How to respond to climate science misrepresentation

#Disinformation doesn’t just muddy our understanding of the present… it undermines our ability to build a better future. Especially on #climate and #cleanenergy, #disinformation is twisting the debate and eclipsing more important conversations about how we build out a solar-powered future. It is often opportunistic, well-funded interests that stoke these false stories. And they manipulate what could be productive forums for community discussion like town hall meetings or local Facebook groups. Luckily, we have tools to respond. Yesterday at #ClimateWeekNYC, I sat down with Catarina Rolfsdotter-Jansson and We Don't Have Time to talk about how we at SEIA bring facts and personal stories to our advocacy in Washington. The way I see it, the best way to respond to disinformation is to re-humanize the discussion. If a Facebook graphic is going to spread falsehoods about solar’s reliability, respond with a real person whose solar kept their lights on during a storm. If billboards in your town are lying about the land use impact of clean energy, show them a farmer who is grazing their sheep under a solar farm. If a special interest group is running fake ads about “solar toxicity,” bring out a local worker who builds the panels and knows just how safe they are. Yes, the facts are on our side. And, yes, we have the charts and the figures to disprove bogus claims….. but disinformation thrives on muddying the waters. It pushes people to question every stat or graph or claim. However, real people are harder to dismiss. Real people, real communities, real stories are the best way to fight disinformation AND to push for the future we need. How are you responding to disinformation? What strategies do you find effective and what stories are you uplifting? 

This past Saturday, a group of 85 scientists published a meticulous 459-page rebuttal (https://lnkd.in/edGFJ-iU) to a recent Department of Energy (DOE) report claiming that greenhouse gas emissions have had a negligible impact on Earth’s climate (https://lnkd.in/e8QfZuZC). The rebuttal provides a line-by-line response to specific claims in the DOE report based on the peer-reviewed scientific record, going so far as to identify specific references that were misleadingly cited to support a pre-conceived narrative. As far as peer review goes, this is the gold standard. For example, on the topic of extreme precipitation and climate risk, the rebuttal notes that the DOE report cherry picks references to the authors’ own papers, relying on spatially and temporally limited precipitation records that overlook clearly discernable recent trends in extreme rainfall. The rebuttal was prepared as an official public comment on the DOE report, and DOE officials have stated their intent to meaningfully engage with responses to their report. Whether they in fact follow through on this promise will help to reveal their true motives. (The views expressed here are mine alone and do not reflect an official position.)

Why facts aren’t fixing the climate crisis and how the first AI showed us why. In the 1960s, a computer program named ELIZA accidentally became the world’s first successful AI. It mimicked a therapist by simply reflecting people’s own words back to them. It wasn’t clever. It wasn’t scientific. But people loved it – because it didn’t challenge their beliefs. It confirmed them. Fast-forward to now, and we’re still seeing this pattern – not in therapy, but in how we respond to climate change. People don’t want more climate facts. They want their feelings and values reflected. That’s why we can’t fight climate misinformation with data alone. It backfires. Just like ELIZA, people prefer conversations that resonate, not ones that confront. So what can we do? 🌍 We need to adopt an AI informed approach, not using artificial intelligence but emotionally intelligent tactics: Here’s how: ✅ Mirror values, not facts – Instead of debating the data, reflect someone’s values. Talk health, family, community, pride in nature, fairness. Let them feel seen first. ✅ Ask, don’t tell – ELIZA worked by asking questions. So can we. "What kind of world do you want your kids to grow up in?" opens more hearts than “The IPCC says…” ✅ Customise the message – Just as AI tailors content, we need to meet people where they are. Talking savings to small business owners, clean air to parents, and local nature to hikers. ✅ Use social proof – Show what others like them are doing. People follow their peers, not reports. ✅ Create safe conversation spaces – Online echo chambers worsen division. We need real life, empathetic, in person dialogue in homes, clubs, places of worship, gyms, allotments. 📣 That’s exactly what my coaching and Carbon Literacy work is all about – helping people and organisations move from overwhelm or resistance to action and connection, through tools, conversations, and mindset shifts that really work. If you’re working on sustainability, running community initiatives, or feeling stuck on how to have better conversations about the climate crisis I’d love to help. Drop me a message or check out my upcoming courses and coaching options on my website (link in profile) #ClimateCommunication #ELIZA #Sustainability #Coaching #CarbonLiteracy #EmotionalIntelligence #ValuesBasedLeadership #CommunityEngagement #BehaviourChange

To effectively combat climate misinformation, a comprehensive media literacy strategy should be implemented, backed by empirical evidence. Educational programs must be designed not only to inform individuals about the consequences of #climatechange but also to equip them with critical thinking skills. Research studies show that media literacy interventions, when integrated into school curricula, can significantly enhance individuals' abilities to discern reliable information. Data from initiatives in countries like Finland, where media literacy is embedded in education, indicate a positive impact on students' ability to navigate information landscapes responsibly. Collaboration among stakeholders requires a multidimensional approach. Scientists, policymakers, and media outlets need to work together to ensure accurate information reaches the public. Scientists can actively engage with the media to explain their research findings in accessible language. For instance, a study published in Nature Climate Change found that when scientists use clear language and relatable examples, their messages are more likely to resonate with the public. Policymakers can support initiatives that prioritize transparency and evidence-based reporting. Media organizations, in turn, should uphold responsible journalism standards, invest in fact-checking mechanisms, and provide platforms for expert voices to counterbalance misleading narratives. In leveraging #technology, empirical evidence supports the effectiveness of algorithmic interventions. Social media platforms can utilize data analytics to identify patterns of misinformation dissemination, leading to more targeted interventions. A study in the Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication demonstrates the potential of algorithmic content moderation in reducing the visibility of false information. Additionally, the collaborative efforts between tech companies and fact-checking organizations have shown promise in limiting the viral spread of misinformation online, as indicated by research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Questions... Okay, climate change may not be real but, is circular economy a bad choice? Are renewables like solar and hydro a bad choice? #Electricvehicles may have climate related issues like battery dumps and metals extraction but don't you think EVs are a better facilitator for the kind of future we are looking forward to? I mean continuous innovation will find solutions for climate issues associated with EVs but can you think the same for ICEs powered by fossil fuels? Regardless of the ongoing debate, proactive climate action ensures a better #future for generations, addressing potential risks and fostering a sustainable planet. Embracing such measures becomes a wise investment, minimizing harm and leaving a positive legacy for the long term. #sustainability #innovation #economy #renewableenergy