How to make your opinion credible

The purpose of both "Friends of Science" and "How to Talk to a Climate Skeptic" seem to me to be to arm the choir with information so that they can preach the supported message. Both websites feature a "fact/myth" section in one format or another that provides the reader with the appropriate response to a comment with which they disagree. Although I definitely fall into the readership of "How to Talk to Climate Skeptic," I think that the "Friends of Science" website was more successful in communicating and advertising its message.

One of the first criticisms many have about climate skeptics is that science is not on their side. Even without any content about science on the page, the title of the website immediately seems to give them credibility because they have science in their name, the assumption is that the content is also scientific. Apart from their title, the "Friends of Science" were successful in entertaining audiences by making their website colorful, including graphs and images on the home page. Additionally, everything is easy to find. The site map/side bar has clear labels, and not too many that they are overwhelming.

The fact that "How to Talk to a Climate Skeptic" is disengaging is not entirely the fault of the author, but of "Grist." Because the website is part of a larger news website, there are links to other articles, ads, etc. However, what is the fault of the author is the condescending attitude he takes when considering those who don't believe in climate change. Yes, there are people who will never believe in climate change even given all the information, and yes, we might have a few choice words to call them on our own time, but in an article that purports itself as a way to communicate, it is inappropriate to refer to those with whom you are arguing as "silly" "naive" or at best "specious." If that is how climate change believers think of and address non-believers, then it's no wonder they haven't joined the bandwagon. Perhaps their failure to believe is really our failure to communicate.