Scientists, activists, and organizations call for binding measures to protect climate information integrity.

On Wednesday, about 400 scientific, political, and social organizations urged negotiators at the United Nations Climate Summit (COP30) to immediately halt the wave of disinformation about global warming through “robust measures.”

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“This crucial window of opportunity must not be wasted, and the manipulation of public discourse by the fossil fuel industry must stop,” they said in an open letter released during the UN summit, which is taking place in the city of Belem in Brazil.

The signatories warned that fake news creates a “false perception of division and public apathy,” “undermines the implementation of effective climate policies,” and “discredits renewable energy solutions,” delaying the energy transition.

“Ensuring the integrity of climate information means ensuring the success of the climate agenda,” said Thais Lazzeri, director of FALA, an organization that promotes social change through communication.

The group called on delegations from the roughly 170 countries to adopt an “ambitious, robust, and binding” decision to guarantee the integrity of information about the climate emergency.

The letter denounced that economic and political interests, mainly linked to the fossil fuel sector, continue to organize and fund disinformation campaigns. “Disinformation is a direct and immediate threat to public health, human rights, and security,” it stated.

This is the first time that the issue of disinformation has been included in the official negotiation agenda of a United Nations climate summit.

The 191 organizations and 195 individuals who signed the letter expressed confidence that “robust” measures will be adopted in Belem to safeguard information. They urged action across the entire fake news ecosystem, from social media and news outlets to the advertising sector — all of which, they said, bear “immense responsibility.”

“Lawmakers and governments must use their powers to curb the influence of platforms that profit from the spread of manipulated content. Greenwashing, platform manipulation, and the monetization of disinformation must end immediately,” they said.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

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