lady justice

Michael E. Mann: Legal victory highlights the ongoing battle for climate science integrity

In a recent defamation case, scientists Michael E. Mann and Peter J. Fontaine emerged victorious, highlighting the ongoing struggles against climate misinformation.

Michael E. Mann and Peter J. Fontaine write for The New York Times.


In short:

  • Michael E. Mann, a climate scientist, and Peter J. Fontaine, an environmental lawyer, recently won a defamation lawsuit, emphasizing the severity of attacks on climate science.
  • The court case reflects a broader issue where scientific research, especially on climate change, faces distortion and defamation.
  • This victory marks a significant step for scientists to legally counteract misinformation, but also underscores the ongoing battle against climate science skepticism.

Key quote:

"We hope this sends a broader message that defamatory attacks on scientists go beyond the bounds of protected speech and have consequences."

— Michael E. Mann and Peter J. Fontaine

Why this matters:

This case not only defends the integrity of scientific research but also underscores the critical need to address climate misinformation. Understanding and acknowledging scientific facts is vital for informed public policy and health outcomes, especially as the world faces increasing environmental challenges.

Be sure to read Peter Dykstra’s 2020 piece: America re-discovers anti-science in its midst.

EU Greenhouse emissions
Credit: Vicuna R/Flickr

EU sees steep drop in greenhouse emissions, but gaps remain to meet 2030 targets

A new report shows EU greenhouse emissions fell by 8% last year, marking significant progress toward climate goals but signaling the need for more aggressive action.

Ajit Niranjan reports for The Guardian.

Keep reading...Show less
Senator Whitehouse & climate change

Senator Whitehouse puts climate change on budget committee’s agenda

For more than a decade, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse gave daily warnings about the mounting threat of climate change. Now he has a powerful new perch.
Space X and Starlink satellites
Credit: ANIRUDH/Unsplash

Musk’s Starlink launches spark calls from scientists for a federal review of environmental risks

A coalition of over 100 researchers is urging the federal government to halt new low-orbit satellite launches, including Musk’s Starlink, until environmental impacts are thoroughly studied.

Sarah Fortinsky reports for The Hill.

Keep reading...Show less
electric truck at charging station

Nonprofit pledges $250 million to electrify California’s port trucking fleet

Climate United and Forum Mobility announced a $250 million initiative to deploy 500 electric Class 8 trucks and charging stations to replace diesel vehicles at California’s ports, aiming to empower small trucking operators to transition to zero-emissions.

Jeff St. John reports for Canary Media.

Keep reading...Show less
scuba diver near a coral reef
Credit: NEOM/Unsplash

Biodiversity talks stall as governments miss targets on nature protection

As negotiations continue at Cop16, experts warn that governments are falling short on critical biodiversity commitments made two years ago, risking another decade of missed goals to safeguard ecosystems.

Patrick Greenfield reports for The Guardian.

Keep reading...Show less
a wooden bench sitting in the middle of a pond
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Fossil fuel-driven climate disasters are raising death tolls worldwide

More than half a million people have died in the last 20 years from disasters intensified by climate change, with an urgent call for action at the upcoming COP29 summit in Azerbaijan.

Austyn Gaffney reports for The New York Times.

Keep reading...Show less
the front of a black car
Photo by Arthur Hinton on Unsplash

Car insurance costs surge as extreme weather increases risk

Auto insurance rates are rising across the U.S. as climate-driven events like hurricanes, wildfires and floods increasingly damage vehicles and strain insurance providers’ finances.

Kiley Price reports for Inside Climate News.

Keep reading...Show less
field full of solar panels

New Mexico faces tensions between clean energy and oil interests in key House race

New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District is grappling with competing economic interests as Democrats emphasize clean energy jobs and Republicans defend oil and gas, with the race’s outcome impacting control of the U.S. House.

Josh Siegel reports for POLITICO.

Keep reading...Show less
From our Newsroom
U.S. Steel Pennsylvania pollution

Coal-based steelmaking in Pennsylvania causes up to 92 premature deaths and $1.4 billion in health costs every year: Report

Just three facilities near Pittsburgh cost the state $16 million in lost economic activity annually, according to a new report.

COP16 UN biodiversity

Pollution is one of the top drivers of biodiversity loss. Why is no one talking about it at COP16?

“Chemicals are really at the center of this triple planetary crisis of pollution, biodiversity and climate change.”

COP16 UN biodiversity

La contaminación es una de las principales amenazas de la biodiversidad. ¿Por qué nadie habla de ella en la COP16?

“Las sustancias químicas están realmente en el centro de esta triple crisis planetaria de contaminación, biodiversidad y cambio climático”.

clean energy transition

Op-ed: Labor and environmental groups can both win in the clean energy transition. Here’s how.

Groups are choosing to repair broken lines of communication and visualize the transition for its true potential to mitigate climate change – the common enemy.

environmental defenders

‘Living under this constant threat’: Environmental defenders face a mounting mental health crisis

Environmental activists are struggling with paranoia, panic attacks, and depression. Now, a growing network of mental health shelters in South America hopes to fill a void in care.

fracking opposition

Opposing fracking cost one Colombian activist her mental health. She’s fighting to win it back.

"At some point, they will kill you and kill all of us," environmental leader Yuvelis Natalia Morales Blanco was told.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.