When Fear Is Allowed To Trump Facts
While ‘climate change’ presents undeniable challenges (in the author’s opinion, not ours – Ed), its status as an existential threat to humanity has no scientific basis.
Yet, a recent Oregon court decision has again thrust this claim into the realm of legal precedent, with a judge allowing a case against the state to proceed because ‘climate change’ “threatens our ability to survive on planet Earth.”
This decision raises pressing questions about the role of scientific accuracy in judicial reasoning and the potential consequences of allowing emotion to trump evidence in legal proceedings.
Firstly, attributing extinction-level risks to climate change has no scientific basis.
The IPCC highlights significant threats posed by ‘climate change’, including extreme weather events (which we have not seen a rise in since 2000), sea level rise (sea level will change regardless of the ‘GHG’ concentration), and resource scarcity (green tech requires significantly more resources), these challenges don’t translate to an existential threat to our species.
Technological advancements and adaptation strategies all present avenues for mitigating risks and ensuring human flourishing. To claim otherwise simplifies the issue and disregards population growth of 5X since 1900, while the planet warmed 1.1°C.
In fact, in all of the IPCC reports, there is no mention of the extinction of the human species.
Secondly, relying on emotionally charged narratives instead of established scientific principles sets a dangerous precedent for legal decision-making.
The judicial system thrives on objectivity and impartiality, ensuring that verdicts are based on demonstrable evidence and reasoned arguments, not fearmongering and speculation.
This approach safeguards against rulings swayed by public anxieties and ensures justice remains grounded in verifiable facts.
In this case, allowing a lawsuit grounded in unproven claims of imminent human extinction sets a precarious precedent for future rulings based on contested scientific claims.
Finally, such pronouncements are at the heart of the mental health crisis surrounding climate anxiety.
The specter of an immediate existential threat, while potentially a call to action for climate activists, breeds despair and paralyzes young people’s progress.
When faced with an insurmountable crisis narrative, individuals and institutions often adopt fatalistic attitudes.
See more here climatechangedispatch
Header image: BBC
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