Climate Myth
Busting
We’re separating evidence from misinformation to help our communities make informed choices about climate action. These pages have been created by Moray CAN, to help people explore some of the most common climate myths using trusted evidence.
Science is always evolving as we learn more about the world around us. This information reflects the best available evidence at the time of publication and will be reviewed and updated when needed.
Curiosity is encouraged. Questions are welcome. Evidence matters.
“The climate's always changed.”
What the evidence says…
It has, but today's warming is happening much faster and is mainly caused by greenhouse gases from human activities such as burning coal, oil and gas.
People often say that the climate has always changed, and they're absolutely right. Earth has experienced ice ages, warmer periods and everything in between over millions of years. Those changes were driven by natural factors such as changes in Earth's orbit, volcanic activity and the amount of energy coming from the Sun.
So why are scientists concerned now?
The difference is the speed and the cause of today's warming.
"It's cold today, so global warming isn't happening."
What the evidence says...
Since the Industrial Revolution, people have burned increasing amounts of coal, oil and gas. This releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that trap heat in the atmosphere. Scientists can measure these gases, track where they come from and compare them with the warming we've observed. Multiple lines of evidence show that human activities are now the main driver of climate change.
Scotland isn't sunny enough for solar panels.
What the evidence says...
It might surprise you, but solar panels don't need bright sunshine to work—they need daylight.
Even on cloudy days, solar panels continue to generate electricity, although they'll produce less than on a bright sunny day. Scotland has long summer days and plenty of daylight throughout the year, which is why thousands of homes, businesses and community buildings already benefit from solar power.
Solar isn't the answer for every building, but Scotland has more potential than many people think.
Heat pumps don't work in Scotland.
What the evidence says...
This is another common myth, but the evidence tells a different story.
Heat pumps don't create heat—they move it from outside into your home. Even when the air feels cold, there's still heat available to capture. That's why heat pumps are widely used in countries such as Norway, Sweden and Finland, where winters are much colder than Scotland's.
They're not the right choice for every property, but they can work very effectively in Scotland when they're properly designed and installed.
Other countries emit more than we do, so our actions don't matter.
What the evidence says...
Climate change is a global challenge, and every country has a part to play.
It's true that some countries produce more greenhouse gas emissions than others. However, climate change can only be tackled if countries, businesses and communities all take action together. Waiting for someone else to go first simply slows progress.
The good news is that many climate actions also benefit us locally—through warmer homes, cleaner air, lower energy bills, healthier communities and more space for nature.
It's too late to do anything about climate change.
What the evidence says...
It can certainly feel overwhelming when we hear about heatwaves, flooding and wildfires. But the evidence shows it is not too late.
Climate change isn't an all-or-nothing problem. Every fraction of a degree of warming we avoid reduces future risks for people, wildlife and communities. Every tonne of greenhouse gas emissions we prevent helps limit future impacts.
There is still a huge amount we can do, and the choices we make today will help shape the future for generations to come.