Will ExxonMobil and Peabody Coal Chu up the New Energy Secretary?

President-elect Obama has chosen Steven Chu, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist, who heads the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, to be the next energy secretary. He should have picked a street-fighter instead. Chu is making enormous contributions to nano-solar and bio-based energy technology. He's also a strong believer in the need to combat global warming. But given his demeanor and his scientific background, it's very likely that ExxonMobil, Peabody Coal and the rest of the dinosaur lobby will hand him his lunch.

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David Lewis. +1; Thu, 2008-12-11 22:36; I wonder

David Lewis

I heard Chu on a video describe the type of guy he wants to have work for him in his lab, the kind of guy he thinks might win the next Nobel. He said that type of guy wants something so badly he makes it happen. Intelligence and mastery of his field is a given, but what is rare, Chu said, was this burning desire to achieve. Maybe Chu, who was this type of scientist, has a fire burning inside to do something about global warming. He looks promising to me.

A great darkness is lifting from my heart.

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.