The following are just a few examples of how the public are being deliberately misled…. ‘Why?’ is the most important question, but we can only surmise.
False information from NHS England
WHAT WAS CLAIMED
We have had fourteen times the number of people in hospital with Covid than we saw this time last year.
OUR VERDICT
False. The number of people with Covid in hospital in November 2020 was above, not below, the level in November 2021.
“The NHS is running hot…We have had fourteen times the number of people in hospital with Covid than we saw this time last year.” AMANDA PRITCHARD, NHS ENGLAND CEO, 8 NOVEMBER 2021.
The chief executive of NHS England made the startling claim that fourteen times more people were in hospital with Covid-19 than we saw this time last year.
Thankfully, though, this isn’t anywhere near correct.
The data Ms Pritchard was referring to compares the number of people admitted to hospital with Covid-19 in August 2021 with August 2020, not the total number of people in hospital with Covid now, as she said.
A year ago, there were 10,994 people in English hospitals with Covid-19, and the latest data available when Ms Pritchard was speaking showed that figure was now 7,072—that’s 36% less, not 14 times more.
As for new admissions, this is also below the level it was this time last year.
Dorset Eye has contacted NHS England for an explanation.
The Daily Mail and Covid
Climate Change Denial Conspiracy Theories…
COVID-19 Conspiracy Groups Amplify Climate Change Misinformation
Groups that previously sought to undermine efforts to control the COVID-19 pandemic are now increasingly spreading misinformation about climate change.
One of the most prevalent conspiracy theories is the notion of an impending “climate lockdown,” where countries would allegedly impose strict lockdowns to meet environmental targets. Proponents of this theory claim governments will limit private vehicle use, ban red meat consumption, and enforce extreme energy-saving measures.
Other baseless claims suggest that a powerful elite is using climate change policies to exert control over the public. Some conspiracists allege that celebrities such as Gary Lineker and Joanna Lumley are being “hired” to manipulate public opinion on climate issues.
These unfounded theories gained significant traction in the lead-up to and during the COP26 climate conference. Experts warn that such online conspiracy theories can have tangible real-world effects, just as COVID-19 misinformation led to vaccine hesitancy, public intimidation of mask-wearers, and even confrontations with COVID-19 patients in hospitals.
Real-World Implications of Misinformation
Experts believe that the spread of climate-related conspiracy theories could lead to similar real-world disruptions. Professor Karen Douglas, a social psychologist at the University of Kent, explains:
“Conspiracy theories can affect people’s attitudes, intentions and behaviours. Historically, they have been linked to prejudice, genocide, risky health behaviour, climate denial, and, more recently, disturbing behaviour related to QAnon and COVID-19 conspiracy theories. It may seem like hot air now, but there may be consequences down the line.”
A recent example of misinformation includes a TikTok video that has gone viral among COVID-19 conspiracy groups on Telegram. The video features a man reading an article titled “Avoiding a Climate Lockdown,” claiming that governments will impose severe restrictions under the guise of combating climate change. The video has been shared widely, including in groups with tens of thousands of members, amplifying its reach beyond the original audience.
Telegram’s platform allows messages to be quickly disseminated across multiple groups, enabling misinformation to spread with little context or verification.
The Role of Media in Amplifying Conspiracies
Discussion of so-called climate lockdowns is not confined to fringe Telegram groups. Broadcaster Richie Allen, whose radio show regularly attracts 20,000–30,000 listeners, has increasingly promoted the idea. In a blog post, he stated: “Didn’t I say last year that climate lockdowns would be a thing? I said that Sunday driving would be rationed as well as certain foods.”
In response to Sky News’ report, Allen maintained his belief that climate lockdowns are inevitable and accused mainstream journalists of failing in their duty, contributing to what he called the UK’s transformation into a “totalitarian state.”
Callum Hood, from the Centre for Countering Digital Hate, suggests that conspiracy theorists who previously opposed COVID-19 restrictions are now repurposing their narratives for climate change.
“These groups previously claimed that COVID lockdowns were set to become permanent due to a global conspiracy of elites controlling populations. As many COVID restrictions are lifted, they are now claiming that ‘climate lockdowns’ will be used to achieve the same goal.”
Targeting Celebrities and Public Figures
Another emerging conspiracy theory is the idea that high-profile individuals advocating for climate action are acting on behalf of an elite agenda. Actress and environmentalist Joanna Lumley recently suggested a rationing system for flights and consumer goods to combat climate change. This statement was widely discussed in conspiracy theory circles, with some claiming it was part of a broader plan to control society.
A widely viewed YouTube video accused Lumley of “putting out propaganda” on behalf of the establishment. The video implied that she was part of a powerful network, showing images of her alongside figures such as Prince Charles, Boris Johnson, and members of the Rothschild banking family.
Similarly, former footballer Gary Lineker attracted conspiracist attention after tweeting in support of climate activist Greta Thunberg. His tweet was shared in anti-vaccine Telegram groups, where users speculated that he was “part of the plan” and accused him of being financially incentivised to promote environmental causes.
The Expansion of Climate Conspiracies in Alternative Media
The overlap between COVID-19 and climate conspiracies is also evident in print and online publications that gained prominence during the pandemic. The Light, a monthly publication known for spreading misinformation about vaccines, has increasingly focused on climate change.
While its early editions made little mention of environmental issues, recent front-page stories have pushed climate denial narratives, such as “‘Climate Emergency’ Driven by Faulty Models and Fake News” and “New Research Challenges Climate Change Narrative.” Despite being a niche publication, The Light has a significant online following, with its website receiving around 55,000 monthly visits and its Telegram channel boasting over 15,000 subscribers.
When approached for comment, The Light’s editor, Darren, criticised mainstream media for failing to report “what is really going on” but did not specifically address his paper’s climate coverage.
The Dangerous Consequences of Conspiracies
Professor Quassim Cassam, an expert in conspiracy theories at Warwick University, warns that misinformation can lead to real harm:
“There are many examples of conspiracy theories that have caused enormous damage—antisemitic conspiracies contributed to the Holocaust, while conspiracy theories about AIDS have cost lives. More recently, misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines has discouraged people from getting vaccinated, leading to preventable illness and deaths.”
He argues that misinformation about climate change could have similarly dire consequences by discouraging action on a crisis that already threatens lives globally.
“If you believe, as I do, that climate change is a serious issue, then any movement preventing governments from taking necessary action only makes the problem worse. And, of course, climate change kills people.”
As misinformation continues to evolve, experts stress the importance of public awareness and media literacy in combating the spread of false narratives that threaten both public health and the fight against climate change.
