Slashdot Mirror
Billionaires Secretly Fund Vast Climate Denial Network
Hugh Pickens writes writes "Suzanne Goldenberg reports that conservative billionaires used a secretive funding route to channel nearly $120 million to more than 100 groups casting doubt about the science behind climate change, helping build a vast network of think tanks and activist groups working to redefine climate change from neutral scientific fact to a highly polarizing 'wedge issue' for hardcore conservatives. 'We exist to help donors promote liberty which we understand to be limited government, personal responsibility, and free enterprise,' says Whitney Ball, chief executive of the Donors Trust. Ball's organization assured wealthy donors that their funds would never by diverted to liberal causes with a guarantee of complete anonymity for donors who wished to remain hidden. The money flowed to Washington think tanks embedded in Republican party politics, obscure policy forums in Alaska and Tennessee, contrarian scientists at Harvard and lesser institutions, even to buy up DVDs of a film attacking Al Gore. 'The funding of the denial machine is becoming increasingly invisible to public scrutiny. It's also growing. Budgets for all these different groups are growing,' says Kert Davies, research director of Greenpeace, which compiled the data on funding of the anti-climate groups using tax records. 'These groups are increasingly getting money from sources that are anonymous or untraceable.'"
So since you are also trying to influence politicians (by posting this message), should you also be thrown into jail for life? Lobbying is just telling politicians what your interests are. Which is necessary and healthy in a democracy (in moderation!).
That is not to say that was is going on here is right. But you can't just blanket condemn all "lobbying".
does Al Gore get to go to prison too for his ridiculous anti-science movie and his support of cap and trade scams?
I'm a climate change skeptic. I doubt much of the science being touted that "proves" mankind is responsible for climate change. That doesn't mean I don't care.
I want to see space exploration and space colonization turned on, and turned up. Send all my kids into space, where they can waste all the energy they like, and not affect earth's biosphere. I care - really, I care. In a few generations, maybe you can hire some of my kids to place mirrors between the earth and the sun, to deflect some of that excess energy. Maybe they'll beam all that (otherwise wasted) energy to the dark side of the moon, enabling industry to run all "day" long on the moon! Think of it - industrial centers running 24/27.7 on clean solar energy! Everyone wins! Honest to God, I care!
Stop wasting time on climate change, and invest in space. Everyone wins!
"Windows is like the faint smell of piss in a subway: it's there, and there's nothing you can do about it." - Charlie Br
So the Tea Party is just astro-turfing? Yet the Occupy Wall Street is grass roots?
It is more a matter whether your Ox is being GORED! (Pun intentional!)
Have you compiled your kernel today??
It's not fine. If they're knowingly lying in order to deceive others into taking actions that benefit the liar, that is textbook fraud.
There has never been "free speech" as you think it is. You can't say whatever you want, whenever you want, for any reason.
This is exactly the problem that sceptics have with proponents.
Ever since climate raw data was denied to people who had the effrontery to look for mistakes, the AGW movement has taken on the classic characteristics of a cult . Advocates who would deny critical response by saying "you can't say whatever you want" simply reveal one more facet.
Share that sentiment. Why the slander. The funding for the climate orthodoxy is more than 10 times that. Considering how many scholars lately have come out of the closet and declared that the IPCC position is all but insupportable and climate sensitivity is nowhere near 3.5 degrees per doubling of CO2. Of course, this automatically puts into question the runaway hypothesis and with it the doom burn in hell agenda.
It's sad to see the zealotry of climate activism is perpetuated on this site which I believe used to stand of something more open minded than bashing of those who do not adhere to the agenda put forward by big business and big government.
A solid argument. I have a short, and perhaps rude retort. When those who state this is a dire situation start behaving like it is a dire situation, I will consider the argument. If Al Gore, Leo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, et. al. are going to be held up as paragons of truth, who bring the message to the masses, then they damn well better live by their rules. If they won't or can't, then I won't consider this to be a serious threat, and that those who say it is are only mewling to control our way of life.
is it that bad seein a hot chick again? if i see a hot chick walkin down the hall i dont say "repost"