Climate Cover-Up [Paperback]

 

 

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I like this book for several reasons. First, it documents the increasing threat of climate change. That's nothing new to the majority of Western adults who believe in climate change. Scientists have stopped arguing over this idea long ago. The world is warming, and CO2 emissions from humans is the major culprit. The need to act is clearer than ever, but people aren't. The majority of us (Canadians for sure) believe in climate change. Yet Harper isn't doing anything to change it, and we voted against Dion (admittedly not the strongest candidate) who ran on a plan to change it. Why?

Well, the bigger evil seems to be corporations. Just like they're doing to the US Health Care debate, corporations have thrown a lot of muscle (i.e., money) into buying politicians and confusing voters. You have to respect how well they understand psychology and how poorly the public understands themselves. By hiring scientists to speak their party line, they are able to create "credible" doubt. By putting a microphone (i.e., throwing money and attention at) anyone who speaks up against climate change, they are able to disguise just how much of a minor the dissenting voice is. By having scientists cry foul over how they get blacklisted for disagreeing with the majority, they conveniently cover-up the opposite- scientists can make a TON of money (personal or grant money) from willing corporations who want to keep the status quo.

This is further fed by an anti-science agenda that leads people to mistrust science. I mean, when you don't believe in evolution, how hard is it to disbelieve global warming? The debate within science, that science is based on, is flagged as uncertainty. Theory is touted as "guessing" (instead of meaning a coherent explanation for the real world- the scientific definition of a theory). Instead of telling the public that all theories should be continuously challenged (including things like gravity), they suggest that the absence of agreement means the problem is unresolved. They suggest we should wait until it is resolved, knowing full well that science doesn't work that way. We can be 99.999999% sure, but never 100% sure of anything.

As you can see from my review, this book is less about climate change than it is about public relations. The big companies (and to a lesser extent, Conservatives) have paid brilliant attention to the psychology of marketing and advertising. They really know what works. They really know how to sway the public. They really know how to keep politicians in line. Which makes this book very much worth reading. Even if you aren't convinced by the huge amount of evidence for human-caused global warming, you should be aware of how blatantly and brazenly corporations are manipulating the free flow of information in order to further their profit margins. The bottom line of this book is a very serious warning- not just about climate change, but about the very way in which we are being given the information that we need to vote, thrive, and survive.

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"[T]he people who are blocking or delaying action on climate change are putting the whole human population at risk. If they are doing so out of some sincere, if wrong-headed, belief that climate change really isn't a problem, then their actions might be forgivable. But if they are doing it because their eagerness to post short-term profits overwhelms their judgement or their interest in the public good then they should be subject to the full dose of public wrath. Either way they have put themselves forward as experts...so their responsibility to be well-informed is that much greater and their negligence of or disregard for the science is even more offensive."

The above comes from this eye-opening book by James Hoggan (main author) and Richard Littlemore. Hoggan is a public relations (PR) advisor and owns his own PR firm. He is "a leading authority on public perceptions of environmental issues." Littlemore is a strategist and senior writer at Hoggan's PR firm.

Note that this isn't a book about climate science; everyone knows (or, at least, every rational, educated person knows) that the consensus in climate science is that we are going through global warming caused by humans burning fossil fuels. But consensus isn't certainty.

This leaves the door open for deniers ("Climate change is a big hoax") and delayers ("Climate change is occurring but we can take our time in trying to solve it").

This book offers a blistering account of shadowy think tanks, pretend grassroots organizations, lobbyists, and charismatic speakers, who dedicate their time to creating strategies for manufacturing doubt by twisting truths about the science of climate change. The links between these individuals & groups and the fossil fuel or other energy intensive corporations who fund them is clearly detailed.

Who is this book written for? This book is aimed at those people:

(1) who are unaware of the near-constant misinformation thrown at them.
(2) who are unaware of the immense power of money and industry over science and truth.
(3) who don't check the citations or references of editorials & books and the credentials of those who write them.

Finally, what if we humans do everything in our power to solve climate change but it turns out that we learn in time that climate change is one big hoax?

Answer: WE WILL CREATE A BETTER WORLD. (These are some of the benefits we gain by taking action even if climate change turns out to be a hoax: 1. energy independence 2. preserve rainforests 3. sustainability 4. green jobs 5. liveable cities 6. renewables 7. clean water 8. clean air 9. more efficient vehicles 10. healthy children.)

QUESTION to deniers and delayers: what's wrong with creating a better world?

In conclusion, this book will open your eyes, it will raise your ire and, most importantly, it will inspire you to take back the truth--to END THE CLIMATE COVER-UP.

(first published 2009; acknowledgements; preface; 17 chapters; main narrative 235 pages; notes; index)

<<Stephen Pletko, London, Ontario, Canada>>

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I love that this is Canadian and looks at policies and various players in Canada as well as other countries. The analysis is reasoned and backed by many examples. A must read for anyone unsure on the topic of climate change.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Made me so angry, I couldn't sleep
I'm fairly new to the issue of climate change, and even newer to the politics surrounding it. I've spent the past four years reading about climate change causes, impacts,... Read more

Published 4 months ago by climatesight

1.0 out of 5 stars A good laugh
If you are one of the many still fooled by all the climate alarmists then you will love this book. Unfortunately, there is a climate cover-up and it is not the one that James... Read more

Published 12 months ago by Audrey

1.0 out of 5 stars Contributes nothing to the debate
I haven't made up my mind one way or the other about human-caused global warming....and this book didn't help at all. Read more

Published on Dec 30 2009 by D. Carlson

5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling Explanation of Public Confusion about Climate Change
This book explain how a widespread and well funded public disinformation campaign has created confusion and uncertainty in the minds of the public, while the informed scientific... Read more

Published on Dec 12 2009 by Richard C

5.0 out of 5 stars George Monbiot calls Climate Cover Up "Brilliant"
Very nice kudos for Climate Cover Up, from the highly respected Guardian columnist and author, George Monbiot. Read more

Published on Nov 26 2009 by K. Grandia

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