by Tamar Burton

In a segment that aired in 2012, FRONTLINE explored the timeline leading up to the massive shift in public opinion on climate change with climate skeptics discussing their motivation and strategy to manufacture doubt. “Climate of Doubt” correspondent, John Hockenberry reveals this issue through interviews with both climate skeptics and climate change supporters.

As the segment begins, John Hockenberry examines the climate skeptics message to shift public opinion, “that man-made global climate change is a myth” and the agenda to promote uncertainty as a measure of success. The mission, to create doubt among citizens by framing the issue as a political agenda led by non-skeptics seeking to expand government, increase taxes, increase power bills, reduce jobs and reduce American freedoms.

A poll taken in 2006, by Pew Research revealed that 41 percent of Americans supported the view that there is “solid evidence” that the planet was warming due to human activity. The recession in 2008 created an opportunity for skeptics to promote “Global Warming Alarmism”. That same year, Americans for Prosperity, led by its president Tim Phillips, went on a national “Hot Air” tour that sought to build opposition to carbon regulation by erecting a hot-air balloon with anti-global warming slogans. During the tour, alarmists made claims that Cap and Trade was a trillion dollar tax increase, and a gimicky marketing effort that needs to be stopped. By October 2009, the pro-environment majority was declining following the grassroots campaigns, controversial reports and media campaigns led by climate skeptics.

As we reflect on the campaign of misinformation propelled by the Heartland Institute, the Competitive Enterprise Institute, Americans for Prosperity, and the Searle Freedom Trust among others, we now know that climate change is indeed a reality. In a recent study by Robert J. Brulle, PhD, a Drexel University environmental sociologist, he identifies the flow of funds from the climate denial movement to the range of organizations on both sides of the debate. The denial movement, being funded primarily through “dark money” by using pass-through accounts resulting in an untraceable source. Brulle identified 118 important climate denial organizations in the U.S. which led to the identification of 140 foundations. These foundations funded 91 organizations through grants totaling $558 million from 2003 to 2010. Additionally, the study revealed that the 91 organizations had an annual income in excess of $900 million, with an annual identifiable foundation support of $64 million on average. With such large grants, climate deniers were able to reach advocacy groups, conservative foundations, trade associations, politicians and media outlets to further their agenda.

Today, public media outlets provide daily reports of erratic weather occurrences and destruction across the globe that were once sporadic. Most recently, the Third National Climate Assessment released earlier this month, has removed all doubt - climate change is undeniable. The Third NCA is considered to be the most comprehensive scientific assessment ever produced on climate change and its impacts in America and is a key deliverable of the President’s Climate Action Plan, which provides steps for cutting carbon pollution and preparing for the impacts of climate change as we act to significantly reduce the greenhouse gas that is warming the planet. It is now time to take action and reduce our impacts, build businesses with a green agenda that will help ensure that future generations receive the same quality of life as generations past.

Watch the FRONTLINE Climate of Doubt segment, here:

See Also:

Climate Change: What is Real, Happening and Expected

The Next Industrial Revolution

To Change the World, Start by Making Your Bed