Australia needs to fight back against big US tech companies that are exacerbating fossil fuel dependence and climate disinformation, former defence leaders say.
In a new report they warn that new and formidable anti-climate action and anti-renewable energy alignments have emerged in recent years in the form of far-right political movements, the digital tech sector and fossil fuel states, exacerbated by the election of US President Donald Trump.
They say a disinformation war is being waged on democracies via traditional media influence, coordinated online activity and algorithmic amplification to shape narratives and perceptions of reality at scale.
And they warn the problem has become a national security threat with consequences for Australia’s sovereignty, economic resilience, disaster readiness, institutional trust and strategic autonomy.
Retired Admiral Chris Barrie, former chief of the Australian Defence Force, said the fight against the disinformation war would require political courage and decisive action.
“There has been a failure to understand how energy dependence on fossil fuels will cause both economic disruption and more perilous physical conditions for Australians,” Admiral Barrie said.
“Now the two issues are colliding. We are facing an unprecedented energy crisis [made] worse by the world’s failure to face its fossil fuel addiction.
“Layered on top is a climate disinformation war globally and in Australia that is actively undermining the capacity to build a renewable, clean energy future and curb coal and gas exports.
Retired Admiral Chris Barrie says fighting the disinformation war will require political courage. (ABC News: Jerry Rickard)
“If these threats are not checked, accelerating climate change will crash society as we know it.
“This is not speculation — it reflects the warnings of the world’s leading climate scientists.”
Scale of climate disinformation challenge
The report is titled The Climate Disinformation War: How to fight back for Australia’s democracy and security.
It was released by the Australian Security Leaders Climate Group (ASLCG) today.
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Other executive members of the ASLCG include Cheryl Durrant, a former director of preparedness and mobilisation for the Australian Defence Force, and Retired Colonel Neil Greet who served in the Australian Army, among others.
The report said the current global energy crisis revealed the fragility of the fossil fuel-driven energy system.
It also showed how quickly the online information space could become overwhelmed with disinformation about renewable energy.
Read More: Former defence leaders outline already-present fossil fuel dependence,
