Message From the Editor

This summer America has been reckoning with its failure to address systemic racism, with many organizations posting statements about being anti-racist and standing in solidarity with Black people. While the oil and gas industry has been no exception, Justin Mikulka points out the deep and well-documented hypocrisy within that industry: from making oil deals with oppressive African dictators to funding policing in communities of color to fostering racism and sexism that drive away women and minorities.

Something else Big Oil has been aware of and done very little about: the potentially catastrophic impacts of climate change. New research shows that if left unchecked, by 2100 continued fossil fuel burning will make extreme heat as deadly as all infectious diseases (excluding COVID-19) combined.

However, comms professional and environmental contrarian Michael Shellenberger thinks such claims are overblown. He was the star GOP witness in recent congressional hearings on the climate crisis, appearing alongside doctors, economists, and environmental researchers who gave a very different take, reports Dana Drugmand.
Have a story tip or feedback? Get in touch: editor@desmogblog.com.

Thanks,
Brendan DeMelle
Executive Director
P.S. In case you missed it: Read Justin Nobel’s incredible investigation of a right-wing militia’s spread into the oil and gas industry and how it’s raising alarms for domestic terrorism experts.

Racism and Discrimination in the Oil and Gas Industry

— By Justin Mikulka (10 min. read) —

With the recent focus on systemic racism in America, the oil and gas industry is depicting itself as leading on the issue of diversity in the workforce. However, its public relations efforts and slick advertisements do not reflect the industry's actual behavior.

In early June, as protests over the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police went global, American Petroleum Institute CEO Mike Sommers released a statement vowing that America's most powerful fossil fuel lobbying organization “has zero tolerance for discrimination of any kind.”

Big Oil Knew Climate Change Could Be ‘Catastrophic.’ Study Shows Heat Could Become Deadlier Than Infectious Diseases

— By Dana Drugmand (6 min. read) —

More than a half century ago, the oil industry's top lobbyist warned his peers of the potentially “catastrophic consequences” of burning fossil fuels, consequences that are already starting to unfold as historic heat scorches Siberia and bakes the Middle East this summer. Extreme heat is among the deadliest consequences of global warming, and a new study tallies just how deadly it could become if climate pollution continues unabated.

Rising temperatures will rank among the world’s most severe public health threats, on par with or even eclipsing infectious diseases, by century’s end unless the world rapidly slashes greenhouse gas emissions.

Long-time Contrarian Michael Shellenberger Is a Republican Star Witness in Climate Hearings

— By Dana Drugmand (8 min. read) —

Fresh off the publication of his new book Apocalypse Never: Why Environmental Alarmism Hurts Us All, Michael Shellenberger — a self-described Democrat and climate activist who nevertheless purports that climate concerns are overhyped — is now making the rounds as a Republican minority witness in congressional committee hearings on climate change.

A week after testifying to the House Select Committee on Climate Change and subsequently complaining that he was “smeared” by several Democratic committee members, Shellenberger appeared, again as a GOP witness, before the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday, August 5 in a hearing titled “The Devastating Health Impacts of Climate Change.”

Listen to the Drilled Podcast on Climate Denial

— By DeSmog (1 min. read) —

You thought you knew the story of climate denial, but what about its connection to cigarette filter tips or public broadcasting? Listen to the Drilled podcast and you’ll learn fascinating new details about the propaganda campaign of the century: the creation of climate denial.

The investigative podcast is independently reported by climate journalist Amy Westervelt. Featuring interviews with former Exxon scientists, season one traces the corporate-funded campaign to spread doubt about global warming.

From the Climate Disinformation Database: Partnership for Energy Progress

Partnership for Energy Progress is a Washington state-based group that describes itself as a “collaboration of utilities, farmers, workers, small and large businesses, and community advocates across the Northwest” with the stated goal to “communicate the work we do to provide reliable, affordable energy to homes and businesses, and highlight the progress we’re making to address climate change.” According to internal documents obtained by The Seattle Times, the coalition was formed as part of a $1 million public relations campaign to promote natural gas and “prevent or defeat” initiatives that would reduce or prohibit its use. The group is part of a nationwide push by the gas industry to fight efforts to electrify buildings and decarbonize home heating and electricity.

Read the full profile and browse other individuals and organizations in our Climate Disinformation Database or our new Koch Network Database.