Yes, it's interesting how people blindly believe stuff on social media without questioning it. If one wants to find out more about subject as such as climate change (or Moon landings, etc) there are a number of public lectures given by accredited experts at institutions such as Imperial College, BAA, etc (either free or for a nominal fee). However, sometimes scientists don't help themselves, as in the case of the ones at UEA who appeared to want to hide some possible discrepancies in their data (they have disputed that):
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/feb/01/leaked-emails-climate-jones-chinese
This was important as Piers Corbyn - Jeremy's brother and proponent of an alternative climate theory based on solar activity rather than CO2 emissions - was refused permission by the UEA scientists to run their data through his algorithms. I had to agree with PC that was wrong as all scientific theories should be challenged, although personally I think he's probably wrong. His brother obviously disagrees as well, although an attempt by the president of the RCSA to get the Corbyn brothers to debate their differences on climate change failed!
As another RCSA/IC alumnus, Dr Brian May, said at last year's European Astrofest in response to a question about Moon landing conspiracy theories: people seem more willing to accept fanciful theories propagated on the internet than hard, proven facts. Perhaps it's because conspiracy theories are often just that: more fancifully presented than dry scientific facts?
Michael Ixer ● 2652d