Covid denial to climate denial: How conspiracists are shifting focus (only 9.18 years left)

BBC ^ | 11/16/21 | Marianna Spring

[Libloather]

Members of an online movement infected with pandemic conspiracies are shifting their focus - and are increasingly peddling falsehoods about climate change.

Matthew is convinced that shadowy forces lie behind two of the biggest news stories of our time, and that he's not being told the truth.

"This whole campaign of fear and propaganda is an attempt to try and drive some agenda," he says. "It doesn't matter whether it's climate change or a virus or something else."

**SNIP**

His immersion in this conspiratorial world has coloured his outlook and affected his relationships. He's speaking to me on a video call while hidden away at the end of his garden, because he's afraid his partner - who doesn't share some of his views - might hear him.

And recently, groups like the ones he's a part of have been sharing misleading claims not only about Covid, but about climate change. He sees "Covid and climate propaganda" as part of the same so-called plot.

The White Rose network

It's part of a larger pattern. Anti-lockdown and anti-vaccine Telegram groups, which once focused exclusively on the pandemic, are now injecting the climate change debate with the same conspiratorial narratives they use to explain the pandemic.

The posts go far beyond political criticism and debate - they're full of incorrect information, fake stories and pseudoscience.

According to researchers at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD), a think tank that researches global disinformation trends, some anti-lockdown groups have become polluted by misleading posts about climate change being overplayed, or even a so-called "hoax" designed to control people.

"Increasingly, terminology around Covid-19 measures is being used to stoke fear and mobilise against climate action," says the ISD's Jennie King.

[Libloather]

A mindset has gripped a group of people who blame all bad news on shady plots by powerful people - rather than accepting the reality about the future of the planet.

If every leftist could find a way to just leave, there would be no more global warming.

[JonPreston]

I definitely believe in climate.

[bagster]

It's part of a larger pattern. Anti-lockdown and anti-vaccine Telegram groups, which once focused exclusively on the pandemic, are now injecting the climate change debate with the same conspiratorial narratives they use to explain the pandemic.

Bro. We were all over the fake 'climate change' psyop when you were jumpin' from ball to ball.

I swear, these derps think history began when they graduated from with their women's studies degree. The covid/vax hoax is just the latest iteration of derpitude we normal people have to deal with.

#LesbiansAreGoofy

[ifinnegan]

“According to researchers at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD), a think tank that researches global disinformation trends, some anti-lockdown groups have become polluted by misleading posts about climate change being overplayed, or even a so-called “hoax” designed to control people.”

It is a hoax meant to control people.

[MAGAthon]

so says conspiratorial BBC, who pushed the Russia collusion hoax for four years...not to mention all the other conspiracy theories they push.

[TexasFreeper2009]

dont forget that President Bush blew up the twin towers on 9-11 !

[Theophilus]

aaand it has never stopped changing and it never will, just like every other atom of the universe.

[SoConPubbie]

Translation of Marxist Speak:

You would allow yourself to be indoctrinated by our Propaganda so we are going to throw a fit, scream, and stamp our feet.

[Pollard]

He sees "Covid and climate propaganda" as part of the same so-called plot.

Well gee, maybe he read the World Economic Forum website that equates covid lockdown lifestyle to becoming the new normal.