In the eye of the storm. Climate adaptions in periods of rising polarisation and desinformation.

Research Project, 2022 – 2026

Municipalities and regions play a key role in reducing climate-related risks and impacts. Decisions on climate adaptation are opposed by local actors who have embraced science and climate-denialism. Knowledge is lacking about how doubts about climate models, weather data, and risk assessments are being mobilized by actors in the local context and its impact on local democracy. The purpose of the research project is to increase knowledge about how climate adaptation in municipalities and regions based on scientifically substantiated risk scenarios is affected by the polarization of the climate debate. The two research questions are: (1) Who are the Swedish actors who spread climate denial, what discourses do they use, and what impact do they have in the media debate?; (2) How are decisions on climate adaptation in municipalities and regions affected by actors’ opposition to climate science in the local context? The research project is carried out using digital methods to map the formal and informal actors and discourses of the medial landscape combined with qualitative case studies in municipalities where there is an extensive polarization around climate measures. A synthesis of knowledge will be produced based on the survey and case studies from which we can draw conclusions about the importance of the local context for the spread of climate-denial discourses.