The National Science Teachers Association has cautioned members against accepting educational materials from a libertarian think tank that contain "misleading teaching information" about global warming.

In recent weeks, the Heartland Institute has mailed the book "Why Scientists Disagree About Global Warming" to thousands of teachers nationwide. The think tank rejects the scientific consensus about global warming and instead contends recent climate change could be natural.

In an April 4 letter, NSTA urged its members to resist "this unprecedented attack." The group said that scientists don't disagree about climate change or its causes and "labeling propaganda as science does not make it so."

"Just teach science in your classroom," the group said.

NSTA directed members to resources on its own website for teaching students about global warming. It also pointed to online material provided by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. http://bit.ly/2ptOcat

The Heartland Institute contends the book provides a counterweight to the "false" claim that the science about global warming is settled.

"If that's the case, then students would be better served by letting them know a vibrant debate is taking place among scientists on how big the human impact on climate is, and whether or not we should be worried about it. That sounds pretty reasonable, doesn't it?" Heartland Institute President Joseph Bast said in a statement defending the group's actions. http://bit.ly/2ooKGyP

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