BLUF: Social media companies are increasingly implementing content moderation policies to combat “climate misinformation,” targeting individuals from various political perspectives who challenge the mainstream narrative on climate change and its proposed solutions.
The article discusses how social media platforms such as LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok have been expanding their content moderation practices to address what they deem as “climate misinformation.” These policies have affected individuals on both the Left and Right who question the effectiveness of certain climate solutions supported by the government and corporations.
For instance, Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy had his LinkedIn account suspended after posting climate-related campaign messages that challenged the mainstream narrative. Likewise, YouTube attached a “Context” note to an interview between Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Jordan Peterson discussing climate change, before eventually removing the video altogether.
The social media platforms’ policies align with the government’s push for clean energy solutions, with Gina McCarthy, President Biden’s National Climate Advisor, stating that the focus is no longer on denying climate change but on accelerating climate solutions such as solar and wind energy. The government has collaborated with tech companies and third-party fact-checkers to tighten the enforcement of climate misinformation policies, moving beyond censoring outright denial to curbing debate and discussion on alternative approaches to clean energy and environmental issues.
However, these content moderation policies have inadvertently affected a wide range of critics, including environmentalists. Local citizens, conservationists, and environmental activists who oppose certain clean energy projects are also facing censorship. These individuals argue that these projects can have negative impacts on biodiversity, wildlife habitat, and ecosystems.
In summary, social media platforms are implementing content moderation policies targeting “climate misinformation,” which affects individuals across the political spectrum who challenge mainstream climate change narratives and proposed solutions. The policies extend beyond outright denial to censoring debate and alternative approaches, inadvertently impacting environmentalists and those critical of specific clean energy projects.