The Social Media Giant’s Hub for All Things Climate

On the week of September 16th, 2020, Facebook users awoke to find a banner created by Facebook to announce their newest information hub called The Climate Science Information Center. Previously, Facebook had similarly created an information hub in the height of COVID-19 struggles, providing users with helpful information about the virus, how to get tested, and newest updates around the world with how to combat it. This time, the target is climate change. The banner prompted users to check and see how our climate is changing, showing a simple graphic of a plant growing up from planet Earth.

When you first access the information hub, here’s what to expect:

• Climate Change by the Numbers
• A small listing of current global warming rates as well as projected number increases due to various man-influenced causes.
• List of Recognized Organizations
• Facebook provides a condensed list (that can expand to show more) of organizations that are actively helping to fight global warming and climate change. Each organization listed brings users to their specific Facebook page for more updates and information.
• Climate Change Explained
• A section that explains why it’s important to recognize global warming and changing climates and what someone can do to stay up-to-date and make a difference. This section lists facts that support these reasonings.
• Average Temperature per Year
• A helpful line graph that shows average annual temperatures by state to show either an increase or decrease.
• #OurPlanetChallenge
• An impactful way to engage users, Facebook prompts people to share a picture or video of a place that they would like to be protected. When users select ‘Try Challenge’, Facebook opens a post ready to share with others using the hashtag #OurPlanetChallenge.
• News Updates
• An interactive list of recent news updates concerning climate change and a better planet sourced from all of the big news platforms, online and on cable.
• Everyday Actions You Can Take
• Simple to follow actions for users to take to begin making a difference to combat climate change.

Thankfully, to combat recent criticisms about Facebook’s fact checking not being totally reliable, each section within the information hub provides a direct link to its specific credible source. This way, it gives users the ability to recognize facts and study on their own time without the worry of if what they’re reading is legit.

Is it relevant? Is it helpful? Is it tasteful to the actual issues the planet is facing?

Check out the information center and let us know what you thought. 

Sources: Environmentalists pan Facebook's new climate change hub written by:  IRINA IVANOVA on SEPTEMBER 16, 2020