Climate Denial, Impersonation and Collective Delegitimisation: Memes about Greta Thunberg
The topic of climate change communication has become a well-established area of research within the social sciences and media geography. However, the complex realities underlying political inaction on climate issues cannot be fully explained by the concept of a climate counter-movement or by simple denialism. Therefore, the inertia surrounding climate change mitigation policies calls for a more nuanced and comprehensive analytical framework. Such an approach also necessitates identifying the mass communica- tion practices and spaces that often disseminate misinformed narratives «from below», contributing to the formation of a collective culture of denigration. In this context, the present paper investigates the circulation of memes within virtual communication spaces that feature the Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, widely recognized as a global symbol of climate mobilization. The study offers a taxonomy of media representations constructed around Greta’s image. These portrayals do not always present the activist in a virtuous light; instead, her personification frequently serves as a vehicle for spreading misinformation about climate change and for legitimizing climate denial. Ultimately, such representations help normalize derogatory practices aimed at a figure who has come to personify transnational climate activism.
Keywords: climate denial, Greta Thunberg, virtual space, meme.















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