NZ kids "brainwashed" on climate change

The Ministry for the Environment is misleading New Zealand children about human-caused climate change and its effects, according to New Zealand Climate Change Coalition.The Coalition says it is concerned about the impact of the Ministry website http://www.4million.org.nz/ which it says is aimed at influencing the beliefs of New Zealand children.They are demanding its immediate withdrawal.Dr Chris de Freitas, a climate scientist at The University of Auckland advising the Coalition, said the material on the website is "brainwashing our children with information that is unbalanced and not a true reflection of the range of views on human-caused climate change and the scientific basis. "When speculation is presented as fact, the issue of social responsibility arises” he said.He pointed to the example on the website intended to enlighten children on mechanisms of global warming. They are advised to conduct an experiment using a glass jar and thermometers to make a miniature version of the greenhouse effect.Dr de Freitas said that this is an "inappropriate" way to explain global climate because there is no equivalent of the glass panes, and the energy is not 'trapped'. He says that energy is being absorbed (by the molecules of the atmosphere that are capable of absorbing it), and this energy in turn is being continually radiated away: the warmer the air the greater the rate of radiation, which cools the air as energy is lost.“The website also informs are children that the greenhouse gases in our atmosphere as ‘mainly carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide’, when in fact the main greenhouse gas responsible for controlling climate is water vapour.“These are just a few examples of the dubious quality of the information on the website." he said.
6-Jun-2