UN Chief Calls for Fight Against Climate Disinformation

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres issued a stark warning Wednesday about the growing threat of climate disinformation, calling for a coordinated global effort to combat false narratives that undermine climate science and delay urgent action.

Speaking at a climate conference in New York, Guterres emphasized that deliberate attempts to distort scientific consensus on climate change represent a significant obstacle to implementing effective policies needed to address the crisis.

“We face a perfect storm of planetary emergencies, from the climate crisis to biodiversity collapse,” Guterres said. “Yet at the very moment when we need rapid, decisive action, climate disinformation is flourishing, sowing confusion, delaying progress, and undermining public support for necessary climate initiatives.”

The U.N. chief pointed to a troubling increase in organized campaigns that spread misleading information about climate science. These campaigns, often backed by entities with financial interests in fossil fuels, use sophisticated strategies across social media platforms to create doubt about established climate research and the viability of renewable energy alternatives.

According to recent studies cited by Guterres, climate disinformation reached unprecedented levels during last year’s COP27 climate summit, with misleading content generating millions of engagements across major social platforms. This trend has continued into 2023, with false claims about climate policies and their economic impacts gaining significant traction in public discourse.

“This is not simply a matter of differing opinions,” Guterres noted. “We’re witnessing coordinated efforts to undermine the scientific consensus that has been built through decades of rigorous research and assessment. When nearly 99% of climate scientists agree that human-caused climate change is real, yet public perception remains divided, we must acknowledge the effectiveness of these disinformation campaigns.”

The Secretary-General outlined a three-pronged approach to address the issue. First, he called for greater transparency from social media companies regarding their algorithms and content moderation policies related to climate information. Second, he urged media organizations to strengthen their fact-checking processes and provide context when reporting on climate issues. Finally, he emphasized the need for scientists and educators to communicate climate science in accessible ways that resonate with diverse audiences.

Climate experts attending the conference echoed Guterres’ concerns. Dr. Maria Rodriguez from the Climate Science Communication Institute highlighted that climate disinformation has evolved beyond simply denying climate change exists.

“Today’s climate disinformation is more sophisticated,” Rodriguez explained. “It often acknowledges climate change but exaggerates the costs of action, downplays the risks of inaction, or presents false solutions that divert attention from effective measures. These narratives are designed to maintain the status quo while appearing reasonable.”

The timing of Guterres’ statements is particularly significant as nations prepare for the upcoming COP28 climate summit in Dubai later this year. With critical decisions expected regarding global emission reduction commitments and climate finance, the integrity of climate information will play a crucial role in shaping public and political support for ambitious action.

Several countries, including France and Canada, have already announced initiatives to counter climate disinformation, including educational campaigns and regulatory frameworks for digital platforms. However, these efforts face challenges in balancing concerns about free speech with the need to protect public understanding of scientific facts.

The business community has also begun responding to the issue. A coalition of major companies, including tech giants and consumer brands, recently pledged to avoid advertising on platforms that consistently amplify climate misinformation.

“The climate crisis requires unprecedented cooperation across all sectors of society,” Guterres concluded. “We cannot allow disinformation to divide us when the science is clear and the path forward requires unity. Fighting climate disinformation isn’t just about defending scientific truth—it’s about preserving our collective ability to secure a livable future for generations to come.”

As global temperatures continue to rise and extreme weather events become more frequent, the battle against climate disinformation represents a critical front in addressing what the U.N. has repeatedly described as the defining challenge of our time.