How to Spot Misinformation

Juliana Thiessen

4 months ago

A Practical Guide to Finding the Truth About Nature, Climate, and Conservation

We live in a time when information travels faster than ever. That can be powerful. It helps us learn, connect, and take action. But it also means misinformation (false or misleading information) can spread just as quickly.

When it comes to climate change, conservation, and efforts like protecting 30% of lands and waters by 2030 (30×30), misinformation can create confusion, erode trust, and slow progress on solutions that benefit everyone.

The good news? You don’t need to be an expert to spot misinformation. With a few simple tools, anyone can learn to separate fact from fiction.

We’ve put together a practical guide to help you differentiate between fact and fiction.

Step 1: Pause Before You React

Misinformation often tries to trigger a strong emotional response like anger, fear, or outrage, because emotional content spreads faster.

If a post makes you feel immediately angry or alarmed, pause and ask yourself:

Who is sharing this?
What are they trying to make me feel?
Are they encouraging me to react quickly?

Reliable information invites understanding. Misinformation often pressures you to react without thinking.

Tip: The more emotional the claim, the more important it is to verify it.

Step 2: Check the Source

One of the easiest ways to assess credibility is to look at where the information comes from.

Ask yourself:

Is this from a recognized scientific institution, university, government agency, or established organization?
Or is it from an anonymous account, meme page, or unfamiliar website?
Does the source have expertise in the topic?

For example, climate science is studied by thousands of scientists around the world. Claims that contradict decades of scientific research should be supported by strong, credible evidence, not just opinions or isolated anecdotes.

Tip: Trust sources that are transparent about who they are and how they know what they’re saying. Does their Instagram bio link to their website or a specific research paper?

Step 3: Watch for Oversimplified or Extreme Claims

Misinformation often presents complex issues as simple, absolute statements.

Examples include claims like:

“Climate change isn’t real.”
“Protecting land means no one can ever use it again.”
“Conservation destroys local economies.”

In reality, conservation and climate solutions are nuanced. For example, many protected areas support tourism, recreation, and sustainable local economies while safeguarding ecosystems.

Be cautious of language like:

“Always”
“Never”
“Proven false”
“They don’t want you to know”

These phrases are often used to create certainty where uncertainty or complexity exists.

Tip: Real science acknowledges complexity. Misinformation often ignores it.

Step 4: Look for Evidence, Not Just Opinions

Credible claims are backed by evidence, not just personal beliefs.

Ask:

Does the claim link to research, data, or reputable reports?
Or is it based on personal opinion or speculation?

For example, the goal of protecting 30% of lands and waters by 2030 isn’t arbitrary. It’s based on decades of scientific research showing that protecting enough nature is essential to maintain biodiversity, stabilize the climate, and ensure healthy ecosystems.

Protecting nature helps safeguard clean water, supports wildlife, reduces climate risks, and maintains the natural systems we all depend on.

Tip: Strong claims require strong evidence.

Step 5: Check if Multiple Trusted Sources Agree

If something is true, you’ll usually see it reported by multiple credible sources.

Search for the same claim and see if it appears on:

Government websites
Scientific organizations
Universities
Established news outlets

If a dramatic claim only appears on one blog, social media account, or YouTube channel, it may not be reliable.

Tip: Truth is usually supported broadly. Misinformation often stands alone.

Step 6: Understand That Misinformation Often Has a Purpose

Not all misinformation is accidental. Sometimes it spreads because it benefits certain interests, creates division, or delays action.

Throughout history, misinformation has been used to create doubt about scientific issues from tobacco risks to climate change.

When people are confused, it becomes harder to move forward with solutions.

That’s why learning to recognize misinformation is so important.

Step 7: Ask Questions and Stay Curious

You don’t have to accept or reject everything immediately. It’s okay to ask questions.

Good questions include:

Where did this information come from?
What evidence supports it?
Do credible experts agree?
Does it make sense based on what we already know?

Curiosity is one of the best defenses against misinformation.

Why This Matters

Protecting nature is not about politics or ideology. It’s about ensuring a healthy future—for clean air, safe water, stable climates, and thriving communities.

Conserving and restoring nature is vital to help combat climate change; protect biodiversity and species at risk; and maintain a strong, sustainable economy. We all depend on nature in ways both visible and invisible.

When misinformation spreads, it can delay important decisions and create unnecessary division.

But when people have the tools to find reliable information, they can make informed choices and participate meaningfully in conversations about our shared future.