Facts, Theories, and Stories About Climate Change

Al Gore wrote a recent essay for Rolling Stone magazine entitled "Climate of Denial" in which he analyzes the political and social resistance to accepting the theories and models of human-caused climate change. He quotes a philosopher who commented on the rise of propaganda in politics after World War II, that, "The conversion of all questions of truth into questions of power has attacked the very heart of the distinction between true and false." Unfortunately, he was wrong.

There is no "conversion" taking place for climate deniers, rather there is a shift in emphasis from the factual basis of claims of climate change to the personal, social, and political context and implications of climate change. Any honest philosopher will tell you that "truth" is not the same thing as "fact" or "observation". The truth of climate change is not a set of observations, organizing theories, and predictive models. Rather, the truth is an interdependent web of scientific understanding, personal reflection and realization, and values-laden discussion and decision-making in the social and political arenas. That is why the truth, and not the facts or the theory alone, can set us free. Truth in this sense is a story of meaning and value and a call to personal and collective action; in other words, it is a myth in its most positive and meaningful sense.

So why do climate deniers challenge the science, at least the theories and predictions? Because they (sub)consciously realize that to accept the scientific story of climate change is to accept the foundation of the climate crisis as a powerful truth that has fundamental moral and ethical implications, as Al Gore has been prophesying for some time. It is because deep down, they hold the same values and beliefs as those who accept the truth of climate change. And that is a source of profound hope (as well as continuing frustration). Slavery; suppression of women's rights; disregard for the environment; and denying civil rights for people of all races, religions, and creeds continued long after the reality of the "facts" were widely known because many people resisted the myth of injustice and the truths they told. The ones we should really fear are those who accept the facts of climate change but don't see it as a call to action. Their hearts have been hardened against the realities of the climate crisis.

So what are we to do? We should engage with the climate deniers or skeptics on the full truth of the climate crisis. We should highlight the common ground—values, interests, faiths, traditions—that we share in common. The deniers need help coming to grips with the moral of the climate crisis story, not the science. Interfaith Power and Light is uniquely positioned to do this, and books such as Moral Ground provide inspirational essays and stories from multiple perspectives and faiths to help us. We need stories to tell the truth in a way that highlights the centrality of morals and ethics, showing how we all share in the responsibility for what has happened and to respond appropriately.