How Anti-Climate Propaganda Is Rewriting the Truth About Our Planet

According to Kate Yoder at Grist, the phrase “Green New Scam” wasn’t just a throwaway insult—it marked the start of a larger campaign to twist how Americans talk about Climate change. At a 2023 rally in New Hampshire, Donald Trump coined the term while mocking President Biden’s climate policies. Since then, it’s become a central talking point for his administration, appearing in official documents and speeches from the White House to the United Nations.

Language has power, and Trump’s team knows it. The administration isn’t just rejecting environmental action—it’s erasing the very words that describe it. Federal agencies have been told to avoid terms like “climate change,” “emissions,” and even “Pollution.” Meanwhile, critical climate data, scientific reports, and monitoring projects are being deleted or defunded. Experts warn this is no accident. As communications scholar Kathleen Hall Jamieson explains, when you control vocabulary, you control thought. Calling dirty energy “clean, beautiful coal” and climate policy a “scam” doesn’t change reality—but it can change what people believe about it.

This propaganda strategy is simple but dangerous: erase climate science, undermine renewable energy, and fill the silence with catchy misinformation. Studies show that emotional messaging—like conspiracy theories—spreads faster than facts. Trump’s narrative thrives on that, painting scientists and environmentalists as villains while funneling money into fossil fuel projects and pipelines.

But the truth is still louder than the noise. Around 70% of Americans acknowledge that Global warming is real, and most don’t trust Republicans to handle environmental issues. That’s a start. The best antidote to manipulation is awareness—and genuine, human conversations about what’s happening to our planet.

It’s up to us to stay informed, use accurate language, and stand up for science. Protecting the earth starts with protecting the truth.

Sign These Petitions! 

Please sign our latest and most urgent petitions to help the planet. Every signature counts!

• Petition: Cap the Outrageous CEO-to-Worker Pay Gap in the U.S.
• Petition: Ban the ‘Mets Dog’ Act and Protect Animals From Exploitation
• Petition: Enforce Lifetime Bans for All Dog Ear-Cropping Abusers

Related Content:

•  Bill Gates Says Innovation Is Our Strongest Tool Against Climate Change
•  This Card Game Turns Climate Anxiety Into Action
•  Namibia’s “Beach Lions” Are Adapting to Climate Change by Hunting Seals
•  Ultimate Guide: How to Successfully Grow a Garden in a Dry Climate

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Adopt-a-Pet: Visit WildWatchers, a watchdog platform specifically designed for animal, earth, and wildlife warriors to actively give back, rescue, and protect animals and the planet.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Stand against fast fashion Pollution by supporting circular brands like Tiny Rescue, which create cause-based collections using recycled, zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade, ensuring it never ends up in a landfill.
• Shop Sustainably for Your Home: Visit SustaiNOBLE.org, an eco-friendly and ethically sourced home decor store that will empower your home with luxurious fair-trade, and sustainable products made by global artisans. 
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!