Social media as battleground

Social media platforms have supercharged battles over scientific evidence on a range of issues. A United Nations panel of climate scientists says it is at least 95 per cent certain that human activity is the dominant cause of climate change since the mid-20th century. Climate sceptics challenge that consensus daily on social media, arguing that fluctuations in global temperatures have occurred in the previous era and are natural events.

A United Nations panel of climate scientists says it is at least 95 per cent certain that human activity is the dominant cause of climate change since the mid-20th century. Climate sceptics challenge that consensus daily on social media, arguing that fluctuations in global temperatures have occurred in the previous era and are natural events.

 Hundreds of scientific studies have shown genetically modified foods to be safe to eat and GM crops are widely grown across the world, including in the United States. Supporters say GM crops can help feed a growing world population with cheaper, more plentiful food. But opponents believe they are risky and say tampering with crops’ genes could have unknown future impacts.