Ongoing
The Dangers of Disinformation
Understanding the challenges of disinformation and polarization to better protect ourselves
Why take action?
Why take action?
Disinformation is the greatest threat facing the world, according to Policy Horizons Canada. In as little as three years, people may be unable to tell what's true and what's not;
Disinformation undermines public trust in science, experts and institutions, hindering society's ability to make informed decisions and support ambitious policies;
Well-funded groups, often linked to the fossil fuel industry, intentionally spread misleading information to protect their economic interests at the expense of the common good;
Reliable, scientifically-based information is essential to enable citizens and decision-makers to take effective action.
What's at stake?
We live in an era of destabilization, where it is becoming increasingly difficult to discern truth from lies, where differences in perspectives quickly turn into polarizing debates, and where convictions of all kinds sometimes take precedence over reason, or even science.
Disinformation-Canada's biggest risk
According to Policy Horizons Canada, this is the single greatest threat facing the world. Within three years, people may not be able to tell what is true and what is not. 🤯
We are currently experiencing troubling issues of misinformation, disinformation and polarization.
With all the benefits that the digital technologies and innovations seen in recent decades have brought us – internet access at our fingertips, ultra-powerful search engines, omnipresent social networks and artificial intelligence taking on a greater role every day – there have also come challenges and threats that have proven highly problematic. For more and more people, what we believe and confidence in the truth have become less and less certain. We are being influenced by powerful, profit-driven interests, all too often to the detriment of society and the planet.
What is climate disinformation?
DiscoverClimate disinformation
Why it’s important to address it
50%
During the 2022 provincial election, nearly half of Quebecers surveyed found it difficult to distinguish between disinformation and facts, and were unsure whether or not they had been exposed to disinformation.
Our work
While climate disinformation is not a new concept, the digital context that is currently fueling it poses a major threat to the socio-ecological transition Équiterre has been working on for over 30 years.
We've taken on the challenge of helping to understand the phenomena of disinformation and polarization, so that Quebecers can better protect themselves against these influential forces, and help others do the same.
Politics has become a highly polarized arena. From the beginning, Équiterre has worked to promote ambitious and effective climate policies. Therefore, we are striving to protect the achievements of the environmental movement from the vagaries of polarization by helping the public to better discern what is true from what is false, for example with regards to the carbon tax.
We are working with the UNESCO-PREV Chair to identify radicalization factors and tools to protect against disinformation, and with experts to develop awareness-raising events. This is how Équiterre is shedding light on these issues.
View our webinar
Our goals
Help people understand disinformation, the forces that drive it, and how to protect themselves from it.
Counter climate disinformation to protect climate policies that promote or enable the socio-environmental transition.
Learn how to find your way around
Consult the guide on disinformationProject history
2024
May
The greatest risk for Canada
According to Policy Horizons Canada, disinformation is the single greatest threat facing the world. Within the next three years, people may be unable to distinguish between what is true and what is not.
2023
December
Disinformation takes centre stage at COP28
Équiterre participates in the conference to address climate disinformation, notably through a panel organized in conjunction with the UNESCO-PREV Chair.
View the panel discussion here (in French)
November
UN sounds the alarm
The United Nations identifies disinformation and misinformation as "major obstacles to progress in tackling the climate crisis."
Related content
Our team
Mobilization Manager
mebelangersouthey@equiterre.orgSee profilemebelangersouthey@equiterre.org
Mobilization Manager
meleclerc@equiterre.orgSee profilemeleclerc@equiterre.org
Communications Officer, Public Relations
Director, Government Relations