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Revision as of 04:26, 15 June 2010 by Shock Brigade Harvester Boris (talk | contribs) (→Views of scientists: Allen)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Climate change alarmism or global warming alarmism is the emphasis or exaggeration of extreme negative impacts of global warming. The term also often used by those who disagree with the scientific consensus on climate change as an epithet for those who broadly adhere to the consensus view.
Influence of media coverage
Views of scientists
Scientists who agree with the consensus view on global warming often have been critical of those who exaggerate or distort the risks posed by global warming. Stephen Schneider has criticized such exaggeration, stating that he "disapprove of the 'ends justify the means' philosophy" that would exaggerate dangers in order to spur public action. Mike Hulme, professor at the University of East Anglia and former director of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, describes such exaggerations as "self-defeating," in that they engender feelings of hopelessness rather than motivating positive action. Hans von Storch has objected to "alarmists think that climate change is something extremely dangerous, extremely bad and that overselling a little bit, if it serves a good purpose, is not that bad."
Scientists also have been critical of press sensationalism in reporting on climate change. Myles Allen, director of the Climateprediction.net experiment, criticized press reporting that seized on the extreme end of predictions from the experiment without emphasizing the much more likely cases of more moderate warming.