Improving the effectiveness of climate communications

Intelligence

Misinformation Alert: Conspiracy Thinking

Credit: Tim Dennell

Did you know up to one in three Britons already believe some kind of conspiracy theory? Every year, the effects of climate change become clearer and there is no guarantee that all Brits will believe the science. Instead, they may turn to alternative explanations - such as conspiracies - to process or cope.

In this post:

What's going on? Are climate conspiracies a load of hot air, or genuine cause for concern?
Who believes in conspiracy theories? Spoiler alert: It's not just fanatics.
How we can get ahead. For campaigners, what's the antidote to conspiracy thinking? Plus, how should we talk to a conspiracy theorist one-on-one?

Read next

Vocal minorities are being weaponised against climate action

Vocal minorities are being weaponised against climate action

From flooding council meetings to harassing decision-makers online, we’re seeing more highly vocal, small groups mobilise against climate action. We call these groups “vocal minorities” because they are a relatively small but loud part of the public. In the context of climate action, they risk distracting from a public

10 research-driven ways to supercharge your climate comms

10 research-driven ways to supercharge your climate comms

This guide follows our flagship research with key Persuadables, a mixed-method and immersive qualitative program of research with cultural insight agency Bricolage, where we spoke to: * Urban 'somewheres' in Newcastle * British Black & South Asian communities in Birmingham * Rural Dwellers in Yorkshire Read on for our 10 recommendations

Strategic Guide: Crisis communications during misinformation spikes

Strategic Guide: Crisis communications during misinformation spikes

Seemingly overnight, an ordinary traffic calming scheme in Oxford turned into an international conspiracy theory. Climate organisations were suddenly fielding queries about "15-minute cities", ranging from well-meaning concerns about local planning to accusations of globalist plots. But how can we separate the well-meaning from the troll? How can