Just as climate change is a fact, so is the disinformation associated with it a real and important problem that needs to be addressed. Providing accurate information about the climate and highlighting proper pro-climate solutions is a challenge hindered by obstacles such as fake news, polarization, lack of digital skills, and climate denial & delay narratives. Journalists and internet creators stand at the forefront of tackling these issues, needing reliable knowledge, access to the best tools, expert support, as well as trust and collaboration within their community.
At the Climate Strategies Poland Foundation, we have been examining this issue for some time, researching and engaging in conversations with journalists about the challenges they face and potential solutions. Based on this, we have undertaken a series of educational, networking, and activating initiatives aimed at supporting the journalistic community and internet creators on their journey to building credible, responsible, and influential climate journalism.
Media plays a crucial role in scrutinizing whether companies’ climate plans truly combat global warming or are mere greenwashing. They also ensure the provision of reliable information on climate change and check politicians’ statements on this topic. Navigating new regulations and confronting businesses requires journalists to stay informed on topics like carbon footprint, ESG, and offsetting. The Climate Strategies Poland Foundation collaborated with Zielona.Gazeta.pl and experts to provide journalists with the guide “How to Write about Climate?” This resource includes tools, best practices, and insights on climate, climate disinformation, carbon footprint, and greenwashing. After the success of the first publication, together with Gazeta.pl and the fact-checking organization Warriors of the Keyboard, we created a continuation of the textbook “What is climate disinformation and how to fight it?”
Climate themes should permanently be a vital context in economic, social, and cultural texts for journalists, editors, and publishers. However, this is often not the case, and journalists covering climate issues must also confront climate denialists and disinformation while navigating a changing political landscape. Recognizing the urgent need to honor those tackling this challenge, we, in collaboration with Radio ZET, established the first “Journalist for the Planet” award in Poland. This award is now a category in the prestigious Andrzej Woyciechowski competition. Its aim is to distinguish journalists who demonstrate a climate-responsible approach in their daily work, displaying a profound understanding of the subject and sensitivity. We seek to honor their tireless efforts in addressing important and challenging climate topics while actively countering greenwashing and false climate narratives.
Learn moreThe past eight years of conservative governance in Poland have significantly lowered journalism quality and departed from good practices. Climate-related topics, energy transformation, and EU climate policy have polarized society, becoming breeding grounds for misinformation and political manipulation, leading to narrative chaos. In response, we established the Climate Journalism Working Group—a space for journalists to enhance their skills in combating misinformation, receive training from top experts, explore new tools, and plan joint interventions while strengthening collaboration. This initiative is aimed at committed professionals actively contributing to the development of climate journalism in Poland, with the belief that they will inspire others in the field. The pilot project involved leading climate journalists from major Polish media outlets, as well as internet creators focusing on climate and the environment.
Fake news spreads much faster than real information, and the topic of climate change often evokes extreme emotions, compounded by the complex terminology used in related scientific discussions. In these circumstances, the ability to quickly verify information, access reliable and up-to-date sources of knowledge, and clarify complex content is crucial. With this in mind, the Climate Knowledge Base was created—a free repository of scientific publications, reports, articles, and podcasts about climate. In 2022, we actively participated in its development, and in 2023, we assumed full responsibility for its maintenance, ensuring continuous growth and promotion. Dr. Agnieszka Liszka-Dobrowolska, co-founder of the Climate Strategies Poland Foundation, is a member of the Climate Knowledge Base’s Expert Council, representing 20 leading non-governmental organizations, academic centers, and research units in Poland dedicated to climate-related issues.
Learn moreResearch indicates that prebunking, the proactive exposure of anticipated false narratives, is an effective method in combating climate disinformation. Recognizing the likelihood of manipulated climate narratives during parliamentary elections in 2023, we created the “Voting for Climate” series of prebunking podcasts. In four discussions, leading podcasters and journalists posed questions about energy transformation, clean air, international agreements, and climate misinformation. Collaborating with experts, they sought to anticipate how these topics might be manipulated during elections and alert listeners, equipping them with accurate knowledge.