Meet the Climate Conmen – How fossil fuel’s fixers created a new age of disinformation
Dec 18, 2024
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Join Jennie King, Director of Climate Disinformation Research and Policy at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, and James Murray, environmental journalist and founder of BusinessGreen, as they unravel the tactics of climate disinformation. They discuss how fossil fuel interests manipulate narratives and the impact of misinformation on public perception. The conversation highlights emerging initiatives to ban fossil fuel ads and the importance of holding corporations accountable for their environmental claims as we strive for a sustainable future.
Disinformation campaigns, fueled by mistrust and political agendas, significantly undermine global efforts to combat climate change and distort public understanding of science.
Technological advancements and grassroots movements are providing hope by driving corporate responsibility and community engagement towards sustainable solutions for climate action.
Deep dives
The Urgency of Climate Change
Climate change poses a grave threat to global stability, evidenced by recent natural disasters including wildfires, hurricanes, and floods. Over 400 scientists from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warn that the planet is expected to warm significantly, surpassing the critical two-degree Celsius target. Despite international agreements like the Paris Agreement, substantial progress remains elusive for many activists. The persistent danger highlights the intersection of public health crises and geopolitical tensions, complicating our understanding and response to the climate emergency.
The Rise of Disinformation
Disinformation thrives in times of crisis, fueled by a general mistrust of institutions and a multitude of concurrent global issues. Public distrust has proliferated, exacerbated by disinformation campaigns that seek to obscure the truth about climate science. Events such as the COVID-19 pandemic have reshaped public discourse, allowing conspiracies relating to climate change to gain traction. This environment has made it easier for those focused on profit and political gain to distort the narrative surrounding climate impacts and diminish the urgency for action.
Topics of Conspiracy and Exploitation
Certain extreme weather events, like hurricanes, have been leveraged to propagate conspiracy theories that divert blame from climate change. Stakeholders in the fossil fuel industry have historically employed disinformation strategies to absolve themselves from responsibility and undermine climate science. Online actors, attempting to gain engagement or profit, further propagate these false narratives, often sharing misleading claims. Political stakeholders also exploit crises to gain traction in elections, illustrating how disinformation can serve multiple agendas, ultimately complicating the fight against climate change.
Opportunities for Positive Change
Despite the grim landscape of climate change, there are glimmers of hope stemming from technological advancements and a shift in corporate responsibility. Innovations in renewable energy and increased investment in sustainable practices highlight significant progress made recently. Corporations are beginning to prioritize sustainability in their branding and operations, recognizing the long-term economic advantages of transitioning to greener solutions. Moreover, grassroots movements are proving that individuals can galvanize meaningful change by focusing on local impacts and solutions, emphasizing community engagement as a pathway towards climate action.
The climate emergency is more urgent than ever, yet powerful interests are still pushing back on solutions and peddling climate denial. From fossil fuel giants to populist governments and greedy online grifters, they sow doubts about four decades of research and undermine a hard-won global political consensus.
Who are the Climate Con-Men and how are they succeeding? Gavin Esler talks to Jennie King, Director of Climate Disinformation Research and Policy at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, about their techniques of deceit, distrust and disinformation – and to James Murrayof environmental news service BusinessGreen to find out how the world can unite to tackle the climate crisis.
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Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Produced by Robin Leeburn. Original theme music by Paul Hartnoll – https://www.orbitalofficial.com. Executive Producer Martin Bojtos. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. This Is Not A Drill is a Podmasters production.