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.
Egg-zactly!
Is it just me, or are self-styled "environmentalists" beginning to resemble villains from the Batman TV series more?
http://tinyurl.com/ysqe2y
Another day, another
Another day, another environmental catastrophe. Quelle horreur!
Ho hum.
Obviously it must be due to
Obviously it must be due to the essentially flat temperature from the 80's until now and has nothing to doe with the " . . . oil pollution, depletion of fisheries, becoming entangled in fishing nets, and coastal development that eliminates breeding habitats . . . "