This article reviews ten significant climate predictions that failed to come true, from the 1970s to recent years. Notable figures including Greta Thunberg and Al Gore made dire forecasts regarding extinction, temperature drops, and environmental destruction that have not materialized. The historical context underscores the complexities in climate science and the challenges in making accurate long-term predictions.
In recent years, several climate predictions made by prominent figures have garnered criticism for their inaccuracy. Notably, in 2017, climate activist Greta Thunberg promoted a warning from Harvard professor James Anderson, suggesting humanity risked extinction by 2023 unless fossil fuel usage ceased. Anderson also forecast that the Arctic would be ice-free by 2022 without a global transition away from fossil fuels. However, current estimates still predict a potential ice-free Arctic between 2035 and 2067, illustrating the ongoing uncertainties in climate science.
The trend of failed climate predictions dates back to the 1970s. Here are ten significant examples:
1. In 1970, S. Dillon Ripley stated that 75-80% of species would face extinction by 1995. This did not occur.
2. Also in 1970, Kenneth Watt claimed that crude oil would be depleted and agriculture would cease, predicting a drastic 11-degree temperature drop by 2000. This prediction proved incorrect.
3. Stanford biologist Paul Ehrlich forecasted that by 1980, up to 200 million people would die annually from starvation due to overpopulation, and ocean life would vanish. This prediction was extremely inaccurate.
4. Peter Gunter, in 1970, warned that population growth would outpace food supplies by 2000, leading to widespread famine outside Western countries. This scenario did not materialize.
5. Dr. S. I. Rasool of NASA in 1971 predicted a “new ice age” within 50 years, a prediction that turned out to be incorrect.
6. Ehrlich warned again in 1975 that within 30 years, 90% of tropical rainforests and half of all species would be lost. This was erroneous as well.
7. In 1988, Hussein Shihab predicted the Maldives would be submerged within 30 years, along with a water scarcity by 1992. This failed to happen.
8. A 2004 Pentagon analysis claimed climate change would lead to global chaos, predicting major European cities would flood by 2020. This did not occur.
9. In 2008, ABC’s Bob Woodruff warned in a documentary that New York City could be underwater by 2015, a prediction that ultimately failed.
10. In 2009, Al Gore stated that the Arctic would be ice-free by 2014, a claim that mirrors Thunberg’s forecast for 2022. This has also proven untrue.
The article discusses notable instances of failed climate predictions, demonstrating that many dire forecasts by scientists and activists have not materialized as anticipated. This history of inaccuracies illustrates the complexities and uncertainties inherent in climate science, often leading to exaggerated claims about future scenarios. It highlights the importance of critically evaluating climate predictions and understanding the science behind them.
Original Source: freebeacon.com
