Dr. Doug Leahy: Do any of the Friends of Science not lead back to oil and gas?
As the DeSmogBlog team continues it's research into the Alberta-based super skeptic society, the Friends of Science, it is becoming more and more surprising the links to oil and gas interests and the Harper Tories.
We're not even really trying, we type their name into Google and a barrage of questionable links, from legitmate sources pop up.
The latest is the President of the Friends of Science, Dr. Doug Leahy, who, according to the Bercha Group, an Alberta Oil and Gas Consulting firm, is as an independent consultant to the oil and gas industry. Now if Dr. Leahy wants to work for oil and gas companies, the more power to him. We here at the DeSmogBlog, aren't about bashing big oil (unless it's warranted) and all about uncovering the PR trickery behind the climate change debate.
However, as we continue to uncover more and more evidence, the picture of the Friends of Science becomes more and more hazy.
Here what we know so far about those behind the Friends of Science:
- Dr. Tim Ball - nothing, but will shortly.
- Prof. Barry Cooper - member of Harper's infamous "Calgary School"
- Dr. Sallie Baliunas - US skeptic and American Petroleum Institute funded scientist
- Morten Paulsen - PR practitioner and longtime Tory
- Dr. Madhav Khandekar - expert advisor and contributor to oil backed spin machine Envirotruth
- Charlie Simpson - former oil and gas employee
Now don't get me wrong, we don't have any outright proof of anything yet, this is just an update on where we are at.
And there is more to come, so keeps those tips and rumours coming in everyone and we will keep plugging away until we have the whole story behind the Friends of Science.
Kevin Grandia, I don't know if you've worked out yet we all work for someone! If you're an IPCC scientist your paid for by Government (public) funds. If you're a climatologist you usually work for the Met Office. It's not rocket science.
What is science however has to stand up on its own 2 feet. So wether you work for oil, Government or internet gambling joints what you publish as fact has to stand criticism.
And by that rule what Dr. Doug Leahy and Dr. Tim Ball et al say has the ring of truth and science behind it which is more than can be said for the crud and propoganda behind the pro-AGW crowd.
You're a journalist who has to pay the bills like evryone else. Who pays your bills Kevin?
Hi kevin
Your articles about certain individuals being tied into oil corp., etc. is
informative and timely. Any more informatin uncovered by your-
self would be of great interest.
Thanks
Eelko
It's Doug Leahey not Leahy. I am a Leahy and science journalist who has to now explain that I am not that Leahey nor related to him. And I have been writing about climate change for at least eight years and explaining the science for various publications in several different countries.
Please make the correction on this otherwise excellent site.
Thanks
Eelko,
I'm trying to get Kevin Grandia to write his droll robotocised articles on a similar line (smeer) but looking at the other side of the argument.
I've asked him to look at Demosblog presidents, James Hoggans energy funding.
I've asked him to look at the Suzuki Foundations funding, which Mr. Hoggan sits on, and the host of cororations funding them including 2 oil companies, a nuclear/coal-fired Co. pension fund etc.
Kevin writes the same article, just changing names, so this rather limited journalist should just be up to the job with a little research!