By Daniel Brouse
Many people ask, “Why does a scientist engage with climate deniers?”
Thanks for the concern! You’re right that, for my mental health, it might be easier to ignore them. However, as an educator, I see these interactions as an opportunity to reach a wider audience. Engaging with climate skeptics—what some might call ‘climate dummies’—gives me the chance to correct misinformation in real time and provide fact-based explanations to others who may be quietly observing the conversation.
By addressing these false claims head-on, I can offer a legitimate, scientifically backed source of information to those seeking clarity in a sea of misinformation. This outreach is critical, especially when so many people are exposed to conflicting or inaccurate claims about climate change. My aim is not to argue for the sake of it, but to ensure that there are trusted voices out there providing clear, evidence-based information on the urgent reality of climate change.
In addition, their opposition is immensely educative in our efforts. In reality, their persistent denial of climate change has forced us to rethink and drastically rebuild our climate models. What were once “worst-case” scenarios have now become the “best-case” outcomes we are seeing today.
Our updated climate models, now integrating complex social-ecological factors, show that global temperatures could rise by up to 9°C within this century—far beyond previous predictions of a 4°C rise over the next thousand years. This kind of warming could bring us dangerously close to the “wet-bulb” threshold, where heat and humidity exceed the human body’s ability to cool itself, leading to fatal consequences.
The reality is, we need these so-called climate “skeptics” to remind us just how urgent and critical the climate crisis is becoming. Ironically, their denial helps highlight the importance of decisive action, as climate change continues to spiral out of control.
The window for meaningful intervention is closing, and the need for action has never been more critical.