You might have found out about those metered strikes that never happen. Or the fact some islands on the planet can just only exist for a decade roughly before being submerged by global warming, however they still exist half a century later. While global warming may be a threat, are we getting fake survival warnings to prepare ourselves if you find still time?
All major issues concerning individual nations such as the 2016 Presidential election in US and the Brexit vote in the United Kingdom or those conditions that are of concern to the world like the problem of global warming and climate change are threatened by fake news which can lead to catastrophic results. While the main topic of fake news has gained a wider audience following 2016 US election, fake news has still had a worrisome impact on us.
Fake news is not a recent phenomenon and has existed for quite a long time but its impact has become more widespread with the spread of the web and social media. The fake news phenomenon has been aided by the rapid expansion of the digital medium and its capacity to supply any message across the planet at lightening fast speed. It contributes to a scenario where such fake news can’t be checked, verified or challenged before it’s made available worldwide.
Scientists grapple with fake news. Scientists studying climate change are grappling with this specific phenomenon of fake news which is able to sow the seeds of confusion in the minds of both most people whose support is essential to implement changes to save the environment along with the decision makers who’ve the responsibility of earning decisions which even when painful are necessary to stop further environmental damage.
In this scenario it’s necessary that scientists step up their efforts for wider dissemination of correct and factual data so that folks become more science literate and can appreciate facts as they are and are not swayed by misinformation campaigns and deliberately leaked fake news. World bodies such as the United Nations believes that the 2030 sustainable development goals could be met only if scientific literature and discoveries get a wider audience.
The misinformation campaigns and deliberately leaked fake news and controversies have resulted in a scenario where polls both in the US and UK reveal that although a big majority of scientists consent to the fact climate change phenomenon of the modern era is largely fueled by human activities, the overall populace is not conscious of such unanimity on the problem while many believe that it’s still an unsettled issue. dollar to naira This kind of large scale denial of climate change and its causes is due to of the failure of the scientific community to effectively challenge fake news concerning the issue.
An alteration of habits is needed. Within their quest of wider dissemination of correct and factual data, scientists must change their long ingrained habit of sharing information one of the scientific community as their prime objective and instead must develop the habit of sharing their information not only with the scientific community but with most people also.
Within their search for disseminating scientific information scientists must use the aid of latest technological tools in order that they can develop effective way of two-way communication with the overall public. The brand new interdisciplinary field of translational ecology will help scientists work towards changing environmental research into public policy.
Turning the existing scenario into one where society understands and appreciates their perspective and is able to ascertain and understand the details about climate change is essential if environmental issues are to receive widespread support throughout the world. One of the ways through which we can support the growth of scientific temper is to understand what fake news is and trying to stop it from spreading.
What’s fake news? Since ancient times, rulers have indulged in slanting and planting news to serve their interests. But giving a slant to a news to suit one’s beliefs or ideology cannot be called fake news. Fake news could be referred to as a completely fabricated story without any basis that’s been floated by vested interests to serve their particular purpose.
We’re also at fault! Today with the advent of the web everyone from someone to media to government have a share in the spread of fake news although their motives to do so can vary greatly from increasing political clout, to achieving financial goals or any personal agenda. But how to understand whether the news is genuine or fake?
In sifting for fake news, go through the origins of the news. If it’s carried by a legitimate source of news odds are so it won’t be fake but if it’s originated from sources you’ve not heard about or are regarded as of dubious nature you then must take such news with a touch of salt and verify it from the known authentic source before you start believing it. The most obvious solution for checking the spread of fake news is human intervention. Technology on it’s own cannot sift and segregate fake news. Realizing this dimension Facebook has begun such a practice and has enlisted International Fact Checking Network to look into that news that users have flagged as deliberate fakes.
Stopping the spread of fake news, you yourself must start to take responsibility of that which you share. Do not share anything on the social media without starting the detail of the story or the photograph. Check the foundation of the story or the photo you desire to circulate and only if they result from some reputable sources in case you share them.