The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

Fossil fuel misinformation may sideline one of the most important climate change reports ever released

  • Written by Christian Downie, Associate professor, Australian National University

This week’s landmark report[1] on the state of the climate paints a sobering picture. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concluded that, without deep and immediate cuts to greenhouse gas emissions, the world is very likely headed for climate catastrophe.

In November, world leaders will gather in Glasgow for the latest round of United Nations climate talks. It’s the most crucial round of climate negotiations since those which led to the Paris Agreement[2] in 2015.

The question is: will governments around the world now listen to the climate science? Or will misinformation campaigns backed by vested interests continue to delay action?

If we’re to avert a climate disaster, we must not underestimate the power of climate misinformation campaigns to undermine the IPCC findings and ensure governments continue to ignore the science.

Person in crowd holds sign Science must be at the heart of policy-making if climate change is to be addressed. Shutterstock

A history of heeding the science

Scrutiny of Australia’s climate policies will be particularly harsh at the Glasgow meeting, given the Morrison government’s failure to implement substantive policies to reduce emissions. We can expect renewed international pressure on Australia to commit to net-zero emissions by 2050 and set out a national plan to decarbonise the economy this decade.

For those who believe in the power of science, the failure of world leaders to act urgently is frustrating, to say the least.

We have acted on the concerns of scientists in the past. In fact, it was scientists such as NASA’s James Hansen[3] who put climate change on the agenda back in 1988, triggering international negotiations.

Scientific concern over the growing hole in the ozone layer prompted the 1987 Montreal Protocol[4], an international agreement to curb the use of ozone-depleting substances.

And of course, scientific advice is guiding the government response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

There are many reasons why the calls of climate scientists are not being heeded at present. But one factor has been particularly successful in delaying climate action: scientific misinformation campaigns.

These campaigns damage public understanding of science, erode trust in research findings, and undermine[5] evidence-based policy.

Read more: A brief history of fossil-fuelled climate denial[6]

Earth from space Governments heeded scientific warnings over the ozone hole – so why not climate change? Shutterstock

Muddying the waters

Research has shown[7] climate misinformation campaigns are often backed by corporate[8] interests which stand to lose if the world transitions to a cleaner energy future.

Such a future could bring incredible benefits to Australia – a country with some of the world’s best solar and wind resources.

The campaigns have wrought untold damage to the public debate on climate science. These corporations have funded industry associations, think tanks and front groups (even including paid actors[9]) to mobilise a counter movement[10] to climate action.

Examples of the phenomenon abound[11]. In the United States, oil and gas giant ExxonMobil reportedly[12] knew[13] of climate change 40 years ago, but funded climate deniers for decades.

Reports emerged[14] last week that Facebook failed[15] to prevent a climate misinformation campaign by the oil and gas industry during last year’s US presidential election.

The war against climate science has been waged in Australia, too. Researchers[16] and journalists[17] have described the lengths the oil, gas and coal industries have gone to challenge the scientific consensus on climate change, and to kill off policies put in place to limit emissions.

Australian media companies such as News Corp have also been criticised[18] for downplaying the significance of the climate crisis. Little wonder, then, that Australian news consumers are far more likely[19] to believe climate change is “not at all” serious compared to news users in other countries.

Read more: With the release of a terrifying IPCC report, Australia must face its wilful political blindness on climate[20]

man holding sign reading 'Tell the Truth' News Corp has been accused of underplaying the seriousness of climate change. Shutterstock

Calling out misinformation

The latest IPCC report was five years in the making. It involved 234 leading scientists from more than 60 countries, who rigorously assessed more than 14,000 research papers to produce their synthesis. The result is the most authoritative, reliable report on the state of Earth’s climate since the last IPCC report of its kind in 2013.

But as the history of climate action has shown, incontrovertible science is not enough to shift the needle – in large part due to climate misinformation which deceives the public and weakens pressure on governments to act.

We must call out attempts by those who seek to delay climate action in the name of profit – and then counter those attempts. As the IPCC has shown this week, further delay equals catastrophe.

Read more: We have the vaccine for climate disinformation – let's use it[21]

References

  1. ^ landmark report (theconversation.com)
  2. ^ Paris Agreement (unfccc.int)
  3. ^ James Hansen (www.nytimes.com)
  4. ^ Montreal Protocol (www.unep.org)
  5. ^ undermine (journals.sagepub.com)
  6. ^ A brief history of fossil-fuelled climate denial (theconversation.com)
  7. ^ Research has shown (link.springer.com)
  8. ^ corporate (www.pnas.org)
  9. ^ paid actors (thelensnola.org)
  10. ^ counter movement (onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
  11. ^ abound (theconversation.com)
  12. ^ reportedly (www.theguardian.com)
  13. ^ knew (www.scientificamerican.com)
  14. ^ Reports emerged (www.theguardian.com)
  15. ^ failed (influencemap.org)
  16. ^ Researchers (www.blackincbooks.com.au)
  17. ^ journalists (www.amazon.com.au)
  18. ^ criticised (www.theguardian.com)
  19. ^ more likely (theconversation.com)
  20. ^ With the release of a terrifying IPCC report, Australia must face its wilful political blindness on climate (theconversation.com)
  21. ^ We have the vaccine for climate disinformation – let's use it (theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/fossil-fuel-misinformation-may-sideline-one-of-the-most-important-climate-change-reports-ever-released-165887

The Times Features

Itinerary to Maximize Your Two-Week Adventure in Vietnam and Cambodia

Two weeks may not seem like much, but it’s just the right time for travelers to explore the best of Vietnam and Cambodia. From the bustling streets of Hanoi to the magnificent te...

How to Protect Your Garden Trees from Wind Damage in Australia

In Australia's expansive landscape, garden trees hold noteworthy significance. They not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of our homes but also play an integral role in the local...

Brisbane Homeowners Warned: Non-Compliant Flexible Hoses Pose High Flood Risk

As a homeowner in Brisbane, when you think of the potential for flood damage to your home, you probably think of weather events. But you should know that there may be a tickin...

Argan Oil-Infused Moroccanoil Shampoo: Nourish and Revitalize Your Hair

Are you ready to transform your hair from dull and lifeless to vibrant and full of life? Look no further than the luxurious embrace of Argan Oil-Infused Moroccanoil Shampoo! In a...

Building A Strong Foundation For Any Structure

Building a home or commercial building can be very exciting. The possibilities are endless and the future is interesting. You can always change aspects of the building to meet the ...

The Role of a Family Dentist: Why Every Household Needs One

source A family dentist isn’t like your regular dentist who may specialise in a particular age group and whom you visit only when something goes wrong. A family dentist takes proa...

Times Magazine

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

How AI-Driven SEO Enhancements Can Improve Headless CMS Content Visibility

Whereas SEO (search engine optimization) is critical in the digital landscape for making connections to content, much of it is still done manually keyword research, metatags, final tweaks at publication requiring a human element that takes extensiv...

Crypto Expert John Fenga Reveals How Blockchain is Revolutionising Charity

One of the most persistent challenges in the charity sector is trust. Donors often wonder whether their contributions are being used effectively or if overhead costs consume a significant portion. Traditional fundraising methods can be opaque, with...

Navigating Parenting Arrangements in Australia: A Legal Guide for Parents

Understanding Parenting Arrangements in Australia. Child custody disputes are often one of the most emotionally charged aspects of separation or divorce. Parents naturally want what is best for their children, but the legal process of determining ...

Blocky Adventures: A Minecraft Movie Celebration for Your Wrist

The Minecraft movie is almost here—and it’s time to get excited! With the film set to hit theaters on April 4, 2025, fans have a brand-new reason to celebrate. To honor the upcoming blockbuster, watchfaces.co has released a special Minecraft-inspir...

The Ultimate Guide to Apple Watch Faces & Trending Wallpapers

In today’s digital world, personalization is everything. Your smartwatch isn’t just a timepiece—it’s an extension of your style. Thanks to innovative third-party developers, customizing your Apple Watch has reached new heights with stunning designs...

LayBy Shopping