Elon Musk, Twitter takeover raises concerns about an increase in climate misinformation
Elon Musk fired thousands of employees during the COP27 Summit. Including sustainability executives Sean Boyle and Casey Junod, who left the platform last week.
Analysts warned that after Elon Musk’s takeover, climate deniers and “greenwashing” companies could have free rein on Twitter as leaders pursued anti-warming efforts at the COP27 Summit.
The Tesla billionaire and self-proclaimed free-speech absolutist have fired thousands of employees. Including sustainability executives Sean Boyle and Casey Junod, who left the platform last week.
Elon Musk has promised to reduce Twitter’s content restrictions and has announced plans to form a “content moderation council” to review policies following the takeover.
“It is unclear what Mr Musk intends to do. However, if he abandons all attempts at content moderation. We can expect an increase in misinformation as well as an increase in misleading and greenwashing advertisements “said Naomi Oreskes. A Harvard University history of science professor who has published groundbreaking research on climate misinformation.
“Greenwashing” refers to companies deceiving the public about their environmental impact through messages and token gestures.
“We may also see an increase in hateful comments directed at climate scientists and advocates, particularly women,” said Oreskes.
Following the takeover, one climate journalist reported receiving death threats on the platform. He did not respond immediately to a request for comment.
Sustainability executives have been fired.
According to researchers and campaigners, despite measures announced by social media platforms. Climate misinformation thrives, undermining belief in climate change and the action required to address it.
Twitter and other tech behemoths like Facebook and Google have stated that they are taking steps to reduce the visibility of false claims.
However, the Institute for Strategic Dialogue said this year in a detailed study. That messages aimed at “denying, deceiving, and delaying” climate action were joint on social media.
