Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share 36. Who Do We Trust on Climate Change? Misinformation and Power with Amy Westervelt
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
36. Who Do We Trust on Climate Change? Misinformation and Power with Amy Westervelt
In this episode, investigative journalist Amy Westervelt examines how climate misinformation takes hold, how media systems reward confusion over clarity, and why expertise is often challenged rather than centered in public climate conversations.
This discussion looks at power, incentives, and structural trust including how false balance, platform dynamics, and corporate interests shape what audiences see, hear, and believe about climate change.
04:12 – How misinformation differs from misunderstanding
09:30 – The media’s role in amplifying doubt and controversy
15:48 – False balance and why “both sides” framing fails
21:05 – Power, incentives, and who benefits from confusion
27:40 – What responsible climate journalism actually looks like
33:10 – Rebuilding trust in a fragmented media landscape
38:45 – What listeners can do to engage more critically with climate narratives
About Amy Westervelt:
Amy Westervelt is an award-winning investigative print and audio journalist. In 2015, she received a Rachel Carson award for women greening journalism for her role in creating a women-only climate journalism group syndicating longform climate reporting to The Atlantic, The Guardian, The Economist, and many more outlets. In 2017, she founded the independent podcast production company Critical Frequency, which specializes in reported narrative podcasts that The New Yorker, The New York Times, and The Atlantic have described as "fascinating," "rigorously reported," and "the best." Westervelt has received an ONA award for excellence in audio storytelling, multiple Covering Climate Now awards for climate reporting, a Wilbur award for excellence in religion reporting, two Peabody nominations, and was named a 2023 Covering Climate Now "Journalist of the Year." A 20-year veteran investigative journalist, Westervelt's earlier work for NPR, The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal, Inside Climate News, and various other outlets earned her Edward R. Murrow, ONA, and Folio awards as well, and is often cited as amongst the earliest examples of accountability reporting on climate.
Her book "Brought to You By: Inside Big Oil's Total Information War," is forthcoming from Bloomsbury.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amywestervelt/
Drilled Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/drilled/id1439735906
Website: https://www.amywestervelt.com/
Book: Forget "Having It All": How America Messed Up Motherhood—and How to Fix It: https://www.amywestervelt.com/book
Connect with Dr. Anikó:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.aniko/
Website: https://www.draniko.com/
Thank you for listening to Nourished with Dr. Anikó!
It would mean the world if you would take one minute to follow, leave a 5 star review and share with those you love!
Your presence is truly felt and deeply appreciated.
Disclaimer:
The content of this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The views expressed are those of the host and guests and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast.
View all episodes
By Dr. AnikóIn this episode, investigative journalist Amy Westervelt examines how climate misinformation takes hold, how media systems reward confusion over clarity, and why expertise is often challenged rather than centered in public climate conversations.
This discussion looks at power, incentives, and structural trust including how false balance, platform dynamics, and corporate interests shape what audiences see, hear, and believe about climate change.
04:12 – How misinformation differs from misunderstanding
09:30 – The media’s role in amplifying doubt and controversy
15:48 – False balance and why “both sides” framing fails
21:05 – Power, incentives, and who benefits from confusion
27:40 – What responsible climate journalism actually looks like
33:10 – Rebuilding trust in a fragmented media landscape
38:45 – What listeners can do to engage more critically with climate narratives
About Amy Westervelt:
Amy Westervelt is an award-winning investigative print and audio journalist. In 2015, she received a Rachel Carson award for women greening journalism for her role in creating a women-only climate journalism group syndicating longform climate reporting to The Atlantic, The Guardian, The Economist, and many more outlets. In 2017, she founded the independent podcast production company Critical Frequency, which specializes in reported narrative podcasts that The New Yorker, The New York Times, and The Atlantic have described as "fascinating," "rigorously reported," and "the best." Westervelt has received an ONA award for excellence in audio storytelling, multiple Covering Climate Now awards for climate reporting, a Wilbur award for excellence in religion reporting, two Peabody nominations, and was named a 2023 Covering Climate Now "Journalist of the Year." A 20-year veteran investigative journalist, Westervelt's earlier work for NPR, The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal, Inside Climate News, and various other outlets earned her Edward R. Murrow, ONA, and Folio awards as well, and is often cited as amongst the earliest examples of accountability reporting on climate.
Her book "Brought to You By: Inside Big Oil's Total Information War," is forthcoming from Bloomsbury.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amywestervelt/
Drilled Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/drilled/id1439735906
Website: https://www.amywestervelt.com/
Book: Forget "Having It All": How America Messed Up Motherhood—and How to Fix It: https://www.amywestervelt.com/book
Connect with Dr. Anikó:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.aniko/
Website: https://www.draniko.com/
Thank you for listening to Nourished with Dr. Anikó!
It would mean the world if you would take one minute to follow, leave a 5 star review and share with those you love!
Your presence is truly felt and deeply appreciated.
Disclaimer:
The content of this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The views expressed are those of the host and guests and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast.