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John Cook's holiday parties kept turning into arguments with his father-in-law. 


The father-in-law didn't believe climate change was happening and would throw out "climate denial myths" in conversation, Cook said. 


Not one for losing, Cook girded himself for rhetorical battle.

For a feud-free family gathering


"Like any son-in-law who doesn't want to lose an argument with his father-in-law, I started to list all the possible arguments I might encounter at the next family get-together," he said. 


He prepared a list of myths touted by climate change deniers and skeptics, then collected what the science has to say. 


Cook thought this information might be useful to others who have the same issue with a cranky uncle or an argumentative father-in-law. So, he created the website Skeptical Science as a digital home for his list. 

197 climate myths and scientific facts long.

10 climate myths, and what science says about them

Cook works as a research assistant professor at the Center for Climate Change Communication at George Mason University, so this type of thing is his job. 


The fact that 97 percent of climate scientists say humans are causing global warming is what Cook attributes to the growing acceptance of climate change as reality.


"Everyone's busy. We don't have time to become experts on everything," he said. "So we often defer to what do the experts think on an issue?"


As climate change becomes more urgent, Cook said teaching people about it through the lens of climate myths and misconceptions can help.


"Addressing misinformation about climate change can actually be a positive educational opportunity," he said. 

All information courtesy of John Cook and 

Myth No. 1) The climate has changed before

Myth No. 6) Climate models are unreliable 

Myth No. 7) The temperature record is unreliable

The interview with Cook aired on MPR News' Climate Cast. Follow the show's 

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