The Environmental Communication Observatory is a platform for exploring, investigating, and commenting on developments at the intersection of environmental communication, information cultures, and datafication.*

We use rapid response research and evidence-based commentary to identify and analyse emerging issues in order to contribute to public debates. We do this work in the form of authored publications, interviews, and other forms of public engagement. Our publications has so far addressed: 

• The role of podcasts in spreading climate denial
• The commodification of air in smartphone apps 
• The lack of concern for the environment and nature in the use of policies associated with generative AI.

We also continued to comment on the integration of generative AI into society’s scholarly information infrastructures and the risk for evidence-hacking this entails. 

Observing and critiquing the often corporate digital infrastructure through which environmental concerns are defined, negotiated, and made public remains our main focus, especially in light of the upcoming elections in 2026. 

*The process of transforming aspects of life into digital data that can be analysed and used for decision-making. 

The team

Jutta Haider, University of Borås
Björn Ekström, University of Borås
Malte Rödl, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Elisa Tattersall Wallin, University of Borås
Emma Román, University of Borås
Carin Graminius, Lund University
Camilla Lindelöw, University of Borås
René Van der Wal, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Lisa Engström, Lund University
Shiv Ganesh, University of Colorado Boulder