Why do so many peole lie about the IPCC?

Question

Many people today have said the IPCC is a liberal political group when in fact it is a scientific body. Do people really think that politicians could analyze and summarize thousands of scientific papers? Or do they simply lie about the IPCC in an attempt to undermine its credibility, since the IPCC is the foremost authority on climate science?

On top of that, mission_viejo has repeatedly lied about the IPCC, claiming that it had concluded that humans are not responsible for the current warming, when it specifically concludes otherwise.

Do people really not know what the IPCC is, or do they engage in ad hominem attacks because they can't dispute the science?

Answer 1

I wouldn't say they're lying about it. A lie is a falsehood told intentionally. I think most of the skeptics saying the IPCC is a fraud actually believe it.

This sort of thinking usually stems from ignorance. It's very easy to decry something you do not understand. I've noticed a consistent trend among the skeptics, those with a poor understanding of the subject almost invariably believe that global warming is a hoax. Those who know what they're talking about may believe the theory is flawed, but never accuse climate scientists of fraud.

I present Dr. Jello's answer above as exhibit A.

Answer 2

The problem is no one trusts groups like the IPCC because for years governments have criticized them or politicized them. When the government doesn't agree they dismiss them as highly bias organizations with ulterior motives and when they want to use something for political gain they jump on it and ride it like a camel. If everyone forgot this left weigh right wing crap that isn't so blatantly stupid in most other countries they would come to the realization that its the way in which we interpret reports or the organizations that run them that inherently corrupt them. Step back, take a look at all the information, look at the system holistically without bias and make an informed decision.

The reason why a lot of reports are thought by the public to go too far is because in most cases (when driven primarily by science and not politics) are using the precautionary principle which states that a lack of data or scientific understanding should not prevent the protection, conservation or proper management of the environment and its ecosystems.

Answer 3

people are just uneducated and stubborn. There are all the big oil think tanks which are not helping the cause and economists who believe the market will solve our problems.

I attended a lecture by Dr. Micheal Mann. One of the leading paleoclimatologists of the IPCC and the one who create the hockey stick graph. He is in no way a politician. He did a good job of showing us how and why the climate was changing. He even went so far as to say things like " well lets pretend we are completely wrong about A, well then B is still causing __ warming" Climate Change is a lot more complicated than just CO2 level rise. Though it may be the leading contributer, most people dont understand the positive feedback loops which will multiply the affects of CO2 rise.

Answer 4

People often state their opinions as if they are fact. People saying that the IPCC is a liberal political group is really just an opinion. It sounds like an opinion tainted with prejudice, the kind that racists use to discredit any race they don't like.

And, as far as the other misinformation goes, it's just that, misinformation. That comes from all sorts of sources, anything from actual malicious attempts at harming a movement to simple misunderstandings.

The best we all can do is take nothing personal, because none of us can really know exactly what's going on at all times.

Answer 5

Because politics is not truth. But the finger pointers can use this as rationale to condemn to whole effort. If anything, the IPCC process dilutes the message. I'm amazed something so damming made through the political process.

Answer 6

There are so many organisations that have axes to grind against any proof about global warming! They all must take any opportunity to criticise the IPCC in order to promote their own products and activities. The big question remains - is it safe to ignore all these warnings when the consequences of so doing would be fatal......................
I personally believe in taking the safe way - and playing safe.
Recycle and conserve, cut down on waste and use less.
It will, in the long run, be the cheaper approach.

Answer 7

People are ignorant and Afraid of reality, therefore they will act out as small children. Global Warming is real, I work in the top of Norway and for the last 5 years the winters have been quite warm -1 and usually for this time of year it is -10 -15 and we also have been having very little snow, Global Warming real.

Answer 8

If you think that the IPCC is not politically driven I suggest you read the house of lords assessment of the IPCC.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200506/ldselect/ldeconaf/12/1210.htm

Chris landsea states here how the IPCC purposely exaggerated their claims on Hurricanes:

http://sciencepolicy.colorado.edu/prometheus/archives/science_policy_general/000318chris_landsea_leaves.html

Given such behaviour, why should I trust them?

Answer 9

Perhaps your misconception about people lying about the IPCC is based on a misunderstanding of what the IPCC is. The "About IPCC" section of the IPCC's website states, "Who we are:
The IPCC is a scientific intergovernmental body set up by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Its constituency is made of :
The governments: the IPCC is open to all member countries of WMO and UNEP. Governments of participate in plenary Sessions of the IPCC where main decisions about the IPCC workprogramme are taken and reports are accepted, adopted and approved. They also participate the review of IPCC Reports.
The scientists: hundreds of scientists all over the world contribute to the work of the IPCC as authors, contributors and reviewers.
The people: as United Nations body, the IPCC work aims at the promotion of the United Nations human development goals."

That description clearly distinguishes "the scientists" from "the governments," and ascribes to "the governments" the authority over "main decisions about the IPCC workprogramme" and the acceptance, adoption, and approval of reports. Thus, the pronouncements made by the IPCC are determined by governments (i.e., entities run by politicians), not by scientists themselves. Moreover, "the governments" are apparently attempting to characterize "the scientists'" opinions to suit their needs, as evidenced by the inclusion in IPCC reports of names of scientists who do not endorse the reports, such as Richard Lindzen and Paul Reiter, who apparently had to threaten legal action to get his name removed. I know of no such behavior on the part of any other so-called "scientific body." Thus, many statements that you apparently consider to be lies about the IPCC actually appear to be legitimate criticism of a politically-influenced organization that apparently misrepresents the understandings of at least some of "the scientists."

Answer 10

The IPCC is not a scientific body. The I in IPCC stands for interGOVERNMENTAL, what part of Government = Politics do you not understand.