Talk of global warming is nearly inescapable these days — but there are some who believe the concept of climate change is an elaborate hoax. Despite the input of the world’s leading climate scientists, the urgings of politicians, and the outcry of many grassroots activists, many Americans continue to ignore the warning signs of severe climate shifts. How did this happen? Climate Cover-up seeks to answer this question, describing the pollsters and public faces who have crafted careful language to refute the findings of environmental scientists. Exploring the PR techniques, phony "think tanks," and funding used to pervert scientific fact, this book serves as a wake-up call to those who still wish to deny the inconvenient truth.
Climate Cover-Up: The Crusade to Deny Global Warming
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Canadian environmental activists Hoggan and Littlemore pull no punches in this spirited indictment of global warming deniers. Their well-sourced research spotlights premeditated prevarications about the threat of greenhouse gas emissions by the oil and coal industry, in league with junk scientists, compliant conservative politicians and unsavory public relations practitioners. Persistent obfuscation of science by these anti-environment players is further abetted, say the authors, by a manipulated media that, in a misguided effort toward journalistic balance, pairs scientific certainty about an encroaching climate crisis with quotations from people who make a living denying it. Readers predisposed to believe the worst about the oil, coal and electric industries will find their fears buttressed by the book's detailed overview of an orchestrated climate coverup by Astroturf (fake grassroots) organizations, right-wing think tank echo chambers, the tens of millions of industry dollars poured into primarily Republican campaign coffers and the PR profession's Orwellian use of language. But global warming skeptics might also be swayed by the detailed dissection of an ongoing campaign to convince the public that climate change is still unproven. (Nov.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Review
"[Climate Cover-Up] explains how the propaganda generated by self interest groups has purposely created confusion about climate change. It’s an imperative read for a successful future."—Leonardo DiCaprio
"“… the most detailed and probing analysis to date of the interrelations between business organizations and conservative think tanks in campaigns to question global warming….The sleuthing is sophisticated and impressive… Recommended.”—CHOICE Reviews, ALA
"“… the most detailed and probing analysis to date of the interrelations between business organizations and conservative think tanks in campaigns to question global warming….The sleuthing is sophisticated and impressive… Recommended.”—CHOICE Reviews, ALA
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156 of 188 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent intro to the hidden infrastructure of climate anti-science
September 21, 2009
By John Mashey
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
ANTI-SCIENCE AND WHO DOES IT
Anti-science (or agnotology), seeks to cover-up or obscure science considered inconvenient, or at least create doubt in the minds of public and decision-makers. It seeks to replace knowledge with ignorance, and has no resemblance to normal arguments within science, by scientists.
Modern anti-science is most skillfully executed by a relatively small subset of lobbyists and PR agencies. Some of the most effective are actually "thinktanks". They have public identities distinct from their (often-unidentified) funders, and can often be labeled "non-profit", thus avoiding the expense of taxes. They often seek funding in the same way as lobbyist/PR agencies, as is well-documented in the Tobacco Archives.
Such entities have played successful roles in activities like fending off tobacco regulation, fighting CFC regulation ("ozone hole"), fighting mercury regulation, etc. For some, their top priority has changed to obfuscating climate science. Anyone who can help keep children getting addicted to tobacco should find it easy to create confusion about climate.
So, if you wonder how and why so many people, especially in North America, are confused about the current state of climate science, this is an excellent introduction to the key players and tactics.
SAMPLE CHAPTERS AND TOPICS
four: THE AGE OF ASTROTURFING
People respond better to "grass-roots" efforts than to PR from business. If no grass-roots efforts exist, then one can set up fake ones ... astroturf.
eight DENIAL BY THE POUND
Within science, the only things that really count are:
- publication in credible, peer-reviewed journals, a relatively low bar that mostly means "Not obviously wrong and might be worth reading."
- and surviving the high bar: widespread review by scientists in the field, to see if the results stand the test of time. Many don't. A few don't survive more than a few days.
But, if people cannot even get something over the low bar, they can try "petition science", in which large numbers of names are collected, sometimes including people who object violently to their inclusion as misrepresentation.
This tactic is popular, but absurd:
If you have heart problems, and 10 of the world's top cardiologists agree that you need a quad-bypass operation, do you listen to them? Suppose 10 brain surgeons sign a petition saying cardiologists know nothing about hearts. Do you believe *that* instead? Maybe the problem can be ignored?
How about a petition with 10,000 signatures ... of brain surgeons, engineers, epidemiologists, economists, politicians, chemists, nuclear physicists, and maybe a handful of (mostly-retired or not very successful) cardiologists? Are 10,000 non-experts more believable than 10 non-experts? Are they more believable than 10 experts?
nine JUNK SCIENTISTS
The same people who were often helped the tobacco industry now help others, using well-honed tactics and claims of non-existent expertise.
fourteen WHITEWASHING COAL
"Clean coal" isn't. I grew up in Western Pennsylvania, and used to work summers at the US Bureau of Mines, which tried to regulate the industry. Homes still collapse due to mine subsidence, although the coal companies departed long ago.
One topic that I hope will get more attention in any later editions is the role of certain wealthy family foundations in funding anti-science, as corporations are not the only funders. of course, this can be hard to track, given the complex web of funding that rather resembles money-laundering.
---- Added 9/24/09
Corporate funding for climate anti-science is rather concentrated in a few sectors, but corporations generally need not support anti-science. For example, on 9/22/09, the large California utility, Pacific Gas and Electric, announced its withdrawal from the US Chamber of Commerce over the latter's climate policies. The article "Irreconcilable Differences" at PG&E's website Next100 quoted PG&E CEO Peter Darbee's strong, succinct statement:
"We find it dismaying that the Chamber neglects the indisputable fact that a decisive majority of experts have said the data on global warming are compelling and point to a threat that cannot be ignored. In our opinion, an intellectually honest argument over the best policy response to the challenges of climate change is one thing; disingenuous attempts to diminish or distort the reality of these challenges are quite another."
----
SUMMARY
Those new to this topic will learn quite a bit of what goes on behind the scenes. Even those familiar with the topic will discover new connections - I certainly did.
Some Canadian references might be unfamiliar to Americans, but are useful, because they offer both similarities and contrasts. Also, Canada has many parallels with Australia (oil or coal exports), so Australians may find this instructive as well. Australian blogger Tim Lambert gets plaudits for his sleuth work. New Zealand cases are mentioned, and the UK is well-represented. Climate anti-science knows no borders.
This is an excellent introduction to an important topic. An informed citizen should not only understand a little climate science, but really needs to recognize the machinery of climate anti-science, which really does not want informed citizens.
Anti-science (or agnotology), seeks to cover-up or obscure science considered inconvenient, or at least create doubt in the minds of public and decision-makers. It seeks to replace knowledge with ignorance, and has no resemblance to normal arguments within science, by scientists.
Modern anti-science is most skillfully executed by a relatively small subset of lobbyists and PR agencies. Some of the most effective are actually "thinktanks". They have public identities distinct from their (often-unidentified) funders, and can often be labeled "non-profit", thus avoiding the expense of taxes. They often seek funding in the same way as lobbyist/PR agencies, as is well-documented in the Tobacco Archives.
Such entities have played successful roles in activities like fending off tobacco regulation, fighting CFC regulation ("ozone hole"), fighting mercury regulation, etc. For some, their top priority has changed to obfuscating climate science. Anyone who can help keep children getting addicted to tobacco should find it easy to create confusion about climate.
So, if you wonder how and why so many people, especially in North America, are confused about the current state of climate science, this is an excellent introduction to the key players and tactics.
SAMPLE CHAPTERS AND TOPICS
four: THE AGE OF ASTROTURFING
People respond better to "grass-roots" efforts than to PR from business. If no grass-roots efforts exist, then one can set up fake ones ... astroturf.
eight DENIAL BY THE POUND
Within science, the only things that really count are:
- publication in credible, peer-reviewed journals, a relatively low bar that mostly means "Not obviously wrong and might be worth reading."
- and surviving the high bar: widespread review by scientists in the field, to see if the results stand the test of time. Many don't. A few don't survive more than a few days.
But, if people cannot even get something over the low bar, they can try "petition science", in which large numbers of names are collected, sometimes including people who object violently to their inclusion as misrepresentation.
This tactic is popular, but absurd:
If you have heart problems, and 10 of the world's top cardiologists agree that you need a quad-bypass operation, do you listen to them? Suppose 10 brain surgeons sign a petition saying cardiologists know nothing about hearts. Do you believe *that* instead? Maybe the problem can be ignored?
How about a petition with 10,000 signatures ... of brain surgeons, engineers, epidemiologists, economists, politicians, chemists, nuclear physicists, and maybe a handful of (mostly-retired or not very successful) cardiologists? Are 10,000 non-experts more believable than 10 non-experts? Are they more believable than 10 experts?
nine JUNK SCIENTISTS
The same people who were often helped the tobacco industry now help others, using well-honed tactics and claims of non-existent expertise.
fourteen WHITEWASHING COAL
"Clean coal" isn't. I grew up in Western Pennsylvania, and used to work summers at the US Bureau of Mines, which tried to regulate the industry. Homes still collapse due to mine subsidence, although the coal companies departed long ago.
One topic that I hope will get more attention in any later editions is the role of certain wealthy family foundations in funding anti-science, as corporations are not the only funders. of course, this can be hard to track, given the complex web of funding that rather resembles money-laundering.
---- Added 9/24/09
Corporate funding for climate anti-science is rather concentrated in a few sectors, but corporations generally need not support anti-science. For example, on 9/22/09, the large California utility, Pacific Gas and Electric, announced its withdrawal from the US Chamber of Commerce over the latter's climate policies. The article "Irreconcilable Differences" at PG&E's website Next100 quoted PG&E CEO Peter Darbee's strong, succinct statement:
"We find it dismaying that the Chamber neglects the indisputable fact that a decisive majority of experts have said the data on global warming are compelling and point to a threat that cannot be ignored. In our opinion, an intellectually honest argument over the best policy response to the challenges of climate change is one thing; disingenuous attempts to diminish or distort the reality of these challenges are quite another."
----
SUMMARY
Those new to this topic will learn quite a bit of what goes on behind the scenes. Even those familiar with the topic will discover new connections - I certainly did.
Some Canadian references might be unfamiliar to Americans, but are useful, because they offer both similarities and contrasts. Also, Canada has many parallels with Australia (oil or coal exports), so Australians may find this instructive as well. Australian blogger Tim Lambert gets plaudits for his sleuth work. New Zealand cases are mentioned, and the UK is well-represented. Climate anti-science knows no borders.
This is an excellent introduction to an important topic. An informed citizen should not only understand a little climate science, but really needs to recognize the machinery of climate anti-science, which really does not want informed citizens.
49 of 58 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
The chasm between the practice of science and the public's perception is enormous. Any body of knowledge that may require a change in public policy rapidly becomes prey to ideology. One need look no farther than the reviews posted about this very book. A large portion of the public does not understand how to understand science and tends to look for voices of authority. It's no surprise that those they trust to form their political views may also end up framing their views about science. This is true no matter where a person sits along the political spectrum. It's a pity, because ideology has no place in understanding this important topic.
I believe there are still many people who would like to know what the fuss is about. They don't like to have their opinions dictated to them by someone else. They may be vaguely suspicious that there's more than impartiality going on. This book is an imperfect step for readers who may fit that description. There is too much of the author's own opinion where a simple statement of facts is more than sufficient. The book steers a little too uncertainly between polemic and journalism.
I found the preface and initial chapters somewhat off-putting. The author spends some time on the case of Freeman Dyson, a scientist with a respected opinion in many areas. Dyson has moved strongly into the camp of 'deniers' (a term I promise not to use again). Author Hoggan makes quite a spectacle of Dyson's lack of credentials in this area. This is a dangerous approach for many reasons. There are certainly cases of scientists displaying remarkable ignorance outside their fields. One need look no further than William Shockley to understand that. But there are also many uncredentialed scientists who've done spectacular work. For example, the much-respected paleontologist Jack Horner never finished his bachelor's degree. Most importantly, James Hoggan isn't a scientist at all. It's not about the credentials. It's about the work. The author demonstrates this well at many later points in the book, but he may well lose many potential readers before he gets to the good stuff.
If one finds the opening pages unattractive, I might suggested jumping ahead to chapter six, "Mangling the Language". Hoggan's own work in public relations makes him more than qualified to speak on this topic. What you learn in this chapter can prove useful far beyond the scope of the book itself. Other good chapters follow, focusing on trade groups and the spokesmen they employ. If anything, Hoggan should have been even more critical of the press. Most news organizations are arms of a larger corporation. They employ hordes of people to cover Hollywood but no one qualified to cover science. With a few welcome exceptions press coverage of science is abysmal, and has left the public ill-prepared to discuss topics as serious as climate change.
I wish that Hoggan had injected a little less of himself in this book. Much of the reportage is quite persuasive and doesn't need to be shouted. For readers whose views are not hardened, there's much to appreciate.
I believe there are still many people who would like to know what the fuss is about. They don't like to have their opinions dictated to them by someone else. They may be vaguely suspicious that there's more than impartiality going on. This book is an imperfect step for readers who may fit that description. There is too much of the author's own opinion where a simple statement of facts is more than sufficient. The book steers a little too uncertainly between polemic and journalism.
I found the preface and initial chapters somewhat off-putting. The author spends some time on the case of Freeman Dyson, a scientist with a respected opinion in many areas. Dyson has moved strongly into the camp of 'deniers' (a term I promise not to use again). Author Hoggan makes quite a spectacle of Dyson's lack of credentials in this area. This is a dangerous approach for many reasons. There are certainly cases of scientists displaying remarkable ignorance outside their fields. One need look no further than William Shockley to understand that. But there are also many uncredentialed scientists who've done spectacular work. For example, the much-respected paleontologist Jack Horner never finished his bachelor's degree. Most importantly, James Hoggan isn't a scientist at all. It's not about the credentials. It's about the work. The author demonstrates this well at many later points in the book, but he may well lose many potential readers before he gets to the good stuff.
If one finds the opening pages unattractive, I might suggested jumping ahead to chapter six, "Mangling the Language". Hoggan's own work in public relations makes him more than qualified to speak on this topic. What you learn in this chapter can prove useful far beyond the scope of the book itself. Other good chapters follow, focusing on trade groups and the spokesmen they employ. If anything, Hoggan should have been even more critical of the press. Most news organizations are arms of a larger corporation. They employ hordes of people to cover Hollywood but no one qualified to cover science. With a few welcome exceptions press coverage of science is abysmal, and has left the public ill-prepared to discuss topics as serious as climate change.
I wish that Hoggan had injected a little less of himself in this book. Much of the reportage is quite persuasive and doesn't need to be shouted. For readers whose views are not hardened, there's much to appreciate.
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By Doctor Who
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have been reading about the science of climate change as a non-scientist, and about the policy and political implications, for a number of years, trying to learn what was going on, and what needs to be done in response. I particularly recommend Kolbert, "Field Notes from a Catastrophe," and Flannery, "The Weather Makers" for a good overview. And "Scientific American" provides good regular coverage of the issue. The description of this book struck me as interesting so I bought it from amazon and read it, and recommend it as well written and clear, and providing a good overview of the long-term disinformation campaign by professional skeptics who don't do much science, but do a lot of public relations on behalf of the industry that does not want to be responsible for the harm climate change is causing. I think business students familiar with marketing and advertising will find the authors perspective on how that industry plays in this area quite interesting. The insight into Canadian tar sands gives a new perspective to a subject for readers unfamiliar with anything except U.S. politics. I read it just before the latest round of PR broke --- the theft of the East Anglia E-mails and the controversy over the Himalaya glacier melt rates in the IPCC report. None of these undercut the overall science of climate change, but they play into the PR campaign to put off a timely cost-effective response. Another book I bought here, "What's the Worse That Can Happen," lays out the risk assessment argument for responsible action. But I fear our political and legal system is too dysfunctional to be able to respond in time. In any event, this book will need a second edition to take into account the events of recent months, and perhaps by then we will know the e-mails of the professional skeptics as well.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Detailed deconstruction on how to wag the dog
There are quite a few good sources of detailed analyses on climate-denial machine, but this book has it all in one "handbook". I owe my apologies to the Mr. Read more
Published 2 days ago by Juraj Kubica
4.0 out of 5 stars
Some clarity amongst the mess...
I recently included a review/write-up of Hoggan's work in one of the chapters in my new book. Whenever there is something that is controversial in that its reality affects the... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Peter Filak
5.0 out of 5 stars
great expose of climate change denier and delayers
This is one of several books that anyone who cares about this planet really needs to read. The fossil fuel industry has been trying for years to confuse the public about the simple... Read more
Published 8 months ago by rob and nancy
1.0 out of 5 stars
Garbage. science-free ramblings for simple folk.
Where to start ? Um, For a start the "author" is an ignorant blogger who is scared stiff of science. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Johan RF
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating, scary read.
This was a very thorough and intesresting summary of the war on getting Climate Change accepted as a fact, and the huge part that the Energy sector and otheres are palying in the... Read more
Published 9 months ago by AJB
1.0 out of 5 stars
Yet another expertly written propoganda book....
This book is yet another expert defense of a theory without proper scientific basis, through propoganda, intimidation and fearmongering of the reading public and baseless... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Truthseeker
5.0 out of 5 stars
Help to Understand Dirty Industry Tactics to Deny Science & Climate...
It's a great book for those have any interests in science, environmental issues, climate change, sustainability, CSR and of course, PR. Read more
Published 9 months ago by pueblo98
4.0 out of 5 stars
Critical Thinking
The authors of this book are not climatologists but are experts in Public Relations. So why then are they writing about climate change? Read more
Published 12 months ago by Jeanne Tassotto
1.0 out of 5 stars
The Alarmist is Wearing No Clothes!
Lively and well written, Hoggan plays the part of an attack dog against anyone who disagrees with him. All of this is great entertainment. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Fredrick P. Wilson
1.0 out of 5 stars
A Tome Steeped in Paranoia
Conspiracy theories are seldom based in any fact but the hysterical beliefs of those claiming the conspiracy exists and all who disagree with them are either ignorant, brainwashed... Read more
Published 13 months ago by TechnicolourMan
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