Eco Central
Eco Central is a climate change denial group set up by 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 and "eco hypocrite".[1]
Origins
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]
MacKinnon's Centre for Welsh Studies received funding from a United States-based organisation, Atlas Network, which promotes free-market ideologies and libertarian beliefs.[3]
False claims
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.
- Climate change should not be taught in schools.
- The group's literature claims that, “climate change is a hoax perpetrated by politicians, the media, and celebrities”.[4]
Notable members
See also
References
- 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 2020-11-13. Retrieved 2020-11-30.
- Shipton, Martin (2020-11-30). "The Centre for Welsh Studies receives funding from US organisation that seeks to promote right wing ideology". WalesOnline. Archived from the original on 2020-11-29. Retrieved 2020-11-30.
- 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.