The article reviews ten catastrophic climate predictions from as far back as the 1970s that ultimately did not come to fruition, including warnings about species extinction, resource depletion, and drastic temperature changes. These instances highlight the frequent occurrences of exaggerated predictions within the field of climate science.
The article discusses ten significant catastrophic climate predictions made over the years that ultimately did not materialize. Notably, in 2017, prominent climate activist Greta Thunberg highlighted a prediction made by Harvard professor James Anderson, which posited that climate change would lead to humanity’s extinction by 2023 without immediate action. Anderson also stated that the Arctic Ocean would lose all floating ice by 2022 without drastic global measures. These predictions reflect a broader historical trend beginning in the 1970s, where numerous dire forecasts failed to come true. The article delineates ten particular instances:
1. S. Dillon Ripley predicted in 1970 that 75-80% of species would face extinction by 1995—this did not occur.
2. Ecologist Kenneth Watt claimed in the same year that crude oil would disappear, agricultural land would be unusable, and global temperatures would reduce by 11 degrees by 2000, which proved unfounded.
3. Paul Ehrlich, in 1970, warned of 200 million annual starvation deaths by the decade’s end and a life expectancy decrease. These alarming predictions never materialized.
4. Peter Gunter forecasted in 1970 that global population would surpass food supplies leading to widespread famine by 2000, a scenario that failed to happen.
5. Dr. S.I. Rasool predicted a new ice age within 50 years in 1971, a claim that was incorrect.
6. Paul Ehrlich again predicted in 1975 that 90% of tropical rainforests and 50% of species would vanish in 30 years, which was erroneous.
7. Hussein Shihab, in 1988, stated the Maldives would be underwater in 30 years and would deplete its drinking water by 1992—both claims were false.
8. A 2004 Pentagon analysis projected global chaos due to climate change and that major European cities would be submerged by 2020; this did not occur.
9. Bob Woodruff hosted an ABC News special in 2008 that suggested New York City could be underwater by 2015, predictions that similarly failed to come true.
10. Al Gore predicted in 2009 that the Arctic Ocean would be ice-free by 2014—this forecast has also proven inaccurate.
The examples outlined above illustrate a pattern of incorrect predictions regarding climate change over the past several decades. Despite the alarming nature of these forecasts, the anticipated outcomes have not materialized. It is crucial to approach future climate predictions with a critical perspective, recognizing the historical inaccuracies and the need for accurate data and responsible communication regarding climate science.
Original Source: freebeacon.com
