FRONTLINE investigates the disinformation campaign on climate change. "Climate of Doubt describes the individuals and groups behind an organized effort to attack science by undermining scientists, and to unseat politicians who say they believe there is current climate change caused by human activity." [UPDATE: see also our October 25 post on this program, "Climate of Doubt" -- Money Buys Skepticism]
Even as the United States has suffered under severe drought, massive wildfires, and record-breaking heat, this year neither presidential candidate talks meaningfully about climate change and climate change disappeared from the presidential debates for the first time in nearly 25 years. Only four short years ago both presidential candidates agreed that climate change was a problem worth discussing and solving. In 2008 President-elect Obama called climate change a matter of urgency and national security. Today, discussion of climate change and its implications has been stifled by political ‘leaders.’ The parties use the issue to define polarized positions, with one party typically denying climate science and the other in retreat on dealing with the problem.
How did it get this way in just four years? What triggered the significant negative movement in public opinion, from which we are only now recovering?
In a well-orchestrated counterattack on climate change legislative, diplomatic, and regulatory initiatives , fossil fuel companies and wealthy ideologue donors have funded organizations to wage war against climate science and climate scientists, undermining public understanding and efforts to develop meaningful climate policy.
