Transcript:
False and misleading information about climate change is widespread on social media.
And it can be hard to know how to respond when a friend or loved one believes that misinformation and shares it.
Martin: “It is often much better to take these conversations offline and talk to people that you know by building on the strength of your relationship and your connections. … Ask them about their post, why they believe it, and then try to understand their motivation in sharing this content before focusing on the content itself.”
That’s Elyse Martin, manager for persuasion research and campaigns at the Environmental Defense Fund.
She says people often believe misinformation because it resonates with them emotionally. For example, someone stressed about money might be more likely to believe false claims about the cost of clean energy.
Martin: “A lot of people who share disinformation may be feeling afraid or as if circumstances are out of their control.”
So as you share factual resources, she suggests doing so with empathy – not as a lecture, but as a dialogue based on trust and connection.
Martin: “Just trying to understand, like, what are the emotional stakes for this person might help you get farther in conversation with them.”
Reporting credit: Sarah Kennedy / ChavoBart Digital Media
