Turns out the oil, coal and auto industries have spent billions fighting the science on climate change. Why?

Question

If this is so unfounded why have these corporations been pumping loads of money into the battle to undermine climate change research results?

Wouldn't it make more sense to just pocket the money and (if this is just so much false data and misinformation) let the scientific community prove / disprove climate change?

Why have lobbyists with the Global Climate Coalition (heavily funded by Exxon-Mobile) and the Information Council on the Environment (loaded with money from the coal industry) admitted under sworn testimony they have used the same tactics the tobacco industry did for three decades, if climate change isn't happening?

Strikes me as odd to go to such extreme measures to disprove a "weak" science at best.

Jell-o: Once again...you've failed to answer the question put forward. Please try again -- it's pretty focused and specific. I'd like to get something bordering on a concise statement from you on this topic.

Badbender: You're mixing weather forecasting (meteorology) with climate analysis. Two very different fields. All the information I listed here is from NewsWeek, London Economic Times, or the IPCC report.

Same to you as Mr. Jello -- please try to provide an ACTUAL answer to the question. Not just spouting off.

For those that have asked, the money is an estimate, but goes back to spending over two decades now. Exxon spent $19 million (US) alone to fund a "think tank" to counter reports emerging about climate change. For much of the 90s and even now there is a standing offer of $10,000 for "scientific" articles written by those in the field that go counter to the current thinking on climate change.

EMT-B: Look at the percentage they spend on those efforts, compared to what they spend on lobbying against climate change.

Answer 1

Big Industry has been down this path before. They know that lobbying will get them better leverage down the road when actual regulations are implemented.

Any upcoming climate change legislation will result in significant expenditures by specific industries. Persistent lobbying efforts will push congressman to consider the "costs to the economy". Each industry/company does a cost/benefit analysis with regards to each large expenditure they make. They understand that paying lobbyists significant amounts of money will still be much less than what they'd spend on CO2 reduction projects.

For them, it makes sense. Unfortunately, that's the way the game is played in Washington. This is why Campaign Finance Reform is so critical.

Answer 2

My International Relation Professor, in my Political Science 293 class just discussed this in our last lecture. What may surprise you is Oil company's amongst these corporations are investing tons of money into research & development into new technology alleviating the use of oil. If you look at the patents for solar panels you may be surprised who owns the patent, Oil & Automotive industries. The truth is this isn't about climate change to these executives, it's about the economy. Frankly, whether global warming is real or not, Oil will run out. This companies are simply trying to make a bigger buck off what little is left of our oil supply. They have already made plans for the future, they have money to spend now. WIth record profits why not try to disprove climate change, make people use up the oil, and then come out in 10, 20, or 50 years that maybe they were wrong and sell they're green technology.

Answer 3

It would be odd if it were true.

It doesn't make sense for energy companies to spend money on climate change research at all, partly because people will inevitably perceive it negatively, but mainly because the switch to renewable energy is as much of an opportunity as a threat.

The switch to renewable energy doesn't affect the bottom line of energy companies at all. There are no green energy companies - only energy companies that offer green energy products. The energy companies don't care what form the energy comes in as long as you buy it from them. Also, significant investment in renewable research is from existing energy companies - who else is going to fund it? They understand that fossil fuels are a finite resource which is perceived negatively from an environmental point of view. They are positioning themselves so that when we switch to other forms of energy, we will be still be buying it from them.

Answer 4

WHY THEN DO THEY INVEST ALL THE MONEY IN WIND AND SOLAR POWER.

http://www.corporatewatch.org.uk/?lid=287
http://archive.greenpeace.org/climate/renewables/reports/oilsolrep.html
http://technologyventures.chevron.com/pdf/2005-06-28_red_herring.pdf
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14733060

Answer 5

What is odd is that the government only gives money to those who preach doom. You won't get any funding to do your research on the positive or neutral aspects. Your figure of billions spent is typical of the propaganda in this field. You just throw out any number and eventually it gets parroted as facts by the Global Warming Doomsday Cult.

Answer 6

it is exactly because these industries observed what happened to the tobacco industry after the hazards of smoking were made public. The fossil Energy producers and the automotive industry prefer to spend some of their huge earnings to keep us using their products, even if it means that many people will die from that continued use.

Answer 7

Come on, are you serious? You can't be asking that question because you don't know, so I'm just gonna assume that you're trying to antagonize people who don't share your view.

It's all about the $$$$. If we all start powering our cars with something other than oil, what is Exxon gonna sell us??

It seems to me they could put all that lobbying money to better use by trying to resolve our energy crisis, but what do I know?

Answer 8

It looks like you got a few of the oil trolls to earn their pay ! Too bad they're not getting anything for their money! The LAST thing oil companies want is for the TRUTH to got out! When my grand-child faces the damage the WE HUMANS have done to the planet,I hope he sees that we at last,started to help save the Earth. Oil companies will go the way of the buffalo hunters and the whale hunters. Obsolete and looked down upon. Oil is fueling politics,and the debate over AGW is just the opposite of a 'wedge issue', It has a strong 'uniting' force. The politicians thrive on 'wedge issues'! That's why they spend so much to hold back the inevitable spread of knowledge.

Answer 9

You don't want an answer, you want supporters. You make wild accusation yet provide no facts or citations. The same "scientific community" can not give me a 100% weather forcast for next week but they expect me to believe them when they tell me the ice caps will be gone in 100 years? What about the last two years of hurricane seasons? Put down the Kool Aid.

Answer 10

Billions huh? Care to share your source? public companies listed on the US stock exchange cannot fund disinformation campaigns without potentially being held liable. On the other hand socialists organizations such as the UN can lie cheat and steal without any repercussions.