Bjorn Lomborg and the Long Con

Tags: bjorn lomborg, John R. Mashey

Not to Be Missed: Mashey Bashing Bjorn

Frequent DeSmogBlog comment contributor John R. Mashey does a lovely job deconstructing Bjorn Lomborg's fictional liberalism in a post here at The Way Things Break.

Lomborg's con is to argue that climate change, while a valid concern, is a much lower priority than dealing with starvation and disease in the developing world. Mashey points out, however, that buddy Bjorn is too busy enriching himself on the denier think tank speaker circuit to actually spend any time advocating for an increase in global aid.

Mashey's more polite than I would have been, but he also shreds Lomborg and his entire argument to better effect.

Read more: Bjorn Lomborg and the Long Con

» Richard Littlemore's blog 2 comments

What's next?

| Subscribe:

| Comment:

| Tools:

About the climate cover-up

Democracy is utterly dependent 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.