There are numerous disinformation techniques that have influenced public perception on topics such as climate change, pollution and environmental crises.
The diffusion of unfoundedness is the basis of processes that aim for the uncertainty of the information aimed at confusing public opinion on issues of fundamental importance. It is therefore necessary to equip yourself with tools to protect yourself from disinformation whose motivations have roots in the conscious and strategic will to manipulate public opinion.
A book that reveals the intentions of the lobbies to sow doubts
The text “Doubts merchants “by Naomi Oreskes and Erik M. Conway He returns to the bookstore with a new edition enriched by the preface by Massimo Polidoro and an exclusive interview with Naomi Oreskes herself. It was published for the first time in 2010 revealing as a small group of scientists, often supported by powerful industrial and political lobby, has tried to sow doubt about crucial scientific issues.
The work presents itself as a rich historical and scientific documentation. Massimo Polidoroin its preface, underlines that “doubts of doubts” is not only a reporting book, but also a defense against disinformation.
The motivations underlying manipulative practice
The strategy of inducing confusion in the scientific field has been used for years to delay the adoption of more rigorous environmental policies, protecting the economic interests of powerful industries. The book documents the manipulation techniques used to question overwhelming scientific evidence, creating an appearance of controversy where it did not exist.
The protagonists of this manipulation are not only scientists or experts, but also companies and governments that have all the interest in minimizing the impact of their actions on the environment, slowing down for example the action against global warming. For example, the fossil industry, the conservative Think tanks and some political exponents.
A practice that does not limit itself to confusing the waters, but actively operates in order to undermine trust in scientific work. These actors exploit the lack of technical knowledge by the public and the tendency of people to believe in sources that confirm their pre -existing opinions. As a result, the emissions and transition reduction policies to renewable sources are delayed, contributing to an aggravation of the environmental crisis.
The “strategy of doubt”
It is a tactic that consists in creating a fake scientific controversy on topics already widely validated by the scientific community. For example, in past decades this technique has been applied to minimize the damage caused by smoking, today it is proposed with new arguments to reduce the urgency of the measures against the climate change.
Unpublished contributions in the new version
The new edition of “Mercanti di Dubbi” is enriched with unpublished contributions compared to the first version of 15 years ago. In his preface, Polidoro highlights how Oraskes’ work and Conway had a significant impact on the public debate. This has provided a solid base for those who want to defend science and promote facts based on facts. The interview with Naomi Oreskes, conducted by Emanuele Bompan, director of “Renewable Material”, offers an overview of today’s challenges and the dangers related to the disinformation that continues to circulate on crucial issues such as the European Green Deal, sustainability and decarbonisation policies.
The spread of disinformation in the digital era
In an increasingly connected world, disinformation has found fertile ground in social media, where false (fake news) news, buffaloes, thickens at exponential speeds. In this context, the principles set out in “doubts of doubts” are more current than ever. Readers are invited to become critical consumers of information, developing greater awareness of the mechanisms operating behind the scenes.
In conclusion, only through greater awareness and a constant defense of truth can we hope to successfully face the global challenges that await us.