Impact of Misinformation & Mistrust on Environmental Issues & Democracy: A Comparative Study

Environmental disasters and the way information about them is shared can affect how well democracy works and how people get their information. This can lead to more division among people and society and even allow outside groups to spread false information to make things worse for the country dealing with the disaster. With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence in today’s digital age, it is alarmingly easy to generate and spread false or misleading information, which can exacerbate these problems. 

This project aims to systematically investigate how online misinformation shapes public understanding and responses to environmental crises. Focusing on three global case studies: the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), water pollution in the United States, and European  wildfires  (with an emphasis in Greece), Dr. Karyotakis’ research seeks to deepen our understanding of the mechanisms and impacts of environmental misinformation in diverse geopolitical contexts. 

To achieve this, the project will analyze digital news coverage from twelve leading news outlets, including Washington Post, South China Morning Post, Euronews, Politico Europe, utilizing Ideological Discourse Analysis (IDA) to identify patterns of misinformation and the ideological forces behind them. By examining how misinformation is constructed and disseminated in relation to these environmental issues, the study will explore its effects on public perception, trust, and policy-making on environmental issues.  

Adopting a comparative approach, the research will reveal both commonalities and unique features of environmental misinformation across different regions, crises and news outlets. This nuanced perspective will clarify how misinformation operates and highlight the specific risks it poses to governance and environmental sustainability across different contexts.  

The project’s findings will be made accessible through open-access publications and targeted public engagement initiatives. The research aims to make a tangible impact by equipping policymakers with actionable recommendations to counter the spread of misinformation and restore public confidence. Furthermore, by raising awareness among local communities and the broader public, the project seeks to promote ethical standards in the use of AI and digital communication. Ultimately, these efforts will help strengthen societal resilience, enabling communities and institutions to better confront both environmental crises and the complex information threats that accompany them.