Who is fighting global warming? Follow da money!

A friend of mine provided me with a list of some of the leading players involved in fighting the notion of climate change, trying their best to refute the mass of scientific evidence, much of which is being validated now around the world. My friend says "It seems to be a rather small group with lots of money and lots at stake. ... they also [have] some influential friends in very high places."


1. Global Climate Coalition

This outfit was founded in 1989 by 46 corporations and trade associations representing all major elements of US industry. It claims to be the "voice of business in the global warming debate." It has provided money for "several flawed studies on the economics of the cost of mitigating climate change, which formed the basis for their 1997/1998 multi-million dollar advertising campaign against the Kyoto Protocol."

And you thought the prez thought we needed more study. You didn't know that he was bought off by the "voice of business ..." Or maybe you did!

Although the GCC began to come apart back in 1997, and especially in 2000 when DaimlerChrysler, Texaco and General Motors pulled out, it has regrouped "and remains a powerful and well-funded force focused on obstructing meaningful efforts to" deal with our changing climate. Their main thrust is that while there may be something to global warming, it costs too much to fight it. And, like Bush said, "Kyoto is fundamentally flawed."


2. The George Marshall Institute

The GMI is a conservative think tank that has been downplaying the threat of global warming since the late 1980s. In 1989, GMI said global warming was no big deal as "cyclical variations in the intensity of the sun would offset any climate change associated with elevated greenhouse gases." Wrong.

Remember just because something is labeled a "think tank" doesn't mean it doesn't stink.


3. Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine

This outfit, along with the Marshall Institute, co-sponsored a "deceptive campaign -- known as the Petition Project -- to undermine and discredit the scientific authority of the IPCC and to oppose the Kyoto Protocol.

They sent out a mass mailing to thousands of scientists across the country asking them to sign a petition calling upon the government to reject the Kyoto Protocol. This mailing included a fake article made to look like it was from the journal of the National Academy of Sciences.

Although it was thoroughly debunked, the petition returned to life in 2001. The assholes never quit!


You can imagine how thrilled all these folks were when that dunderhead and failed oil-man was able to steal the presidency in 2000 and 2004!


4. Science and Environmental Policy Project (SEPP)

S. Fred Singer founded this organization in 1990, the purpose of which is to "document the relationship between scientific data and the development of federal environmental policy." SEPP has initiated a large media campaign for the purpose of discrediting "the issues of global warming, ozone depletion, and acid rain."

The funding for this operation comes from a variety of conservative groups, including the crazy Korean "messiah," Sung Myung Moon (a friend of both Bush I and Bush II) and owner of the Washington Times.


5. Greening Earth Society

What a phony name! But leave it to the fools at Western Fuels Association 'cause they're the ones who made it up and put together the organization.

These idiots claim that "increasing levels of atmospheric CO2 are good for humanity."

No wonder because Western Fuels "is a cooperative of coal-dependent utilities in the western states that works in part to discredit climate change science and to prevent regulations that might damage coal-related industries."


6. Center for the Study of Carbon Dioxide & Global Change

The center is operated by Craig and Keith Idso, brothers. Both of these guys have at one time or another been on the payroll of Western Fuels. They spout the same nonsense, also, that increased levels of CO2 are good for you!


I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that these people are working so hard to discredit the accumulated evidence documenting climate change which is accepted by 99% of the world's scientific community. But it is most discouraging thing to realize that these people and their organizations and the corporate entities for whom they shill are willing to settle for a few more dollars in the short term while risking the destruction of the planet in the long term.

Do they not have anything or anyone they care about more than their inflated pocketbooks? Do they not have children or grandchildren who will pay, perhaps with their lives, for their shortsightedness? Talk about selling your soul to the Devil!