School for Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
Sci Rep. 2024 Mar 8;14(1):2097. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-50591-6.
Using data from Twitter (now X), this study deploys artificial intelligence (AI) and network analysis to map and profile climate change denialism across the United States. We estimate that 14.8% of Americans do not believe in climate change. This denialism is highest in the central and southern U.S. However, it also persists in clusters within states (e.g., California) where belief in climate change is high. Political affiliation has the strongest correlation, followed by level of education, COVID-19 vaccination rates, carbon intensity of the regional economy, and income. The analysis reveals how a coordinated social media network uses periodic events, such as cold weather and climate conferences, to sow disbelief about climate change and science, in general. Donald Trump was the strongest influencer in this network, followed by conservative media outlets and right-wing activists. As a form of knowledge vulnerability, climate denialism renders communities unprepared to take steps to increase resilience. As with other forms of misinformation, social media companies (e.g., X, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok) should flag accounts that spread falsehoods about climate change and collaborate on targeted educational campaigns.
利用来自 Twitter（现更名为 X）的数据，本研究运用人工智能（AI）和网络分析来描绘和描绘美国各地的气候变化否认论者的特征。我们估计，有 14.8%的美国人不相信气候变化。这种否认论在美国中部和南部最为强烈。然而，它也在一些州（如加利福尼亚州）的集群中持续存在，这些州的人们对气候变化的置信度较高。政治派别关联性最强，其次是教育程度、COVID-19 疫苗接种率、区域经济的碳强度和收入。分析揭示了一个协调一致的社交媒体网络如何利用周期性事件（如寒冷天气和气候会议）来散布对气候变化和科学的怀疑。唐纳德·特朗普是该网络中最具影响力的人物，其次是保守派媒体和右翼活动人士。作为一种知识脆弱性，气候变化否认论使社区无法采取措施增强韧性。与其他形式的错误信息一样，社交媒体公司（如 X、Facebook、YouTube、TikTok）应该标记传播气候变化虚假信息的账户，并合作开展有针对性的教育活动。
