A recent report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) on linking extreme weather to greenhouse gas emissions has been criticized for creating a "false unanimity." Despite media coverage suggesting the report reflects the views of its 8,400+ members, the document was actually authored by a smaller, select committee.

The report, released on July 16, asserts that specific extreme weather events can be attributed to climate change. The National Academies' own wording, stating it "represents the position of the National Academies," further bolsters the impression of a broad, collective endorsement.

However, this representation has led to concerns that the public is being presented with an illusion of elite scientific consensus that may not fully represent the diverse opinions within the organization. The implication is that the public assumes the report's findings are the unified stance of the entire membership, rather than the product of a smaller working group.