climate sceptic
Environmental science questioner
A climate sceptic (or climate skeptic in American spelling) is someone who doubts or disputes the scientific consensus on human-caused climate change.
The term ranges from those who question specific predictions or policy responses to those who reject climate science altogether.
Climate sceptics often appear in media debates and political discussions, though the scientific community largely views their positions as contradicted by evidence.
The panel included both climate scientists and climate sceptics.
One who contradicts
- contrarianChronic majority-opposer
- dissenterOpponent of orthodoxy
- criticOne who judges merit
- questionerOne who poses inquiries
challenger · naysayer · debunker · revisionist · obstructionist · pundit · commentator · blogger
Rejection of established facts
- misinformationFalse data spread unintentionally
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- politicizationMaking something a political issue
- lobbyingAdvocating to decision-makers
polarization · propaganda · media bias · think tank · vested interest · astroturfing · greenwashing · echo chamber
Lack of firm belief
- disbeliefRejection of truth claims
- distrustAbsence of confidence
- suspicionSense of unease about motives
- incredulityInability to accept something
motivated reasoning · confirmation bias · cognitive dissonance · denial · dismissal · rejection · cynicism · ambivalence
Reasoned case or dispute
- discourseFormal communication on subjects
- disputationFormal argumentative exchange
- rebuttalFormal response disputing claims
- counterargumentPoint challenging another's position
persuasion · rhetoric · talking points · burden of proof · consensus · peer review · scientific method · evidence
Atmospheric heat retention mechanism
- carbon dioxideRespiration byproduct, photosynthesis fuel
- emissionsSubstances released into air
- global warmingRising planetary temperatures
- temperature recordDocumented weather extreme
hockey stick · attribution · anthropogenic · paleoclimate · ice cores · sea level · feedback loops · aerosols
denier
One who contradicts
- contrarianChronic majority-opposer
- dissenterOpponent of orthodoxy
- criticOne who judges merit
questioner · challenger · naysayer · debunker · revisionist · obstructionist · pundit · commentator · blogger · denialist
denialism
Rejection of established facts
- misinformationFalse data spread unintentionally
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- politicizationMaking something a political issue
lobbying · polarization · propaganda · media bias · think tank · vested interest · astroturfing · greenwashing · echo chamber · cherry-picking
doubt
Lack of firm belief
- disbeliefRejection of truth claims
- distrustAbsence of confidence
- suspicionSense of unease about motives
incredulity · motivated reasoning · confirmation bias · cognitive dissonance · denial · dismissal · rejection · cynicism · ambivalence · identity
argument
Reasoned case or dispute
- discourseFormal communication on subjects
- disputationFormal argumentative exchange
- rebuttalFormal response disputing claims
counterargument · persuasion · rhetoric · talking points · burden of proof · consensus · peer review · scientific method · evidence · data interpretation
greenhouse effect
Atmospheric heat retention mechanism
- carbon dioxideRespiration byproduct, photosynthesis fuel
- emissionsSubstances released into air
- global warmingRising planetary temperatures
temperature record · hockey stick · attribution · anthropogenic · paleoclimate · ice cores · sea level · feedback loops · aerosols · methane
climate scepticenvironmentalist
Natural world protection advocate
warmist · climate scientist · Al Gore · Greta Thunberg · eco-warrior
climate scepticclimate scientist
Researcher studying atmospheric patterns
climate, climatic, climatically, climates, climatology, climatological, climatologist, sceptic, sceptics