Eco Central

Eco Central is a climate change denial group set up by the pro-Brexit think tank, Centre for Welsh Studies. The organisation uses Facebook adverts to spread false and misleading information against what it sees as "climate alarmism".[1]

Previously, Eco Central's campaigns featured doctored images of child environmental activist Greta Thunberg. A Facebook banner for the organisation labelled Sir David Attenborough and "eco hypocrite".[1]

Origins

In November 2020, The Independent newspaper and environmental investigations outlet DeSmog conducted an investigation into the group which found that Matthew MacKinnon, director of Centre for Welsh Studies, a pro-Brexit think based in Cardiff set up the organisation.[2]

Eco Central spent approximately four thousand pounds on adverts intended to dissuade the public from taking action on climate change.[1]

MacKinnon's Centre for Welsh Studies received funding from a United States-based organisation, Atlas Network, which promotes free-market ideologies and libertarian beliefs.[3]

False claims

Eco Central's Facebook campaigns make a number of false claims which include;

• Policies designed to limit global omissions contributed to unprecedented wildfires seen in Australia and California.
• Sir David Attenborough's campaign to prevent environmental catastrophe is Fake News.
• Those campaigning for action on fuel emissions are part of a cult.
• Climate change should not be taught in schools.
• The group's literature claims that, “climate change is a hoax perpetrated by politicians, the media, and celebrities”.[4]

Notable members

• Dr James Davies (politician)
• Sarah Atherton MP
• David Jones (Clwyd West MP)[4]

See also

• European Research Group

References

1. Dunne, Daisy (2020-11-13). "Revealed: The social media campaign spending thousands to promote climate denial online set up by chair of pro-Brexit think tank". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2020-11-17. Retrieved 2020-11-30.
2. Hope, Mat (2020-11-13). "Pro-Brexit Tory MPs Linked to Opaque Group Spreading Climate Misinformation on Facebook". DeSmogBlog. Archived from the original on 2020-11-13. Retrieved 2020-11-30.
3. Shipton, Martin (2020-11-30). "The Centre for Welsh Studies receives funding from US organisation that seeks to promote right wing ideology". WalesOnline. Archived from the original on 2020-11-29. Retrieved 2020-11-30.
4. Hayward, Will (2020-11-18). "The tangled web involving a campaign to deny climate change and a Welsh pro-Brexit think tank". WalesOnline. Archived from the original on 2020-11-24. Retrieved 2020-11-30.