How dangerous is climate misinformation? | The Stream

Climate change is scientific fact but for decades the science has been met by some with denial. The result is public disengagement and political paralysis.

Climate disinformation and misinformation are thriving on social media. Research commissioned by a coalition of environmental organisations found that a definable group of people were responsible for spreading the majority of fake or partially true stories about the climate. The research tracked climate denial conversations using Twitter hashtags and discovered that this group was posting on average four times as much as climate scientists, experts and campaigners.

The major social platforms say they are working to root out such misinformation. For example, some climate change posts on Facebook in the UK are now labelled with a banner that directs users to verified data from Facebook’s Climate Science Information Center.

But activists say it's not enough, and worry that it's too little, too late.

In this episode, we’ll take a look at climate misinformation and ask what impact it is having on public opinion.

This is one of four episodes of The Stream in support of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story.

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[aljazeeraenglish]

Thanks for watching everyone. Tell us what you think in the comments below.

[kobbydhoo]

There's nothing we can do about it, they're pushing for a global day of rest

[teddychodon]

Thank u so much for bringing this conversation with mindful people who truly concern on man made climate change due to over loading of self desires and selfishness of wanting more than we all need .Most rich people drives more than 5 vehicles despite the fact that all pollutions are v dangerous to themselves, their dear ones and also the rest of lives on earth . It’s very bad overloading and maximizing too much . Never lived a life of contentment . It’s so bad every where ...

[roymorales]

Investing in crypto now should be in every wise individuals list, in some months time you'll be ecstatic with the decision you made today.

[markopolo]

The next invisible enemy to fear forever. This is a playbook alright.

[jessicagauche]

How dangerous is all miscommunication in the media.🤦🏾‍♀️

[tomkarlen]

You may get a sunburn if the weatherman is wrong, very dangerous

[jeanknitter]

The world economic Forum advises people eat bugs and weeds in the future. Bill Gates said rich countries should go 100% synthetic beef to prevent cow CO2

[GT-gpnb]

Denying climate change is like denying basic science.

[chasedirtbike]

Said all the people who wear oil based clothes, drive cars, live in large electric homes, and holy crap, want to make solar panels out of oil based products. They are talking in a circle.

[chasedirtbike]

Since when did Al Jazeera become an arm of the democratic party? I used to come to Al Jazeera for fair and balanced news, with no far left or far right opinion, now you have sold out.

[scottstokes]

Nuclear power plants don’t have to be radioactive, the Chinese have salt based reactors, nuclear weapons need the old reactors.

[bobrown]

Here we go 🙄 The cat’s out of the bag with the media’s climate gaslighting

[kiratihemanhang]

only very very good = Hydrogen gas and electric

[sultan_periyar_alamsha]

Boom time is over. Doom time has begun😂

[emmanuelanton]

I am afraid of Chinese character and power ambitious igar of climate change in Africa continent and environmental development

[riverrat]

Let’s fight misinformation with misinformation! that should work. LOL

[btcmania_]

No news from India, There are 3, 32700 new cases with more than 2k fatal.

[scottstokes]

How come none of the save the planet people say anything about the documentary COWSPIRACY.

[tellleoonce]

Ha! The moderator put me in timeout just at the very end of the stream possibly because I made a comment about oxygen being polluting, which it was billions of years ago