A May heatwave across Europe has shattered temperature records and sparked a wave of familiar claims online that attempt to throw climate science into disrepute.
One post on X, viewed thousands of times, claims that historic heatwaves, such as those in London in the summer of 1976 and in 1921, prove that the current high temperatures are nothing unusual.
Other posts allege that temperature records are misleading, either via a real phenomenon known as the “urban heat island” effect, or through outright manipulation or deception.
Climate scientists say that these claims are not only misleading but can contribute to hostility and harassment directed toward researchers.
[Bart Verheggen, senior climate advisor at the Dutch meteorological institute KNMI] said misinformation remains an important factor in public discussions about climate change, and its nature has changed over time. “The science is getting clearer and clearer and increasingly accepted by a larger group in the middle,” he said.
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“At the same time, the forces that work against these policies seem to have hardened their stance,” he added.
