You might have found out about those metered strikes that never happen. Or the truth that some islands in the world can only just exist for a decade or so before being submerged by global warming, however they still exist half a century later. While global warming may be a threat, are we getting fake survival warnings to get ready ourselves when there is still time?
All major issues concerning individual nations just like the 2016 Presidential election in US and the Brexit vote in the United Kingdom or those conditions that are of concern to depends upon like the issue of global warming and climate change are threatened by fake news which can lead to catastrophic results. While the main topic of fake news has gained a broader audience following the 2016 US election, fake news has still had a worrisome affect us.
Fake news is not just a recent phenomenon and has existed for quite a while but its impact has be widespread with the spread of the net and social media. The fake news phenomenon has been aided by the rapid expansion of the digital medium and its capacity to supply any message across the globe at lightening fast speed. It results in a predicament where such fake news can’t be checked, verified or challenged before it is made available worldwide.
Scientists grapple with fake news. Scientists studying climate change are grappling with this particular phenomenon of fake news which is able to sow the seeds of confusion in the minds of both most people whose support is necessary to implement changes to save lots of the surroundings along with your choice makers who have the responsibility of making decisions which even when painful are necessary to stop further environmental damage.
In this scenario it is necessary that scientists step-up their efforts for wider dissemination of correct and factual data so that folks be science literate and can appreciate facts as they are and are not swayed by misinformation campaigns and deliberately leaked fake news. World bodies just like the United Nations believes that the 2030 sustainable development goals could be met only if scientific literature and discoveries obtain a wider audience.
The misinformation campaigns and deliberately leaked fake news and controversies have resulted in a predicament where polls both in the US and UK reveal that although a large most of scientists agree to the truth that climate change phenomenon of the current era is essentially fueled by human activities, the typical populace is not aware of such unanimity on the issue while many believe that it is still an unsettled issue. This kind of large scale denial of climate change and its causes is due to of the failure of the scientific community to effectively challenge fake news about the issue.
An alteration of habits is needed. Within their quest of wider dissemination of correct and factual data, scientists must change their long ingrained habit of sharing Nigeria news information among the scientific community as their prime objective and instead must develop the habit of sharing their information not just with the scientific community but with most people also.
Within their quest for disseminating scientific information scientists must use the help of latest technological tools so they are able to develop effective way of two-way communication with the typical public. The brand new interdisciplinary field of translational ecology can help scientists work towards changing environmental research into public policy.
Turning the present scenario into one where society understands and appreciates their perspective and is able to ascertain and understand the factual statements about climate change is important if environmental issues are for widespread support throughout the world. One of many ways by which we could support the growth of scientific temper is to understand what fake news is and trying to stop it from spreading.
What is fake news? Ever since ancient times, rulers have indulged in slanting and planting news to serve their interests. But giving a slant to a news to suit one’s beliefs or ideology cannot be called fake news. Fake news could be described as an entirely fabricated story without the basis that has been floated by vested interests to serve their particular purpose.
We are also at fault! Today with the advent of the net everyone from someone to media to government have a share in the spread of fake news although their motives to do so can vary greatly from increasing political clout, to achieving financial goals or any personal agenda. But how to understand whether the headlines is genuine or fake?
In sifting for fake news, consider the origins of the news. If it’s carried by the best source of news odds are that it won’t be fake but when it has descends from sources you’ve not heard of or are known to be of dubious nature then you definitely must take such news with a touch of salt and verify it from the known authentic source before you begin believing it. The absolute most obvious solution for checking the spread of fake news is human intervention. Technology by itself cannot sift and segregate fake news. Realizing this dimension Facebook has started this type of practice and has enlisted International Fact Checking Network to look into that news that users have flagged as deliberate fakes.
Stopping the spread of fake news, you yourself must begin to take responsibility of what you share. Do not share anything on the social media without starting the detail of the story or the photograph. Check the origin of the story or the photo you desire to circulate and only if they come from some reputable sources should you share them.