Scientific Panel on Information Integrity about Climate Science

Climate change is among the most serious global threats to human life. It is vital that the public—and public leaders—understand the scientific consensus that has emerged about the causes of climate change, its impact on our lives and livelihoods, and the long-term benefits of acting collectively to repair damage and adapt individual and social behavior.

But public understanding of climate change is under threat, a trend that has been widely linked to the impact of social media on scientific communication and public deliberation. Information operations against climate science degrade public trust both in the political institutions that should be acting constructively, and in the scientific communities that produce new knowledge about the climate crisis.

When, how, and where can the scientific community work with public agencies, social media platforms, and other stakeholders to help defend climate science and promote public understanding of both the evidence from research and the policy options for political leaders?

The IPIE’s Scientific Panel on Information Integrity about Climate Science summarizes the latest research about how media and communication impact public understanding of climate change and makes recommendations for public policy oversight and technology design that can promote public understanding of climate change.

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