Google Continues to Profit from Climate Disinformation on YouTube

Despite Google’s promise over a year ago to stop selling ads on content that rejects mainstream climate science, the company continues to profit from climate disinformation on YouTube. Researchers found hundreds of videos promoting misinformation about Climate change in April, which were monetized with ads.

Source: TEDx Talks/Youtube

The Climate Action Against Disinformation (CAAD) coalition, a group of over 50 nonprofit organizations, published a report revealing 100 videos containing Climate change lies on which Google ran ads, contradicting its disinformation policy. Such videos deny the well-established scientific consensus that Climate change is caused by greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels.

The report also highlighted another 100 videos featuring deceptive content addressing Climate change, such as arguing that nothing can be done or promoting ineffective solutions. CAAD worries this misinformation may delay crucial climate action.

“Google is supporting the climate disinformation they say they want to stop… Disinformation persists because it’s profitable, and Big Tech needs to remove that incentive,” says Erika Seiber, climate disinformation spokesperson at Friends of the Earth, a CAAD member.

In October 2021, Google claimed it was updating its ads and monetization policies on Climate change to prohibit ads for and monetizing content contradicting established scientific consensus. However, The Verge found that some climate disinformation videos violating that policy still featured ads.

The 200 YouTube videos examined in the report collectively garnered 73.8 million views as of April 17th, 2023, and featured ads from brands like Costco, Tommy Hilfiger, Nike, and Hyundai. Google placed a highlighted box under one of the videos linking to a United Nations webpage explaining climate change, but the disclaimer was absent from other videos spreading false information.

With unequivocal Climate change science, it is time to speak up and demand more responsible action from tech giants like Google. Start by educating yourself and others about the realities of Climate change and sharing accurate information. Hold these companies accountable for perpetuating disinformation and urge them to take concrete steps toward stopping it.

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