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Science denial and fake news threaten environmental and climate protection
Populist movements are endangering nature and environmental protection – this is the warning issued by the German Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) in a recent statement. As the association emphasizes, populist narratives often contradict scientific findings and thus hinder the protection of climate and biodiversity.
Populism undermines scientific foundations
For NABU, scientific research forms the basis of its nature conservation work. The association relies on fact-based solutions to preserve biodiversity, protect ecosystems, and counteract the climate crisis. However, these very scientific findings are often denied, distorted, or discredited through targeted misinformation ("fake news") by populists.
As NABU explains, these attacks go beyond mere criticism: they aim to discredit unwelcome scientific facts and undermine democratic decision-making processes. Particularly worrying is the fact that populists are even questioning the funding of independent fact-checking in order to impose their own version of reality.
Why populism is a threat to nature conservation
Populism relies on simple answers to complex problems. Populist groups often claim to represent the "true will of the people" while denigrating political and scientific institutions as "out of touch" or "elitist." In doing so, they frequently create a deliberate enemy image – be it science, minorities, or civil society organizations like NABU itself.
This attitude is particularly problematic in environmental policy: the climate crisis, species loss, and the need for sustainable transformations are highly complex challenges for which there are no easy solutions. Those who nevertheless follow simplistic slogans risk delaying or even preventing necessary measures.
There are no easy solutions to complex problems
“The environmental and climate crisis cannot be combated with supposedly simple solutions. Returning to an idealized past is not an option – we need forward-looking, democratic and science-based strategies,” NABU emphasizes in its statement.
The organization points out that populist groups often deliberately stoke fears to block necessary social change. Instead of developing solutions based on scientific findings, they defame nature conservation as "ideological" or "anti-business".
Winning majorities for nature and climate protection
The NABU (German Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union) emphasizes that democracy and nature conservation are inextricably linked. To meet the challenges of the future, societal majorities are needed that develop viable solutions based on scientific evidence. This includes convincing even those with differing opinions and conducting a fact-based dialogue.
More information on the NABU's position and the impact of populist movements on nature conservation can be found on the association's website: NABU position on populism .
(DARMSTADT – RED/NABU)
