Thread by @JohnMoralesNBC6

As local media coverage expands on the now controversial FIU workshop for editors and journalists coming up next week, I have decided to publish the full text of my response to the university's invitation... (1/ )

... to moderate a so-called "keynote conversation" between the Heartland Institute's James Taylor and the initial opposing "debater" Natalia Lever from Climate Reality. I declined the invitation, and offered an alternative, as detailed in this email sent on 26 January. (2/ )

Dr. Mora,

I’m going to respond the only way I know how to: speaking frankly.

I have serious misgivings about this. The Heartland Institute is actively working to keep Americans confused on the state of the science of climate change. (3/ )

Just last year they sent a mass mailing to K-12 teachers across the U.S. looking to instill doubt in the teaching of the science. (4/ )

Their position goes against the overwhelming scientific consensus that the globe is unequivocally warming and that it is extremely likely that humans are causing it. And while it’s important for scientists to be skeptics, Mr. Taylor is *not* a scientist. (5/ )

He is an attorney, with *one* course (the only one Dartmouth offers) in meteorology. Natalia Lever, on the other hand, is a biologist with additional training in sustainability. (6/ )

Having FIU give equal footing in a “debate” to a Heartland Institute Juris Doctor is, in my opinion, a *disservice* to the journalists and editors in the audience. It only perpetuates what has been a huge problem with the press: False Balance. (7/ )

Also known as False Equivalency, it occurs when reporters, in their zeal to file a “balanced” news story, provide equal footing to fringe views that are overwhelmingly negated by the weight of the evidence. (8/ )

So, I respectfully decline your invitation to serve as moderator. And I hope you’ll reconsider the entire premise of having this non-scientist with a clear political agenda “debate” the science of climate change as it relates to extreme weather events. (9/ )

Perhaps you can find a slot for him to present, as opposed to debate, which would still give him an opportunity to speak. I would be happy to participate in your workshop in other ways. (10/ )

Since it’s designed for journalists, I would be happy to provide a short training on the scientific method, and how to properly cover science in media. I also have several talks prepared on climate, including my visit to the Arctic in 2016. (11/ )

I’m sure this wasn’t the response you were expecting, and for that I’m sorry. But I feel strongly that we must find ways to improve scientific literacy in the Americas & especially in the United States. The Keynote Conversation you propose would not serve that purpose well at all

With respect,
John Morales

(13/13)