Thread by @jkingy

For the first time, #IPCC has highlighted the threat that mis-/disinfo pose to climate action - something our coalition has analysed and reported on since 2020. In a press release circulated today w/ partners like @consciousadnet @foe_us @CCDHate and @ClimateSSN, @ISDglobal said:

“We have a clear taxonomy of harm for other issue areas, including public health and electoral integrity, which have shown how such content translates into real-world impacts for both individuals and societies. While the climate sector has long argued the same...

...until now we have lacked recognition from key entities like the IPCC, UNFCCC and COP on the dangers posed by a muddied, polarising information space. Bad actors are using a tried and tested playbook to weaken public mandates and create confusion on the viable solutions...

...this includes weaponising climate response within a broader ‘culture wars’ frame and conflating it with any supposed controversy, from #COVID19 lockdowns and #VaccineMandates to critical race theory, #transrights or wider geopolitics...

...We must remove the incentives to spread climate disinfo across social media and reduce the available platforms for bad actors. Only then can we weed misleading ‘discourses of delay’ from public life and have a good faith debate on the best mitigation/adaptation approaches...

This year we want to see:

1) A unified definition of the threat adopted at COP27;

2) Robust policies developed within tech company Terms of Service and Community Guidelines;

3) Scaled campaigns and advocacy on (verified) climate science, including through paid advertising;

4) Punitive action against ‘super-spreaders’ who share false claims on- and offline;

5) Research into effective forms of pre-bunking and inoculation against climate disinfo at a societal level; and

6) Better capacity-building at the grassroots to tackle this issue long-term."

Some of @ISDglobal's flagship research on this issue to date:

isdglobal.org/isd-publicatio…

"Germany and the alleged 'Climate Lockdown': How right-wing populists and conspiracy groups are using the pandemic to mobilize against climate action"
isdglobal.org/isd-publicatio…

"Cold wind from the right: How right-wing parties and actors are abusing the climate crisis for their own benefit. An analysis of opposition narratives and disinformation in the context of the 2021 German Federal Election."

isdglobal.org/isd-publicatio…

"How Character Assassination Drives Anti-climate Messaging in Czechia and Slovakia"

isdglobal.org/digital_dispat…

"Climate Change Reporting in Hungary: The Evolving Nature of Messaging among Government-Affiliated Media and Pundits"

isdglobal.org/digital_dispat…

"The Coal Debate in Poland: Key Trends on Social Media"

isdglobal.org/digital_dispat…

"How EU Geopolitics, Nationalism and Economic Arguments Shape Public Opinion in Poland"

isdglobal.org/digital_dispat…

"Climate is the New Front in the Culture Wars"

Part 1: isdglobal.org/digital_dispat…

Part 2: isdglobal.org/digital_dispat…

If you'd like to know more about ISD's research and advocacy in this space, please drop me a DM or contact [e-mail]!