Quote from Alex bobby on August 1, 2025, 7:19 AM

As the effects of climate change become more visible and devastating, from record-breaking heatwaves to intensified wildfires and rising sea levels, a new report sheds light on a different but equally dangerous threat — climate disinformation. The report reveals that a complex network of political figures, fossil fuel interests, and foreign states, particularly Russia, is actively spreading doubt and misinformation about climate science, policy, and solutions.

This global disinformation campaign is not just about sowing confusion. It’s a calculated effort to delay climate action, protect vested interests, and undermine public trust in science and governance. As the world races to limit global warming to 1.5°C, understanding who is behind this manipulation — and why — is more urgent than ever.

The Machinery of Misinformation

The report, published by the Global Climate Information Integrity Project (GCIIP), is the result of a multi-year investigation into climate denial campaigns across social media, think tanks, news outlets, and political platforms. It reveals three primary culprits behind the ongoing spread of climate disinformation:

1. Political figures and parties, particularly those aligned with right-wing populist ideologies.
2. Fossil fuel companies and there affiliated lobbying groups.
3. Foreign states, with Russia named explicitly for using disinformation to destabilise climate cooperation.

Each actor has different motivations, but the result is the same: the erosion of public understanding and political momentum needed to tackle the climate crisis.

Politicians Playing Politics With the Planet

According to the report, political leaders and parties in the U.S., Europe, Australia, and parts of Latin America have consistently downplayed the risks of climate change or cast doubt on the urgency of action. These figures often frame environmental policies as economically harmful, anti-freedom, or even conspiratorial — appealing to nationalist or anti-globalist sentiments.

In many cases, politicians receive funding from fossil fuel industries or rely on voters in regions dependent on coal, oil, or gas jobs. Their narratives often echo language directly from energy lobbyists, emphasising "energy independence," "job protection," and "climate alarmism."

“Climate disinformation is no longer about denying science outright,” explains Dr. Lila Mendoza, lead author of the GCIIP report. “Today, it’s more sophisticated. It’s about delaying action through doubt, distraction, and polarisation.”

The Fossil Fuel Industry’s Fingerprints

Perhaps unsurprisingly, fossil fuel companies remain among the most influential and well-funded sources of climate disinformation. Although many of them publicly support net-zero targets and carbon offsetting initiatives, their behind-the-scenes activities often tell a different story.

The report details how oil giants have funded third-party think tanks and PR campaigns designed to question renewable energy’s reliability, exaggerate the costs of green transitions, and push false equivalencies between fossil fuels and “clean” technologies like carbon capture.

In the U.S. alone, more than $300 million was spent between 2018 and 2024 on anti-climate lobbying, much of it disguised through political action committees (PACs) and industry alliances. Similar trends are seen in Canada, the UK, and Australia.

“These companies are hedging their bets,” says Mendoza. “They want to appear green to investors and regulators while ensuring fossil fuel demand stays high as long as possible.”

Russia’s Role: Destabilize, Divide, Disrupt

The report also shines a spotlight on Russia’s strategic use of climate disinformation as a geopolitical tool. Through state-sponsored media and troll farms, Russia has allegedly worked to inflame division within Western countries over climate policies.

In Europe, Russian-backed online campaigns have attempted to frame climate action as a tool of elite control, or as harmful to working-class livelihoods — narratives that resonate especially during times of economic strain. In the U.S., bots and fake accounts have amplified conspiracy theories around electric vehicles, wind power, and global climate governance.

“By eroding trust in green transitions, Russia can slow down Western energy independence efforts — particularly efforts to shift away from Russian oil and gas,” said the report.

This disinformation isn’t just digital. Russian funding has also been linked to climate-skeptic politicians and fringe media outlets across Europe, the GCIIP found.

Why It Matters Now

The window to act on climate change is rapidly closing. The IPCC has warned that without drastic emissions cuts this decade, the world will lock in catastrophic levels of warming. Against this backdrop, disinformation isn't just misleading — it’s deadly.

Climate disinformation campaigns delay legislation, weaken public support for science-based policy, and undermine international cooperation. They disproportionately affect vulnerable communities and youth, who stand to suffer the most from climate inaction.

Looking Forward

As governments prepare for the next major climate summit and ramp up domestic green policies, combating disinformation must become a central part of climate strategy. That means holding corporations accountable, regulating political advertising, investing in media literacy, and fostering a culture where science can speak louder than spin. Because the fight against climate change is not just about carbon — it’s about truth.

Conclusion

The new report makes it painfully clear: climate disinformation is not a random accident or the product of fringe voices. It is a coordinated effort by powerful interests — political, industrial, and geopolitical — to manipulate public perception and obstruct urgent climate action. Uncovering these networks is only the first step; the real challenge lies in disrupting them and rebuilding trust in the facts.

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A new report reveals how political figures, fossil fuel companies, and foreign states like Russia are fuelling climate disinformation to delay action and protect their interests.