What is a "wedge issue"?

Question

How is this strategy being used by those opposed to any kind of action to prevent continued global climate change?

Please identify any groups or individuals you suspect of using this tactic to delay or disrupt action on this issue... and what they are doing.

And this can go both ways... what are some wedge isssues being thrown out there by greens?

Answer 1

A "wedge issue" is one that is used to create division in the public sphere. Popularized via the Discovery Institute and the issue of intelligent design, the "Wedge Document" or strategy was a campaign to discredit scientific consensus and therefore science itself to insinuate that a religious answer was the only alternative. They have responded to this issue, listed in the sources.

ExxonMobil is doing this now with climate change. An excellent report is available from the Union of Concerned Scientists' link below. I have written a paper on this myself in the last two weeks. They are manufacturing uncertainty on an issue that has a broad scientific consensus.

Answer 2

Well, thank god, the present government of the USA will be replaced soon by a sensible and responsible one that will take climate warming seriously instead of diverting funds for their own gains at the expense of the American people. In my opinion the term should be "oil wedge issue".

Answer 3

A wedge issue in the context of global warming, is where an AGW propagandist comes up behind a skeptic and grabs their undergarment and yanks up really hard and shouts global warming is real, say it!

Answer 4

The only real issue is how countries address it. Heck, even OPEC is setting up a GW fund!!!

Answer 5

Maybe its Bush. They say he gets money from a big company that places 2nd in the production of greenhouse gases in America. Jerks...

Answer 6

cooperate business,government and more