Friends of Science a Political, NOT Scientific Clique

onJun 15, 2006 @ 14:01 PDT

Here’s another in the recent Friends of Science (FOS) flurry, a story in the Daily Oil Bulletin (DOB) that (surprise!) takes issue with the science of man-made climate change.

It raises a series of questions. If FOS cares about science, why does it expend all its energy and a huge anmount of money on politics and public relations?

If DOB cares about accuracy or balance, why would it report that 60 scientists signed a letter challenging climate science – without reporting that a week later, 90 more senior scientists responded with a letter attesting to the reliability of the current scientific consensus.

Finally, if Dr. Tim Patterson wants to be taken seriously on his theory that sunspots have caused global warming, why is he afraid to share any graph that extends beyond 1980 (when sunspot intensity went one way and climate and temperature went another)?

Friends of Conservatives? Clearly. Friends of the oil industry? Absolutely. Friends of Science? Woefully, there is no evidence to suggest so.

By Richard Littlemore

Analysis

Q&A: Amy Westervelt on the Corporate Poisoning of the Information Aquifer — and How to Undo the Harm

ByMatthew Green

onSep 21, 2026 @ 12:34 PDT

The acclaimed climate accountability journalist says bold steps are needed to reverse the insidious impact of decades of industry propaganda on the public square.

Series: Holding the Advertising and Public Relations Industry Accountable for Greenwash and Climate Misinformation

Series: Advertising & PR Industry

Suncor Helped Lead Climate Denial Group Spreading ‘Uncertainties’

ByGeoff Dembicki

onSep 21, 2026 @ 07:18 PDT

With a U.S. Supreme Court decision looming on whether the company can be held liable for climate deception, internal documents show a campaign to question science.