Emerging Deceptions in Climate Change Discourse

Obstruction tactics have become the new wave of climate change denial.

Recent misleading narratives about climate change are being disseminated to hinder the expansion of renewable energy solutions essential to resolving the crisis.

Instead of outright rejecting the overwhelming evidence that human activities drive climate change, current narratives attempt to sow confusion about potential remedies. As renewable energy gains traction as a cost-effective and sustainable option compared to traditional fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas, leaders within those industries and their affiliates, perhaps feeling cornered, have resorted to sophisticated tactics to promote their own products and undermine competitors.

A comprehensive overview of these strategies has been detailed by the International Panel on the Information Environment (IPIE). Their report reveals a strategy of subtle disruption, crafted to seem balanced, logical, and grounded in data, all the while subtly impeding genuine progress.

Strategized Disruption

These obstructive maneuvers are considered the 'new denial,' as per the report. This can take the form of erroneous assertions regarding the environmental costs of renewable energy or misguidedly attributing blackouts to renewable sources. This isn't confined to social media provocateurs; such falsehoods can also emanate from top-level authorities. A notable figure mentioned is Donald Trump, whose political campaign received significant backing from the oil and gas sector, positioning him as a pivotal player in spreading climate misinformation.

Trump has been vocal about his skepticism, labelling climate change a 'hoax' during his previous term and more recently focusing efforts on halting new wind energy projects in the United States. Since assuming office again, he has attempted to dismantle efforts aimed at transitioning the U.S. toward fully carbon-neutral electricity. He deems wind energy installations as avian graveyards, a claim exaggerated when compared to deaths caused by collisions with buildings or vehicles. He also unsubstantiatedly links whale mortalities to offshore wind developments.

Genuine Concerns and Exaggerations

While there are honest concerns about the strategic placement of renewable energy structures and the sourcing of materials for solar and wind apparatus, as well as the impacts of mining and infrastructure construction, these truths can be distorted or blown out of proportion.

Professor Klaus Bruhn Jensen, heading the Scientific Panel on Information Integrity at IPIE, emphasizes that we are navigating an environment purposefully misrepresented. He asserts that when businesses, authorities, and media outlets obscure factual climate issues, it results in stagnation.

Research and Limitations

The IPIE report compiles insights from 300 studies conducted over a decade on climate misinformation, focusing mainly on research published in English, pointing to a significant gap in research funding outside developed Western nations.