Experts to Challenge Food Industry Misinformation During Climate Week NYC

In a significant event during Climate Week NYC, experts will gather to examine how the meat and dairy industries influence public narratives about food systems’ role in climate change. The panel discussion comes at a critical time as meat and dairy lobbyists increasingly focus their efforts on global climate negotiations.

The event, titled “Navigating Narratives on Climate Change and Food Systems,” will take place on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, from 2:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at MacDowell in New York City. Co-hosted by the Center for Biological Diversity, Brighter Green, and Changing Markets Foundation, this interactive session aims to explore science communication challenges in an era marked by widespread disinformation and corporate greenwashing.

Panelists include Stephanie Feldstein, population and sustainability director at the Center for Biological Diversity; Marlana Malerich, co-founder of Rooted Research; Michael Silberman, founder of Food Disinfo Lab; Alex Tey, researcher and independent journalist with the Center for Biological Diversity and Brighter Green; and Nusa Urbancic, CEO of Changing Markets Foundation.

The discussion will address several pressing issues, including current trends in food and climate reporting, industry-led opposition to key scientific research, and the spread of nutrition misinformation. Participants will analyze how these distorted narratives affect public opinion and policy decisions while proposing strategies to realign the conversation with scientific evidence.

Food production represents approximately one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions, with meat and dairy industries being particularly significant contributors. This discussion takes on added urgency as food systems face increasing vulnerability to climate change impacts while simultaneously driving environmental degradation.

Despite growing awareness of food production’s climate impact, agricultural issues continue to receive disproportionately little attention in climate media coverage. This gap persists largely due to the influential agribusiness lobby, which has employed various tactics to undermine science-based discourse on the topic.

“The powerful meat and dairy industries have been particularly effective at shaping the narrative around food systems and climate change,” notes a source familiar with the event. “Their influence extends from research funding to media messaging, creating confusion in what should be a straightforward scientific conversation.”

The event organizers hope to equip journalists, policymakers, and the public with tools to identify and counter industry disinformation. By promoting evidence-based discussion, they aim to accelerate progress toward sustainable food systems that align with climate goals.

In recent years, investigations have revealed how agricultural industry groups have systematically challenged scientific studies linking meat and dairy production to significant environmental impacts. These efforts often include funding counter-research, deploying targeted media campaigns, and mobilizing allied organizations to question established science.

The food system’s environmental footprint extends beyond greenhouse gas emissions to include biodiversity loss, deforestation, water pollution, and resource conflicts. Yet comprehensive policy responses remain limited, partly due to the narratives promoted by industry interests.

While the main event is open to the public, an invitation-only roundtable for journalists will follow, providing reporters with deeper insights into covering food systems and climate change accurately amid industry pressure.

This Climate Week discussion represents part of a growing effort to bring food systems more prominently into climate action planning, particularly as countries prepare for upcoming global climate negotiations where agricultural emissions will be a key topic.