Dissecting the climate denial machine: culture wars and the climate countermovement (w/ Mary Stuart & Erin Blondeau)

Host Emiko Newman interviews Mary Stuart and Erin Blondeau about the rise of climate conspiracism. Mary is a masters student in political ecology at the University of Victoria studying right-wing climate denial. Erin Blondeau is the Director of Communications at the Climate Emergency Unit and an independent writer.

Together, they discuss how climate disasters are being reframed as government plots and how carbon pollution is being spun as a benefit to society and to the environment. Emiko, Mary and Erin examine the role of social media in spreading misinformation, especially after Meta's news ban. Real-world community organizing offers our best chance to overcome both climate disasters and the divisive, polarizing conspiracy culture that undermine our fight for climate justice. A liberated world must be for everyone, not just for people on the left-side of the political spectrum. 

This episode aired on March 25 2025.

Articles:

• I Believed Climate Change Was a Lie. Here’s What Changed My Mind, Erin Blondeau
• Influential ‘Freedom Convoy’ group in Alberta is helping B.C.’s far right elect Conservatives ⋆ The Breach, Mary Stuart
• Old News, New Reality: A Year of Meta's News Ban in Canada

Credits:

Produced by Doug Hamilton-Evans, Emiko Newman, and Erin Blondeau. Hosted by Emiko Newman. Featuring Erin Blondeau and Mary Stuart. Music by Anjali Appadurai. Audio editing by Blue Light Studios. Artwork by Geoff Smith.