November 1st, 2009
Climate Change: The Public Relations Battle
Public Opinion And Scientific Consensus
A poll conducted by Time in 2006 found that 64% of those surveyed believe that there is “a lot of disagreement” on global warming among scientists. This belief is contradicted by studies such as Orkes 2004 and Doran and Zimmerman 2009 that indicate a strong consensus among climate scientists on anthropogenic global warming.
Looking 11 Years Back – The GCST Memo
In 1998 the American Petroleum Institute’s “Global Climate Science Team” issued an Action Plan to influence the public’s view of global climate change. According to the memo, victory would be achieved when:
“-Average citizens “understand” (recognize) uncertainties in climate science; recognition of uncertainties becomes part of the “conventional wisdom”
-Media “understands” (recognizes) uncertainties in climate science
-Media coverage reflects balance on climate science and recognition of the validity of viewpoints that challenge the current “conventional wisdom”
-Industry senior leadership understands uncertainties in climate science, making them stronger ambassadors to those who shape climate policy
-Those promoting the Kyoto treaty on the basis of extent science appears to be out of touch with reality.”
