Medical professionals should lead the fight against climate misinformation, say scientists

Medical professionals have a responsibility to lead the fight against climate misinformation to ensure that the public is well informed about the health risks posed by climate change, say experts in The BMJ.

Misinformation (inaccurate information spread without malicious intent) and disinformation (deliberately deceptive information) in health is not new, write Professor Andy Haines and colleagues.

Just as the rapid spread of false information during the COVID-19 pandemic undermined public trust in science and public health interventions, false information also pervades the climate change debate, influencing public perception and policy.

The World Health Organization has identified climate change as the greatest threat to global health in the 21st century, but the public’s understanding of this threat is often clouded by conflicting narratives.

Common myths include the belief that climate change is a hoax designed to push political agendas, a natural phenomenon unaffected by human activity, or that the risks are exaggerated, they explain.

“Disinformation activities, often supported by fossil fuel interests, propagate these myths, impeding efforts to mobilize public support for necessary policy changes,” they add.

Social media platforms have also become major conduits for health-related climate disinformation. The COVID-19 pandemic showed how quickly misinformation could escalate into a global health crisis. Similar dynamics are at play with climate change, where misinformation can lead to public apathy or resistance towards climate action.

“The amplification of such misinformation by influential figures and networks further entrenches these beliefs, making it challenging to shift public opinion.”

And they note that the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has added a new dimension to the spread of false information, further muddying the waters of public discourse.

“The medical community has a pivotal role in addressing the issue of misinformation around health and climate change,” they conclude.

“By adopting a multifaceted approach that includes robust communication, collaboration with tech companies, education, policy advocacy, and community engagement, the impact of misinformation can be mitigated to ensure that the public is well-informed about the health risks posed by climate change.”