A DOCTORED IMAGE supposedly showing an article in The Guardian arguing that hot weather in June is evidence of global warming has been shared online, duping some into thinking it is real.
The headline of the fake article, supposedly written by George Monbiot and published on 12 June, reads: “Hot weather in June, usually one of the 12 coldest months of the year: further proof the Climate Emergency is real.”
An intro underneath reads: “And yet Climate Deniers — far-right Bill Oil shills — claim ‘hot weather in June is perfectly natural.’ Delusional or what?”
The Guardian did not publish such an article, which was shared by some accounts that often share parody material, but also by accounts which appear to have taken it seriously.
“They have lost the plot at this rag,” wrote one Irish Facebook user who shared the image.
However, there is no evidence on The Guardian website, or on cached internet archives, that this article was ever published.
“Another faked headline, and another confederation of dunces falling for it”, George Monbiot, the supposed author of the article said on Twitter, in response to the doctored headline. “These people will believe anything.”
A spokesperson for The Guardian also confirmed to Reuters that they had never published the doctored headline.
Online headlines are incredibly easy to fake. While often intended as satire, they are regularly spread and believed to be real in fringe communities, such as groups who argue humans can’t cause climate change.
Verdict
False. The Guardian did not publish an article arguing that warm weather in June proved Climate Change was real.
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