Making Sense of Climate Denial
Climate change is having a devastating impact on coral reef ecosystems around the world. Conserving these precious marine treasure troves requires a global agreement and a strong commitment to collaboration. Despite a clear scientific consensus on the existence and impact of human caused global warming and the need to act quickly, myths and misinformation are surprisingly widespread. This misinformation risks undermining the urgent actions needed to address the impact of climate change on coral reef ecosystems. Misinformation perpetuates confusion and doubt, creating barriers to the adoption of effective conservation measures and impeding progress towards global solutions.
In this course, learners will delve into the scientific evidence and robust research that underscores the realities of climate change and its detrimental effects on coral reef ecosystems. By addressing common misconceptions head-on, the course aims to provide participants with the knowledge and tools necessary to counteract misinformation and foster informed discussions.
You'll learn about:
- How to recognise the social and psychological drivers of climate science denial
- How to better understand climate change: the evidence that it is happening, that humans are causing it and the potential impacts
- How to identify the techniques and fallacies that climate myths employ to distort climate science
- How to effectively debunk climate misinformation
Use case example:
Meet James, a NGO employee and member of a consortium of organizations and businesses dedicated to protecting a local coral reef ecosystem. Within the consortium, James encounters individuals, including business professionals, who express misinformation and skepticism regarding climate change. Equipped with the knowledge gained from completing the MOOC "Making Sense of Climate Denial," James becomes adept at employing effective communication strategies, including empathy and active listening, to bridge ideological gaps and foster constructive dialogues.Using his comprehensive understanding of climate science, James counters specific climate denial assertions with well-reasoned responses backed by scientific consensus. He cites reputable scientific studies, expert opinions, and data from reputable sources to address misconceptions. By presenting this information in a clear and accessible manner, James effectively challenges the misinformation circulating within the consortium.