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Topic

Fighting the “climate agenda”: conspiracism and the Canadian anti-climate movement

School of Environmental Studies

Date & location

• Wednesday, August 13, 2025

• 10:00 A.M.

• David Turpin Building

• Room B255

Reviewers

Supervisory Committee

• Dr. James Rowe, School of Environmental Studies, ���ɱ��� (Supervisor)

• Dr. Emily Eaton, School of Environmental Studies, UVic (Member) 

External Examiner

• Dr. Shane Gunster, School of Communication, Simon Fraser University 

Chair of Oral Examination

• Dr. Adam Monahan, School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, UVic

   

Abstract

As the climate crisis worsens and effective action to address it becomes more critical, the forces arrayed against action are changing. Some in the ‘freedom movement’ that emerged in opposition to COVID-19 health measures have turned attention toward climate action as the next fight against government overreach. Groups in this movement are already having tangible impacts, including slowing down climate action and building power through political organizing. This research studies this emerging trend, focusing on 7 groups that are organizing to oppose climate action, informed by climate denial and conspiracy theories around authoritarian control. This study asks the following questions: 1) What are the key characteristics of this branch of the anti-climate movement in Canada? What impacts are they having? 2) How does this movement frame climate change and climate policies? 3) What language do groups use to bring people in, and how do they appeal to people’s concerns? This study is informed by Social Network Analysis (SNA), social movement theory, and multiple forms of textual analysis. Findings include that freedom groups largely focus on awareness raising tactics, but some are turning to political organizing which has the capacity to build power. The anti-climate freedom movement deploys a range of arguments to oppose climate action, including overt climate denial. Groups are also informed by conspiracy theories that climate action is being imposed my governments to justify authoritarian control. This movement is active on several different issues which offers multiple potential entry points for new recruits. Groups use populist framing to position themselves as defending the interests of everyday people against government overreach. The anti-climate freedom movement underlines the need for solidaristic progressive movements; progressive movements must build strong campaigns for climate justice that clearly connect climate solutions to other major issues today like affordability and housing.