Although scientists long ago settled on the conclusion that human activities are causing climate change through the emission of greenhouse gases, a small but vocal number of dissenters remain unswayed by the evidence.

What causes people to reject scientific evidence? What contributes to climate change denial and to conspiracy theories in general?

To help us understand and address these issues, the Salt Spring Forum welcomes Professor Stephan Lewandowsky, who is a cognitive scientist at the University of Bristol.

Lewandowsky’s most recent research interests examine the potential conflict between human understanding and the global climate. He has published extensively on how people respond to corrections of misinformation and what determines people’s acceptance of scientific findings.

From 2006 to 2008, Lewandowsky was Associate Editor of the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition. He has contributed many opinion pieces to the global media on issues related to climate change “skepticism” and the coverage of science in the media.

*This special event commemorates Andy Skuce, a self-described “recovering oilman”, climate change activist, and much-valued community member.