Climate literacy in age of misinformation

Did you know that vitamin C does not actually prevent colds? It only slightly reduces the length and severity.[1] This is an example of the illusory truth effect, where repeated information is seen as more truthful, regardless of accuracy. While believing these nuggets of "wisdom” may sound relatively harmless, it turns out this psychological effect can undermine scientific understanding.

A recent study showed that the illusory truth effect holds true even for strongly-held beliefs like attitudes towards climate science.[2]The researchers found that repeated exposure increases perceived credibility—or "truthiness”—by participants, even when the information contradicts prior beliefs. In the era of generative AI and social media, where content can be quickly produced and claims easily shared without verification, you can see how people may become susceptible to misinformation and come to endorse falsehoods.

In the age of misinformation, social media and AI make sifting fact from fiction ever more difficult (Image source: iStock/axel2001)

A large part of this comes from a growing organised countermovement undermining climate policies, particularly by those whose coffers depend on the world being addicted to fossil fuel. This led to US lawmakers calling for the Department of Justice to investigate fossil fuel companies for their role in misleading the public and obstructing climate action in May.[3] The astroturfing can be state-supported as well. Russia has consistently been accused of pushing climate misinformation and conspiracy theories through its state media,[4]under the mistaken belief that the nation would benefit under climate change.[5]

Traditional forms of media are not without blame either. While media coverage of climate change has improved over the years, media professionals may inadvertently contribute to climate misinformation.^[6]In pursuit of journalistic objectivity, the media sometimes frame climate change as a debate rather than an environmental problem. This lends undue credibility to denial claims and distorts public perception on an otherwise noncontroversial subject—where there is an overwhelming scientific consensus that human activity is heating up the Earth.[7]

Portraying climate science as controversial may help drive views, but can also gives an uncritical platform to those propagating misinformation (Image source: YouTube)

When misleading or inaccurate information spreads, it distorts public understanding of climate issues, diminish the perceived urgency of climate action, and undermine the credibility of climate solutions.[8]^,[9]A 2023 survey on the attitudes of Hong Kong residents toward climate change may highlight the existence of this issue.^[10]While over 90% of participants acknowledged that climate change affects the planet, just 40% believe they would be personally affected—despite the city seeing longer and hotter summer seasons and experiencing the worst rainstorm in recent years.^[11],[12]Older adults fared worse, being less worried about climate effects or did not think climate change affects Hong Kong right now.

The 2023 record rainstorm, which caused widespread destruction, is expected to become more common under global warming (Image source: Yik Yeung-man)

From the scores of people maimed and displaced by Typhoon Yagi to the most severe wildfires across the Amazon rainforest and the Pantanal wetlands in last year, climate change is supercharging deadly disasters across the world. Rampant climate misinformation unfortunately has driven a wedge between scientific understanding and public perception on its threat.

Tropical storm Yagi strikes Philippines (Image source: dotdotnews)

To bridge the gap, it is best not to repeat false claims or provide a platform to those spreading misinformation.[13]Beyond that, there are other interventions we can employ to build up our media literacy, such as verifying the content first before sharing on social media; learning to compare the credibility of information with other sources via lateral reading; referencing fact-checking and source-credibility labels, and more.[14] These tools can be applied in other topics as well.

Equally important in combating climate misinformation is education. Integrating climate education into the school curriculum plays a vital role in raising knowledge and awareness among the younger generation. By fostering climate literacy from an early age, students can develop critical thinking skills to discern fact from misinformation and understand the urgency of climate action.

Time is running out to stem the worst of climate change. Effective climate policies and actions however need an informed and engaged community. This means aligning public perception with scientific understanding and being more mindful of the information we come across. Only then we can address climate change.