The UK Met Office has launched a 'misinformation toolkit' to counter false claims about climate change, offering clear scientific rebuttals to common denier arguments. The institution labels deliberate falsehoods as 'misinformation', assuming the spreader may be misled, while intentional fabrication is termed 'disinformation' and twisting truth is 'malinformation'.
This proactive approach marks a shift for scientists who have historically remained silent between publishing reports on worsening climate conditions, only speaking out after weather disasters. The toolkit addresses 19 frequently used denier questions, such as 'Was the climate stable before the Industrial Revolution?' and 'Weren't there warnings of global cooling years ago?', providing concise, robust scientific responses.
The Met Office's fightback is seen as a refreshing stand against propaganda from the fossil fuel industry and science-denying politicians, reinforcing its role as a world-class scientific institution.
