Exxon Allegedly Paid for Climate Misinformation Drive
Following in the footsteps of big tobacco, ExxonMobil paid 43 ideological groups $16 million to attack the science behind global warming, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists. The real scandal isn't that Exxon paid such groups to pimp its version of "reality," but that the media felt obligated to take an "on the other hand" approach in reporting those fringe assertions about climate change.Following in the footsteps of big tobacco, ExxonMobil paid 43 ideological groups $16 million to attack the science behind global warming, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists.
The real scandal isn’t that Exxon paid such groups to pimp its version of “reality,” but that the media felt obligated to take an “on the other hand” approach in reporting those fringe assertions about climate change.
Wait, before you go…AP via Forbes:
ExxonMobil Corp. gave $16 million to 43 ideological groups between 1998 and 2005 in a coordinated effort to mislead the public by discrediting the science behind global warming, the Union of Concerned Scientists asserted Wednesday.
The report by the science-based nonprofit advocacy group mirrors similar claims by Britain’s leading scientific academy. Last September, The Royal Society wrote the oil company asking it to halt support for groups that “misrepresented the science of climate change.”
If you're reading this, you probably already know that non-profit, independent journalism is under threat worldwide. Independent news sites are overshadowed by larger heavily funded mainstream media that inundate us with hype and noise that barely scratch the surface. We believe that our readers deserve to know the full story. Truthdig writers bravely dig beneath the headlines to give you thought-provoking, investigative reporting and analysis that tells you what’s really happening and who’s rolling up their sleeves to do something about it.
Like you, we believe a well-informed public that doesn’t have blind faith in the status quo can help change the world. Your contribution of as little as $5 monthly or $35 annually will make you a groundbreaking member and lays the foundation of our work.
Support Truthdig
Health & Wellness
It's gross. It's sticky. And it's already saved your life.
Activism
Extinction Rebellion takes on heliports in Manhattan during a week of climate action.
Environment
An alarming decades-long decline rate in male sperm count could lead to near-universal male sterility by 2060.
Africa
"In places where systems have collapsed through no fault of local people," said one advocacy group, "climate impacts are being experienced worse than anywhere."
Environment
We like to denigrate manufactured housing, but new units are better for the environment.
Book Excerpt
A North Dakota farmer saved his farm and his livelihood with carbon farming, a proven method of green agriculture. He’s now out to convert other farmers and rescue our environment.
There are currently no responses to this article.
Be the first to respond.