Climate Misinformation Worsening Environmental Crisis, Report Warns

In a startling new report, researchers have warned that the proliferation of climate misinformation is accelerating the transformation of the climate crisis into a catastrophe. The comprehensive review, conducted by the International Panel on the Information Environment (Ipie), examined 300 studies to expose how false and misleading information is obstructing meaningful action on climate change.

The report reveals that climate denialism has evolved beyond simply questioning the science. Today’s misinformation campaigns focus on discrediting climate solutions, with a recent example being false claims that renewable energy caused Spain’s massive blackout. These narratives gain tremendous traction online, where bots and trolls play a crucial role in amplifying climate falsehoods.

“It is a major problem,” said Dr. Klaus Jensen of the University of Copenhagen, who co-led the review. “If we don’t have the right information available, how are we going to vote for the right causes and politicians, and how are politicians going to translate the clear evidence into the necessary action? Unfortunately, I think the [bad actors] are still very, very active, and probably have the upper hand now.”

The timing of the report coincides with growing international concern about climate misinformation. Last Thursday, UN special rapporteur Elisa Morgera called for the criminalization of misinformation and greenwashing by the fossil fuel industry. Meanwhile, Brazil, the upcoming host of the Cop30 climate summit, is rallying nations behind a UN initiative to combat climate misinformation.

Jensen emphasized the urgency of addressing the information crisis. “We have about five years to cut emissions in half and until 2050 to go carbon neutral. Without the right information, we’re not going to get there.”

The report identifies the fossil fuel industry as a primary source of what it terms a “dual deception.” First, these companies denied climate change reality while obscuring their responsibility. Now, they engage in greenwashing to portray themselves as environmentally sustainable. Other sectors implicated include US electricity companies, animal agriculture, airlines, tourism, and fast food industries.

Political figures also feature prominently in spreading misinformation. Donald Trump, who has called climate science “a giant hoax” and “bullshit,” is identified as a key influencer whose claims are widely reposted, often by automated accounts. The report also notes that Russian intelligence has deployed troll farms to disseminate climate disinformation.

In Europe, right-wing populist parties are “actively contravening climate science,” including Germany’s AfD, Spain’s Vox, and France’s National Rally. Conservative and right-wing media outlets further amplify denial, skepticism, and conspiracy theories about climate change.

Jensen pointed out that the problem extends beyond social media. “Alliances of industry and conservative think tanks actually target misinformation at the key people who will be making decisions. Those links are particularly worrisome because it’s something approaching a conspiracy.”

The misinformation ranges from industry promoting fossil gas as a “low-carbon fuel” to bizarre conspiracy theories, such as claims that wildfires in southern California were planned by officials to destroy child-trafficking tunnels.

To combat these issues, the report suggests several measures, including improved regulation of social media content moderation, similar to the EU Digital Services Act, and requiring standardized emissions declarations from fossil fuel companies. Jensen noted that legal cases against purveyors of climate misinformation are already underway, and improved climate education would help citizens identify false information.

The report also highlights a significant research gap, as the studies reviewed were overwhelmingly focused on English-language misinformation and Western nations. Of the 300 studies examined, only one focused on Africa, suggesting a critical need for more diverse research perspectives.

UN Secretary General António Guterres has taken a strong stance on the issue, calling in June 2024 for a ban on advertising by fossil fuel companies and labeling these firms the “godfathers of climate chaos.” The UN’s Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change has already gained support from countries including the UK, France, Chile, and Morocco.

As misinformation continues to undermine public trust in climate science and delay crucial action, this comprehensive assessment serves as a urgent warning that the information crisis is both intensifying and exacerbating the climate emergency.