$0.00
Our Science Under Siege Climate Action Party with renowned scientist Dr. Michael E. Mann was full of insights on where anti-science misinformation comes from and strategies to combat climate misinformation!
Dr. Michael Mann shared “The 5 P’s of Anti-Science” from his newest book Science Under Siege: How to Fight the Five Most Powerful Forces that Threaten Our World: Plutocrats, petrostates, polluters, propagandists, and the press.
Watch a recording of the conversation (1 hour) or read a quick recap.
Recording
Quick Recap
Disclaimer: This is an auto-generated meeting summary from Zoom, offering a high-level overview of the discussion. Please note that it may not capture all details with perfect accuracy.
Quick Recap
Dr. Michael Mann presented from his book “Science under Siege” and discussed strategies to combat climate misinformation, highlighting the five major groups spreading anti-science disinformation. The event concluded with plans for future actions and initiatives, and emphasized the importance of political engagement and accurate climate information.
Summary
Climate Action and Science Discussion
Brett demonstrated the CAN app, which allows users to take climate action through a simple interface, earning points that lead to real tree planting. Tim Guinea, the volunteer president of Climate Action Now, introduced Dr. Michael Mann, who read from his new book “Science under Siege” about the interconnected challenges of climate change and pandemics. The event was sponsored by several organizations including the Natural Resources Defense Council, New York Climate Reality Chapters Coalition, and the Broadway Green Alliance, and included a book giveaway where Dr. Mann selected number 47 from a range of 1-91.
Combating Anti-Science Misinformation
The meeting focused on discussing the book “The 5 P’s of Anti-Science,” which identifies five major groups spreading anti-science misinformation: plutocrats (like the Koch brothers and Elon Musk), petrostates (such as Saudi Arabia and Russia), polluters, propagandists, and the press. Dr. Mann explained how these groups use disinformation to undermine scientific consensus on climate change and public health, noting that while only 10% of Americans are hardcore climate deniers, a larger portion believes in the climate crisis but lacks urgency. The discussion emphasized the importance of elections and political organizing to counteract these anti-science forces, with Mann urging attendees to participate in the democratic process to prevent further damage to environmental protections and scientific infrastructure.
Climate Misinformation Action Plan
The meeting focused on discussing Dr. Mann’s book and strategies to combat climate misinformation. Dr. Mann emphasized the importance of correcting misconceptions and supporting pro-science organizations. The group reached their goal of 1,300 email actions and decided to aim for 1,450. They also discussed how to support scientists and deal with climate deniers and online trolls. Karen Allen, the winner of a book prize, generously declined the prize due to the cost of shipping. The conversation ended with plans to continue the discussion and reach more people with accurate climate information.
Countering Renewable Energy Misinformation
Dr. Mann discussed the disinformation tactics used by opponents of renewable energy, particularly wind power, emphasizing how these efforts aim to mislead environmentalists and progressives. He highlighted the importance of occupying multiple social media platforms to counter misinformation and engage with a broader audience. Brett announced upcoming events and action parties focused on promoting solar energy and addressing water pollution, while also mentioning a new initiative providing daily and monthly doses of climate-related positive news and actions.
Climate Science and Hope
Dr. Mann discussed the science of climate change, emphasizing that while climate despair is a significant concern, the science does not support a narrative of doom. He explained that when carbon emissions stop, the planet’s temperature stabilizes due to a balance between continued ocean warming and carbon being buried in oceans and terrestrial biospheres. Mann highlighted that while avoiding 1.5°C warming is challenging, reducing emissions can still prevent worse outcomes, and every effort to decarbonize has immediate benefits.