Climate fight 'is undermined by social media's toxic reports'

Scientists warn that Nobel summit and long-term decisions to save the planet are at risk from targeted attacks online

Fake news on social media about climate change and biodiversity loss is having a worrying impact in the battle to halt the growing environmental threats to the planet, a group of scientists and analysts have warned.

In a report published by the Royal Swedish Academy of Science, they say measures needed to create a healthier, more resilient planet - by reducing fossil fuel emissions, overfishing and other threats - will be hard to enforce if they continue to suffer targeted attacks in social media. The international cooperation that is needed to halt global heating and species loss could otherwise be jeopardised, they say.