THE Senate Select Committee on Information Integrity on Climate Change and Energy recently released its report about the causes and effects of climate change disinformation.
The report was welcomed by the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF), which warns that lies are already harming communities.
The ACF wants tougher action to stop falsehoods derailing climate progress.
ACF Director of Engagement Jane Gardner, who wrote a submission and appeared before the inquiry, said Australians are grappling with a “runaway train” of AI slop and malicious lies, designed to delay progress.
“Disinformation has serious real-world impacts,” she said.
“We’re seeing it turn neighbour against neighbour in renewable energy regions, create confusion during emergencies, and erode trust in the information people rely on.”
The Committee was chaired by Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson and Nationals Leader Matt Canavan with input from Senators Malcolm Roberts and Ralph Babet.
Senators Canavan, Roberts and Babet released dissenting reports.
ACF’s submission called for a national inquiry into the full impacts of disinformation on communities and democracy, stronger accountability for social media platforms, truth in political advertising laws, and an investigation into coordinated disinformation networks and their funding.
The report contained 20 recommendations, which included improving support for regional and independent media outlets, social sciences research relating to threats to climate and energy information integrity, and relevant regulators to combat and expose corporate “greenwashing”.
It also recommended greater transparency of election campaign activities, and broadening the Australian Curriculum to strengthen media literacy.
Jonathan Cassell, Greens councillor for the City of Coffs Harbour, agrees that disinformation about climate change is a regional issue.
“In my experience, regional voters tend to be more conservative,” he said.
“They are likely to accept disinformation if it suits their beliefs of how things used to be or should be.
“Unfortunately, climate change is moving faster than people can cope with and so disinformation and denial reinforce each other.”
Ms Gardner said social media companies must be held accountable for their role in amplifying false information.
“Social media giants profit from outrage and amplifying falsehoods. Self-regulation is failing.
The report can be found on the Senate website, via www.aph.gov.au
By Andrew VIVIAN
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