The greenhouse effect in magazines, newspapers and paradidactic books

Abstract

This article analyzed the treatment given to the Greenhouse Effect in nonscientific magazines and newspapers, as well as, in paradidactic books. It discussed the mistakes detected and their consequences on the conceptual formation of students and of the population in general. Most of the articles, collected in magazines and newspapers, had presented an inappropriate approach of the Greenhouse Effect and its relationship with global warming. They showed a lack of scientific precision and transmit a catastrophic point of view, induced by confusion between the main effect and its variation. Changes in the Greenhouse Effect could deeply affect the human beings and the inhabitability in our planet. Therefore, when dealing this subject, it would be extremely important the adoption of the adequate standards used for reporting and explaining science. The paradidactic books analyzed were more coherent with the approach and hypothesis developed by the scientific community. Nevertheless some authors still presented some miscomprehension on this theme. As these books are supposed to be used in education, it is imperative that their authors pay more attention and care when written them. The article also presents a short discussion about the scientific models related to Greenhouse Effect for a comparison between the conceptions today accepted and those given by the analyzed texts. We also believe that this discussion could be useful for physic s classes about the Greenhouse Effect in the secondary school.