Faulty logic skews climate change conversation

Distorted logic distorts, equally, the climate change conversation.

John Cook.

Many older people appear to mistakenly equate 40 degrees Celsius with 100°F claiming that as a kid they lived through many 100 degree days.

“They appear to be unaware that 40°C is actually 104°F and that 43°C, a somewhat common experience recently in the Goulburn Valley, is a nearly 110°F,” Beneath the Wisteria convenor, Robert McLean said.

“Climatologists are predicting that within a couple of decades, days with temperatures close to 45°C, that’s 113°F, will be relatively common during summer,” Robert said.

Human survival becomes rather problematic he said when temperatures are regularly above 40°C.

The week leading up to the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires saw a run of high temperatures and the deaths among people from heatstroke far exceeded those of the actual fires.

Science illustrates that not only do humans struggle to survive the markedly increased temperatures, but other species that contribute to humanity’s wellbeing, are also put under severe stress.

The flawed logic of many people was discussed by the Climate Communication Research Fellow at the University of Queensland, John Cook, in a story headed: “’It’s been hot before’: faulty logic skews the climate debate”.

“Of course, heatwaves have happened in the past, including before humans started altering the climate. But, it’s faulty logic to suggest that this means they’re not increasing now, or that it’s not our fault,” he wrote.