On July 29, the EPA proposed a rule to roll back the Endangerment Finding, which states that global warming pollution is harmful to public health and the environment. This coincided with a contradictory climate report from the Department of Energy filled with misleading claims. The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) now urges scientists and the public to act against this rule by signing a letter supporting the Endangerment Finding and by submitting comments to the federal register by September 15.
The Trump administration is promoting climate disinformation, necessitating a strategic response from climate scientists, who are adept at highlighting the misuse of research. It’s important to recognize that disinformation persists due to funding from the fossil fuel industry, influencing all branches of the US government.
UCS provides guidelines for tackling disinformation effectively:
Don’ts:
- Don’t address misinformation point-by-point; frame it as a comprehensive denial of science.
- Avoid linking directly to disinformation sources.
- Don’t repeat false claims without recontextualizing them.
Dos:
- Learn how to counter disinformation through available resources.
- Highlight corporate interests behind climate misinformation.
- Inform the public about the Trump administration’s impact on climate science communication.
- Take action and spread awareness while holding officials accountable.
UCS calls on climate scientists, economists, and public health experts to support the Endangerment Finding and encourages everyone to participate in the discussion.
