Plus, GenZ influencers partner with Brazil’s oil giant...

From the Editor's Desk

Right-wing influencer Robby Starbuck, best-known for campaigning against corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, recently landed a new role advising Meta on political bias in the social media giant’s artificial intelligence (AI) tools.

However, Taylor Noakes reports that Starbuck has a track record of denying the science of climate change. “Putting Starbuck in charge of Meta’s AI policies is the latest reason to believe that Facebook and Instagram are billboards for disinformation,” said Phil Newell, communications co-chair of Climate Action Against Disinformation. Dig into why Meta appointed Starbuck, the company’s ties to Trump, and more.

As tech titans like Meta tenaciously pursue generative-AI technology, the U.S. braces for a surge in AI-related electricity demand. Now, Joe Fassler writes, the natural gas industry and its allies have a message for Americans: Fossil fuels must power the future’s data centers — all in the name of national security and AI dominance. And in the process, they peddle misleading claims about renewable energy.

The Trump administration, from Cabinet secretaries to the President himself, have taken up this narrative. Joe analyzes the players pushing the fossil-fueled AI arms race between the U.S. and China. Get the full story.

Even fossil fuel companies like ExxonMobil realize the growing carbon footprint coming from AI. It projects data centers could represent as much as a fifth of the world’s demand for carbon capture by mid-century. But Sharon Kelly reports this week that a recent “gamechanger” study on the technology finds most underground carbon storage options lie in risky regions.

As a result, carbon capture and storage (CCS) can “no longer be considered an unlimited” climate solution, according to researchers. Read more to find out just how far off industry estimated these stores.

Finally, congratulations to TJ Jordan and Adam Lowenstein for their excellent reporting for DeSmog exposing the role of the ad and PR industry in delaying climate action.

Their work won two 2025 Covering Climate Now Journalism awards: TJ took home an Emerging Journalist of the Year award (“consistently superb,” the judges said of his stories) and Adam’s investigation into Western PR firms greenwashing for Saudi Arabia won in the Disinformation category. Well-deserved!

Thanks,
Brendan DeMelle
Executive Director
 
P.S. Readers like you power our award-winning journalism dedicated to climate accountability. Can you donate $10 or $20 right now to support more of this essential work?

Image Credit: Sari Williams

Meta Put a Climate Change Denier in Charge of Fighting AI Bias

— By Taylor Noakes (4 min. read) —

Right-wing influencer Robby Starbuck has a new job advising on political bias in Meta’s AI tools. His record on climate is concerning, say advocates.

No, the U.S. Doesn’t Need Fossil Fuels to Win ‘an AI Arms Race’ Against China

— By Joe Fassler (8 min. read) —

These industry players and allies push a misleading narrative the Trump administration now parrots.

‘Gamechanger’ Study Warns Carbon Capture May Fall Short of Expectations, Citing Storage Location Dangers

—By Sharon Kelly (6 min. read) —

CCS can “no longer be considered an unlimited” climate solution, researchers caution after concluding most storage options are in risky regions.

How Brazil’s Oil Giant Is Using Gen-Z Science and Climate Influencers to Green Up Its Image

— By Juliana Aguilera (9 min. read) —

Petrobras has co-opted social media stars who should be exposing its greenwashing, not taking part in it, critics say.

Pro-Trump Climate Denial Group Meets With Far-Right European Politicians in Florida

— By Phoebe Cooke (4 min. read) —

For EU lawmakers to be talking with the “world’s loudest climate deniers” is a scandal, says Austrian Greens MEP Lena Schilling.

From the Climate Disinformation Database: Dunn Foundation

Dunn’s Foundation for the Advancement of Right Thinking is a 501(c)(3) private foundation founded in 1994 by William A. Dunn, president of investment firm Dunn Capital Management. According to its website, the Dunn Foundation’s mission is to “advance the understanding and practice of classical liberalism, market capitalism, free enterprise, individual political liberty and economic liberty principally through education and persuasion. Thomas E. Beach, chairman of the Reason Foundation and board member of conservative funding vehicle DonorsTrust, is a trustee of the Dunn Foundation. Many of the groups it funds have consistently denied the existence of man-made climate change, including the Heartland Institute, Competitive Enterprise Institute, and Cato Institute. It has funded a range of conservative causes, such as the Federalist Society, Turning Point USA, and Project Veritas.

Read the full profile and browse other individuals and organizations in our Climate Disinformation Database, Ad & PR Database, and Koch Network Database.