Paul Driessen

Paul Driessen

Credentials 

Profile image Paul Driessen speaking at the Heartland Institute’s 12th International Conference on Climate Change, screenshot via YouTube.

Background

Paul Driessen is a senior policy advisor for the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT) and maintains associations with a range of organizations devoted to the denial of man-made climate change including the Heartland Institute, the Center for the Defense of Free Enterprise (CDFE), the Atlas Economic Research Foundation (now Atlas Network), and others. He is a founding member of Climate Exit (Clexit), a group that contends that “the world must abandon this suicidal Global Warming crusade.”4Center Staff and Advisors,” Center for the Defence of Free Enterprise. Archived June 8, 2011. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/VI9Yi 5After Brexit, Clexit” (PDF), Clexit.net. Archived .pdf on file at Desmog.

Driessen is known for his first book, Eco-Imperialism: Green Power Black Deathwhere he discusses what he considers negative aspects of the environmental movement. He has been a prolific author in a variety of news sources, promoting the use of fossil fuels and downplaying the risks of climate change.6CFACT Staff,” Committee For a Constructive Tomorrow. Archived October 20, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/lFdr0

According to his biographical note at Eco-Imperialism.com, he “abandoned their cause when he recognized that the environmental movement had become intolerant in its views, inflexible in its demands, unwilling to recognize our tremendous strides in protecting the environment, and insensitive to the needs of billions of people who lack the food, electricity, safe water, healthcare and other basic necessities that we take for granted.”7About the Author,” Eco-Imperialism.com. Archived October 21, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/Tk6Sy

Driessen previously worked with the United States Senate, Department of the Interior and an energy trade association.8About the Author,” Eco-Imperialism.com. Archived October 21, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/Tk6Sy

Stance on Climate Change

October 2016

“No Real-World evidence supports a ‘dangerous manmade climate change’ thesis. In fact, a moderately warmer planet with more atmospheric carbon dioxide would hugely benefit crop, forest and other plant growth, wildlife and humans – with no or minimal climate effect. A colder planet with less CO2 would punish them. And a chillier CO2-deprived planet with less reliable, less affordable energy (from massive wind, solar and biofuel projects) would threaten habitats, species, nutrition and the poorest among us.”9Paul Driessen. “Stormy Climate Deception,” TownHall, October 15, 2016. Archived October 20 2016. Archive.is URLhttps://archive.is/3fL6O

July 2016

“Climate has always changed. It is far better to have energy, technology, modern housing and wealth to adapt to, survive, recover from and even thrive amid inevitable warming, cooling and weather events, than to forego these abilities (on the absurd assumption that humans can control climate and weather) – and be forced to confront nature’s onslaughts the way previous generations had to.”10Paul Driessen. “Keeping the Poor Impoverished,” Townhall, July 23, 2016. Archived November 3, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/zslQS

January 2016

“As to climate change, numerous studies demonstrate that there is no credible evidence that manmade carbon dioxide is causing dangerous global warming. Moreover, rising CO2 emissions from China, India and other rapidly developing nations vastly exceed any imaginable US reductions.”11Paul Driessen. “Trumping Hydrocarbon Fuels and Consumers,” Townhall, January 29, 2016. Archived October 20, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/71wKr

June 2009

“[Christopher] Monckton would have focused on the science. But it is morality that truly requires serious debate. Climate Armageddon claims are being used to justify malignant policies that have no rational basis.

“Global average temperatures peaked in 1998 and since have cooled slightly, despite steadily rising CO2 levels. Except in its Western Peninsula, Antarctica is gaining ice, and Antarctic sea ice reached an all-time high in 2007. Arctic ice is seasonably normal, and in 2008 the Northern Hemisphere was covered by more snow than ever before recorded.”12Climate change ‘morality’,” Canada Free Press, May 27, 2009. Archived October 21, 2016. Archive.is URLhttps://archive.is/ZA4WI

Key Quotes

August 2016

“[M]illions of Americans appear perfectly willing to sacrifice their livelihoods, living standards, liberties and country on the altar of manmade climate Armageddon. Are they insane? Are they on drugs?”13Paul Driessen. “Olympic-Sized Climate Propaganda,” TownHall, August 13, 2016. Archived October 20, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/TljJi

“Fracking-induced earth tremors are akin to vibrations from a dump truck on your street. No groundwater contamination has ever been traced to hydraulic fracturing. Methane in tap water results from water wells improperly drilled through gas-prone rock formations and was an issue long before fracking. Air emissions are below what we find in residential neighborhoods during non-rush hours.”14Paul Driessen. “Ecological Double Standards,” TownHall, August 6, 2016. Archived October 20, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/j9MWY

June 2016

EPA’s war on coal has already cost thousands of jobs in mines, power plants and dependent businesses. Low oil prices amid a tepid, over-regulated, climate-fixated, crony-corporatist American, European and international economy have already killed thousands of US oil patch jobs.15Paul Driessen. “More Job-Killing Rules from EPA,” Townhall, June 11, 2016. Archived October 20, 2016. Archive.is URLhttps://archive.is/1Xzp6

April 2016

“Climate Hustle is the perfect antidote to the destructive, demoralizing climate alarmism that dominates political decisions and obsesses the Obama White House and EPA. You owe it to yourself to see it.”16“’Climate Hustle’ Demolishes Climate Alarmism,” Townhall, April 28, 2016. Archived October 20, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/pD3BH

February 2016

“No presidency has ever come close to the Obama Administration in employing the rule to advance its ideologies and agendas. No industry has been so favored as renewable energy over the past seven years. No sector has been so thoroughly vilified and subjugated as fossil fuels during that period.”17Paul Driessen. “Tax Oil to Subsidize Wind?Townhall, February 13, 2016. Archived October 20, 2016. Archive.is URL:https://archive.is/5uZQ4

May 17, 2015

“A couple degrees warmer would be good for humanity and planet, especially with more plant-fertilizing carbon dioxide in the air. […] But a couple degrees colder would bring serious adverse consequences for habitats, wildlife, agriculture and humanity.”18Paul Driessen. “A new Little Ice Age? Instead of dangerous warming, Earth could be entering a chilly era,” The Washington Times, May 17, 2015. Archived October 21, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/Irwqx

February 9, 2015

“Not using fossil fuels is tantamount to not using energy. It is economic suicide and eco-manslaughter.”19Paul Driessen. “Divesting People of Better Living Standards,” Somewhat Reasonable (Heartland Institute blog). February 9, 2015. Archived October 21, 2016. Archive.is URLhttps://archive.is/o395l

August 15, 2013

“What a difference that extra 120 ppm has made for plants, and for animals and humans that depend on them. The more carbon dioxide there is in the atmosphere, the more it is absorbed by plants of every description –- and the faster and better they grow, even under adverse conditions like limited water, extremely hot air temperatures, or infestations of insects, weeds and other pests. As trees, grasses, algae and crops grow more rapidly and become healthier and more robust, animals and humans enjoy better nutrition on a planet that is greener and greener.”20Carbon Dioxide: The Gas of Life,” TownHall, August 15, 2013.  Archived October 21, 2016. Archive.is URLhttps://archive.is/WBzIg

January 2009

“Imposing excessive new regulations, or closing coal-fired power plants, would produce few health or environmental benefits. But it would exact huge costs on society – and bring factories, offices and economies to a screeching halt in states that are 80-98% dependent on coal: Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming.”21Paul Driessen, “Saving Lives with Coal,” Townhall, January 3, 2009. Archived October 21, 2016. Archive.is URLhttps://archive.is/KomEi

February 2004

“The day the world runs out of oil is much farther in the future than green activists care to admit. That is clear from data compiled by Dr. Robert Bradley, Jr. at the Institute for Energy Research…”22Eco-Imperialism: When policies kill,” Testimony (PDF) of Paul R. Driessen before the House Subcommittee on Energy and Natural Resources, February 4, 2004. Archived.pdf on file at Desmog.

“Had today’s technophobic zealots [environmental activists] been in charge in previous centuries, we would have to roll human progress back to the Middle Ages – and beyond, since even fire, the wheel and organic farming pose
risks, and none would have passed the “absolute safety” test the zealots demand. Putting them in charge now would mean an end to progress, and perpetual deprivation for inhabitants of developing nations.”23Eco-Imperialism: When policies kill,” Testimony (PDF) of Paul R. Driessen before the House Subcommittee on Energy and Natural Resources, February 4, 2004. Archived.pdf on file at Desmog.

Key Actions

November 22, 2023

Driessen co-wrote a study with David Wojick claiming “global emissions from mining, processing, manufacturing and transportation offset any reductions from power production [by offshore wind].” The report, titled “How Offshore Wind Drives Up Global Carbon Emissions” was published by the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow‘s NetZero Reality Coalition.24David Wojick. “Offshore Wind Cannot Be Justified,” Heartland Institute, November 22, 2023. Archived February 29, 2023.

“There are no carbon dioxide emission reduction benefits, and thus no manmade climate change amelioration justifications for offshore wind development,” Wojick and Driessen claimed in the report. They added, “The net ‘carbon’ (carbon dioxide) reduction effects of offshore wind
development are thus hugely negative and cannot justify further investments in this
industry.”25David Wojick and Paul Driessen. “How Offshore Wind Drives Up Global Carbon Emissions,” CFACT, November 14, 2023 (document creation date). Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

February 24, 2023

Driessen was introduced as the coordinator of a “new coalition of energy, national security and public policy groups” that described itself as the Net Zero Reality Coalition.26(Press Release). “New coalition urges Congress to investigate risks of net-zero energy actions,” CFACT, February 24, 2023. Archived October 2, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/YJQEg

Members included CFACT, the Competitive Enterprise Institute, the Heartland Institute, E&E Legal, and the International Climate Science Coalition (ICSC) and “and other public policy organizations that have long sought responsible, science-focused, reality-based laws and policies.”27(Press Release). “New coalition urges Congress to investigate risks of net-zero energy actions,” CFACT, February 24, 2023. Archived October 2, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/YJQEg

“America cannot afford to abandon its reliable, affordable, multifaceted energy system, and try to replace it with a wind, solar and battery system that exists only in government proclamations and legislative mandates,” Driessen said in CFACT’s press release.28(Press Release). “New coalition urges Congress to investigate risks of net-zero energy actions,” CFACT, February 24, 2023. Archived October 2, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/YJQEg

November 4, 2019

Driessen portrayed wind energy as unsustainable and “insane” in a commentary posted on the Media Research Center’s CSN News platform.29Paul Driessen. “The Giga and Terra Scam of Offshore Wind Energy,” CNSNews.com, November 4, 2019. Archived November 4, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/dBexy

Criticizing a report by the International Energy Agency about the growing demand for onshore and offshore wind energy, Driessen said:30Paul Driessen. “The Giga and Terra Scam of Offshore Wind Energy,” CNSNews.com, November 4, 2019. Archived November 4, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/dBexy

If the world buys into this crazy scheme, we all belong in straitjackets. […] It’s time for politicians, environmentalists and industry promoters to stop selling offshore wind (and onshore wind and solar power) as magic pixie dust to replace fossil fuels.”31Paul Driessen. “The Giga and Terra Scam of Offshore Wind Energy,” CNSNews.com, November 4, 2019. Archived November 4, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/dBexy

September 19, 2019

Driessen spoke at an event at Georgetown University designed to rebut a nearby official climate change debate forum for 2020 Democratic presidential candidates.32Jenni Fink. “Georgetown College Republicans Host Rebuttal to Climate Forum Featuring 2020 Candidates,” Newsweek, September 19, 2019. Archived September 19, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/nkuC3

The rebuttal forum, sponsored by the Georgetown University College Republicans, also featured Marc Morano, Patrick Michaels of the Cato Institute, Kenny Stein of the Institute for Energy Research, and Caleb Rossiter of the CO2 Coalition.33Jenni Fink. “Georgetown College Republicans Host Rebuttal to Climate Forum Featuring 2020 Candidates,” Newsweek, September 19, 2019. Archived September 19, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/nkuC3

GUCR advertised the event on Facebook as “bringing five climate policy &[sic] climate science experts to provide an alternative perspective.”34Climate Forum: A Rebuttal,” Facebook, September 19, 2019. Archived .pdf on file at Desmog.

As the forum began, student protesters disrupted the proceedings, causing campus police to remove everyone from the room. The event resumed when college staff prohibited protesters from holding signs, and with the promise of removal if they continued to disrupt the speakers.35Riley Rogerson. “College Republicans’ Climate Forum Rebuttal Met With Protests,” The Hoya, September 20, 2019. Archived September 25, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/0wqbq

September 12, 2019

Driessen posted commentary on the CFACT website attacking 2020 Democratic presidential candidates’ plans for addressing global climate change.36Paul Driessen. “Dousing candidates and Green New Dealers with buckets of icy cold reality,” CFACT.org, September 12, 2019. Archived September 13, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/w1Mg5

Claiming that “personal choices and living standards” would be sacrificed in any attempt to transition off of fossil fuels, he said renewable energy sources caused “far more environmental damage than any of the fossil fuel energy sources they would supposedly replace.”37Paul Driessen. “Dousing candidates and Green New Dealers with buckets of icy cold reality,” CFACT.org, September 12, 2019. Archived September 13, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/w1Mg5

We do not face a climate emergency,” he added. “Computer models certainly predict all kinds of catastrophes. But both the models and the increasingly hysterical assertions of planetary chaos are completely out of touch with reality.”38Paul Driessen. “Dousing candidates and Green New Dealers with buckets of icy cold reality,” CFACT.org, September 12, 2019. Archived September 13, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/w1Mg5

August 26, 2019

Driessen presented at the Heartland Institute’s live-stream rebuttal to the UN’s 68th Civil Society Sustainability Conference, which was being held in Salt Lake City, Utah. Heartland’s panel featured talks by James Taylor, Richard Keen, and Howard Hayden, among others.39Heartland Institute Rebuttal to UN ‘Civil Society’ Sustainability Conference,” YouTube video uploaded by user “The Heartland Institute,” August 26, 2019. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.

According to the live-stream’s YouTube description, the event was organized to “show how the collectivist climate and sustainability programs promoted by the U.N. would cause more harm than good, especially for the world’s poorest and most disenfranchised people.”40Heartland Institute Rebuttal to UN ‘Civil Society’ Sustainability Conference,” YouTube video uploaded by user “The Heartland Institute,” August 26, 2019. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.

Dreissen made the following remarks during his presentation:

“So I ask, are these UN people simply incapable of seeing the chasm between their flowery sustainability rhetoric and their anti mining, anti-fossil fuel attitudes? Or are they just lying, power hungry tyrants, or are they both? I don’t know. The verdict is still out.”41Heartland Institute Rebuttal to UN ‘Civil Society’ Sustainability Conference,” YouTube video uploaded by user “The Heartland Institute,” August 26, 2019. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.

Those policies are unjust, inhumane, and in eco imperialistic and lethal, that can no longer be tolerated. And in fact, I’ll go a step further, and I don’t say this lightly or casually, the climate change sustainability agenda that is being advanced by these activists and bureaucrats is eco-fascist, totalitarian and racist.”42Heartland Institute Rebuttal to UN ‘Civil Society’ Sustainability Conference,” YouTube video uploaded by user “The Heartland Institute,” August 26, 2019. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.

March 28, 2018

Paul Driessen and Ron Arnold co-published the second edition of their book, Cracking Big Green: To Save the World from the Save-The-Earth Money Machine.43Ron Arnold and Paul Driessen. Cracking Big Green: To Save the World from the Save-The-Earth Money Machine Kindle Edition, Amazon.

The book bills itself as “A stunning expose of Big Green – the modern environmental movement and its hidden financial masters.”44Ron Arnold and Paul Driessen. Cracking Big Green: To Save the World from the Save-The-Earth Money Machine Kindle Edition, Amazon.

The first version of their book, bearing the same title, was published in 2014 by the pro-fossil-fuel, climate change denial organization CFACT.45Exposing the Green Money Machine,” Canada Free Press, November 4, 2014. Archived April 14, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/vq6Ub

February 4, 2018

In January 2018, more than 200 scientists endorsed an open letter calling on the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) to remove climate change denier Rebekah Mercer from its board and to “end ties to anti-science propagandists and funders of climate science misinformation.” The New York Times reported that those among the AMNH letter calling for Mercer to step down were Michael E. Mann, director of the Earth System Science Center at Pennsylvania State University, and Katharine Hayhoe, director of the Climate Science Center at Texas Tech University.46Robin Pogrebin and Somini Sengupta. “A Science Denier at the Natural History Museum? Scientists Rebel,” The New York Times, January 25, 2018. Archived February 13, 2018. Archive.is URLhttps://archive.is/tAIv4

Driessen was among a group of climate change deniers who responded with their own open letter, calling for the AMNH “not to cave in to this pressure.” The letter was signed by numerous individuals with ties to groups funded by the Mercer Family Foundation such as Will Happer of the CO2 CoalitionRichard Lindzen, a fellow at the Cato InstituteCraig Idso, the chairman of the Center for the Study of Carbon Dioxide and Global Change. There are a number of signatories affiliated with the Heartland Institute, which has received over $5.78 million from the Mercer Family Foundation since 2008.47Graham Readfearn. “Climate Science Deniers Defend New York’s American Museum of Natural History From Calls to Drop Trustee Rebekah Mercer,” DeSmog, February 6, 2018.

The letter reads:48mnh18-feb4-petitionletter (PDF – Untitled). Retrieved from Watts Up With That.

The Earth has supported abundant life many times in the geological past when there were much higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. It is quite likely that future generations will benefit from the enrichment of Earth’s atmosphere with more carbon dioxide.

Make no mistake, the agitators are not defending science from quackery — quite the contrary!”

November 9, 2017

Driessen spoke on two panels at the Heartland Institute’s “America First Energy Conference” at the Marriott Hotel in Houston, Texas:49PAUL DRIESSEN,” America First Energy Conference. Archived November 20, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/f5XgN

PANEL 1B: ENERGY AND PROSPERITY | Presentation – “Fossil Fuels Are the True Foundation of Sustainability, Prosperity… and Morality”

PANEL 3B: PEACE DIVIDEND: BENEFITS OF ENDING THE WAR ON FOSSIL FUELS | Presentation –“Benefits Derived from Ending the War on Fossil Fuels”

The event description read as follows:50About,” America First Energy. Archived October 11, 2017. Archive.is URLhttps://archive.is/8bTTJ

At the America First Energy Conference, we plan to examine—one year and one day after Trump’s shocking Election Day victory—the following:

Where does Trump’s America First Energy Plan stand?

How much progress has been made in implementing it, and what remains to be done?

What scientific and economic evidence is there that the plan is putting the nation on the right path for economic growth, environmental protection, or both?”51About,” America First Energy. Archived October 11, 2017. Archive.is URLhttps://archive.is/8bTTJ

In a fundraising letter obtained by DeSmog, Fred Palmer had promoted the event as having the goal to “review the scientific and economic evidence that exposes the fraud inherent in the Obama-era regulation regime” while discussing “the overwhelming benefits of fossil fuels to us all.”52October 2017 Fundraising letter by Fred Palmer. On file at Desmog.

Many of the other speakers have regularly spoken at the Heartland Institute’s past ICCCs. Notable speakers include Joe Bast, Fred PalmerRoger BezdekH. Sterling BurnettHal Doiron, Paul DriessenJohn Dale DunnMyron Ebell, Heartland’s new President Tim HuelskampCraig IdsoDavid LegatesJay LehrAnthony LupoRoss McKitrickSteve MilloyTodd MyersJohn Nothdurt, David Schnare, and numerous others.53SPEAKERS,” America First Energy. Archived October 10, 2017. Archive.is URLhttps://archive.is/OJWeX

As reported at the Houston Chronicle, speakers notably included two Trump Administration officials: Richard W. Westerdale II of the State Department and Vincent DeVito of the Department of Interior. David Bernhardt, deputy secretary of the Interior Department, was also formerly listed as a Heartland conference speaker, but apparently withdrew.54James Osborne. “Trump officials to appear at Houston event hosted by climate skeptics,” Houston Chronicle, November 2, 2017. Archived November 20, 2017. Archive.is URLhttps://archive.is/XPtYc

Scott Pruitt also addressed the conference in a recorded video, personally thanking Heartland for “what you’re doing to advance energy” and “for what you’re doing to advance natural resources.55Scott Pruitt,” America First Energy ConferenceArchived November 20, 2017. Archive.is URLhttps://archive.is/X4F6m

The Climate Investigations Center put up a parody of the America First Energy conference website, complete with profiles on the individual speakers and highlighting their corporate funding and ties to groups such as the Cooler Heads Coalition (CHC).56America First Energy Conference Stacked with Climate Change Deniers,” Climate Investigations Center, November 6, 2017. Archived November 20, 2017. Archive.is URLhttps://archive.is/mISrd

September 13, 2017

Driessen wrote an article at the Heartland Institute blog, claiming that Hurricane Harvey was not made worse or caused by man-made climate change.57Paul Driessen. “The Hurricane Harvey Hustle,” The Heartland Institute, September 13, 2017. Archived September 27, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/Ioohy

Among those Driessen quotes for support are Roger Pielke, Jr. who he describes as a “weather historian” (Pilke’s background is in political science, public policy, and mathematics), Roy Spencer of the Cornwall Alliance, and skeptical meteorologists Joe Bastardi and John Coleman.58Paul Driessen. “The Hurricane Harvey Hustle,” The Heartland Institute, September 13, 2017. Archived September 27, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/Ioohy 59Roger A. Pielke Jr.” (PDF), CIRES, February 2016. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

Driessen’s blog piece is in stark contrast to the views of climatologists including Michael E Mann, who said that climate change has indeed increased the severity of hurricanes like Harvey due to factors like sea level rise attributable to climate change and increased ocean temperatures.60It’s a fact: climate change made Hurricane Harvey more deadly,” The Guardian, August 28, 2017. Archived September 26, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/kHT5X

2017

Paul Driessen is listed as a contributor to Climate Change: The Facts 2017, a book released by the Institute for Public Affairs (IPA) and edited by Jennifer Marohasy. While investigating the authors, DeSmog noted that one of the IPA‘s listed “leading experts” involved in the book is New Zealand’s Ken Ring, who in addition to being a described “long range weather forecaster” has written “two, possibly three, books about cats” including Pawmistry: How to Read Your Cat’s Paws in 1998.61Graham Readfearn. “Australian Climate Denial Think Tank Picks Cat Author and Moonman Ken Ring as Climate Expert,” DeSmog, April 9, 2017.

According to the book description:62Register your interest now and be the first to hear about the publication of Climate Change: The Facts 2017,” Institute of Public Affairs. Archived April 10, 2017. Archive.is URLhttps://archive.is/kvAFK

Climate Change: The Facts 2017 brings together contributions on the latest climate science from some of the world’s leading experts in the field including John Abbot, Sallie Baliunas, Paul Driessen, Tony Heller, Craig Idso, Clive James, Pat Michaels, Jo Nova, Ian Plimer, Tom Quirk, Peter Ridd, Ken Ring, Nicola Scafetta, Willie Soon, Roy Spencer, and Anthony Watts.

There are also essays by Matt Ridley, and Bjørn Lomborg on the economics of climate change, and by Simon Breheny on how the freedom to discuss climate change science is under threat.”

Prior versions of the book featured contributions from a range of prominent climate change deniers, and describes mainstream climate change research as “pseudo-science.”63Climate Change: The facts 2014,” Catallaxyfiles.com. Archived October 31, 2016. Archive.is URLhttps://archive.is/Trs4Y

March 24, 2017

Paul Driessen was a speaker at the Heartland Institute‘s 12th International Conference on Climate Change (ICCC12). He spoke on the panel on “Sustainability.”64PAUL DRIESSEN,” Climateconference.heartland.org. Archived April 7, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/pStat

October 15, 2016

Driessen wrote an article at Townhall titled “Stormy Climate Deception” where he claims there is “No Real-World evidence supports a ‘dangerous manmade climate change’ thesis.” According to Driessen, “a moderately warmer planet with more atmospheric carbon dioxide would hugely benefit crop, forest and other plant growth, wildlife and humans – with no or minimal climate effect.”65Paul Driessen. “Stormy Climate Deception,” Townhall, October 15, 2016. Archived October 21, 2016. Archive.is URLhttps://archive.is/3fL6O

“A colder planet with less CO2 would punish them. And a chillier CO2-deprived planet with less reliable, less affordable energy (from massive wind, solar and biofuel projects) would threaten habitats, species, nutrition and the poorest among us,” Driessen writes.

As evidence, he links to a book that he co-authored with climate change denier Roy Spencer titled “Miracle Molecule: Carbon Dioxide GAs of Life.” Spencer works as an advisor to the Cornwall Alliance, an evangelical climate change denial group that claims environmentalism is “one of the greatest threats to society and the church today.”66Miracle Molecule: Carbon Dioxide, Gas of Life,” Amazon.com. Archived October 21, 2016. 67Cornwall Alliance: Background information for reporters” (PDF)Desmog UK, April, 2015. Archived at DeSmog.

August 2016

Paul Driessen is listed as a “Founding Member” of group named Climate Exit (Clexit) led by climate change denier Christopher Monckton. According to Clexit’s founding statement (PDF), “The world must abandon this suicidal Global Warming crusade. Man does not and cannot control the climate.” 68The Clexit Committee comprises” (PDF), Clexit.net. Archived.pdf on file at Desmog., 69After Brexit, Clexit” (PDF), Clexit.net. Archived .pdf on file at Desmog.

Desmog reports on how the group grew in the wake of the UK‘s decision to leave the EU. A key member of Clexit’s “60 well-informed science, business and economic leaders” is Hugh Morgan, a former board member of the Reserve Bank of Australia and former CEO of Western Mining Corporation with close ties to Australia’s Liberal party.70Graham Readfearn. “After Brexit, Climate Science Denialists Form New Group to Call for a Clexit,” DeSmog, August 3, 2016. 71Hugh Morgan AO,” Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Archived February 22, 2002. Archive.is URLhttps://archive.is/1ObOB

According to Clexit’s founding statement

If the Paris climate accord is ratified, or enforced locally by compliant governments, it will strangle the leading economies of the world with pointless carbon taxes and costly climate and energy policies, all with no sound basis in evidence or science […]”72After Brexit, Clexit” (PDF), Clexit.net. Archived .pdf on file at Desmog.

July 23, 2016

Paul Driessen writes in Townhall that the upcoming climate conference in Marrakech, Morocco will be “a lot of hot air, just like its predecessors.”73Paul Driessen. “Keeping the Poor Impoverished,” Townhall, July 23, 2016. Archived November 3, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/zslQS

Driessen says  “The true purposes [of the conferences] are to pressure industrialized nations to end most fossil fuel use by 2050; intentionally replace free enterprise capitalism with a ‘more equitable’ system; ‘more fairly’ redistribute the world’s wealth and natural resources; and ensure that poor countries develop ‘sustainably’ and not ‘too much’ – all under the direction and control of UN agencies and environmentalist pressure groups.”74Paul Driessen. “Keeping the Poor Impoverished,” Townhall, July 23, 2016. Archived November 3, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/zslQS

“Africans are not endangered by manmade climate change […] Pacific islanders likewise face no greater perils from seas rising,” Driessen writes. Instead, he says they are threatened by “the same corrupt leaders who line their own pockets with climate and foreign aid cash, while doing nothing for their people and nothing to modernize their countries.”75Paul Driessen. “Keeping the Poor Impoverished,” Townhall, July 23, 2016. Archived November 3, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/zslQS

According to Driessen, pursuing emissions reductions in developing countries is “callous, immoral, eco-imperialistic and genocidal […] unconscionable crimes against humanity on the poorest among us. They must no longer be tolerated.”76Paul Driessen. “Keeping the Poor Impoverished,” Townhall, July 23, 2016. Archived November 3, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/zslQS

May 18, 2016

Paul Driessen was a signatory to a full page color advertisement in The New York Times titled “Abuse of Power” (PDF) sponsored by The Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI). The ad serves as an open letter from 43 signatories including organizations and individuals in response to  New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, U.S. Virgin Islands Attorney General Claude Walker, and the coalition of Attorneys General investigating groups denying man-made climate change.77CEI Runs “Abuse of Power” Ad In New York Times,” Competitive Enterprise Institute, May 18, 2016. Archived May 31, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/DF7gW 78“Abuse of Power: All Americans have the right to support causes they believe in” (PDF), Competitive Enterprise Institute. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

Attempts to intimidate CEI and our allies and silence our policy research are unconstitutional,” said CEI president Kent Lassman. “The First Amendment protects us and everyone has a duty to respect it – even state attorneys general.  CEI will continue to fight for all Americans to support the causes in which they believe.”79CEI Runs “Abuse of Power” Ad In New York Times,” Competitive Enterprise Institute, May 18, 2016. Archived May 31, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/DF7gW

The Competitive Enterprise Institute received a subpoena from AG Walker on April 7, 2016. On April 20, CEI filed an objection to the subpoena calling it “offensive,” “un-American,” and “unlawful,” and are contending that AG Walker is “violating CEI’s First Amendment rights.”80CEI Runs “Abuse of Power” Ad In New York Times,” Competitive Enterprise Institute, May 18, 2016. Archived May 31, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/DF7gW

The “freedom of speech” argument was echoed by ExxonMobil’s legal team, as well as numerous other conservative groups including the Pacific Legal Foundation, and Heritage Foundation and the recently-formed Free Speech in Science Project, a group created by the same lawyers who defended the Competitive Enterprise Institute in the past.81Steve Horn. “Exxon’s Lawyer in Climate Science Probe Has History Helping Big Tobacco and NFL Defend Against Health Claims,” DeSmog, May 10, 2016.

The CEI letter lists the following signatories:

June 11–12, 2015

Paul Driessen was a speaker on Panel 5: “Climate Program Impacts,” at the Heartland Institute’s Tenth International Conference on Climate Change (ICCC10) in Washington, D.C., with Cornelis van Kooten and Wolfgang Müller.82Speakers,” Heartland Institute. Archived June 30, 2015. Archive.is URLhttps://archive.is/lpiqu

View Paul Driessen’s Panel 5 presentation at the Heartland Institute’s ICCC10, below:83Panel 5: Climate Program Impacts with Cornelis van Kooten, Ph.D., Wolfgang Müller, and Paul Driessen,” Heartland Institute, June 11, 2015. Archived July 15, 2015. Archive.is URLhttps://archive.is/8Exvv

May 17, 2015

Paul Driessen wrote an article in The Washington Times titled “A new Little Ice Age?” suggesting that global cooling would be damaging for man-kind, while global warming would be beneficial. Notably, he cites the research of Habibullo Abdussamatov to back up these claims. Abdussamatov is the same scientist who claimed that current warm temperatures on Mars proved that the sun – and not human activity – is behind the global warming trend on Earth, a theory debunked on realclimate.org.84Stein Sigurdsson. “Global warming on Mars?“ RealClimate. October 5, 2005.  Archived October 21, 2016. Archive.is URLhttps://archive.is/YoaFi 85Paul Driessen. “A new Little Ice Age? Instead of dangerous warming, Earth could be entering a chilly era,” The Washington Times, May 17, 2015. Archived October 21, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/Irwqx

May 12, 2015

Paul Driessen is a signatory to an open letter to Pope Francis on climate change. The letter invites the Pope to reconsider his views on climate change before his upcoming encyclical letter on the environment, which is widely expected to call for measures to prevent climate change in the interests of the world’s poor.86An Open Letter to Pope Francis on Climate Change,” Cornwall Alliance For The Stewardship of Creation. April 27, 2015.  Archived October 21, 2016. Archive.is URLhttps://archive.is/z6ekZ

The open letter was coordinated and signed by Calvin Beisner of the Cornwall Alliance. According to the letter, “Good climate policy must recognize human exceptionalism, the God-given call for human persons to ‘have dominion’ in the natural world (Genesis 1:28), and the need to protect the poor from harm, including actions that hinder their ascent out of poverty.”87An Open Letter to Pope Francis on Climate Change,” Cornwall Alliance For The Stewardship of Creation. April 27, 2015.  Archived October 21, 2016. Archive.is URLhttps://archive.is/z6ekZ

Judith Curry comments on her blog Climate Etc. that “Arguably the most effective ‘pushback’ comes from Cal Beisner of the Cornwall Alliance, who coordinated An Open Letter to Pope Francis on Climate Change.”88Judith Curry. “Pope Francis, climate change, and morality,” JudithCurry.com, April 29, 2015. Archived October 21, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/gIRZN

March 2015

Paul Driessen is one of several climate change skeptics cc’d on an email from S. Fred Singer in hopes of countering the documentary film “Merchants of Doubt,” which exposes the network of climate change skeptics and deniers trying to delay legislative action on climate change.89Katherine Bagley. “Leaked Email Reveals Who’s Who List of Climate Denialists,” InsideClimate News. March 12, 2015. Archived October 21, 2016. Archive.is URLhttps://archive.is/CVOi5

The October, 2014 email was leaked to journalists before the documentary was released. “Can I sue for damages?” Singer asked in the email. “Can we get an injunction against the documentary?”90Katherine Bagley. “Leaked Email Reveals Who’s Who List of Climate Denialists,” InsideClimate News. March 12, 2015. Archived October 21, 2016. Archive.is URLhttps://archive.is/CVOi5

InsideClimate News reports in their article “Leaked Email Reveals Who’s Who List of Climate Denialists,” how “Many of those copied on the email thread, such as Singer and communications specialist Steven Milloy, have financial ties to the tobacco, chemical, and oil and gas industries and have worked to defend them since the 1990s.”91Katherine Bagley. “Leaked Email Reveals Who’s Who List of Climate Denialists,” InsideClimate News. March 12, 2015. Archived October 21, 2016. Archive.is URLhttps://archive.is/CVOi5

InsideClimate News also documented all those who were cc’d on the email, including the following skeptics and groups:

DeSmog covered the emails here: “Merchants of Doubt Film Debuts, Textbook Denial Attack Campaign Led By Fred Singer Ensues” and DeSmog also archived a full copy of the Singer email thread (PDF).

July 7–9, 2014

Paul Driessen was a speaker at the Heartland Institute’s Ninth International Conference on Climate Change (ICCC9) in Las Vegas, Nevada.92Return of Climate Denial-a-Palooza: Heartland Institute Hitches Anti-Science Wagon to Vegas FreedomFest,” DeSmog, July 7, 2014. Archived July 14, 2014.

DeSmog has done in-depth research on the other speakers and sponsors from Heartland’s ICCC9.93Return of Climate Denial-a-Palooza: Heartland Institute Hitches Anti-Science Wagon to Vegas FreedomFest,” DeSmog, July 7, 2014. Archived July 14, 2014.

May 21–23, 2012

Paul Driessen was a speaker at the Heartland Institute‘s 7th International Conference on Climate Change (ICCC7). DeSmog researched the co-sponsors behind Heartland’s ICCC7 and found that they had collectively received over $67 million from ExxonMobil, the Koch Brothers and the conservative Scaife family foundations.94Brendan DeMelle. “Heartland Denial-a-Palooza Sponsors Have Received Million From ExxonMobil, Koch and Scaife Foundations,DeSmog, May 22, 2012.

March 2008

Paul Driessen spoke at the Heartland Institute’s first International Conference on Climate Change (ICCC1).95The 2008 International Conference on Climate Change: Global Warming is not a crisis! (PDF), Archived July 25, 2015. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

Driessen’s speech was on “A Human Rights Travesty: Perpetuating Poverty, Disease, and Death to Prevent Speculative Climate Change Chaos.” See video footage below.96Paul Driessen, ICCC1,” International Conferences on Climate Change. Accessed October 20, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/CmHzy

March 8, 2007

Paul Driessen was interviewed in “The Great Global Warming Swindle,” a documentary film that advocated the views of global warming skeptics. It first aired on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom.97The Great Global Warming Swindle,” SourceWatch. Accessed October 21, 2016.

Feb 4, 2004

Testified before the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, “on the subject of science, Eco-Imperialism and public policy.”98Paul Driessen’s testimony before the United States Congress SCIENCE AND PUBLIC POLICY: Statement of Paul Driessen, Director, Economic Human Rights Project before the House Subcommittee on Energy and Natural Resources,” February 4, 2004. Republished by Eco-Imperialism.com.

Others testifying included Niger Innis and Cyril Boynes of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE).

Nov 2003

Published the book Eco-Imperialism: Green Power Black Death and speaks regularly on the subject of “Eco-Imperialism” in the media.

Affiliations 

Social Media

Publications

Driessen wrote Eco-Imperialism: Green Power Black Death published by Merril Press in November, 2003. He was also the editor of Energy Keepers Energy Killers: The New Civil Rights Battle, written by Roy Innis and published in February, 2008 by Merril Press.110Energy Keepers: Energy Killers” (PDF), Merrill Press. Retrieved from Scribd. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

Sample Publications

Townhall Publications

Paul Driessen has been a very prolific author at Townhall, writing regular articles promoting the use of Fossil Fuels and questioning the science behind man-made climate change. Samples below:111Paul Driessen,” Townhall. Archived October 20, 2016. Archive.is URLhttps://archive.is/rpeDu

Other Resources

Resources

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