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Eco Central

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Eco Central is a climate change denial group set up by Matthew MacKinnon, director of the pro-Brexit think tank, Centre for Welsh Studies. The organisation uses Facebook adverts to spread false and misleading information against what it sees as "climate alarmism".[1]

Previously, Eco Central's campaigns featured doctored images of child environmental activist Greta Thunberg. A Facebook banner for the organisation labelled Sir David Attenborough an "eco hypocrite".[1]

Origins

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In November 2020, The Independent newspaper and environmental investigations outlet DeSmog conducted an investigation into the group which found that Matthew MacKinnon, director of Centre for Welsh Studies, a pro-Brexit think based in Cardiff set up the organisation.[2]

Eco Central spent approximately four thousand pounds on adverts intended to dissuade the public from taking action on climate change.[1]

False claims

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Eco Central's Facebook campaigns make a number of false claims, which include:

  • Policies designed to limit global omissions contributed to unprecedented wildfires seen in Australia and California.
  • Sir David Attenborough's campaign to prevent environmental catastrophe is Fake News.
  • Those campaigning for action on fuel emissions are part of a cult.
  • The group's literature claims that, “climate change is a hoax perpetrated by politicians, the media, and celebrities”.[3]

It also opposes the teaching of climate change in schools.

Notable members

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Dunne, Daisy (2020-11-13). "Revealed: The social media campaign spending thousands to promote climate denial online set up by chair of pro-Brexit think tank". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2020-11-17. Retrieved 2020-11-30.
  2. ^ Hope, Mat (2020-11-13). "Pro-Brexit Tory MPs Linked to Opaque Group Spreading Climate Misinformation on Facebook". DeSmogBlog. Archived from the original on 2020-11-21. Retrieved 2020-11-30.
  3. ^ a b Hayward, Will (2020-11-18). "The tangled web involving a campaign to deny climate change and a Welsh pro-Brexit think tank". WalesOnline. Archived from the original on 2020-11-24. Retrieved 2020-11-30.