U of Texas And Climate Misinformation

The University of Texas-Austin, one of the 89 members of the Association of American Universities and one of the country's leading research universities, is on top of the climate crisis. Its Bridging Barriers program also includes the Countering Disinformation and Misinformation program, an effort focused on older people who they believe to be more susceptible to climate change denialism, as they say here: 

 First, our research will investigate what kinds of disinformation is most widely believed by older adults what the qualities are of those messages. Second, we will investigate some of the digital barriers that older adults face and develop training to assist them in evaluating social media messages, with a particular focus on health messaging related to the coronavirus. Third, we will host a conference to highlight the ways various countries have taken steps to curb disinformation. We will highlight the most productive approaches for redressing misinformation among older adults around the world and share policy recommendations within the US security and policy structures. 

They feel that the older generation is flummoxed by social media and doesn't get the real message. This means that they actually know the truth and the facts so the geezers should listen to them. Or maybe they think that people eligible for social security have a problem operating a smart phone. Senior citizens lose some of their intelligence to the next generation, except for the septuagenerians of the congress and executive branch.

A "particular focus on health messaging related to the coronavirus" means that the University of Texas-Austin has an institutional belief that corona virus will be a serious problem for the foreseeable future.

An interesting project that's already been completed was Climate Change Dramaturgy.  While its goals are brought up, details and examples aren't given.

 This project explored how theater and community engagement can help develop a context-specific understanding of climate change to empower Texan communities and individuals to become resilient and adapt to a changing climate.

Climate scientists are busy folks these days so getting the theater department involved in spreading climate anxiety can take some of the load off their shoulders. 

 While the thespians may not have the educations in physics and chemistry of their STEM fellows, it's likely that they are more able to transfer the knowledge and emotions that they do have more effectively. Of course, a context-specific understanding of climate in its most basic parameters is a part of being a Texan.