Logo for Climate Social Science Network (CSSN)

News and Research

CSSN Scholar Publications

Defending “Canadian Energy”: Connective Leadership and Extractive Populism on Canadian Facebook

August 29, 2023

Research co-authored by CSSN Scholar Robert Neubauer examines Canadian pro-fossil fuel advocates’ Facebook activity, revealing their use of a “subsidised public strategy” to counter climate action demands. Through strategic social media leadership, they shape an “extractive populist” narrative, positioning “Canadian Energy” as a national asset under threat, showcasing how industry leverages Facebook to bolster populist politics amid the climate crisis.

Image Credit: drical/ Shutterstock