Facebook: Tackling Climate Change Together

A report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) declared that we can’t stop global warming from intensifying for the next 30 years but we can definitely take steps to control the rise. Facebook, in partnership with the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, found that more than 6 in 10 people across all countries and territories surveyed, wanted more information about climate change. Hence, Facebook is announcing new measures to help their community engage with climate topics and also reducing misinformation by giving people access to reliable information.

Here’s what Facebook has announced.
(Source: Facebook Newsroom)

Expanding the Climate Science Center: A year after launching the Climate Science Information Center, we’re renaming it the Climate Science Center and adding new features, like quizzes, to better inform and engage our community on climate change. 

Increasing Reliable Information About Climate Change: 

• We’re announcing a $1 million investment in a new climate grant program, in partnership with the International Fact Checking Network, to support organizations working to combat climate misinformation.
• We’re expanding our Facts About Climate Change section of the Climate Science Center with additional facts about climate change.

Elevating Climate Voices: We’re kicking off a video series to highlight young climate advocates on Facebook and Instagram between Climate Week and COP26.

Expanding the Climate Science Center

Climate Science Information Center was launched by Facebook last year with the intention of connecting people to science-based information on climate change. In order to better inform and engage their on this subject. Facebook is renaming the hub to Climate Science Center. It is also adding some new modules like a quiz feature in collaboration with the IPCC to test people’s knowledge about climate change and a feature that will provide people information about climate-related crises, starting with wildfires.

Taking New Steps to Combat Climate Misinformation

“We’re announcing a Climate Misinformation grant program, administered by the International Fact Checking Network, to support organizations working to combat climate misinformation. Through our $1 million investment in this new grant program, we’ll invest in proposals that build alliances between fact-checkers, climate experts and other organizations to support projects that focus on combating climate misinformation.” says Facebook. The following step has been taken to reduce misinformation and also to make sure people have access to reliable information. 

Elevating Climate Voices

During the climate week (September 20-26), Facebook will highlight creators and advocates who raise awareness about climate change on their apps. A special food sustainability video with Sydel Curry-Lee will also be launched on Facebook Watch. Facebook will also continue its support of the “Say It With Science” series, where the UN Foundation and IPCC bring together scientists and youth advocates to present the latest climate science to the community.

“We continue to be inspired by all the ways our community is tackling climate change — from the 6 million people in Facebook Groups dedicated to protecting our environment to the 3.5 million people who have raised more than $130 million for environmental causes on Facebook and Instagram.” says Facebook.