Source: McNutt, M. 2022. Misinformation: addressing the challenge. Proceedings of the Indian National Science Academy, 88, 8150821. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43538-022-00122-0
Since the late 1980s, fossil fuel corporations have engaged in mis- and disinformation by adamantly denying that human activity has caused climate change. In 1989, ExxonMobil publicly stated that “enhanced greenhouse is still deeply imbedded in scientific uncertainty,” and even established the Global Climate Coalition to question the scientific basis for climate change.
Misinformation and disinformation are closely related, but separate concepts. Misinformation is the sharing of information that is false or incorrect. Disinformation is the deliberate spread of misinformation with the intent to mislead. False information can generally be categorized by three broad buckets: (1) outright denial that climate change is occurring, (2) cherry-picking, in which certain data are selected to give a false image, and (3) providing false solutions. Illustrations of misinformation includes “climate change is not real and/or is not related to human activities” or “renewables and electric vehicles are useless or dangerous.”
In an urgent time to transition to clean energy, misinformation is hindering renewable energy projects across the United States. Some communities have become suspicious about clean energy projects, challenging local engagement. Recently, in October 2023, climate scientists and fossil fuel industry supporters have clashed in Texas over whether the association between climate change and human activities should be included in middle school textbooks.
Climate action is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations. To combat mis/disinformation, climate change information, together with its sources, should always be carefully assessed for accuracy and trustworthiness, especially if the information targets scientists personally and generally denies climate science. Any person who is referenced in the report should be an expert on the subject, and the information provided should not selectively exclude any details.
