Critical assessment of sources

One of the first steps in countering misinformation is learning how to assess the credibility of information sources. When encountering information related to climate change, consider the following:

• Check the author’s credentials: Verify the qualifications and background of the author. Are they an expert in climate science or a related field? Do they have a history of publishing reputable work?
• Examine the publication: Is the information published in a peer-reviewed journal, reputable news outlet, or a recognized scientific platform? Be wary of blogs or websites with unclear affiliations or known biases.
• Cross-reference information: Compare the information with other reputable sources. If multiple credible sources report the same findings, it is more likely to be accurate.

For more information attend the course Fact-checking and verification.