climate deniers
Science dismissal movement
Climate deniers are people who reject the scientific consensus that human activity is causing global warming.
The term is dismissive, framing skepticism as willful ignorance rather than legitimate disagreement: Climate deniers have blocked meaningful policy action for decades.
Those so labeled often prefer "climate skeptic." The phrasing echoes "Holocaust deniers," which critics of the term consider unfair.
Intentional deceptive falsehoods
- propagandaBiased information for influence
- fake newsIntentionally deceptive media content
- hoaxDeliberate deception for effect
- pseudoscienceBogus methodology posing as factual
fabrication · deception · distortion · cherry-picking · spin · misrepresentation · myths · fallacies
Atmospheric heat retention mechanism
- emissionsSubstances released into air
- carbon dioxideRespiration byproduct, photosynthesis fuel
- fossil fuelsCombustible prehistoric organic deposits
- global warmingRising planetary temperatures
temperature rise · sea level rise · extreme weather · IPCC · peer review · scientific consensus · paleoclimatology
Formal argument on issues
- polarizationSeparation into opposing extremes
- culture warConflict over societal values
- backlashStrong negative reaction
- politicizationMaking something a political issue
partisanship · tribalism · echo chambers · media bias · public opinion · activism · protests · litigation
Paid political persuaders
- contrariansHabitual position opposers
- skepticsThose who doubt claims
- industrialistsOwners of manufacturing enterprises
- punditsExpert commentators on affairs
politicians · commentators · think tanks · executives · oil executives · fossil fuel industry · front groups · denialists
Advocating to decision-makers
- obstructionSomething blocking the way
- delayEnforced waiting period
- deflectionChange in trajectory
- whataboutismDeflecting criticism through counter-accusation
media campaigns · political donations · greenwashing · gaslighting · goalpost moving · false balance · both-sidesism
disinformation
Intentional deceptive falsehoods
- propagandaBiased information for influence
- fake newsIntentionally deceptive media content
- hoaxDeliberate deception for effect
pseudoscience · fabrication · deception · distortion · cherry-picking · spin · misrepresentation · myths · fallacies · conspiracy theories
greenhouse effect
Atmospheric heat retention mechanism
- emissionsSubstances released into air
- carbon dioxideRespiration byproduct, photosynthesis fuel
- fossil fuelsCombustible prehistoric organic deposits
global warming · temperature rise · sea level rise · extreme weather · IPCC · peer review · scientific consensus · paleoclimatology
debate
Formal argument on issues
- polarizationSeparation into opposing extremes
- culture warConflict over societal values
- backlashStrong negative reaction
politicization · partisanship · tribalism · echo chambers · media bias · public opinion · activism · protests · litigation · accountability
lobbyists
Paid political persuaders
- contrariansHabitual position opposers
- skepticsThose who doubt claims
- industrialistsOwners of manufacturing enterprises
pundits · politicians · commentators · think tanks · executives · oil executives · fossil fuel industry · front groups · denialists · influencers
doubt
Lack of firm belief
- natural cyclesRepeating patterns in nature
lobbying
Advocating to decision-makers
- obstructionSomething blocking the way
- delayEnforced waiting period
- deflectionChange in trajectory
whataboutism · media campaigns · political donations · greenwashing · gaslighting · goalpost moving · false balance · both-sidesism
climate deniersenvironmentalists
Advocates for nature preservation
climate activists · Greta Thunberg · conservationists · Al Gore · green movement
climate, climatic, climatically, climatological, climatology, climatologist, denier, deniers, denial