This paper explores  two examples from the Climate of Doubt video that illustrate how the media may help promote or help refute pseudoscience. 2) How do the skeptics “diminish the credibility of the scientific consensus” and “spread the message of doubt?”

Climate of Doubt

Question and Answer.  Using the following video clips and/or readings, answer the questions below using complete sentences. Please number your answers. PART A: Video #1 – PBS: Climate of Doubt http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/climate-of-doubt/ (Links to an external site.) Watch from start to around 7:20 – background Watch from 15:20 to 21:50 – manipulation of data, “going down the up escalator” and the Oregon Petition Watch from around 36:55 to about 44:45 – North Carolina climate change legislation on sea level rise and discussion of use of tactics used by the tobacco industry in claiming second-hand smoke is not harmful; oil industry ties.

Climate of Doubt

1) Give two examples from the Climate of Doubt video that illustrate how the media may help promote or help refute pseudoscience. 2) How do the skeptics “diminish the credibility of the scientific consensus” and “spread the message of doubt?” Include analysis of “going down the up escalator” and the Oregon Petition as pseudoscience. 3) What do you think are the motivations behind climate denial, based on the video? Who are the key players seen in the video and what are their credentials? What industries are cited as being heavily involved, and who are some of the key players with ties to industries? http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/climate-of-doubt/

Climate of Doubt

4) Discuss the failed North Carolina legislation to “legislate climate change out of existence.” How did the skeptics win, even though the legislation was not passed (what is the next step)? PART B: Video #2 – Senator Brian Schatz talking about the Web of Denial: https://twitter.com/SenBrianSchatz/status/755492348407058432 (Links to an external site.) (If that does not work, go to this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hz-72_kjsnI Then read the Senate Concurrent Resolution (found here): http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/download/?id=14B7203D-50FE-4BA9-82FC-B76756B70503&download=1 (Links to an external site.)

Climate of Doubt

Answer the following question: 5) What is the Web of Denial? Why are US Senators taking action by supporting the Senate Web of Denial Resolution? PART C: link to Video: https://www.ted.com/talks/pamela_ronald_the_case_for_engineering_our_food (Links to an external site.) From TED2015 – Pamela Ronald, “The Case for Engineering Our Food” (17:40) 6) Briefly describe two or three techniques breeders have traditionally used to manipulate the characteristics of agricultural plants. Hint: these are techniques that do not require a scientific laboratory and have been in use for a long time. https://youtu.be/kqBodx5iXRM

Climate of Doubt

7) What are some of the arguments for (in favor of), and/or benefits of, genetic engineering of plants in general? 8) Describe 3 specific examples of crops successfully enhanced by GE – what were they, what was the issue, and how were they engineered to fix the issue? 9) What is the scientific consensus (conclusions from scientists) regarding the safety of GE foods? 10) Provide some of your own reflections regarding the speaker’s arguments. Suggestions: Do you agree or disagree with any of these main points? To what extent do you find the arguments persuasive? Was there anything you learned that was new or surprising? Anything you would want to ask the speaker? Can you think of any arguments against these conclusions?

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