John Locke Foundation a Case Study in Global Warming Spin

onNov 28, 2007 @ 09:42 PST

Recently we’ve been writing a lot about the John Locke Foundation, a North Carolina-based “think” tank.

The reason being that they offer an excellent case study on the world of climate science misinformation and public relations spin.

A case in point today, is a headline on the JLF‘s blog titled: “US Senate Committee Disagreeing with Alarmist Views After Reviewing New Evidence.” This would be an interesting revelation if it was true.

Geoff Lawrence, an intern at the John Locke Foundation, writes: “After reviewing the most recent studies, the Committee appears convinced that, at the very least, it is best to take a wait and see approach while the science is debated before taking drastic measures.”

The JLF article links to an August 20, 2007 post on the website of minority Republican chair of the US Senate Committee on Public Works and the Environment, Senator James Inhofe. Not only is the article out-of-date, it isn’t even written by Inhofe – it’s written by Inhofe’s spin-doctor Marc Morano.

Apparently in the minds of the folks at the John Locke Foundation, the US Senate Committee on Public Works and the Environment consists of one person, a longtime climate denier and friend of big oil. They also fail to realize that the EPW committee is not controlled in any way by Inhofe. It is controlled by Majority Chair, Barbara Boxer who at a recent committee hearing stated that:

I face this challenge with hope, and not fear. By facing this challenge now, we can maximize our chances of avoiding the most dangerous effects of climate change. We will also position America to capitalize on the tremendous opportunities that lie ahead. I believe that we have a moral obligation to do everything we can, starting now, to fight global warming.”

That sure doesn’t sound like a committee “… convinced that, at the very least, it is best to take a wait and see approach.”

The John Locke Foundation states that the purpose of their blog is to “…provide a central location for citizens, policymakers and researchers to gather information and insight about timely environmental issues facing North Carolina.”

You would think that if the JLF wants to build a reputation as a valid source of information they would at least understand the basics of how the US Senate’s Environment Committee actually works.

By Kevin Grandia

Kevin is a contributor and strategic adviser to DeSmog. He runs the digital marketing agency Spake Media House. Named a “Green Hero” by Rolling Stone Magazine and one of the “Top 50 Tweeters” on climate change and environment issues, Kevin has appeared in major news media outlets around the world for his work on digital campaigning. Kevin has been involved in the public policy arena in both the United States and Canada for more than a decade. For five years he was the managing editor of DeSmogBlog.com. In this role, Kevin’s research into the “climate denial industry” and the right-wing think tank networks was featured in news media articles around the world. He is most well known for his ground-breaking research into David and Charles Koch’s massive financial investments in the Republican and tea party networks. Kevin is the first person to be designated a “Certified Expert” on the political and community organizing platform NationBuilder. Prior to DeSmog, Kevin worked in various political and government roles. He was Senior Advisor to the Minister of State for Multiculturalism and a Special Assistant to the Minister of State for Asia Pacific, Foreign Affairs for the Government of Canada. Kevin also worked in various roles in the British Columbia provincial government in the Office of the Premier and the Ministry of Health. In 2008 Kevin co-founded a groundbreaking new online election tool called Vote for Environment which was later nominated for a World Summit Award in recognition of the world’s best e-Content and innovative ICT applications. Kevin moved to Washington, DC in 2010 where he worked for two years as the Director of Online Strategy for Greenpeace USA and has since returned to his hometown of Vancouver, Canada.