An 'alarming increase' in attacks against meteorologists and climatologists on social media. The Spanish government is bringing the matter to the attention of prosecutors
Sarah Aagesen. Credit: Diego Radamés / ContactoPhoto / Profimedia
A series of reports recently reviewed by Spain's Environment Ministry highlights a “significant” increase in hostile language to which climate experts are subjected on digital platforms, according to a letter sent by Minister Sara Aagesen to prosecutors specializing in investigating hate crimes, according to The Guardian.
Minister Aagesen, who is also one of Spain's three deputy prime ministers, wrote to prosecutors that there is an “alarming increase” in the number of attacks on climate science communicators, meteorologists and researchers on social media.
According to the minister, a study found 17.6% of those hostile messages on the X social network included “hate speech, personal attacks and denigration directed at professionals who work to distribute correct and verified scientific information”.
The study highlighted “an increase in the intensity, frequency and violence of attacks, affecting both meteorologists and other science communication professionals,” Sara Aagesen said.
“Social pressure and smear campaigns can discourage scientists”
Another study, looking at hate speech directed at Spain's meteorological authority, Aemet, found that such attacks affected public perception of meteorology and had a direct impact on scientific activity.
“Social pressure and smear campaigns can discourage scientists from interacting with the public or even openly communicating their research,” the researchers said.
“The spread of conspiracy theories about climate control and weather manipulation directly affects the perception of the current climate alert. Denial that extreme weather events are the result of global warming finds support in these theories, undermining global efforts to respond and mitigate climate change,” the researchers said.
Aemet spokesman Ruben del Campo told El Pais: “Although I know my job means I get a lot of exposure, when you see messages attacking you and using your photo – often for made up things you never said – you feel stupid.”
At the end of his letter, Aagesen told the prosecutors that the ministry was ready to “assist them in any way they may see fit.”
