Reviews of articles from: Facebook

CLAIM REVIEWS

Nearly three decades on, the chemtrail-HAARP geoengineering conspiracy theory remains popular despite lack of evidence and no scientific basis

CLAIM
Global weather is controlled by secret geoengineering programs using chemtrails and ionosphere heating facilities.

SOURCE: Facebook users, Facebook

Published: 31 Aug 2023

VERDICT

The strands of cloud seen behind aeroplanes are trails of condensed water known as contrails, they are not chemtrails as some believe

CLAIM
Chemtrails contain toxic substances such as barium salts that are 10 thousand times more toxic to your nervous system than lead

SOURCE: William Deagle, Facebook

Published: 06 Apr 2023

VERDICT

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

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

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