Misinformation erodes climate consensus belief.

Misinformation about climate change reduces perceived scientific consensus, lowering belief in human-caused climate change and support for action.

Why it matters

  • Misinformation weakens trust in climate science.
  • It reduces support for climate action.

By the numbers

  • Two experiments with 207 and 755 participants.
  • Misinformation significantly reduced perceived consensus.

The big picture

  • Misinformation can have real-world consequences on climate action support.
  • Even brief exposure can weaken trust in climate science.

What they're saying

  • Comments highlight that misinformation and propaganda are effective.
  • References to tactics like "Doubt is their product."

Caveats

  • The study used different designs and measures, making direct comparisons difficult.
  • Samples were not representative of the general population.

What’s next

  • Further research on individual traits that may make people more or less susceptible to misinformation.