Spain Investigates Hate Speech Against Climate Scientists

Spain’s environment minister has written to prosecutors to warn of “an alarming increase” in hate speech and social media attacks directed at climate science communicators, meteorologists, and researchers.

In a letter sent to hate crimes prosecutors on Wednesday, Sara Aagesen said several recent reports examined by the ministry detected a “significant increase” in the opposed language climate experts face on digital platforms.

One study found that 17.6% of hostile messages posted on the social media network X included “hate speech, personal attacks, and denigration directed at professionals who work to share correct and verified scientific information.”

Aagesen, also one of Spain’s three deputy prime ministers, said the research revealed “a surge in the intensity, frequency, and violence of the attacks, which affect both meteorologists and other scientific communication professionals.”

Aagesen alerted prosecutors to the issue due to the “socially crucial role that these professionals play in the fight against climate disinformation.”

One study into the hate speech directed at Spain’s state meteorological office, Aemet, found that such attacks affected public perceptions of meteorology and directly impacted scientific work.

“Social pressure and smear campaigns can discourage scientists from interacting with the public or even communicating their research openly,” the researchers said.

“This chilling effect can limit the advance of scientific knowledge and restrict public access to accurate and high‐quality information. In addition, the spread of conspiracy theories about climate control and weather manipulation directly affects the perception of the current climate alert.Denial that extreme weather events are a result of global warming finds support in these theories, undermining global efforts to mitigate and respond to climate change.”

Another study from 2024 found that climate emergency denialism was especially prevalent on X, with denialism identified in 49.1% of posts and climate-related hate speech in 17.6% of posts.

Rubén del Campo, a spokesperson for Aemet, told El País: “Although I know that my job means I get a lot of exposure, when you see messages attacking you and using your photo – often for made-up stuff you’ve never said – you feel bad.”

Aagesen concluded her letter by telling prosecutors that the ministry was prepared to “help them in any way thay may deem appropriate.”

X was approached for comment.