Report: How to Manufacture Public Doubt about Global Warming

Mon, 2009-03-09 01:26Kevin Grandia
Kevin Grandia's picture

Report: How to Manufacture Public Doubt about Global Warming

With the Heartland's Institute's "International Climate Change Conference" (aka. Denial-palooza) we thought it would be a good time to launch our new report: "How to Manufacture Public Doubt - analysis of the public relations techniques used by the climate denial industry."

 

So please grab a copy, enjoy and consider emailing the link on to your friends, blogging on it, Tweeting it and/or sending to your friends of Facebook.

You can donwload the PDF version here: "How to Manufacture Public Doubt - analysis of the public relations techniques used by the climate denial industry."

Here's an excerpt:

There is a long and well-documented history of the development of very effective public relations techniques that are used to create doubt about the realities of scientific conclusions that threaten to impose government regulation on corporations. Most of these techniques were developed and honed by public relations professionals working on behalf of the tobacco companies to downplay the harmful health effects of cigarettes in the late 80’s and early 90’s. For the last ten years or so, these same PR techniques have been used very effectively by free-market think tanks and fossil-fuel funded organizations to sow public doubt about the realities of climate change in the hopes of delaying government action on the issue.

- 1969 internal Brown and Williamson strategy document

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Go here to find out more details about DeSmogBlog's monthly book give-away.

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global warming denial industry PR techniques report March 2009.pdf1.37 MB
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how to manufacture doubt
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Comments

Mon, 2009-03-09 01:12 — climate criminal

 

The Denialists have a basic in-built advantage, insofar as it's the human condition not to want to dwell upon unpleasant things. And let's face it, considering the prospects for future generations in the light of human activity and the science, isn't exactly encouraging.

How many people want to think about themselves getting old, with failing health and dying? I'll wager that most people think to themselves - I'll think about that tomorrow, but tomorrow never comes!

Thinking about what we are doing to the planet is very similar. Many people are in a state of private denial [not the type bought and paid for by the private foundations or the fossil-fuel industry]. 

 

Mon, 2009-03-09 16:17 — Murb1970

Living in Georgia, we have blamed our wacky weather on Global Warming for years. Now, I'm beginning to be a believer. Last Sunday, we had 2-3 inches of snow. (Our first for the year) The snow melted by evening, and the weather began to warm up. This past Saturday (a mere 6 days later), my son received a sunburn to the back of his neck after playing outside for several hours in 70+ degree weather. What's going on here? (Other than my need to have both mittens and sunblock ready for my kids each day.)

Wed, 2009-03-11 20:35 — Kevin Grandia

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Thu, 2009-03-12 09:02 — aurie

Thanks for the pdf link... its a nice report. Probably I would forward it to my friends. Few of my friends do have their own personal blogs.. I would ask them to post this link on their blogs so that it might help others.

Alex Aurie

Fri, 2009-03-13 00:13 — ntec

It's not that hard to fabricate doubt, since a claim remains a myth until proven otherwise. Those PR companies can just make up some stories and claim global warming false.

While I do respect constructive and scientific discussions, deliberate fabrication of doubt is just despicable.

 

Wed, 2009-04-01 19:18 — Scott135

Thanks for the pdf report and the link to the ebook.  I'll be sharing the report with my friends.

Wed, 2009-05-20 03:31 — Jigsaw

Doubt is our product because its the best means of competing with the 'body of fact' that exists in the minds of the general public" - 1969, Brown and Williamson tobacco strategy paper.

 

regards,

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Fri, 2009-05-22 22:25 — djrocks29

 

I like the idea,it's very social networky and the bonus is that your link will stay up there longer, than it would with digg.Nice post…..Gives you a insight about the marketing and how to sell products to our customers.I believe this is the trust that we need to build up with our readers and our customers…when it to marketing and sales , there has to be trust and mutual responsibility. 

 

Thanks for the tip.

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Mon, 2009-05-25 06:15 — harveen

Very nice post, the topic of global warming that you have driven into the minds of readers is really commentable,

and is also perfect to the point of geology. I really respect your ideas and i am totaly with it.

And your so called fossil fuel thing is really great.

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Tue, 2009-05-26 21:01 — Damanjeet singh...

Lovely blog ...it is really helpful. I would want to thank the author for writing this article.I really appericiate your ideas & i am totally with it.& your fossil fuel thing is really commendable.I like the idea,it's very social networky and the bonus is that your link will stay up there longer, than it would with digg.

Thanks for the tip.

 

Fta Fix

Wed, 2009-05-27 03:22 — harveen

This conference has really uplifted the doubt among public regarding global warming. Like said above, cigarettes are very harmful for our health. The government and other private institutions are playing a major role in creating awareness among public by providing them information about the harmful effects of usage of such products. I have just downloaded the copy of the report, i will give it a reading and then will post a review soon.

Women's Fragrances

Wed, 2009-05-27 11:21 — singh5

its high time no w, we should start working to save our planet ,, or our next generations wont be able to see what we witnessed.

Fri, 2009-05-29 05:46 — harveen

The time has come to save our planet from the evil of global warming. Cigaratees are very very harmful for our body, as it may cause cancer. It affects our lungs. I'm proud of these organisations who are working to clear the doubt among people reagtrding these evils prevailing in the enviornment. I have just downloaded a copy and will post the reviews very soon.

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Sat, 2009-05-30 08:42 — sarabjit.jr3

Well, i've read Ross Gelbspan's book The Heat is on: the climate crisis, i'm surprised that why our governments don't take global warming seriously, there's hardly any awareness among people when it comes to global warming issue, i recommend everyone reading this article at least once so more and more people get educated about the techniques to atleast reduce this issue

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Sat, 2009-05-30 11:26 — singh5

i think we should act now , the earth is changing very rapidly ,, we need to act for our forthcoming generations.

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Thu, 2009-06-11 17:41 — AbbyLevon

The ability to somewhat create doubt on people is very strategic. Because of these different strategies, people might somehow be manipulated in order to get the appropriate reaction on different matters. CreditCard Quick.Com

Thu, 2012-05-24 22:41 — pettersonjulie

I actually think about global warming issue how to assemble public doubt. I think mass media is naturally appreciative though it raises public awareness about global warming. The best way is to conference group-wise bout this issue. Thanks! @ seo link building

[x]
FOIA Facts 1 - More Misdeeds By Ed Wegman, Yasmin Said, George Mason University
The Wegman Report was not pro bono, and George Mason violated Federal rules

New Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) replies have exposed more misdeeds by Professor Edward Wegman and Yasmin Said at George Mason University (GMU),  closely involved with the Kochs, Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and many others known for attacks on climate science. This post reviews background and attaches FOIA files that unearthed evidence for:

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