From debunking claims that cold winters do not act as proof that global warming is fake to allegations that the climate changes naturally and so mankind is not to blame, scientists have spent decades proving the very existence of the climate crisis.
Yet experts say these disinformation narratives are increasingly evolving and that they are now moving towards discrediting environmental policies and climate action, rather than an outright denial of global warming.
In June, Europe’s record-breaking heatwave prompted a surge in misinformation, including viral social media posts alleging that high temperatures were not unusual. They claimed that they instead aligned with previous temperature spikes, citing heatwaves that occurred in London during the 1970s.
Climate scientists say that these claims are not only misleading but have also increased the amount of hostility and harassment they face, with many online blaming them for failed climate action.
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“People argue that, ultimately, they [climate scientists] have been too alarmist, not educational enough, that they have pointed towards the wrong solutions and made the wrong decisions, and that it is therefore their fault,” [said Eva Morel, secretary of the French climate disinformation watchdog Quota Climat].
