Combatting online climate change misinformation

The initiative is part of the Banting Post-doctoral Fellowship of Dr. Khondokar Humayun Kabir. The prevalence of misinformation on the internet poses a significant challenge in different areas, including the spread of inaccurate information during public health crises and political discussions. Within the agri-food context, climate change misinformation is gaining recognition, but it remains an evolving area of concern. Proper climate-related information is crucial for the success of the agricultural sector as it has a significant impact on crop yields, livestock health, and fisheries management. With the growing integration of digital technologies in agriculture, farmers are exposed to a vast information landscape that, unfortunately, contains a significant amount of climate change misinformation. Misinformation refers to inaccurate or misleading information that casts doubt on established scientific consensus, and this may lead to severe consequences in agricultural decision-making and adaptation strategies.

To address this urgent issue, the project will explore agricultural stakeholders' perceptions and foresightedness concerning online climate change misinformation. The project will employ innovative applications of Q methodology and the Delphi technique to gain a deeper understanding of agricultural stakeholders' perceptions and foresight regarding climate change misinformation. Q methodology, known for revealing shared viewpoints within a participant group, will be used to understand how farmers and other agricultural actors interpret climate change misinformation. The Delphi technique, a structured, iterative process, will facilitate the building of consensus, identify key challenges and opportunities to combat misinformation, and ultimately strengthen climate resilience within the agricultural sector