Clearing the PR Pollution that Clouds Climate Science

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California Making Green

Looks like being green is good for the economy after all.

Solveclimate.com reported on a non profit group called Next 10 and their 'Green Innovation Index' drawing the link between California's climate change action and that state's economic growth.

Surprise, surprise (not), looks like California has incurred some major economic benefits from going green, including the fact that Californians pay less on their utility bills and so far have saved $56 billion dollars through tough building and appliance standards.

What's next?

Shift in emphasis for Desmog?

Thanks for posting this. I definitely feel that there are so many win-win solutions out there that it might or might not make sense to continue the fight over convincing people about the validity of the science, at least exclusively. Maybe move on to focus more on Desmogging the fallacious economic, technological and social arguments against change which are out there?

I know it's worked for me. I've had many conversations with others who for some reason, or lack of reason, deny the science. These conversations transform for the better when we start talking solutions and their multiple benefits, including economic ones. I'll not forget talks with an old engineering Ph.D. who doesn't believe the science (or at least fully). Once I loaned him two books by Amory Lovins (www.smallisprofitable.org and www.oilendgame.com) we were suddenly much happier to chat with each other! And when it comes to acting to solve climate, people are definitely in need of more common ground on which to talk with each other. What a beautiful service that would be...

Haven't had time yet.

I've not been able to read the Next10 report. California has most of it's population on a nice coast, receiving a lot of maritimity. So it's not very surprising that they would need less CO2 per capita to stay warm, cool, etc. I'm surprised that their crappy transit and over-use of cars doesn't sink them in terms of rankings. Perhaps a review of the methods would be helpful, but I can't help feeling optimistic when I read the summary.

About the climate cover-up

About the climate cover-up

Democracy is utterly dependant upon an electorate that is accurately informed. In promoting climate change denial (and often denying their responsibility for doing so) industry has done more than endanger the environment. It has undermined democracy.

There is a vast difference between putting forth a point of view, honestly held, and intentionally sowing the seeds of confusion. Free speech does not include the right to deceive. Deception is not a point of view. And the right to disagree does not include a right to intentionally subvert the public awareness.

Although all public relations professionals are bound by a duty to not knowingly mislead the public, some have executed comprehensive campaigns of misinformation on behalf of industry clients on issues ranging from tobacco and asbestos to seat belts.

Lately, these fringe players have turned their efforts to creating confusion about climate change. This PR campaign could not be accomplished without the compliance of media as well as the assent and participation of leaders in government and business.

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