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Reviews of articles by: Facebook users
CLAIM REVIEWS
Electric cars aren’t seven times more expensive than gasoline-powered cars, as claimed on Facebook
CLAIM
An electric car “costs more than seven times as much” as a gasoline powered car
SOURCE: Facebook users, Facebook
Published: 21 Oct 2021
VERDICT
A 2014 study showed that the US Corn Belt is one of the biggest primary producers on Earth in July, but didn’t show that it produces more oxygen than the Amazon
CLAIM
"the US corn crop, at its peak, produces 40% more oxygen than the Amazon rainforest."
SOURCE: Facebook users, Facebook (see claim in context)
Published: 23 Sep 2021
VERDICT
The energy costs of manufacturing wind turbines are recouped in one to six months; turbines are financially profitable over their lifetimes
CLAIM
Wind turbines in the US are made of toxic materials that pollute the environment, are mostly built in Germany, and will not pay off their manufacturing costs within their lifetimes.
SOURCE: Internet User, Facebook
Published: 08 Apr 2021
VERDICT
Scientists didn’t announce impending environmental catastrophes every decade since the 1970s
CLAIM
"Government funded science: 70’s: another ice age in 10 years; 80’s: acid rain will destroy all crops in 10 years; 90’s: the ozone layer will be destroyed in 10 years; 2000’s the ice caps will be gone on 10 years"
SOURCE: Facebook users, Facebook
Published: 03 Mar 2021
VERDICT
Viral photo of a helicopter de-icing a wind turbine is from Sweden, not Texas; current power outages in Texas are due to multiple fuel types going offline
CLAIM
Helicopters are using chemicals made from fossil fuels to defrost wind turbines; frosted wind turbines are responsible for blackouts in Texas; “the reason your power is/was out is wind energy's fault.”
SOURCE: Facebook users, Facebook
Published: 17 Feb 2021
VERDICT
NOAA shows clear global warming trends over the past 58 years based on radiosonde data
CLAIM
“The 58 year net gain of global temperature is zero. We are simply in a cyclical, normal ebb and flow of temperature.”
SOURCE: Facebook users, Facebook
Published: 05 Feb 2021
VERDICT
Brush rake attachments are primarily used to pile up heavy forest debris as part of active thinning, harvesting, and removal projects
CLAIM
“this is [...] a brush rake. It's used for clearing underbrush and debris from the forest floor that builds up and creates fuel for wild fires. Now you can stop looking stupid trying to make fun of Trump telling California to rake the forest.”
SOURCE: Facebook users, Facebook
Published: 04 Nov 2020
VERDICT
Climate change, forest management and several other causes contribute to wildfire severity and total area burned in the western United States
CLAIM
“Forest fires are caused by poor management. Not by climate change.”
SOURCE: Anonymous, Facebook
Published: 16 Sep 2020
VERDICT