![]() ![]() The largest social media networks are Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok, and have over 4 billion users (see text). Social media: refer to the different electronic-mediated technologies or platforms where users create and share content, and their profiles, with other people or groups as part of social networking and dissemination of knowledge. After presenting a brief history of the science of vaccination and climate change, we will address the problem of certainty, examine the inner workings of science, discuss the science of doubt and distrust, and provide possible solutions on how to bridge the current gaps. How does the public decide who is right and who is wrong? How do we separate fact from opinion? By definition, facts are considered true based on the preponderance of evidence, whereas opinions are not necessarily so ( Box 1). Both opponents claim the scientific evidence is undecided and conflicting, which fosters uncertainty and doubt. Similarly, in another debate a global warming advocate argues that human activity is responsible for increasing greenhouse emissions, and the opposing side argues the CO 2 increases are part of a natural cycle. One argues vaccines are safe and effective, and the other argues they are not safe, with specific examples. Imagine for a moment watching or listening to a debate or interview on vaccine hesitancy or climate change. ![]() In early 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that vaccine hesitancy and climate change were major threats to global health ( 1). The new norm may be more deadly COVID variants, strained healthcare systems, extreme weather patterns, diminished food supply, delays in goods and services, damage to world's economies and widespread global instability.Įveryone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts. Delays to vaccinate and failure to reduce greenhouse gases will dramatically change the way we live. Education and improved public messaging are key, and social media providers require urgent oversight or regulation to remove false and harmful/dangerous content from our digital lives. Bridging the consensus gap requires shifting human thinking patterns from doubt to belief, and belief to action. Doubt and distrust reside in that region of the brain called the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for suppressing unwanted representations. To doubt is a healthy response to new information, and it too has a scientific basis. Although these percentages are approximate, what factors are responsible for the differences in engagement, doubt and distrust? How can we reduce the consensus gap? One approach is to return to grass roots and provide a brief history of the issues, understand the difference between fact and opinion, truth and falsehood, the problem of certainty, and how scientific consensus is reached. ![]() A number of early polls showed that ~70% of people supported COVID-19 vaccine use and global warming, ~20% adopted a wait-and-see approach, and ~10% were staunch objectors. The irony is, however, as the science has become more convincing, public opinion has become more divided. Vaccine hesitancy and global warming denial share much in common: (1) both are threats to personal, community and global health, (2) action is contingent on co-operation and social policy, and (3) public support relies on trust in science. ![]() Heart and Trauma Research Laboratory, College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia. ![]()
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