Perspective on Dr. Patrick Moore

Patrick Moore is frequently introduced as a co-founder of Greenpeace, a point contested by the organization itself, which states he was an early and influential member but not a founder. His current views have led to significant criticism, with Greenpeace distancing itself from him, noting he has become a paid spokesman for industries like nuclear energy, logging, and mining. Since leaving the organization, Moore has founded consulting firms that work with these industries.

Analysis of Key Claims

The following table compares Dr. Moore's assertions against the mainstream scientific understanding.

Claim	Scientific Context & Rebuttal
"No evidence CO₂ is the climate's control knob."	NASA identifies CO₂ as the most important long-lived greenhouse gas. The IPCC and other scientific bodies show that climate models cannot reproduce the current rate of warming without factoring in anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. The physics of CO₂ absorbing heat is well-established.
"CO₂ is very low historically; we saved life from starvation."	While past CO₂ levels were indeed higher (e.g., during the Cambrian period), life on Earth had millions of years to adapt to those conditions. The current rapid, human-driven rise—from 280 ppm to over 420 ppm in about 150 years—is unprecedented in the geological record and is causing changes that outpace natural adaptation, leading to ecosystem stress, not salvation.
"Warmer temperatures and more CO₂ are beneficial."	The scientific consensus, represented by bodies like the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and the IPCC, is that the current trajectory of climate change poses significant and severe risks, including sea-level rise, increased frequency of extreme weather events, disruptions to global agriculture, and ocean acidification, which harms marine life.

Guidelines for Evaluating Climate Information

Given the conflicting information available, you can assess climate-related claims by considering the following:

Consider the Source and Potential Biases
Be aware of an individual's or organization's funding and affiliations. Patrick Moore's work as a consultant for various energy industries is a relevant context for his views.

Look for Scientific Consensus
On complex issues like climate change, the consensus of the worldwide scientific community, represented by organizations like NASA, the IPCC, and national science academies, provides a more reliable guide than individual dissenting voices.

Examine the Full Argument
A fact can be true but used to create a misleading impression. For example, while historical CO₂ levels were sometimes higher, the key issue is the unprecedented speed of the current change and its implications for modern human civilization and ecosystems.