The main purpose of both of these websites is to inform the public about the basic issues of climate change in an accessible manner. They both attempt to address the issue of climate change and present the scientific facts to the skeptics and the uninformed. To evaluate the scientific claims that these sites make, the viewer needs a little discretion and common sense. Personally, in the comparison of the two sites, I was immediately drawn to the “Friends of Science” website and turned off by the “How to Talk to a Climate Skeptic” page. While the “Friends of Science” clearly tried to present a balanced professional presentation with facts and references that were prominently displayed, the Grist article seemed very condescending and less focused on presenting the scientific support for climate change. Because of this blatant difference between the two websites, I have to suspect that they are directed towards two very difference audiences (or at least this is what I felt). While the “Friends of Science” site is more focused on presenting to the general public, the Grist site is focused on climate change believers that need tips on how to convince a non-believer. The Grist site just seemed much more opinion-based (taking full articles from a series by Coby Beck) and it doesn’t strike me as quite as professional. My personal preference was for the “Friends of Science” site – I think it would be the more effective tool for the general public.
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