DeSmog

History Lessons: How Polluters Took Control of Pollution Laws From The Start

A 1970 issued 6 cent United States postage stamp showing Save Our Air with images of the Earth and a seagull flying

About the Series

This series is part of an ongoing investigation into historic attempts, starting in the 1960s, by polluting industries and corporations to obstruct and control pollution regulation via secretive channels of influence they helped build inside the U.S. government.

In This Series

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Documents shed light on the earliest-known instance of climate science funded by the fossil fuel industry, adding to growing understanding of Big Oil’s knowledge of climate change.

Documents shed light on the earliest-known instance of climate science funded by the fossil fuel industry, adding to growing understanding of Big Oil’s knowledge of climate change.
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New documents show Big Oil funded the first known meeting on CO2 and climate change, bringing risks of burning fossil fuels to national attention.

New documents show Big Oil funded the first known meeting on CO2 and climate change, bringing risks of burning fossil fuels to national attention.
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A 1965 memo to Lyndon Baines Johnson discloses the link between CO2 emissions and climate change — showing federal climate action could have started decades sooner.

A 1965 memo to Lyndon Baines Johnson discloses the link between CO2 emissions and climate change — showing federal climate action could have started decades sooner.
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A new investigation illuminates the gas industry’s 50-year PR campaign weaponizing science to promote doubt over the health effects of gas stoves and obstruct regulation.

A new investigation illuminates the gas industry’s 50-year PR campaign weaponizing science to promote doubt over the health effects of gas stoves and obstruct regulation.
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For 60 years, corporate polluters and their political allies have sought to slow and derail anti-pollution laws, often using the exact same arguments and wording. Today’s pushback against EPA proposals to cut CO2 emissions from power plants is no exception.

For 60 years, corporate polluters and their political allies have sought to slow and derail anti-pollution laws, often using the exact same arguments and wording. Today’s pushback against EPA proposals to cut CO2 emissions from power plants is no exception.
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The American Gas Association is trying to discredit research on the health impacts of gas stoves today. But newly revealed documents show it was discussing indoor air pollution concerns five decades ago.

The American Gas Association is trying to discredit research on the health impacts of gas stoves today. But newly revealed documents show it was discussing indoor air pollution concerns five decades ago.