MNN - Mother Nature Network - Envrionmental News
improve your world
  • WorldShares
  • State Reports
  • Idea Lab
  • Mixed Greens
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Blogs
  • Advice
  • MNN Community
  • MNN Social
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Follow us    
  • Join
  • Log in
  • Earth Matters

    Browse All » Animals Weather Energy Politics Space Translating Uncle Sam Wilderness & Resources

  • Health

    Browse All » Allergies Fitness & Well-Being Healthy Spaces

  • Lifestyle

    Browse All » Arts & Culture Travel Natural Beauty & Fashion Recycling Responsible Living

  • GREEN TECH

    Browse All » Computers Gadgets & Electronics Research & Innovations Transportation

  • Eco-Biz & Money

    Browse All » Green Workplace Personal Finance Sustainable Business Practices

  • Food & Drink

    Browse All » Beverages Healthy Eating Recipes

  • Your Home

    Browse All » At Home Organic Farming & Gardening Remodeling & Design

  • family

    Browse All » Babies & Pregnancy Family Activities Pets Protection & Safety

MNN.COM›

MNN BLOGGERS

Karl Burkart

The great Climate Cover-Up

How one book hopes to change the way people think about climate change and the corporations who pay to deny it.

Sun, Oct 04 2009 at 3:31 PM EST
 3

Image: 'Climate Cover-Up'
Way back in the day when George Bush Sr. was president, no one doubted the basic science behind climate change and the overwhelming evidence that greenhouse gases could dramatically impact weather patterns, threatening the long-term security of our nation.
 
In fact as far back as 1998, George Bush Sr. even promised to “beat the greenhouse gas effect.”
 
So what happened? How is it that 20 years later, with thousands upon thousands of independent scientific studies all corroborating the same inescapable truth – that climate change is happening now and is in large measure related to our consumption of fossil fuels – there continues to be so much confusion?
 
Here's another question.. by what percentage did the American Petroleum Institute increase its lobbying budget after Obama took office? (If you know the answer and are the first to answer you get a prize.. see below).
 
According to a new book that just hit the presses called Climate Cover-Up: The Crusade to Deny Global Warming by James Hoggan and Richard Littlemore, Americans are confused for one simple reason – a well-funded, long-term public disinformation campaign.

The American public in particular seems the most skeptical even though the signs of climate change abound in North America – from melting towns in Alaska to melting snowpacks in California. A full 45 percent of the U.S. population doubts that climate change is a serious concern.

 
Climate Cover-Up summarizes four years of investigative journalism into the inception of the campaign, how it was funded through Washington think tanks and how it used discredited “scientists” and partisan politics to marginalize the climate change issue.
 
The book arrived just in time for my very long flight to Copenhagen tonight, so I look forward to learning more about this fascinating (and troubling) piece of media history en route to the city where, hopefully, the climate debate will finally be put to rest.
 
Here's the author being interviewed about the book:
 

 
Back to the trivia question. Whoever is the first to provide the correct answer in the comments section below wins a copy of the book.
 
By what percentage did the American Petroleum Institute increase its lobbying budget after Obama took office (comparing Q2 of '09 with Q2 of '08)?
a. 12%
b. 44%
c. 82%
d. no increase
 
 
The opinions expressed by MNN Bloggers and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of MNN.com. While we have reviewed their content to make sure it complies with our Terms and Conditions, MNN is not responsible for the accuracy of any of their information.
 
WorldShares lets you earn donations for your favorite nonprofit. Earn up to 20 points now.
Learn More
Earn Points
What's this?
Email Twitter Stumble Digg ShareShare
CLOSE link:
Previous Post
A whirlWIND adventure in Denmark
   Next Post
Bioneers to celebrate 20th anniversary
Related Links
Related Topics
  • Climate Change
  • Climate Policy
  • Climate Talks
  • Coal
  • Global Warming
  • Comments

    Follow this conversation
    Add your comment
    View:
    • All (3)

    anonymous
    Geoff Nelson 10/12/2009 20:42 PM

    I sent a couple emails, did you post the correct email address?

    • Like This  
    • |
    • Reply
    • report this post 

    anonymous
    Karl 10/10/2009 06:07 AM

    You are correct.. Email me at greendig@gmail.com and I'll get you the book. Congrats!

    • Like This  
    • |
    • Reply
    • report this post 

    anonymous
    Geoff Nelson 10/10/2009 05:59 AM

    I would guess 82%, assuming they were as scared by Obama as gun enthusiasts were.

    • Like This  
    • |
    • Reply
    • report this post 

    Add your comment

    Sign in with one of these accounts or just add your comment below.
      Log in or
      create an account
       
      Login
    Used only for emailed comments and will not be displayed with your post
    Notify me with an email when other people comment on this article.
    The posting of advertisement, profanity or personal attacks is prohibited.
    Click here to review our Terms of Use
    Earn 100 points for signing up for a free iMeet trial now.
    JOIN NOW
    Sponsored by

    ADVERTISEMENT

    TOP MEMBERSJoin Now
    • poland.jr
      21026 points
    • ecomainegirl
      9320 points
    • achase
      9311 points
    • LauraB
      5049 points
    • Momof2
      4479 points
    All members

    SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER

    CONNECT WITH MNN

    Follow @twitterapi
     Tumblr
     Google +
    FROM OUR SPONSOR
    PGi: Better for your business, better for the planet
    #ShiftNYC Opens with a Dialogue on Social Enterprise
    Trends show companies are making a shift to incorporate social good into... more >
    Is there a telecommuting personality type?
    Some individuals may be wired to succeed at working from home while others... more >
    Know Your Travel Footprint
    Try this handy carbon calculator to find out how your travel can impact the... more >
    PGi Green Data Center
    Cost Efficiency brings Environmental Savings more >
    Victorious Green Interview with Morgan Carey
    The following article describes his holistic, healing perspectives on... more >

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Editors' Picks

    Hot weather forecasters
    Forget tiger moms: It's French parents we should be emulating
    Out with the Gap, in with the lettuce: Reusing empty malls
    These plants could kill your cat
    10 things to know about your taxes

    MNN Originals

    MNN Eco-GlossaryMixed Greens: Leading voices in sustainabilityThis Day in HistoryMNN pollsInfographics

     


    • Earth Matters
    • Health
    • Lifestyle
    • Green Tech
    • Eco-Biz & Money
    • Food & Drink
    • Your Home
    • Family

    Quick Links

    • Welcome to MNN
    • Editors' Blog
    • About us
    • Advisory Board
    • Press
    • Sitemap
    • Privacy
    • Terms of service

    MNN Tools

    • Idea Lab
    • Mixed Greens
    • Videos
    • Photos
    • Blogs
    • Advice
    • MNN Community
    • MNN Social

    All About MNN

    • Newsletters
    • RSS
    • Eco-glossary
    • Widgets
    • MNN Contests
    • MNN Lists
    • MNN Mobile
    • Contact Us

     


     

    Copyright © 2012 MNN Holdings, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Website by GLICK INTERACTIVE | Powered by CIRRACORE
     
    SPONSORS