How can we fight misinformation about the climate crisis?

Misinformation is the intentional, or unintentional, dissemination of false and misleading information. - Blueprints for Change

Factors to consider:

1. Marginalized communities are increasingly the targets of disinformation campaigns.
2. Groups benefiting from the status quo distort the narrative of movements working for social change. E.g.: Canada Action
3. Groups and individuals who have access to significant financial resources are supported by tech giants who specialize in creating engagement.

 _________ are organizations that work to create models of disinformation to identify the problems and consequences that are (and will be) caused by it.

Reset proposes public policies aimed at combating disinformation which are based in particular on:

• Transparency about content aimed at influencing us
• The rights to protect your data
• The balance of power against the web giants.

“Campaigns for stricter regulation of social media platforms are seen as a crucial part of countering misinformation. -Iain McIntyre, The Commons

Techniques used to misinform the public:

By Companies '

1. Passing off fake searches as legitimate searches
2. Put pressure on scientists who harm the industry
3. Banking on uncertainty (as small as it is)
4. Create false credibility by allying with academic or professorial circles
5. Manipulate officials or democratic processes

On social media ''

1. Satire and parody
2. False impression: title, visual and subtitles not supporting the content
3. Misleading content
4. False context
5. Legit source imitated
6. manipulated content

Strategies to combat misinformation

Do not share links leading to misinformation, better share screenshots

Remember that reporting misinformation helps it spread, which is undesirable

Keep in mind the enormous power of disinformation on public opinion

The framing of the message matters. When you want to correct information, going straight to the point and being clear helps limit interpretations. Testimonials also help to respond in a less “ reactionary” way.

Having prepared a rapid response system to disinformation campaigns builds resilience against them.

Acting in coalition (helps facilitate the application of the strategies below through the sharing of resources, ideas and knowledge)

Get ahead by anticipating disinformation discourse

Do not act passively in the face of misinformation

Promote useful and relevant information rather than giving visibility to disinformation discourse

Further resources:

Guide to Blueprints for Change 

- How to deal with misinformation

WIRES Scientific Article 

- Misinformation on the climate crisis

Interactive game 

- Misinformation

Verification Handbook 

- Fact Checking

We Are UltraVioletCampaign 

- Fighting Disinformation

Disinfo Defense League

 campaign - Fight against disinformation

Report 

- State of scientific knowledge on the climate crisis in 1979

Scientific article by Geoffrey Supran and Naomi Oreskes 

- Disinformation on the climate crisis: ExxonMobil from 1977 to 2014

Union of Concerned ScientistsReport 

- Misinformation by the Fossil Industry

Article 

- Critique of the troll hunting approach