The SLACC report highlights how the problem of fake news is widespread in Europe.
Thanks to interviews to youth workers and focus groups with young people, the main fake news circulating were categorized and debunked.
But what is meant by a climate ‘myth’?
Climate myths refer to popular misconceptions or distorted facts about climate change that circulate mainly in the online space. Climate myths can be either fake news purposely created with the intent to mislead, or simple false information spread on the Internet without a clear target audience.
Countering this phenomenon of spreading false information is not impossible, nor is it difficult. We can follow four simple steps, summarized with the word SIFT:
- S – Stop
- I – Investigate the source
- F – Find better coverage / source
- T – Trace claims, quotes and media to the original context | Find additional information regarding the context
Once this technique is put into practice, it will be easier to understand whether the news we are interested in are fake or not.
A starting point for understanding fake news about climate change is SLACC’s compilation of 33 most common climate myths and the real-life explanations debunking them, accompanied by scientific facts and useful links where you can find the correct information. The myths are divided into 6 groups according to the main topic/message of the misconception.
In addition, there is a non-exhaustive list of the main fact checking sites in the countries involved in the project.
What’s next?
In February, a training course will be held in Palermo, completely free of charge and aimed at youth workers. The objective is to provide the necessary techniques and methodologies to deal with the topic of fake news concerning climate change, with young people.
For more information on the project or the training course, contact Giorgia Marinelli: giorgia.marinelli@cesie.org
About the project
SLACC – Stop Lies About Climate Change is funded by Erasmus+ – KA2 Cooperation among organisations and institutions – Cooperation partnerships in youth.
Partners
- EUROCIRCLE ASSOCIATION (France, Coordinator)
- DIE BERATERUNTERNEHMENSBERATUNGS GESELLSCHAFT MBH (Austria)
- CATRO (Bulgaria)
- CESIE (Italy)
- BUPNET BILDUNG UND PROJEKT NETZWERKGMBH (Germany)
- CARDET (Cyprus)
- PINA (Slovenia)
For further information
Read more about SLACC and visit the website https://slacc-project.eu/.
Contact Giorgia Marinelli: giorgia.marinelli@cesie.org.
