Originally published on the CGS blog on July 8, 2013.
At GlobalSolutions.org, we believe one of the best ways to get the U.S. government to pass sensible climate change policies is by getting T.V. networks to increase their coverage of climate change. If NBC, CBS, and ABC increase their coverage of climate change, more Americans will become aware of the dangers of climate change and the U.S. government will feel compelled to act.
Our efforts, unfortunately, could be undermined by climate deniers. Climate deniers run the gamut from disbelieving entirely in climate change to believing it is part of our planet’s natural cycle. There are deniers who are very vocal, including some members of Congress. As seen in this clip, they have several theories on climate change. Some believe it’s an elaborate hoax, while others think it’s caused by a shift of the Earth’s axis. In contrast to these members of Congress, other climate deniers are far less showy and far slyer. So sly, in fact, that much of the American public doesn’t even know they exist. Three men in particular come to mind: David Koch, Charles Koch, and Art Pope.
David and Charles Koch run Koch Industries, an oil conglomerate that is the second largest private corporation in the United States. In addition to running the company, the Koch brothers are set on blocking any legislation that aims to combat climate change. A study released July 1st by American University’s Investigative Reporting Workshop drew attention to the Koch Brother’s “No Climate Tax pledge,” distributed by Americans for Prosperity (AFP)― a nonprofit organization that received $3.6 million from the Koch foundation between 2007 and 2011. Signatories of the pledge promise “to not spend federal money to fight climate change without an equal amount of tax cuts.” The pledge was signed by over 100 House members, all Republicans. The New Yorker aptly described this pledge “as yet another roadblock to action.”
Art Pope is closely affiliated with the Koch brothers. He serves as one of the national directors of AFP and is one of its main funders. Pope and the Koch brothers are some of the most generous funders to climate denial groups. Between 1997 and 2008, the Koch brothers donated over $48 million to 39 climate denial organizations. Over the same time frame, Pope gave over $24 million to 27 of those 39 groups. The Koch brothers can easily give so much to these organizations because they are the 5th richest Americans, according to Forbes’ list of the 400 richest Americans. Pope’s $24 million may pale in comparison to the Koch brothers’ $48 million, but given that he didn’t even make Forbes’ list, it’s incredibly generous.
Acceptance of the reality of climate change and its devastating effects is the first step in getting the conversation going on enacting effective climate change policies. At Global Solutions, through our #CoverClimate campaign, we are striving to accomplish this goal. As with any noble cause, there will be those who try to prevent it from happening. It’s important for the American public to be educated about climate change and understand that it’s a very real threat. It is, however, equally important for the American public to be informed about individuals and groups that deny the existence of climate change and stealthily work to make sure it does not become a national priority.
