Climate literacy

The climate movement’s demands for fast and effective climate action are based on science. The scientific community is unanimous on the causes, progress and consequences of climate change. Currently, more than 99% of peer-reviewed studies already agree that the climate is warming very rapidly due to human activity. If you come across dubious claims on social media, for example, keep in mind that climate denialism is not based on any evidence. It may even be a case of deliberate misleading.

The outright denial of climate change is quite rare in Finland, but downplaying the seriousness of its consequences and slowing down climate action is common. Identifying disinformation is a vital tool for climate activists. Science journalist Mikko Pelttari writes about the concept of climate literacy – a shared understanding of the causes and consequences of climate change and the ability to use this knowledge in public discussion. Source: Mikko Pelttari: Lämpenevä Maa (Vastapaino 2021)

You can develop your climate literacy in the same way as your media literacy: by learning to identify attempts to influence you and by assessing the sources of information and the intentions of the speakers, especially on social media but also in the traditional media. If a claim sounds too unbelievable or a promise too good to be true, it usually is. Researchers emphasise that climate change cannot be curbed effectively by using just one particular tool, such as technological solutions, but that all possible measures in all areas of life need to be implemented.

You can find the most common claims made by denialists and the scientific community’s responses to them on the website skepticalscience.com.

You do not need to know the scientific facts behind global warming by heart to be able to discuss climate change or take climate action. However, being familiar with some of the concepts will make it easier to read climate-related news, for example.