free-market, pro-business approaches that minimize government regulation, including environmental regulations. Some of the key think tanks in this regard include:
The Global Warming Policy Foundation (GWPF): Founded by former Conservative politician Nigel Lawson, the GWPF has been one of the most prominent UK-based think tanks challenging mainstream climate science. It questions the severity and causes of climate change, often downplaying its urgency and advocating against costly climate policies.
The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA): While not solely focused on climate change, the IEA is known for promoting free-market policies, which often include minimizing government intervention in environmental issues. It has been critical of climate change regulations that it sees as burdensome to businesses and economic growth.
The TaxPayers’ Alliance: This group tends to oppose policies that it perceives as costly to taxpayers, including certain climate change mitigation efforts like carbon taxes or green energy subsidies, arguing that such policies are economically damaging without delivering substantial benefits.
These think tanks often promote alternative narratives around climate change, such as arguing that climate action is too costly or that the impacts of climate change are overstated, which can contribute to delaying or downplaying effective climate action. Their influence has been significant in shaping political discourse, particularly among those skeptical of robust climate policies.
Read more:
| The Guardian – Extinction Rebellion Protests This environmental movement has organized protests outside Tufton Street think tanks, highlighting their role in disseminating misinformation about climate change. In September 2020, Extinction Rebellion’s Writers Rebel group demonstrated against these organizations. |
| The Guardian – Think Tank Misrepresentation Investigative journalism by The Guardian has shed light on the activities of Tufton Street think tanks. In September 2023, the newspaper reported on how one think tank misrepresented the costs associated with achieving net-zero emissions. |
| The Independent This publication has reported on protests against climate-skeptical think tanks, such as the Global Warming Policy Foundation (GWPF), located at 55 Tufton Street. In October 2022, activists from Just Stop Oil targeted the GWPF’s headquarters. |
| BBC News The BBC has examined the influence of think tanks based at 55 Tufton Street on UK politics. In October 2022, the BBC reported on the significant political impact of these organizations, which often promote free-market solutions to climate change. |
| The Guardian – National Trust In September 2023, The Guardian published an opinion piece criticizing the involvement of climate-skeptical think tanks in organizations like the National Trust, warning against the infiltration of climate denial into conservation efforts. |
Climate Conspiracy Theories
Climate conspiracy theories have been widely circulated to downplay or deny the reality of climate change. These theories often undermine scientific consensus and create confusion. Here are some of the most common climate conspiracy theories and the facts that debunk them:
1. “Climate change is a hoax created by scientists or governments to gain power or money.”
Debunk: Climate science is based on decades of peer-reviewed research by thousands of scientists worldwide. The idea that so many independent scientists, institutions, and governments are part of a vast conspiracy is not only implausible but also unsupported by any credible evidence. The scientific consensus, confirmed by major bodies like the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), is clear: human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, are driving climate change.
2. “The Earth is actually cooling, not warming.”
Debunk: This theory relies on cherry-picking short-term data or weather events. While natural climate variability exists, the long-term trend over the past century shows a clear warming of the planet, with 19 of the 20 warmest years on record occurring since 2001. Global temperature records, including from NASA and NOAA, show a consistent rise in average global temperatures.
3. “Climate models are unreliable and can’t predict the future.”
Debunk: While no model is perfect, climate models have been remarkably accurate in predicting trends and outcomes based on current data. They use complex algorithms to simulate climate systems and have correctly predicted key trends, such as global warming and changes in sea levels.
4. “Climate change is caused by the sun, not human activity.”
Debunk: While the sun does influence Earth’s climate, current research shows that solar radiation alone cannot explain the rapid warming observed over the past century. The scientific consensus is that the primary driver of recent climate change is the increase in greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane, caused by human activities.
5. “Global warming stopped in the 1990s, so the crisis is over.”
Debunk: This myth stems from misleading interpretations of short-term temperature fluctuations. While the Earth’s temperature may experience temporary cooling periods due to natural factors, the long-term trend has been an overall increase in global temperatures.
6. “Climate change is part of a natural cycle, and humans can’t influence it.”
Debunk: While Earth’s climate has indeed gone through natural cycles of warming and cooling, the current rate of warming is unprecedented and aligns closely with the industrial era’s rise in greenhouse gas emissions.
7. “The elite/globalists are using climate change to control people and redistribute wealth.”
Debunk: This conspiracy theory links climate action to political agendas, often citing global policies like the Paris Agreement. While climate change presents a global challenge, addressing it through collective action is a matter of preserving public health, natural ecosystems, and the economy.
8. “The climate crisis is exaggerated to push a political agenda.”
Debunk: The overwhelming scientific consensus on climate change is grounded in empirical data, not politics. Thousands of scientists from diverse political backgrounds agree that climate change is real and driven by human activities.
Read more:
| Skeptical Science This platform offers a comprehensive list of common climate change myths and provides evidence-based responses to each, helping readers understand the scientific consensus. |
| WWF (World Wildlife Fund) WWF addresses ten prevalent myths about climate change, clarifying misconceptions and presenting factual information to promote informed discussions. |
| National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) NOAA provides fact-checks on various climate-related claims, including debunking weather modification myths and other misconceptions. |
| Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) EDF offers guidance on identifying and combating climate misinformation, equipping readers with tools to discern fact from fiction. |