Claim reviews
Claim in New Scientist that humans are responsible for over 100% of warming is mostly correct
CLAIM
more than 100 per cent of the warming over the past century is due to human actions
SOURCE: Michael Le Page, New Scientist
Published: 11 Mar 2017
VERDICT
Science shows that humans are primarily responsible for climate change, counter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt’s claim
CLAIM
I would not agree that [carbon dioxide is] a primary contributor to the global warming that we see.
SOURCE: EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, CNBC
Published: 10 Mar 2017
VERDICT
The world’s coral reefs are severely threatened by climate change and other human impacts, as ABC story notes
CLAIM
90 per cent of the world's coral reefs will disappear in the next 35 years due to coral bleaching induced by global warming, pollution and over-development.
SOURCE: Greg Hassall & Rebecca Latham, ABC News
Published: 27 Feb 2017
VERDICT
Daily Mail inflates data handling disagreement between scientists; makes unsupported “manipulation” accusation
CLAIM
world leaders were duped into investing billions over manipulated global warming data
SOURCE: David Rose, Daily Mail
Published: 06 Feb 2017
VERDICT
The Wall Street Journal fails to acknowledge that 2016 was the warmest year on record
CLAIM
no one really knows if last year (2016) was a (global temperature) record
SOURCE: Wall Street Journal editorial, The Wall Street Journal
Published: 27 Jan 2017
VERDICT
Global surface temperatures are increasing according to climate projections, contrary to Wall Street Journal claim
CLAIM
the warming is not nearly as great as the climate change computer models have predicted.
SOURCE: Wall Street Journal editorial, The Wall Street Journal
Published: 27 Jan 2017
VERDICT
Ocean acidification is expected to harm marine ecosystems overall, cherry-picking can lead to the opposite conclusion
CLAIM
Marine life has nothing whatsoever to fear from ocean acidification.
SOURCE: Mike Wallace & James Delingpole, The Spectator
Published: 10 Jan 2017
VERDICT
Oceans are currently acidifying, claims to the contrary contradict observations
CLAIM
there has been no reduction in oceanic pH levels in the last century
SOURCE: Mike Wallace & James Delingpole, The Spectator
Published: 10 Jan 2017
VERDICT
Claim that Arctic warming is already influencing mid-latitude weather correct but still under investigation
CLAIM
The jet stream meanders more, with big loops bringing warm air to the frozen north and cold air into warmer southern climes.
SOURCE: Damian Carrington, The Guardian
Published: 21 Dec 2016
VERDICT
Daily Mail claim about 2016 global temperature record is misleading
CLAIM
El Niño drove record highs in global temperatures suggesting rise may not be down to man-made emissions.
SOURCE: David Rose, The Daily Mail
Published: 02 Dec 2016
VERDICT