Free Speech at the Heartland Institute

authordefault
on

And who are you that we should care one whit about yourย opinion?

With that tart quip, Diane Bast of the Heartland Institute dismissed a recent query about the rationale for its last-stand global warming denial conference . Bast, presumably is related to Joseph Bast, founder and president of the Heartlandย Institute.

Here is the query that elicited Diane Bast’s incuriousย response:

Why is the Heartland Institute paying skeptical scientists to speak at a ‘conference’?

At most scientific conferences, scientists are not paid to speak. It’s an honor just to be invited to give a talk, and they’re lucky to get some travel expenses paid or the conference fee waived.

The Heartland Institute (right-wing โ€œthink tankโ€ with ties to the tobacco and oil industries) is inviting scientists to a ‘conference’ called โ€œThe 2008 International Conference on Climate Changeโ€.

โ€œThe purpose of the conference is to generate international media attention to the fact that many scientists believe forecasts of rapid warming and catastrophic events are not supported by sound science, and that expensive campaigns to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are not necessary or cost-effective.โ€

The purpose of conferences is usually to discuss ideas and data in order to advance scientific understanding, not to attract PR. And the Heartland Institute is paying skeptical scientists $1000 to speak at the ‘conference’.

What do you think are the motivations behind this ‘conference’?

authordefault
Admin's short bio, lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit. Voluptate maxime officiis sed aliquam! Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit.

Related Posts

on

Decision a blow to campaigners, who say the ads gave Saudi Aramco unearned climate credibility.

Decision a blow to campaigners, who say the ads gave Saudi Aramco unearned climate credibility.
on

Lawmakers warned that oil companies are using increasingly sophisticated messaging tactics to portray themselves as climate champions at the UK's first parliamentary debate on calls to ban adverti...
on

Labour's Jacob Collier warns parliamentary debate of "coordinated strategy" by oil companies to delay climate action.

Labour's Jacob Collier warns parliamentary debate of "coordinated strategy" by oil companies to delay climate action.
on

Critics fear that Equinorโ€™s latest UK education deal is aimed at quelling opposition to North Sea drilling.

Critics fear that Equinorโ€™s latest UK education deal is aimed at quelling opposition to North Sea drilling.