· 2 min read
illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Euronews or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: Conspiracy theorists who previously spread COVID-19 misinformation are now targeting climate policies
• Climate disinformation is proliferating on social media ahead of the EU parliamentary elections in June, with influencers exploiting various narratives, including farmers' protests and perceived threats to civil liberties
🔭 The context: Climate disinformation is increasingly part of European cultural debates
• Conspiracy theorists link climate issues to wider anti-establishment narratives, fueling concerns about climate policies among mainstream voters
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Climate disinformation undermines support for necessary environmental policies
• Delays in adopting effective climate measures could slow progress on emissions reduction and sustainable development, negatively impacting ecosystems and communities
⏭️ What's next: Climate denialism's influence is expected to persist beyond the elections
• Experts warn that a "chilling effect" may hinder climate action, with governments feeling they lack the political capital to implement necessary policies
💬 One quote: "Climate change denialism has been co-opted into the culture wars," (Joe Düker, a researcher at the Center for Monitoring, Analysis, and Strategy)
📈 One stat: Conspiracy-minded channels and groups on Telegram generate around 100 million views monthly, spreading misinformation across over 20 European languages
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