Online Lies Threaten Lives in Climate Crises – CCDH Report
False climate claims are going viral online during extreme weather events, putting lives at risk and burying real information, according to a report by the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH).
The report highlights how conspiracy theorists like Alex Jones have gained massive attention online, with his false claims during the Los Angeles wildfires gaining over 408 million views on X more than top emergency services and U.S. media outlets combined.
Researchers analyzed misleading climate content across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X between April 2023 and April 2025. They found that 75% of the most viral climate misinformation posts focused on extreme weather events like wildfires and hurricanes.
Some of these posts blamed disasters on “globalist plots” or government actions, spreading confusion and even discouraging trust in emergency responders. During the LA wildfires, where at least 30 people died, and Hurricane Helene, which killed over 250 people, false posts spread fast, drowning out life-saving information.
The CCDH found that social media platforms helped boost these posts. Many came from “verified” users, and in many cases, false content was left un flagged and monetized. YouTube, for example, placed ads on 29% of such videos, while some X accounts were even earning from subscriptions.
Experts say the business models of these platforms are designed to reward outrage, making false content more visible than real help. This puts both the public and first responders in danger by spreading confusion and discouraging proper response during emergencies.
Even mainstream channels like GB News in the UK were found spreading misleading narratives, downplaying climate change’s role. Meanwhile, scientists say climate change made disasters like the LA fires 35% more likely.
CCDH CEO Imran Ahmed warned:
“When families are suffering and help is needed, fake online claims mislead people and profit platforms. It’s not just misinformation it’s exploitation during crisis.”
The report calls on tech companies to take urgent action to curb the spread of climate disinformation before more lives are lost.
