DeSmog

Hawking's Hyperbole Not Helpful

authordefault
on

As much as we despise the deceptive comments and PR trickery of the industry-funded automatons bent on denying climate change, we are equally offended by muddle-headed environmentalists who skew the conversation through intentional or emotional overstatment.Renowned scientist, Stephen Hawking (who is not generally muddle-headed) said at a recent conference in Beijing that global warming may eventually turn the earth into a Venus-like planet, baked by 250-degree centigrade temperatures and plagued by Sulphuric acid-rain.

There isn’t a shred of scientific evidence to suggest that this is likely to happen and throwing it out as a threat is counterproductive: it damages the credibility of everyone who is working in good faith to achieve public understanding and practical solutions.

It also plays into the hands of those who want to make the “debate” about climate change seem ridiculous. Look for the likes of the George C. Marshall Institute and Dr. S. Fred Singer to come out swinging on this one, claiming “fear-mongering” and “extremist left-wing” rhetoric as they continue in their efforts to frame climate change as a silly conspiracy by the world’s scientific community.

Related Posts

on

A new report shows global spending on carbon capture and hydrogen subsidies "failed to make a dent in carbon emissions" after 50 years of research and development.

A new report shows global spending on carbon capture and hydrogen subsidies "failed to make a dent in carbon emissions" after 50 years of research and development.
on

The Tory leadership candidate has criticised the UK’s net zero targets while accepting donations from fossil fuel investors and climate denial funders.

The Tory leadership candidate has criticised the UK’s net zero targets while accepting donations from fossil fuel investors and climate denial funders.
on

A flagship climate scheme will cost taxpayers billions, with no guarantee of a meaningful impact on emissions.

A flagship climate scheme will cost taxpayers billions, with no guarantee of a meaningful impact on emissions.
on

Rupert Lowe has been campaigning against climate action while owning a heat pump supplier.

Rupert Lowe has been campaigning against climate action while owning a heat pump supplier.