Claim reviews
A third of Antarctic ice shelf risks collapse at 4°C above pre-industrial levels, as accurately described in CNN article
CLAIM
"A third of Antarctic ice shelf risks collapse as our planet warms"
SOURCE: Amy Woodyatt, CNN
Published: 16 Apr 2021
VERDICT
In viral Turning Point USA video, Candace Owens and Charlie Kirk falsely claim there is no evidence of global warming and scientists don’t know the cause
CLAIM
There is no factual data to back up global warming; real scientists don’t know whether CO2, solar sunspots or natural activity cause global warming
SOURCE: Candace Owens, Charlie Kirk , Turning Point USA
Published: 16 Apr 2021
VERDICT
Deserts cool the planet by reflecting solar radiation to space; vegetated areas have an overall warming effect, so planting trees in deserts doesn’t necessarily cool the planet
CLAIM
"Deserts are heat producers, reflecting around 60% to 70% of the solar energy that falls on them straight back into the atmosphere."; "If we want to do something about global warming, we have to do something about deserts."
SOURCE: Ties Van der Hoeven, Steve Rose, The Guardian
Published: 09 Apr 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
Solar geoengineering isn’t happening or damaging the planet; aircraft contrails are formed by water vapor, not chemicals
CLAIM
"The intentional dimming of direct sunlight by aircraft dispersed particles, a form of global warming mitigation known as “Solar Radiation Management”, has and is causing catastrophic damage to the planet’s life support systems."
SOURCE: Dane Wigington, Geoengineering Watch
Published: 25 Mar 2021
VERDICT
Connecting a generator to the wheel of an electric vehicle won’t recharge its battery
CLAIM
The rotating wheel of an electric vehicle can recharge the vehicle’s battery by affixing a generator
SOURCE: Ozzy's Classics, Facebook
Published: 15 Mar 2021
VERDICT
A “water-powered” car still requires other forms of fuel to work; it cannot run solely on water, contrary to viral Facebook video claims
CLAIM
There exists a car that runs solely on water
SOURCE: Anonymous, Gaia
Published: 15 Mar 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
The scientific research facility HAARP cannot create natural disasters or influence human thoughts and movements, contrary to online claims
CLAIM
HAARP may deliberately create destruction on a global scale, causing earthquakes, cyclones, flooding, snowstorms, around the world; HAARP may be attacking the citizens of the world telepathically, influencing thoughts with low frequency vibrations
SOURCE: Anonymous, Gaia
Published: 02 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