Study warns: Extreme weather myths endanger lives.

Digital Gatekeepers Fuel Climate Conspiracy Gains

Research from the Center for Countering Digital Hate indicates that major social media platforms are both enabling and profiting from false narratives regarding extreme weather events. By analyzing 100 virally shared posts on each of three leading services during recent disasters—including the deadly Texas floods—the study shows how algorithms elevate conspiracy theories while pushing important life‑saving messages into the margins.

Platform Performance on Fact‑Checking

• Meta (Facebook & Instagram) – 99% of assessed posts lacked fact‑checks or Community Notes, a crowdsourced verification system increasingly adopted as an alternative to professional fact‑checkers.
• X (formerly Twitter) – 99% had no fact‑checks or Community Notes, indicating a failure to provide basic verification.
• YouTube – The platform recorded zero fact‑checks or Community Notes on any assessed post, a total lapse.

Conspiracy Amplification Detracts from Emergency Efforts

During the LA wildfires, Alex Jones’ false claims captured more audience engagement on X in January than the combined reach of both emergency response agencies and mainstream news outlets, including the Los Angeles Times. “The rapid spread of climate conspiracies online isn’t accidental. It’s embedded in a business model that thrives on outrage and division,” the report notes.

Scam Campaigns Exploit Crisis‑Aged Vulnerability

Social media advertisements claiming to represent federal emergency aid agencies surfaced during the wildfire period, deceiving people into sharing sensitive personal details. “When distraught individuals cannot differentiate real assistance from online deception, platforms become complicit in harming innocent folks,” adds CCDH’s chief executive.

Misinformation Surge after Disasters

Following Hurricane Milton, false claims surfaced on social media suggesting politicians engineered the storm through weather manipulation. Similarly, the LA wildfires attracted rumors blaming “government lasers,” a theory amplified by viral posts. Such theories do not merely circulate online—they can trigger real‑world threats.

Verified Accounts as Primary Spreaders

Verified users with large followings dominated the spread of extreme weather misinformation: 88% of misleading posts on X came from verified accounts, 73% on YouTube, and 64% on Meta.

The Human Cost of Misinformation

Climate disinformation poses significant risks. As extreme weather events grow in frequency, these falsehoods become ever more perilous. “The true cost is lives lost or endangered,” stresses the researchers calling for cleaner, more reliable digital content ecosystems.