Emerging forms of misinformation regarding climate change are proliferating, with the intent of hindering the advancement of renewable energy solutions vital for addressing the crisis.
Instead of outright rejecting the extensive evidence linking human activity to climate change, recent narratives focus on undermining the credibility of viable solutions. Renewable energy technologies are increasingly being recognized as cost-effective and sustainable alternatives to traditional fossil fuels. In light of this shift, leaders within the fossil fuel sector and their supporters appear to be adapting their strategies to maintain their market presence and impede the growth of renewables.
A recent analysis by the International Panel on the Information Environment (IPIE) sheds light on these tactics. According to IPIE’s summary for policymakers, the situation reveals a strategic effort to disrupt climate action—presented as moderate, logical, and supported by data while effectively obstructing progress.
“Strategic disruption—carefully designed to appear moderate, reasonable, and data-driven, while quietly obstructing action.”
According to the report, these delay tactics represent a form of “new denial.” This can take shape in various forms, including misleading statements regarding renewable energy’s environmental impact or falsely attributing power outages to renewable sources. The misinformation is not limited to internet trolls but can originate from high-profile political figures. The report identifies former President Donald Trump as a major purveyor of climate misinformation, noting he received $74 million in donations from oil and gas companies.
During his presidency, Trump labeled climate change a “hoax” and has recently concentrated on preventing the construction of new wind farms in the United States. His actions since taking office have included attempts to dismantle initiatives aimed at achieving 100 percent carbon-pollution-free electricity in the country. He has characterized wind farms as “bird cemeter[ies],” despite evidence that they pose far less of a threat to birds than collisions with buildings or vehicles. Trump has also propagated misleading claims connecting whale deaths to offshore wind energy projects without substantiation.
While there are valid concerns regarding the deployment of renewable energy and the sourcing of materials for solar panels and wind turbines, facts can often be exaggerated or manipulated to support misleading narratives.
Klaus Bruhn Jensen, a professor at the University of Copenhagen and chair of IPIE’s Scientific Panel on Information Integrity about Climate Science, emphasized the severity of the situation in a June 20th press release. He stated, “We are dealing with an information environment that has been deliberately distorted. When corporations, governments, and media platforms obscure climate realities, we face paralysis in our action efforts.”
The IPIE report synthesizes findings from 300 studies conducted over the last ten years regarding climate misinformation. However, it is limited to works published in English, drawing attention to a significant lack of research investment beyond affluent Western nations.
