Fossil Fuel Firms Use Social Media to Delay Climate Action

A recent study revealed that fossil fuel companies, along with plastics producers and agrochemical groups, have been using coordinated messaging on Twitter to mislead the public and obstruct climate policy. The research analyzed over 125,000 tweets and identified tactics such as denying the severity of climate change and promoting ineffective solutions, contributing to regulatory delays. Following the 2024 U.S. elections, major banks and asset managers withdrew from climate initiatives aimed at achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, citing shifting political dynamics and legal concerns. This withdrawal underscores a broader trend of misinformation from fossil fuel interests, which has been prevalent during critical climate negotiations. The study highlights a concerning alignment among various sectors to inhibit necessary climate actions, reinforcing existing infrastructures that perpetuate fossil fuel dependency. Experts argue that these strategies hinder progress in combating the escalating climate crisis, emphasizing the urgent need for more effective communication and accountability.