In the conclusions, Devlin lays out the “minority view” that “Climate
change is likely a marginal factor…more critical issues exist: malnutrition,
personal hygiene, drug use” etc.
Finally he identifies “potential next steps” including:
▪ “Identify scientific leaders with diverse views…encourage active
participation in debate” and
▪ “Promote the concept of relative risk…Significance of climate
impacts vs. other disease factors”
f. 1998 API Global Climate Science Communications Plan11
This is among the most important leaked documents in our collection.
It was leaked in 1998 to an environmental group, given to the New York
Times, who broke the story with the sub-headline: “Draft Proposal Seeks to
Depict Global Warming Theory as a Case of Bad Science”.
American Petroleum Institute convened the Global Climate Science
Communications Team. The plan was created the year after the Kyoto
Protocol was signed and developed by representatives from Exxon, Chevron
and the Southern Company, an electric utility. The plan includes a multimillion dollar, multi-year budget to install “uncertainty” in the public policy
arena. Target audiences are detailed including media, policy makers and
science teachers. “Victory will be achieved when average citizens
understand uncertainties in climate science…”
The companies and front groups involved with the plan included:
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Exxon
Southern Company
Chevron
John Adams Associates
Science and Environmental Policy Project
Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow
The George C. Marshall Institute
Environmental Issues Council
Frontiers of Freedom
Americans for Tax Reform
The Advancement of Sound Science Coalition
“Potential Funding sources” were identified as American Petroleum
Institute (API) and its members; Business Round Table (BRT) and its
members; Edison Electric Institute (EEI) and its members; Independent
Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) and its members; and the
National Mining Association (NMA) and its members.
After each trade association name the document states “and its
members” meaning all the companies that pay dues to the trade association.
The Edison Electric Institute is the trade association of electric utilities.
Business Roundtable includes a wide range of business interests, well
beyond fossil fuels.
“Potential fund allocators” were identified as the American
Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), Committee for a Constructive
11Joe
Walker, American Petroleum Institute, “Global Climate Science Communications Action Plan,” Apr.
3, 1998 (available at http://www.climatefiles.com/trade-group/american-petroleum-institute/1998global-climate-science-communications-team-action-plan/).
Climate Investigations Center - September 2018
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