How disinformation threatens climate action – and what you can do about it

How disinformation threatens 
climate and democracy

2024 is a unique year. Never before in human history have so many people been able to vote in elections. A big year for democracy. But unfortunately also for disinformation. 

 

Two years ago, the IPCC highlighted disinformation as a major threat to climate action.
Since then, things have gotten worse.

 

”Disinformants used to be on the fringes, but they are now taking center stage”, said Jennie King, Director of Climate Policy & Research at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, during a lecture that was broadcast on We Don't Have Time on May 7.

 

The lecture, ”Overheated: The fight for Information Integrity, Climate Action, and Democracy,” was the first in the new Stockholm Series of Public Lectures on Climate Change and Democracy. They will all be broadcast on We Don’t Have Time.

With passion and great knowledge, Jennie outlined how climate has become a lightning rod for conspiracism and for exploiting social divisions to achieve financial and political ends. 

 

Today’s disinformation threats does not only come from Big Oil, with its almost unlimited propaganda resources, but also from a broader universe of online extremist and conspiracy movements, as well as for-profit disinformers, ‘outrage merchants’ and far-right actors. 

 

”The number of people who stand to benefit from producing or amplifying mis- and disinformation on climate has exploded”, said Jennie King.

 

Understanding this is crucial for our collective action. So is awareness of solutions. Jennie King ended on a positive note, giving concrete advice on how to tackle disinformation.
Watch the full lecture. Or read the script.