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Module 2: Misinformation, Disinformation and Denial

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About Course

We come across fake news about climate change every day – on social media, in videos or in articles that appear to be reputable. It is often difficult to spot because it relies on half-truths, emotional appeals or data taken out of context. At the same time, this kind of information influences how we think about and act on climate change. That is precisely why it is important to take a closer look.

In this module, you will learn how to distinguish reliable information from misleading information. You will discover typical patterns of disinformation, critically evaluate sources and practise exposing fake news using concrete examples. You will also be given practical tools to help you better assess information in everyday life – and deal with the topic of climate change with greater confidence.

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What Will You Learn?

  • Identify typical characteristics and strategies of fake news relating to climate change
  • Use digital tools and methods for verifying sources in a targeted manner
  • Critically analyse information from the media and assess its credibility
  • Reflect on their own approach to information and the impact of disinformation

Course Content

Introduction

  • Introduction

Chapter 2: Climate Change and Fake News
Climate change is real. Yet not everyone is aware of its causes and impacts—or wants to be. A range of psychological, ideological, economic, and political factors shape how climate change is perceived and communicated. Feelings such as fear or powerlessness influence how people respond to climate information, and organised actors have strategic interests in shaping public perceptions. Substantial research has documented the role of fossil-fuel companies, associated think tanks and political and ideological networks in promoting narratives that question, downplay or delay climate action. This mis- or disinformation is then spread further. While it is sometimes unintentional, it is always detrimental. Being aware of the extent of misinformation around climate change circulating on many levels, and being capable of distinguishing scientific facts from opinions or intended fake news, enables us to better contextualise ‘news’ and make informed decisions – both in everyday life and in a professional context.

Chapter 3: Social Media, Algorithms and How Fake News is Deliberately Spread
Never before has information been disseminated as quickly as in the age of social media. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube give billions of people immediate access to news, opinions and scientific findings. At the same time, these platforms have given rise to a new form of disinformation: deliberately produced and algorithmically amplified fake news. This is particularly true in the context of climate change. Although scientific evidence is clear and organisations such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have been warning about the consequences of global warming for decades, countless misleading claims circulate on the Internet. These range from the denial of man-made climate change to conspiracy theories about alleged ‘climate lies’ allegedly spread by governments or scientists. This chapter gives basic information on how social media platforms operate, how their algorithms contribute to the spread of disinformation and which strategies are used to deliberately disseminate fake news about climate change.

Chapter 3: Who is Behind Climate Misinformation, Why is it Being Spread and What are the Consequences?

Chapter 4: Typical Characteristics of Fake News and How to Recognize them

Chapter 5: What Can You Do Individually? How to Recognize Climate Disinformation
MIs- or disinformation about climate change often appears credible because it deliberately exploits emotions, communicates half-truths and takes things out of context. News often contains some true facts, but draws false conclusions or omits important information. This is why it is important to recognise typical patterns.

Chapter 6: What Can We Do as a Society? The Responsibility of Politicians, Platforms and Civil Society
Anyone working in climate communication will sooner or later come face to face with a climate change denier: in a comment section, at a family dinner, or across the interview table. The instinct is often to counter every claim with more facts, but research shows that fact-based rebuttals alone rarely change minds, and can even backfire, entrenching people further in their views. This chapter offers a practical approach instead: how to decide whether a conversation is even worth having, how to recognise the recurring rhetorical patterns behind denial, and how to respond: calmly, through questions rather than confrontation - in the moments when engaging genuinely can make a difference.

Chapter 7: How Should We Deal with Climate Change Deniers?

Conclusion & References

Final Test: Misinformation, Disinformation and Denial

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