A recent report by the Coalition Against Climate Disinformation (CAAD) highlights the rise of disinformation regarding COP30, the UN climate summit. The report reveals a staggering 267 percent increase in COP-related falsehoods, driven largely by artificial intelligence and shared on social media. Distorted videos, including one falsely depicting flooding in Belem, Brazil, have circulated, with the report asserting that many of these clips are misleading or fabricated.
Despite growing public support for stronger climate action—over 80 percent—disinformation continues to shape perceptions and feed hostility towards scientific consensus. Authority figures and extremist groups in Brazil are identified as key players in promoting climate denial. Although there are efforts to combat disinformation, such as the EU’s Digital Services Act, the challenge remains significant. The CAAD emphasizes the need for increased transparency and accountability in tackling this issue to safeguard credible information.
