Fossil Fuel Money: Climate Change Denial's Dark Origin

Fossil fuel companies have known about the dangers of their products for decades, yet they have consistently worked to deceive the public and block climate action. This has taken the form of misinformation campaigns, lobbying, and funding climate change deniers and right-wing think tanks.

Since the 1970s, fossil fuel companies have been running a sophisticated and sprawling network of well-funded think tanks and front groups with one goal: to stop any real climate action, no matter the cost. They have attacked the facts, creating an alternate universe where rising CO2 levels and temperatures are not connected, and scientists who sound the alarm are alarmists not to be trusted.

The fossil fuel industry has also directly funded scientists who deny climate change and created an army of astroturf groups to simulate public disdain for climate solutions like wind and carbon pricing. All of this is done to prolong our dependence on their products and protect their profits.

Despite their efforts, the truth is becoming harder to hide. Leaked documents and investigations have revealed the extent of the deception, and lawsuits against fossil fuel companies are on the rise. It is clear that fossil fuel money has played a significant role in creating and sustaining climate change denial.

Fossil fuel companies' funding of climate denial think tanks

Fossil fuel companies have been funding climate denial think tanks for decades. Exxon Mobil was the first to do so, beginning in the 1970s. Since then, a slew of other fossil fuel corporations have joined the war against science. Notably, at a 1980 American Petroleum Institute meeting, representatives from companies including Exxon, Texaco, and Shell concluded that by 2005, we would see a 1-degree Celsius rise in global temperatures.

The funding from these companies has allowed think tanks to produce and spread misinformation, creating an alternate universe where rising CO2 levels and temperatures are not connected. These right-wing think tanks, such as the Cato Institute, the Heritage Foundation, and the Heartland Institute, are funded and often even created by fossil fuel companies.

The fossil fuel industry's funding of these think tanks has been crucial in shaping public and political opinion on climate change. By providing the financial resources necessary to spread misinformation and create doubt, these companies have successfully blocked climate action and protected their profits.

The climate denial machine is well-oiled and sophisticated, with fossil fuel money as its fuel. It employs a network of talking heads, front groups, and faux-research to persuade people that climate change is not a concern. This network of well-funded think tanks and front groups has one goal: to stop any meaningful climate action, no matter the cost.

Fossil fuel companies' funding of contrarian scientists

Fossil fuel companies have been funding contrarian scientists for decades, with the aim of casting doubt on the scientific consensus on climate change. This strategy was borrowed from the tobacco industry's organised denial of the hazards of tobacco smoking.

In the 1990s, oil companies, fossil fuel industry trade groups, and their PR firms began positioning contrarian scientists as experts whose opinions on climate change should be considered equal to those of climate scientists. Scientists such as Willie Soon, William Happer, and David Legates were presented as credible opponents of the scientific consensus, despite being funded by fossil fuel interests. This tactic was effective in creating the illusion of a debate where none existed.

The funding of these contrarian scientists was vital to the climate denial machine, as it provided a veneer of respectability to the denial movement. For most people, seeing a name or face in the news with "Scientist" or "PhD" attached was enough to give their opinion credibility. This allowed the fossil fuel industry to promote the myth of disagreement within the scientific community.

In addition to funding contrarian scientists, the fossil fuel industry also supported a network of think tanks and front groups that spread misinformation and lobbied against climate action. These organisations, such as the Heartland Institute and Americans for Prosperity, produced and disseminated fake research that was used to rationalise the industry's actions and oppose climate solutions.

The result of these efforts was a deeply-rooted denial machine that has successfully blocked meaningful climate action for decades, despite the scientific consensus on the reality and urgency of the climate crisis.

Fossil fuel companies' use of astroturfing and front groups to spread climate denial

Fossil fuel companies have used astroturfing and front groups to spread climate denial. This has been a deliberate, well-funded, and coordinated effort to deceive the public and protect their profits.

Astroturfing

Astroturfing is a tactic used by fossil fuel companies to create the false impression of grassroots opposition to climate change policies. These fake grassroots groups are often given innocuous-sounding names, such as the "California Drivers Alliance" and "Washington Consumers for Sound Fuel Policy," to disguise their true purpose. These groups are then used to lobby and petition against climate action, all while appearing uninvolved with the fossil fuel industry.

Front Groups

Front groups are organizations that are secretly run and funded by the fossil fuel industry. They are used to spread misinformation and cast doubt on well-established climate science. One example is the Global Climate Coalition, which was formed in the 1980s by large corporations, including oil, coal, and auto industry giants, to oppose action on climate change.

The Illusion of Grassroots Opposition

By using astroturfing and front groups, the fossil fuel industry creates the illusion of widespread public disdain for climate solutions. This tactic gives the false impression that many people oppose measures like wind energy and carbon pricing. In reality, these groups are simply puppets of the fossil fuel industry, spreading disinformation and obstructing climate action.

The Result: A Powerful Climate Denial Machine

The combination of astroturfing and front groups has resulted in a powerful climate denial machine that has successfully blocked meaningful climate action for decades. This machine is fueled by the immense wealth of the fossil fuel industry, which has a vested interest in prolonging our dependence on their products. The result is a well-funded network of talking heads, front groups, and faux-research that has shaped public and political opinion, delaying the transition to a low-carbon future.

Fossil fuel companies' use of advertising and PR to promote climate denial

Fossil fuel companies have used advertising and PR to promote climate denial in several ways. Firstly, they have employed a strategy of disinformation and propaganda, seeking to confuse the public and policymakers about the reality and seriousness of the climate crisis. This has involved advertisements in major newspapers such as the New York Times, as well as on social media, that question or downplay the existence and human causes of climate change. These campaigns often emphasise uncertainty and economic costs, and shift responsibility onto consumers.

Secondly, fossil fuel companies have engaged in "greenwashing", presenting themselves as part of the solution to climate change or as committed to reducing carbon emissions. For example, ExxonMobil has promoted its research into algae biofuels, while BP introduced the idea of a "carbon footprint" to shift blame onto individual lifestyle choices.

Thirdly, fossil fuel companies have funded and collaborated with right-wing think tanks, such as the Cato Institute, the Heritage Foundation, and the Heartland Institute, which produce "science" to support climate denial and oppose environmental regulation. These think tanks provide a veneer of legitimacy to the industry's claims and help to spread misinformation.

Finally, fossil fuel companies have directly funded and promoted scientists who deny climate change, such as Willie Soon, William Happer, and David Legates, presenting them as credible experts whose opinions should be considered equal to those of climate scientists. This has helped to create the illusion of a scientific debate where none exists, as the vast majority of the scientific community agrees that climate change is real and caused by humans.

Fossil fuel companies' lobbying of politicians and regulators to block climate action

Fossil fuel companies have been lobbying politicians and regulators to block climate action for decades. This has taken the form of spreading misinformation, funding think tanks and front groups, and influencing politicians and regulators.

In the 1970s, oil companies, including Exxon, were aware of the link between fossil fuels and global warming. However, instead of taking action to address this issue, they chose to downplay and distort the evidence, engaging in a decades-long campaign against climate action. Exxon, for example, pushed forward with a multimillion-dollar misinformation campaign to cast doubt on well-established science. They also attacked the facts, creating an alternate universe where rising CO2 levels and temperatures were not connected.

Fossil fuel companies have also funded right-wing think tanks, such as the Cato Institute, the Heritage Foundation, and the Heartland Institute, which produce "science" to rationalize their actions and spread doubt about the reality of climate change. These think tanks are often funded and even created by fossil fuel companies, and they work to discredit real science and create an alternative worldview.

In addition to funding think tanks, fossil fuel companies have also directly funded scientists who deny climate change. These contrarian scientists provide a veneer of respectability to the denial movement, as most people seeing a name or face with "Scientist" or "PhD" attached will assume their opinion is legitimate.

Fossil fuel companies have also used front groups and astroturfing to spread their message and influence politicians and regulators. Front groups, such as the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), lobby and petition on behalf of the fossil fuel industry, while astroturf groups simulate public disdain for climate solutions. Both types of groups serve the same purpose: to push forward the agenda of the fossil fuel interests that fund them.

The efforts of fossil fuel companies to block climate action have been highly successful, with public opinion on climate change being significantly affected by their campaigns. As a result, legislative efforts to curb CO2 emissions have been hindered, and the necessary action to address the climate crisis has been delayed.

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