SCIENTISTS HATE THIS: Do you have a case of climate misinformation?
You won't BELIEVE what tactics they're using to LIE to you.
[Not an official guest introduction but] We wanted to open by passing the mic to farmers protesting in Brussels last week. Video from ARC2020:
I’m told there are lots of farmers protesting in Brussels.
Specifically, ‘angry farmers.’ ‘Egg-throwing farmers.’ They are ‘causing chaos.’ Google headlines inform me they are causing European politicians to ‘flee’ the meetings where leaders nobly gathered to discuss Ukraine aid.
This newsletter had to be on misinformation and media literacy. None of these headlines are lies, a lot of the way we present the truth is misleading.
Just like it’s not a lie to say I forgot to message 2 friends back, but emblazoning the headline ‘Cass Hebron TURNS HER BACK on loved ones DESPERATE to reach out’ on the papers might paint a pretty dire picture of my personality.
In our lives and in the media, the full story is usually a mixture of what is said, what is not said, and the way it is said. There is no such thing as news without bias, because choosing what to write about and what to headline comes down to making a choice.
What if the headlines read: “EU policies’s fixation on commercialising agriculture drives desperate farmers to the streets”?
Or “European leaders push forward with a free trade agreement that would raze the Amazon - while farmers at home struggle to survive.”
Or “The current EU farming policy sends over 80% of its subsidies to only 20% of European farms.”
The media, under pressure to get us to click on the headlines to keep their funding, invites us to paint a simplistic picture of the world.
Both these and the original headlines are true. Farmers threw eggs. I’m not here to defend fires and violence. Real life isn’t a game with villains and heroes.
The truth is rarely enough to settle a debate. Who ever really has the ‘full story’ anyway?
Confirmation bias is our way of making sense of the noise. Half the time we don’t need misleading news. We do it ourselves. If something doesn’t fit in with our beliefs about the world, we’re less likely to read it or remember it, let alone share it.
The algorithm remembers and shows us more of what we like to hear, confirming our beliefs further. Cue echo chamber.
We also assign conclusions to one-off events. If I’m having a bad day and then spill my coffee, it’s ‘proof’ the day is somehow, inherently, out to get me. We take vicarious pleasure in watching right-wing politicians say stupid things on live TV because it aligns with our belief that we’re cleverer than all of them.
We rarely think to watch or read the well-written content of people we disagree with. When was the last time you changed your mind on something political? Or looked for information that would prove your view wrong?
We choose what truth to share and we choose what truth to see. It’s our brain looking out for us. But unfortunately, the truth is rarely as convenient as to fit into the character limit of a Twitter headline.
What if the world isn’t doomed? What if the politicians didn’t flee - they left? What if I am wrong? What if you are? We ask whether things can be different. We don’t ask whether they already are.
What’s Going On?
Farmers across Europe protest to demand fairer EU agricultural system.
Related: This is why climate activists are joining the farmers’ protests.Major fashion brands including H&M and Primark linked to Myanmar factories with record of labour rights abuses.
Related: From Brussels farming protests to Myanmar’s military regime, the only failure is to stop talking about it.Move to sustainable food systems could bring $10tn benefits a year.
Related: Norway’s farmed salmon industry may be fuelling ‘food colonialism'.EU must invest about €1.5tn a year to meet net-zero targets, leaked Commission documents show (and the far-right boom is not exactly helping).
Related: How the far right uses our anxieties to make extreme beliefs mainstream.In one reserve, Maasai women are ending all-male leadership of the land.
Related: Argentina femicides at record high as Milei dilutes protections.
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Focus On… Spotting Misinformation
Your guide to spotting unreliable news, with help of Sean Buchan from Climate Action Against Disinformation (CAAD).
You don’t need qualifications to be a misinfluencer. In fact, it’s expressly discouraged.
Not everyone who creates or spreads misinformation knows that the information is false or misleading. But regardless of intent, the impact is just as damaging.
What is climate misinformation?
Climate disinformation and misinformation refers to deceptive or misleading content that:
Undermines the existence or impacts of climate change, the unequivocal human influence on climate change, and the need for corresponding urgent action.
Misrepresents scientific data, including by omission or cherry-picking, in order to erode trust in climate science.
Falsely publicises efforts as climate-friendly that in fact contribute to climate warming.
Adapted from CAAD Climate Mis/Disinformation Backgrounder.
Where does climate misinformation come from?
Disinformation and fake news tends to originate from groups with a political or financial interest in denying the climate crisis or obstructing effective action to tackle it.
Some examples are fossil fuel corporations like Shell, Total, BP, Chevron, and Eni, who knew about the risks of fossil fuels since at least the 1970s and funded marketing campaigns to downplay the dangers. Other major industries including Big Agriculture and Big Tech have similar tactics.
Conservative groups, thinktanks and lobbyists are also instrumental in funding news headlines and biased live TV, lobbying politicians behind the scenes, and even being appointed to positions in government.
Misinformation is also spread by influencers - sometimes funded by companies and other times independently - as well as by the growth of fake social media accounts funded by corporate or political interests.
How am I supposed to know if a piece of news is unreliable?
We’ve put together a handy graphic above. Feel free to print and hand out to offending family members. Spot the signs. Interestingly, it also doubles well for checking whether your new partner or friend is gaslighting you.
Surprise Expert Syndrome. “What’s your thesis on? Oh cool, you should mention XYZ.” Does the person quoted or writing actually have qualifications or relevant experience on this topic? (If you are thinking of starting a podcast on topics you know little on but have strong feelings about, ask yourself this as well).
Cherry picking data: Based on the messages I send my family, they most likely believe I am working diligently 100% of the time. I cherry-picked what to share. Is it the full story?
Creating the impression of uncertainty: Is there disproportionate representation of a minority view? ‘Balance’ an IPCC scientist with that guy who looked out the window and points out that it’s not that hot today?
Nobody backing it up. Where are the sources from?
Sensational headlines. The climate injustice situation is complicated and so are its causes and solutions. Anyone that claims to have 1 answer is most likely wrong.
Seemly oddly convenient. Does this fit in a little bit too well with a political value or belief?
More: How to spot disinformation, by the Union of Concerned Scientists.
What do I do if someone is sharing misinformation?
If someone tells you a restaurant is notorious for food poisoning, then later tells you it wasn’t that restaurant - you’re still probably not keen to go there. Misinformation sticks in the same way, even when we have been told it’s not true.
What we can do:
Prebunking: Warn people that there is misinformation being spread, who spreads it, and the techniques they use.
Set the agenda: If the misinformation is limited for now, spreading accurate information beforehand can minimise its impact.
Truth sandwich: If you have to tackle the myth head-on, don’t just shout ‘LIES DAMN LIES’ and flip the table. Dr Stephen Lewandowsky et al. suggest this:
This can also work on social media if you choose an arena other than the family dinner table, FYI.
Some useful resources:
The DeSmog database of people and organisations spreading misinformation.
So Now What Do I Do?
LEARN SOMETHING
I’m giving a talk online on using climate action as a source of fun! With Climate Village on the 15 February.
Tune into this webinar to hear how four London communities came together to create postitive climate change. 21st February.
Listen: The Climate Denier’s Playbook podcast, where two climate scientists and comedians expose common misinformation tactics.
TRY SOMETHING NEW
Take part in the online challenge to spend 1000 hours outside in 2024!
Burnt out and considering a huge life reset? Start here.
Join the Global Week of Action to hold the insurance industry accountable for its role in the climate crisis, from 26 February to 3 March.
CHANGE THE SYSTEM
The Young Founders Programme is offering a 6-month fellowship for outstanding sustainable young entrepreneurs. Deadline 11th February.
The Erase Indifference Challenge is giving grants to project designed to foster empathy and erase discrimination. Apply by 11 February.
The European Charlemagne Youth Prize is looking for youth-run projects that promote democracy and international understanding. Deadline 12 February.
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