We have a new nominee for the Global Warming Deniers Hall of Fame! Funded by Big Oil, tied to GM, citation of questionable sources, willful ignorance of reality -- James M. Taylor has enough tools to make Willie Mays drool.I found Taylor's article through the Drudge Report, which I read daily to find out what conservatives are talking about. Apparently Drudge's readers like articles on global warming. He constantly links to the latest research documenting global warming's effects or a new column denying the science.
Taylor's op-ed appeared in the Chicago Sun-Times, primary employer of that paragon of journalism, Robert Novak. It accuses Gore of citing disproven theories in his recent book, "The Assault on Reason."
Taylor is listed as "a senior fellow for environment policy at the Heartland Institute." It's immediately apparent that Taylor brings no substance to the table -- only a prodigal talent in a favorite conservative tactic. He tries to establish a flaw in one of Gore's supporting anecdotes, then claims that one flaw invalidates the entire book. The column is a 681-word "yeah, but ...."
But Taylor didn't rise from future star to Hall of Famer based on his total lack of writing talent alone. It's his employer that pushes him straight to the top of the putrid heap. Details and a poll after the jump.
Before I researched the Heartland Institute, one of Taylor's claims in particular set of my BS alarm:
Gore claims global warming is causing an expansion of African deserts. However, the Sept. 16, 2002, issue of New Scientist reports, "Africa's deserts are in 'spectacular' retreat . . . making farming viable again in what were some of the most arid parts of Africa."
A quick Google search revealed "New Scientist" magazine is not a peer-reviewed scientific journal. Even its own editor admits "New Scientist" is "an ideas magazine - that means writing about hypotheses as well as theories." Not exactly dripping with credibility.
On the other hand, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon says climate change is drying up Africa's farmland, triggering war as groups compete for disappearing resources. And a blue-ribbon panel of 11 of the most senior retired U.S. admirals and generals, not a bleeding-heart liberal among them, says climate change threatens our own national security.
Now to the Heartland Institute. Its SourceWatch page is a veritable who's who of people and companies who profit by denying climate change and trying to keep America addicted to oil.
Just to name a few:
- Walter F. Buchholtz, an ExxonMobil executive, serves as Heartland's Government Relations Advisor
- James L. Johnston, Amoco Corporation (retired), member of Heartland's board of directors
- Thomas Walton, an executive of General Motors Corporation, member of Heartland's board of directors
It's not just leadership that Big Oil contributes to Heartland. According to ExxonSecrets.org, the Heartland Institute has received hundreds of thousands of dollars from ExxonMobil corporate and the ExxonMobil Foundation in just the last decade.
The science behind global warming is sound and solid. The planet is warming, greenhouse gas emissions from the burning of fossil fuels are to blame, and we must cut carbon emissions at least 80% by 2050 at the latest to curb warming's worst effects.
To get the truth, read RealClimate.org. And to learn how to refute climate change deniers like Taylor, read Grist's "How to Talk to a Climate Skeptic."