https://www.globalwitness.org/en/blog/online-reaction-first-uk-general-election-debate-makes-clear-misinformation-fueled-climate-culture-war-not-going-away/

The claims made in the text revolve around the UK election debate between Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer, highlighting significant climate policy divisions and the subsequent online climate misinformation. The debate indeed sparked a variety of opinions, with some labeling climate change as a 'scam' and others expressing frustration over the prioritization of climate issues over immediate economic concerns. However, the assertion that climate change is a 'scam' is a form of misinformation. Climate scientists and reputable organizations like the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have consistently provided evidence that human activities are the primary drivers of recent climate change, and addressing it is crucial to avoid severe environmental and economic impacts IPCC. The debate over renewables, energy security, and household costs is complex, but it is important to note that transitioning to renewable energy is not only environmentally necessary but also economically beneficial in the long run. The Climate Change Committee (CCC) and the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) have shown that the cost of achieving net zero is manageable and less than the cost of inaction CCC, OBR. Claims that net zero policies are too extreme or that they will deindustrialize the UK are misleading. Policies like banning new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 and replacing boilers with heat pumps are designed to be gradual and economically feasible DeSmog. The idea that domestic fossil fuels ensure energy security is also contested, as the UK’s reliance on gas has contributed to its cost of living crisis, and new fossil fuel projects are inconsistent with climate goals Alok Sharma. Therefore, while the debate highlighted real policy differences, the spread of misinformation about climate change and related policies needs to be addressed with accurate, science-based information.