Chhikara 1

Arushi Chhikara

Professor Deirdre Flynn

ENG100H1: Effective Writing

12 December 2024

The Role of Social Media in Spreading Climate Change Misinformation and Its Impact

on Public Perception

ExxonMobil and social media networks play vital roles in spreading and

enhancing climate misinformation, which significantly contributes to inaction on climate

issues. This false information undermines public confidence in climate science and

diminishes backing for impactful environmental policies, sustaining inaction on global

warming. The research by Geoffrey Supran and Naomi Oreskes titled "Rhetoric and

Frame Analysis of ExxonMobil’s Climate Change Communications," along with Kathy

Treen and colleagues’ "Online Misinformation about Climate Change," reveals how

fossil fuel companies adeptly shift blame and shape public perception, with social media

networks enhancing these messages via algorithmic echo chambers. This essay

investigates ExxonMobil's framing strategies and the influence of social media

algorithms in propagating these detrimental narratives, illustrating how these entities

hinder climate action and emphasizing the necessity for enhanced understanding of

climate misinformation to enable individuals and policymakers to mitigate its harmful

impacts.

A significant way social media promotes climate inaction is by disseminating

climate misinformation. For numerous young adults below 30, platforms such as TikTok
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and Instagram serve as main news outlets. Nonetheless, the algorithms driving these

platforms favor content that attracts the highest engagement, frequently elevating

sensational and misleading posts above verified facts. A video proposing that climate

change is a natural cycle, for instance, might gain widespread popularity due to its

ability to stir controversy or fear. This environment creates echo chambers—isolated

networks where users encounter only material that matches their established

convictions. Treen et al. indicate that these settings intensify misinformation by

separating users from differing perspectives, permitting false narratives to spread

unchecked (Treen et al. 5). Influencers boost these narratives even more, disseminating

unverified assertions to millions of followers who depend on their viewpoints. The

outcome is a warped view of climate change that diminishes the imperative for action.

The false information propagated by social media greatly intensifies political

division, hindering climate action even more. Supran and Oreskes highlight how fossil

fuel companies deliberately present climate change as a socioeconomic danger,

implying that environmental regulations would disturb employment opportunities and

economic security (Supran and Oreskes 702). By exploiting concerns over economic

difficulties, this narrative cultivates doubt regarding climate science and policies,

hindering public backing for significant change. Social media networks deepen these

divides by promoting divisive content. Treen et al. point out that platforms such as

Facebook and Twitter utilize algorithms to elevate emotionally intense posts, leading to

increased engagement and further widening ideological gaps (Treen et al. 9). This

division makes it harder for policymakers to achieve agreement on climate action. As a

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result, legislative initiatives come to a halt, leaving vital environmental concerns

unresolved.

The interaction between false information and political division generates a

self-perpetuating cycle that encourages public indifference. As false information

spreads, it breeds distrust in climate specialists and doubt regarding suggested policies.

Treen et al. refer to this occurrence as a “fog of doubt,” in which opposing stories

immobilize people, making them less inclined to support action (Treen et al. 5). This

indifference, in effect, reduces public demand for climate policies, empowering fossil

fuel companies to persist with their disinformation efforts. Supran and Oreskes note that

ExxonMobil's portrayal of economic uncertainty heightens anxieties, bolstering

opposition to climate efforts (Supran and Oreskes 708). This establishes a harmful loop:

public apathy results in inaction, which deepens the misinformation that sparked the

loop.

Figure 1: ExxonMobil’s Disinformation Feedback Loop

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Algorithms on social media exacerbate this feedback loop (Figure 1) by

enhancing the dissemination of disinformation. Treen et al. state that algorithms are

created to emphasize content that is expected to elicit significant engagement, including

posts that incite anger or fear (Treen et al. 9). This guarantees that deceptive

information spreads to a large audience, continuing false stories about climate change.

For example, when users interact with posts stating that green energy options are not

dependable, algorithms promote similar content to their feeds. This establishes a loop

where misinformation is perpetually reinforced, intensifying public doubt and opposition

to climate policies.

Figure 2: Social Media Algorithm Amplification Feedback Loop

In the context of Figure 2, grasping ExxonMobil’s use of disinformation strategies

and social media promotion to hinder climate action is crucial for addressing climate

inaction. Identifying strategies such as the socioeconomic threat framework allows

people to assess disinformation critically and examine its underlying motives. Likewise,

understanding how social media algorithms contribute to the amplification of divisive

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content enables users to exercise greater caution when interacting with deceptive posts.

Enhancing public awareness of these strategies can greatly lessen the influence of

climate misinformation. Armed with this information, policymakers can enforce

regulations to curb the dissemination of harmful content. For example, managing

algorithms to favor factual content instead of sensationalism might assist in combating

the swift spread of misinformation. Additionally, financial leaders can shift investments to

sustainable energy projects, understanding that lasting economic stability relies on

environmental sustainability.

Climate misinformation, driven by entities such as ExxonMobil and magnified by

social media algorithms, persists in obstructing climate initiatives by promoting fear,

doubt, and political inaction. Nonetheless, heightened public awareness of these tactics

provides optimism for combating their impact. By equipping individuals, policymakers,

and financial authorities with insights on how disinformation functions, society can make

crucial strides in tackling climate delayism and fostering a sustainable future.

Addressing this problem is essential not only for reducing climate change but also for

building confidence in science and the policies needed to guarantee worldwide

environmental stability.
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Works Cited

Online Misinformation about Climate Change,

wires.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1002/wcc.665. [Kathy Treen et al]

Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.

Supran, Geoffrey, and Naomi Oreskes. Rhetoric and Frame Analysis of ExxonMobil’s

Climate Change Communications,

www.cell.com/one-earth/pdfExtended/S2590-3322(21)00233-5. Accessed 11 Dec.

2024.
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Arushi Chhikara

Professor Deirdre Flynn

ENG100H1: Effective Writing

21 November 2024

Process Writing Assignment 4

Cobbing, Madeleine, and Viola Wohlgemuth. Fashion’s Dirty Secrets: How Pollution

from Textiles and Synthetic Fibres Affects the Global Environment. Greenpeace, 2021.

www.greenpeace.org/static/planet4-international-stateless/2021/03/fashions-dirty-secret

s.pdf

This source is reliable because it is published by Greenpeace, a respected

environmental organization that performs independent and peer-reviewed studies on

worldwide environmental concerns.

The report highlights how the production and disposal of fast fashion greatly impact

water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and the release of synthetic microplastics,

revealing the environmental harm brought on by excessive production and

consumption. A significant point from this report is its examination of water

contamination resulting from textile dyeing and treatment methods, responsible for 20%

of global wastewater. This statistic highlights a key factor in the fast fashion cycle: the

ecological harm caused by unrestricted textile manufacturing. Connecting these

practices to overproduction fueled by consumer demand, the report sharpens the

research emphasis on how changing consumer behaviors can interrupt the cycle of

overproduction and environmental harm.

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Niinimäki, Kirsi, et al. "The Environmental Price of Fast Fashion." Nature Reviews Earth

& Environment, vol. 1, no. 4, 2020, pp. 189–200.

www.nature.com/articles/s43017-020-0039-9.pdf

This source is credible as it has undergone peer review and appears in a prestigious

scientific journal, guaranteeing dependability and academic thoroughness.

The article examines the lifecycle effects of fast fashion, covering resource extraction to

disposal, highlighting how the fast fashion economic model of quick production and

inexpensive products speeds up resource depletion and waste build-up. The piece

offers a thorough examination of fast fashion's dependence on synthetic fibers derived

from fossil fuels, such as polyester, which release greenhouse gases during

manufacturing and remain in landfills for hundreds of years. This understanding

sharpens the research question by highlighting how material selection contributes to the

ongoing environmental impact of fast fashion. The data advocates for investigating

options such as encouraging circular economies and utilizing sustainable fibers to break

the fast fashion cycle.

Working Thesis Statement:

By focusing on research conducted by experts in environmental science and consumer

economics into the ecological effects of fast fashion production and excessive

consumption (2020s, global context), I hope to arrive at a more comprehensive

understanding of the feedback mechanism linking consumer demand, overproduction,

and environmental harm, such that I can more effectively suggest interdisciplinary
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solutions—like encouraging sustainable consumer behaviors and enforcing stricter

regulations—to mitigate this loop and promote sustainable fashion practices worldwide.
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Arushi Chhikara

Professor Deirdre Flynn

ENG100H1: Effective Writing

27 November 2024

The Fast Fashion Feedback Loop: Analyzing the Environmental Cost of

Overconsumption and Exploring Sustainable Interventions

Working Thesis: By focusing on research conducted by experts in environmental

science and consumer economics into the ecological effects of fast fashion production

and excessive consumption (2020s, global context), I hope to arrive at a more

comprehensive understanding of the feedback mechanism linking consumer demand,

overproduction, and environmental harm, such that I can more effectively suggest

interdisciplinary solutions—like encouraging sustainable consumer behaviors and

enforcing stricter regulations—to mitigate this loop and promote sustainable fashion

practices worldwide.

Cobbing, Madeleine, and Viola Wohlgemuth. Fashion’s Dirty Secrets: How Pollution

from Textiles and Synthetic Fibres Affects the Global Environment. Greenpeace, 2021.

www.greenpeace.org/static/planet4-international-stateless/2021/03/fashions-dirty-secret

s.pdf

This source is reliable because it is published by Greenpeace, a respected

environmental organization that performs independent and peer-reviewed studies on

worldwide environmental concerns.

 Chhikara 2

The report highlights how the production and disposal of fast fashion greatly impact

water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and the release of synthetic microplastics,

revealing the environmental harm brought on by excessive production and

consumption. A significant point from this report is its examination of water

contamination resulting from textile dyeing and treatment methods, responsible for 20%

of global wastewater. This statistic highlights a key factor in the fast fashion cycle: the

ecological harm caused by unrestricted textile manufacturing. Connecting these

practices to overproduction fueled by consumer demand, the report sharpens the

research emphasis on how changing consumer behaviors can interrupt the cycle of

overproduction and environmental harm.

Niinimäki, Kirsi, et al. "The Environmental Price of Fast Fashion." Nature Reviews Earth

& Environment, vol. 1, no. 4, 2020, pp. 189–200.

www.nature.com/articles/s43017-020-0039-9.pdf

This source is credible as it has undergone peer review and appears in a prestigious

scientific journal, guaranteeing dependability and academic thoroughness.

The article examines the lifecycle effects of fast fashion, covering resource extraction to

disposal, highlighting how the fast fashion economic model of quick production and

inexpensive products speeds up resource depletion and waste build-up. The piece

offers a thorough examination of fast fashion's dependence on synthetic fibers derived

from fossil fuels, such as polyester, which release greenhouse gases during

manufacturing and remain in landfills for hundreds of years. This understanding

sharpens the research question by highlighting how material selection contributes to the
 Chhikara 3

ongoing environmental impact of fast fashion. The data advocates for investigating

options such as encouraging circular economies and utilizing sustainable fibers to break

the fast fashion cycle.

Fletcher, Kate. Craft of Use: Post-Growth Fashion. Routledge, 2016.

www.routledge.com/Craft-of-Use-Post-Growth-Fashion/Fletcher/p/book/9781138021747

Fletcher calls for a change in the cultural perception of clothing value, promoting less

consumption and prioritizing durability and practicality rather than trend-driven buying.

This source is reliable because of its scholarly rigor and Fletcher's status as a leading

expert in sustainable fashion. Fletcher’s emphasis on transforming consumer attitudes

from overconsumption to appreciating the durability of clothing directly targets the

demand aspect of the fast fashion feedback loop. Her observations guide possible

immediate actions, like consumer awareness initiatives and repair sessions, that

encourage sustainable consumption behaviors and alleviate the stress on production

schedules.

Bick, Rachel, et al. “The Global Environmental Injustice of Fast Fashion.” Environmental

Health, vol. 18, no. 92, 2018, pp. 1-4.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6169401/

This article emphasizes how rapidly changing fashion adversely impacts developing

nations, where textile manufacturing and waste management contribute to significant

environmental and public health problems. This peer-reviewed article holds credibility

because it has been published in a reputable health journal and features thorough data
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analysis. The article underscores the environmental injustices experienced by

developing nations, enhancing the thesis by incorporating the socio-geographic aspect

of where the effects of fast fashion are felt most intensely. This expands the thesis to

examine fair global solutions, including tougher international waste regulations and

ethical supply chain practices, as components of enduring interventions.

Joy, Annamma, et al. “Fast Fashion, Sustainability, and the Ethical Appeal of Luxury

Brands.” Journal of Business Research, vol. 65, no. 10, 2012, pp. 2732-2740.

www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0148296312001465

The article examines how fast fashion labels draw in consumers with low prices and

current trends, neglecting sustainability, in stark contrast to luxury brands that prioritize

quality and ethical practices. This scholarly article is reliable because of its academic

examination and appearance in a prominent business journal. Through the comparison

of fast fashion with luxury brands, the article offers a detailed insight into consumer

behavior. This understanding helps to sharpen the thesis by emphasizing how

affordability and marketing contribute to ongoing overconsumption. It also indicates that

making ethical fashion affordable could act as a strategic measure to interrupt the

demand aspect of the feedback loop.

Rämö, Anna-Liisa, et al. “Sustainable Fashion: An Analysis of Consumer Awareness

and Attitudes.” *Journal of Cleaner Production*, vol. 203, 2018, pp. 564-575.

www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652618309365
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This research examines consumer perceptions of sustainable fashion, highlighting

awareness degrees and the elements affecting buying choices. This peer-reviewed

article is reliable because of its data-based methodology and its release in a prestigious

journal. The research results regarding the disparity between consumer awareness and

behavior offer significant insights for creating interventions. For instance, it emphasizes

that numerous consumers recognize sustainability concerns but still focus on expense

and convenience. This proof bolsters the thesis by highlighting the significance of

educational initiatives and financial motivations to align consumer decisions with

sustainability objectives.
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Arushi Chhikara

Professor Deirdre Flynn

ENG100H1: Effective Writing

13 December 2024

The Fast Fashion Feedback Loop: Analyzing the Environmental Cost of

Overconsumption and Exploring Sustainable Interventions

Fast fashion has transformed the worldwide clothing industry, providing stylish

apparel to a large audience at incredibly affordable prices. Nevertheless, the ecological

impacts of this approach are catastrophic. The fast fashion sector significantly

contributes to water contamination, greenhouse gas emissions, and textile waste,

worsening the environmental crisis. By examining the interconnected feedback loops

among overproduction, consumer actions, and environmental decline, this essay will

investigate ways to interrupt these cycles using a mix of consumer awareness, policy

changes, and technological advancements across industries. I will likewise suggest

particular actions that I can individually implement as a consumer, an aspiring

professional, and a supporter of sustainability. Tackling these issues is essential for

reducing the environmental effects of fast fashion and promoting a sustainable future.

The ecological harm inflicted by fast fashion stems mainly from its unsustainable

mass production methods, alongside an ever-hungry consumer appetite for

inexpensive, throwaway apparel. For instance, the textile sector contributes to 20% of

worldwide wastewater, a significant portion of which is tainted with harmful chemicals

utilized in dyeing and finishing procedures (Cobbing and Wohlgemuth). Synthetic

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materials, such as polyester, play a major role in greenhouse gas emissions and persist

in landfills for hundreds of years, adding to the strain on the planet's ecosystems

(Niinimäki et al.). Furthermore, the vast quantities of clothing thrown away

annually—much of which is sent to poorer nations—exacerbate waste management

challenges and elevate global pollution levels (Bick et al.). The low prices and

promotional tactics used by fast fashion companies intensify this cycle by prompting

shoppers to purchase excess items, which in turn drives the need for continuous

production.

Figure 1: Fast Fashion’s Environmental Feedback Loop

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Here, Figure 1 depicts the ongoing cycle of environmental damage caused by fast

fashion. Excessive production and throwaway fashion result in significant pollution,

water contamination, and textile waste. As consumers consume excessively, this desire

reinforces the necessity for increased production, establishing a feedback loop that

perpetually escalates the environmental burden.

This feedback loop is concerning, yet it also emphasizes the aspects where I,

together with other consumers and professionals, can intervene to break the cycle. A

prompt resolution that may lessen the effects of fast fashion is educating consumers.

Numerous buyers do not realize the ecological impacts of their buying behaviors, and

informing them might redirect the demand towards more sustainable options. In my

view, I think I can contribute to this change.

I could help by informing people in my life—relatives, friends, and social media

followers—about the environmental impacts of fast fashion. By providing information on

sustainable fashion options, I could assist in redirecting attention from cost and

convenience to ecological effects. I have begun to support thrift shops and upcycled

clothing brands in my wardrobe selections. I intend to maintain this practice and

motivate others to follow suit by arranging clothing swaps or second-hand collections in

my community. I could collaborate with influencers or community organizations to

advocate for brands that emphasize ethical manufacturing, utilize sustainable

resources, and prioritize circular fashion methods. In this manner, I would be able to

impact consumer behavior directly and aid in the demand for sustainable options.

These actions directly tackle the demand aspect of the fast fashion feedback cycle. If

consumers become more knowledgeable and discerning in their buying choices, the
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demand on brands to adopt eco-friendly practices will rise, ultimately resulting in

decreased overproduction.

Figure 2: Sustainable Fashion Feedback Loop

The positive feedback loop generated by sustainable interventions is illustrated in

Figure 2. Educating consumers and encouraging responsible buying habits decrease

the need for inexpensive, throwaway clothing. This consequently encourages brands to

embrace more sustainable approaches, including circular production methods,

minimizing waste, and utilizing alternative fibers. As time progresses, these methods

encourage a more eco-conscious fashion sector.*

Although informing consumers is a crucial initial step, sustainable solutions

should prioritize systemic transformation in the fashion sector itself. It is evident that the
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existing model of mass production cannot be maintained, and industry-wide changes

are required to establish a more sustainable fashion system. I am especially interested

in the ways I can impact policy and technological advancements to foster sustainability

within the fashion industry, both as a future professional and as a proponent for change.

In the long run, the fashion sector must implement circular economies, recycling clothes

into new apparel instead of throwing them away. As an individual focused on

environmental policy, I aim to collaborate with organizations and governments to

advance policies that encourage closed-loop systems in fashion, including textile

recycling and upcycling initiatives. I can additionally investigate and assist in creating

alternative fibers that are compostable and require fewer resources. Authorities and

regulatory agencies must implement more stringent environmental regulations for the

fashion sector. I would support policies that restrict water consumption, ban toxic

chemicals in textile manufacturing, and mandate that businesses adopt waste reduction

methods (Bick et al.). In my prospective role as a policy advisor, I would focus on

creating laws that ensure companies are responsible for their impact on the

environment. The environmental effects of fast fashion are especially severe in

developing nations, where inadequate waste management amplifies the problem (Bick

et al.). I would leverage my voice and platform to advocate for international collaboration

and fair environmental standards within the fashion sector. I imagine backing global

accords that guarantee every supply chain complies with environmental regulations that

safeguard both employees and ecosystems.

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Figure 3: Certification-Based Accountability Loop

Figure 3 demonstrates how a certification system can establish a new feedback loop.

Brands that comply with sustainability criteria would obtain certifications, enhancing

consumer confidence and expanding market share. This would give brands that

emphasize sustainability a competitive edge, motivating other businesses to adopt

similar practices.

Another lasting solution is establishing a certification system for sustainable

fashion. Like the LEED certification for architecture, this initiative could recognize

fashion brands that adhere to rigorous environmental and ethical criteria. As a person

dedicated to sustainability, I would support the creation of these programs and motivate

both consumers and companies to adopt certified brands.

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In spite of these interventions, numerous challenges need to be addressed.

Opposition from industry participants, consumer reluctance, and the scalability of

eco-friendly practices pose major obstacles. For instance, numerous fast fashion brands

might hesitate to invest in sustainable methods because of the expenses linked to

adopting circular economies or obtaining sustainable materials. Moreover, shifting to

circular systems necessitates considerable adjustments to infrastructure, which could

face pushback. Nevertheless, these difficulties also offer chances for innovation. For

example, I might partner with universities, companies, and non-profit groups to create

affordable, scalable recycling solutions for textiles. Furthermore, government financial

incentives could motivate companies to embrace more sustainable practices.

Collaborating with different stakeholders will enable us to navigate these challenges and

create a more sustainable fashion ecosystem.

The rapid fashion feedback cycle illustrates the pressing requirement for both

short-term and long-term measures to reduce its ecological damage. By tackling

overproduction and overconsumption via consumer education, policy changes, and

technological advancements, we can disrupt the cycle of environmental harm and

create a more sustainable fashion industry. These initiatives not only lessen the

environmental impact of fast fashion but also establish a standard for responsible

consumption and production in various sectors. As a consumer, supporter, and

upcoming professional, I am convinced that we each have a part to contribute in

breaking this harmful cycle and promoting a more sustainable and fair future for the

fashion sector.
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Works Cited

Bick, Rachel, et al. “The Global Environmental Injustice of Fast Fashion.” Environmental

Health, vol. 18, no. 92, 2018, pp. 1-4. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6169401/.

Cobbing, Madeleine, and Viola Wohlgemuth. Fashion’s Dirty Secrets: How Pollution

from Textiles and Synthetic Fibres Affects the Global Environment. Greenpeace, 2021.

www.greenpeace.org/static/planet4-international-stateless/2021/03/fashions-dirty-secret

s.pdf.

Fletcher, Kate. Craft of Use: Post-Growth Fashion. Routledge, 2016.

www.routledge.com/Craft-of-Use-Post-Growth-Fashion/Fletcher/p/book/9781138021747

Joy, Annamma, et al. “Fast Fashion, Sustainability, and the Ethical Appeal of Luxury

Brands.” Journal of Business Research, vol. 65, no. 10, 2012, pp. 2732-2740.

www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0148296312001465.

Niinimäki, Kirsi, et al. “The Environmental Price of Fast Fashion.” Nature Reviews Earth

& Environment, vol. 1, no. 4, 2020, pp. 189-200.

www.nature.com/articles/s43017-020-0039-9.pdf.
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Rämö, Anna-Liisa, et al. “Sustainable Fashion: An Analysis of Consumer Awareness

and Attitudes.” Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 203, 2018, pp. 564-575.

www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652618309365.