Climate deniers mimic science to appear credible
Climate deniers use scientific aesthetics to appear credible online, portraying activists as irrational.
Why it matters
- Climate deniers mimic scientific credibility to spread misinformation.
- They portray activists as emotional and irrational to undermine their credibility.
- This strategy can mislead the public and hinder climate action.
By the numbers
- 8 key actors analyzed.
- 17,848 online posts studied from 2010 to 2023.
- Research conducted by Universities of Gothenburg and Amsterdam.
The big picture
- Misinformation tactics can influence public opinion on climate change.
- Understanding these strategies is crucial for developing counter-measures.
What they're saying
- Commenters note that this strategy is prevalent across various scientific fields.
- Some mention that these tactics are used to protect vested interests.
- Others highlight real-world impacts, like insurance industry reactions and natural disasters.
Caveats
- Study limited to 8 key actors and 17,848 posts from Sweden between 2010-2023.
- Findings may not be generalizable to all climate deniers globally.
What’s next
- Further research could explore these tactics in other regions and scientific fields.
- Strategies to counter misinformation and educate the public on recognizing such tactics.