A recent YouTube video shared a report released by the Center for Countering Digital Hate, an American-British nonprofit organization, which has called on YouTube to intensify its efforts in curbing climate misinformation. Here’s the full story.
The New Denial
Contrary to conventional climate change denial, where skeptics claim the climate isn’t changing or humans aren’t responsible, the report identified a surge in the “new denial.”
This form of misinformation acknowledged climate change but downplayed its severity, suggesting it may even be beneficial or inevitable. Additionally, it includes a general dismissal of climate science and scientists as unreliable sources.
The report indicated a significant increase in “new denial” claims on YouTube, constituting 70% of all climate denial content, a stark rise from 35% six years ago. The shift is attributed to the ineffectiveness of ignoring climate change evidence and potential monetization opportunities for this type of content on YouTube.
Monetization Policies
A noteworthy revelation from the report is that YouTube allegedly generates over $13 million in revenue annually from content associated with the “new climate denial.” The suggestion is that YouTube’s monetization policies might inadvertently be contributing to the creation of this type of misinformation, as opposed to older forms of climate denial.
The Center for Countering Digital Hate proposed an update to YouTube’s current policy, recommending a shift from banning content that contradicts the scientific consensus on climate change to content that contradicts the authoritative consensus on its causes, impacts, and solutions. The report also suggested increased demonetization on YouTube and other social media platforms.
The Criticism
However, critics argued that such policy changes might overstep the boundary from limiting scientific misinformation to influencing people’s opinions about the severity of climate change and potential solutions.
The report’s recommendations prompted the video host, Sabine Hossenfelder, to share doubts about the suggested policy change. While accepting the need to combat misinformation, Hossenfelder argued that the core issue lies in the demand for such content. She shared that people actively seek misinformation, consciously or subconsciously, to align with pre-existing beliefs.
People Do Evidently Change Their Mind
Hossenfelder concluded, “People do evidently change their mind when confronted with facts. But yes, scientific misinformation is a really difficult problem and it’s bound to get much worse as more AI tools become available. I hope that someone somewhere knows a good solution because I don’t have one.”
Several YouTube users shared their thoughts on the video with a range of perspectives. Some expressed concerns about trust in science when any form of censorship is applied, while others warned against the potential unintended consequences of blocking information, suggesting that truth might also be suppressed.
Truth Is Going to Get Blocked
One user wrote, “Blocking misinformation sounds like a good idea but once you start blocking stuff there arises the danger that the truth is going to get blocked instead.”
Another user added, “The best way to counter misinformation is to provide solid information. With everything on the table, the world can see the facts laid bare and decide for themselves instead of parroting opinion.”
So what do you think? Do you believe YouTube’s policies should be revised to combat climate misinformation, or do you think it risks infringing on freedom of expression?
