Discover How Eight of the Top 10 Online Shows are Fueling Climate Misinformation

The climate conversation has shifted. Once, people might have dismissed climate change outright. Now, many online influencers are spreading different types of misinformation. Instead of denying climate change completely, they focus on claims like “solutions won’t work” or “there are benefits to climate change.” These misleading messages accounted for 70% of climate-related claims on YouTube in 2023, a big jump from 35% in 2018, according to the Center for Countering Digital Hate.

In the U.S., about one in five adults and 37% of those under 30 rely on social media influencers for news, according to Pew Research. Many popular shows are spreading misleading information about climate change. A Yale Climate Connections study found that eight of the top ten online shows share false claims. This trend mirrors findings from Media Matters for America, which points out that right-leaning influencers are dominant in digital spaces like podcasts and streams.

Notably, influencers like Jordan Peterson and Charlie Kirk are framing climate concerns as a “pseudo-religion.” Yet, most people recognize the seriousness of climate change. Research from the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication shows that many Americans see it as a reality requiring action. They believe it is happening and that it is harmful.

Despite this, some figures, including Joe Rogan and Ben Shapiro, have platforms that amplify climate deniers like Bjørn Lomborg. Scientists have urged Lomborg to cease misrepresenting climate science, but the misleading claims persist. Some influencers suggest that climate change is a hoax for government control, with Kirk stating it is a vehicle for Marxism.

Recently, there’s been a rise in skepticism around climate change. According to Tortoise Media, narratives that link climate skepticism to COVID-skepticism are gaining traction. Their analysis shows that climate denial is rising across various platforms. For instance, climate skeptic posts surged by 43% on YouTube and 82% on X (Twitter) from 2021 to 2024.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright even mentioned that there are “pluses to global warming.” Meanwhile, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has made controversial statements about climate change activism. This rhetoric is part of a broader misinformation campaign backed by hefty financial resources. About 60% of popular online shows lean right and have many more followers than their left-leaning counterparts, according to a Media Matters analysis. Entities like PragerU spend large portions of their budgets on marketing alone.

This well-funded misinformation strategy contrasts sharply with the efforts of climate proponents. In essence, the battle for the truth about climate change faces both a credibility crisis and a financial imbalance.

Amidst the fog of misinformation, it’s crucial to remember that most Americans understand the reality of climate change and desire action. With proper support, the truth could become far more powerful.

This article, originally from Yale Climate Connections, is part of a global journalism effort called Covering Climate Now (CCN).

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