DeSmog
DeSmog exists to clear the PR pollution that is clouding the science on climate change. The DeSmogBlog Project began in Jan.2006, and quickly became the world's No.1 source for accurate, fact-based information regarding global warming misinformation campaigns.ref
DeSmog UK was launched in Sept.2014 with the same remit as its sister USA site: to investigate and analyse the undue influence of climate science denial and the fossil fuel industry on UK energy and climate policy.
An overwhelming majority of the world’s climate scientists agree that the globe is warming - the world's climate is changing - and that the indiscriminate burning of fossil fuels is to blame. We know that the risks are incalculable and, increasingly, we understand that the solutions are affordable.
Unfortunately, a well-funded and highly organized public relations campaign is poisoning the climate change debate. Using tricks and stunts that unsavory PR firms invented for the tobacco lobby, energy-industry contrarians are trying to confuse the public, to forestall individual and political actions that might cut into exorbitant coal, oil and gas industry profits. DeSmogBlog is here to cry foul - to shine the light on techniques and tactics that reflect badly on the PR industry and are, ultimately, bad for the planet. ref
DeSmog UK is regulated by IMPRESS.
Climate Disinformation Database
The academic and industrial backgrounds of those involved in the PR spin campaigns that are confusing the public and stalling action on global warming are extensively researched. DeSmog welcome suggestions for additions to the database - it's a resource for all.
Articles
- Jul.31.2020: Fossil Fuel Industry Engaging in 'Pervasive Fraud' that Threatens Global Economy, Report Warns. The report by the National Whistleblower Center, "Exposing a Ticking Time Bomb: How Fossil Fuel Industry Fraud is Setting Us Up for a Financial Implosion – and What Whistleblowers Can Do About It", details how fossil fuel companies, terrified of losing access to investment $$s and loans, conceal their - and our - exposure to climate changed-related damage. Dana Drugmand, DeSmog.
- Feb.20.2019: How the Tobacco and Fossil Fuel Industries Fund Disinformation Campaigns Around the World. 35 thinktanks in the USA, UK, Australia, and New Zealand promote both the tobacco and fossil fuel industries’ interests. 32 have taken direct donations from the Tobacco Industry, 29 have taken donations from the Fossil Fuel Industry, and 28 received money from both. Two key networks, based around the Koch Brothers and Atlas Network, are involved in coordinating or funding many of the thinktanks. Mat Hope, DeSmog UK.
- Oct.10.2018: UK Government Is Planning to Support Multi-Billion Oil Refinery in Bahrain Days After Scientists Call for Urgent Climate Action. UK Export Finance is considering supporting a refinery expansion in Bahrain by enabling British companies to enter the project’s supply chain. Two days ago, scientists from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a landmark report warning that the world has 12 years to make urgent and massive transformations across societies to avoid dangerous levels of global warming. Earlier this year, UKEF announced plans to support a “high risk” £multi-bn oil refinery in Oman... Chloe Farand, DeSmogUK. But for this UK govt, it's business as usual.
- Oct.09.2018: Oil and Money Conference: Fossil Fuel Executives Discuss . The annual Oil and Money conference is co-hosted by the New York Times Company and Energy Intelligence, and is attended by 500+ senior level executives from the industry. Bank executives representing oil and gas interests from HSBC, Barclays, JP Morgan, Société Générale SA and Goldman Sachs were also present. For the first time, the conference includes a panel discussion on how oil and gas companies can “survive the energy transition” and what they "need to do on the PR front to combat the growing fossil fuel divestment movement". The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said the world’s emissions had to be cut by ~45% between 2010-2030, and reach net zero by 2050 in order to keep global temperature increase below 1.5°. Chloe Farand, DeSmogUK.