Relying on credible sources is essential for an understanding of most things but especially climate change. Unfortunately, climate change myths, like the 5 listed below, are created and perpetuated by unreliable sources that people mistake as credible ones. Its important to be able to discern a reliable source from an unreliable source to insure that you are consuming accurate information when you are trying to make a decision or an evaluative judgment. Fortunately, there are a few fairly universal tools that you can arm yourself with in the battle for trustworthy information.
Firstly, credible sources regarding climate change should cite some scientific research to back their claim. For example, the IPCC is considered to be one of the most reliable sources of information regarding climate change. When the IPCC publishes a report it lists the sources of all of their information; these sources are scientific studies that can be verified by a third party.
A second characteristic that most credible sources have is their objectivity in reporting that facts. Even if a source does reveal an opinion or an argument in the story, they present this subjectivity while still reporting the facts. For example, the New York Times is a reputable newspaper and has been considered a credible source for decades. When they release a story they usually open up with objective facts before interpreting them. The same can be done with all stories regarding climate change. Credible source will first provide their readers with the objective facts before interpreting how these facts affect politics, individuals, the environment, etc. Non-credible sources, however, often lead with conjecture and arguments before informing the reader of the facts, if they do at all.
Finally, credible sources are usually recognized as such and cited by other credible sources. Readers should be wary of sources that cannot be verified or that are not cited by other sources. If a publication does not provide additional resources for where their claims can be mirrored and supported there is a strong chance that the source is not reliable.
Climate change is a contentious issue that which makes it more important to rely on credible sources but can make it harder to identify which sources should be trusted and which should be not. Anyone with an internet connection can publish about climate change which means that if you Google a climate myth you are guaranteed to find a sources that will agree with whatever falsehood you wish to find. However, it is imperative that we inform ourselves no with what we want to hear, but what we need to hear: the truth.