correct word for "proving a prediction false"?

Which word should I use to say that " A is trying to prove B's prediction wrong"? For example, in the recent United Nations water scarcity report, UN predicted that in 10 years from now, two-thirds of the world population will be facing severe fresh water scarcity problem. We people have to prove that UN's prediction is wrong (of course, one has to wait for 10 years to see whether the prediction became true or not).

Before that, what word should I use in the below context?

To disprove the UN's prediction, we have to build desalination plants.

or

To prevent the UN's prediction, we have to ....

or

To invalidate the UN's prediction, we have to ...

or please suggest a better word(s).

click here for word reference.

Solution 1:

You could try refute:-

1. To prove to be false or erroneous; overthrow by argument or proof [American Heritage Dictionary via the Free Dictionary]

although the force of this word is somewhat diluted due its to the common use to mean deny. You would say, "we refuted the prediction by experiment xyz".

Solution 2:

This question is confusing and appears to be asking for two different things. The text appears to be asking for wording that shows people are attempting to show that the original prediction was wrong but the examples appear to be saying that if the prediction is accepted then what term describes the actions taken as a result. I have chosen to answer the latter.

'Mitigate' can be used in this context:

verb (used with object), mitigated, mitigating.

1 - to lessen in force or intensity, as wrath, grief, harshness, or pain; moderate.

2 - to make less severe: to mitigate a punishment.

For example:

To mitigate the UN's prediction, we have to build desalination plants.

To mitigate the UN's prediction, we have to....

Solution 3:

Falsify - to demonstrate a theory to be false.