A new report by the Center for Countering Digital Hate reveals a shift in strategy among climate change deniers. Previously, the focus was on outright rejection of climate change, but now they are concentrating on skepticism of climate solutions and the potential harm caused by climate change.
The analysis indicates a shift in tactics by climate change deniers on YouTube. While in the past, they may have outright rejected climate change or cast doubt on human responsibility, they are now challenging climate science, undermining climate solutions, and even suggesting that global warming might have positive effects.
According to the report, this shift is a response to the changing landscape of public opinion. Outright denial of climate change is no longer as convincing, so deniers are pivoting to raise questions about the seriousness of climate change and what, if anything, should be done about it.
Additionally, the report highlights the failure of content policies on platforms such as YouTube to effectively combat this spread of misinformation. Policy oversight and updates are recommended to prevent the dissemination of false and misleading information about climate change.
The shift in denial tactics is troubling, as it moves the focus away from addressing the reality of climate change and instead sows seeds of doubt and confusion around proposed solutions. It is essential for responsible platforms and media outlets to actively combat climate change misinformation to ensure accurate and science-based information reaches the public.
