Eco Central
Eco Central is a climate change denial group set up by Matthew MacKinnon, director of the pro-Brexit think tank, Centre for Welsh Studies. The organisation uses Facebook adverts to spread false and misleading information against what it sees as "climate alarmism".[1]
Previously, Eco Central's campaigns featured doctored images of child environmental activist Greta Thunberg. A Facebook banner for the organisation labelled Sir David Attenborough an "eco hypocrite".[1]
Origins[edit]
In November 2020, The Independent newspaper and environmental investigations outlet DeSmog conducted an investigation into the group which found that Matthew MacKinnon, director of Centre for Welsh Studies, a pro-Brexit think based in Cardiff set up the organisation.[2]
Eco Central spent approximately four thousand pounds on adverts intended to dissuade the public from taking action on climate change.[1]
False claims[edit]
Eco Central's Facebook campaigns make a number of false claims, which include:
- Policies designed to limit global omissions contributed to unprecedented wildfires seen in Australia and California.
- Sir David Attenborough's campaign to prevent environmental catastrophe is Fake News.
- Those campaigning for action on fuel emissions are part of a cult.
- The group's literature claims that, “climate change is a hoax perpetrated by politicians, the media, and celebrities”.[3]
It also opposes the teaching of climate change in schools.
Notable members[edit]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Dunne, Daisy (2020-11-13). "Revealed: The social media campaign spending thousands to promote climate denial online set up by chair of pro-Brexit think tank". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2020-11-17. Retrieved 2020-11-30.
- ^ Hope, Mat (2020-11-13). "Pro-Brexit Tory MPs Linked to Opaque Group Spreading Climate Misinformation on Facebook". DeSmogBlog. Archived from the original on 2020-11-21. Retrieved 2020-11-30.
- ^ a b Hayward, Will (2020-11-18). "The tangled web involving a campaign to deny climate change and a Welsh pro-Brexit think tank". WalesOnline. Archived from the original on 2020-11-24. Retrieved 2020-11-30.