The 411 on COP21 social media

By Jack Campbell, GSS correspondent

PARIS — Social media can give you a TMI headache — too much information and sometimes confusing and conflicting information as well.

But many handles, hashtags, pages and photo and video streams have a purpose. Social media adds a whole new dimension to the climate change debate; instead of diplomatic conferences behind closed doors, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms are creating a new level of public involvement and a way to share journalism around the world.

Here are our top picks to keep you in the know about what’s happening at the COP21 climate change conference now underway in Paris:

Official COP21 Facebook page and YouTube channel. Bypass the noise and get right to the comments and the videos about the science, the studies, the speakers and even where to get the best smoothies at the COP21 at Le Bourget.

Ahmad Alhendawi: Catch the UN Secretary General’s first-ever envoy on youth on Twitter @AhmadAlhendawi and on Instagram, where he focuses his comments and photos on how climate change impacts and is being impacted by young people.

BBC: Roger Harrabin, the BBC’s environment and energy analyst, reports on climate change issues such as transport, urban growth and sustainability.  

BBC Science News is a good place to keep learning not only about climate change but related issues, such as flood prevention in the UK and how U.S. officials hope to monitor a COP pact after it’s signed.

The official Twitter account of the UN’s Framework Convention on Climate Change @UNFCCC is a fast way to get caught up on climate change developments both during the COP21 conference and afterwards. And, you can get it in French (@CCNUCC), Spanish (@CMNUCC) and German (@UNKlima).

Finally, Green School of Bali @greengeneration offers a unique student perspective on climate change, including the Conference of Youth 11 that took place the week before COP21.