The internet is setting ablaze – and certainly not in a good light. Climate denial and misinformation are being disseminated all over the social webs at the pace of lightning, however, it is through these that public opinion and policy discourse are being influenced. If your area of interest happens to be climate action, journalism, public health, or digital responsibility, there’s this one highly effective tool called the Hot Air Tool by Tortoise Media that you should not miss out on. This article specifically explains the main function of the tool, the way it functions, and its relevance.
What Is the Hot Air Tool?
Launched in April 2025, the Hot Air Tool is an interactive, open-access database designed to track and visualize the spread of online climate misinformation. Developed by Tortoise Media, the tool brings together nearly 300 digital actors – from social media influencers to pseudo-scientific commentators – who have posted content ranging from climate skepticism to blatant denial.
Its goal? To expose how misleading information spreads across platforms, and to empower researchers, journalists, and the public to see it for what it is.
Key Features of the Hot Air Tool
One of the tool’s biggest strengths is its usability. From the very first screen, you’re presented with two clear options:
- “Tour the Tool”: A guided walkthrough of the platform’s core functions
- “Enter”: Immediate access to the full database interface
Once inside, you’ll find a well-organized interface with several practical functionalities:
1. Keyword Search
Search for specific terms such as “climate hoax,” “green agenda,” or “net zero scam” to see how and where these narratives are being pushed.
2. Filter by Author
Explore misinformation by individual content creators. This helps identify repeat offenders and major influencers in the climate denial ecosystem.
3. Filter by Platform
From Twitter/X to YouTube and Substack, you can view how different narratives travel across distinct media environments.
4. Interactive Graphs
Each chart in the Hot Air Tool is clickable, revealing detailed context and additional metadata for deeper analysis.
Why It Matters: Unpacking the Data
According to The Ecologist’s April 2025 report, climate misinformation is on the rise. Between 2021 and 2024:
- Climate denial content on YouTube rose by 24%
- X (formerly Twitter) saw an increase of over 40% in related misinformation posts
Much of this content pushes false narratives suggesting that climate change is a fabricated crisis designed to justify greater government control or corporate regulation.
The Hot Air Tool not only catalogs these instances but also reveals patterns of distribution, showing how misinformation spreads across platforms and communities. This feature also helps it in becoming a great tool for scholars, academicians, data verification specialists, and even government decision-makers.
A Closer Look: Real-World Example
Let’s say you’re investigating the spread of the phrase “climate lockdown.” With the Hot Air Tool, you can:
- Type “climate lockdown” into the keyword search
- Filter by authors who repeatedly use the phrase
- See which platforms they use most (e.g., YouTube or X)
- Examine a timeline of when the phrase spikes in popularity
This offers a complete picture of how one misinformation narrative is seeded, amplified, and normalized.
Practical Tips for Using the Tool
- Start with the Tour: Even if you’re tech-savvy, the tour gives helpful context.
- Use multiple filters: Combining keyword + author + platform filters gives deeper insights.
- Track change over time: Look at how certain narratives evolve during major news events (e.g., COP summits or heatwaves).
- Download insights: Researchers and journalists can take screenshots or transcribe metadata for reporting purposes.
Limitations to Consider
While the Hot Air Tool is a promising and well-designed platform, it is important to note some limitations:
- Database Coverage: The dataset includes nearly 300 actors, but it is not exhaustive. Some influential figures or emerging misinformation sources may not be captured.
- Platform Scope: While it includes major platforms like YouTube, X, and Substack, others such as TikTok or private groups on Facebook and Telegram are not currently covered.
- Technical Usability: For users unfamiliar with interactive data platforms, navigating filters and understanding metadata may pose a challenge. The interface is friendly but still requires a learning curve for non-specialists.
Recognizing these constraints helps set realistic expectations and ensures responsible use of the tool.
Final Thoughts: Transparency in the Digital Climate War
In an era where misinformation undermines urgent climate action, the Hot Air Tool is more than just a database – it’s a form of digital accountability. It helps expose bad actors, clarify narratives, and support informed public discourse.
Whether you’re a researcher mapping trends, a journalist uncovering sources, or simply a curious citizen, this tool is a must-bookmark resource in the fight for climate truth.
If you’d like to examine the data firsthand, the full Hot Air Tool database is openly accessible through Tortoise Media’s official website.
Expert Sources and References
- Tortoise Media’s Hot Air Explore Tool
- The Ecologist: Climate denial contaminating social media
- IPCC AR6 Report (2023): https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/syr/
