Union of Concerned Scientists Issues False, Misleading Report
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<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags” />Jody Clarke, 202.331.2252
Washington, D.C., January 3, 2007—A report released today by the Union of Concerned Scientists claims Exxon Mobil has been involved in a ‘disinformation’ campaign on global warming through its funding of some non-profit groups that do not subscribe to catastrophic global warming theories. However, the Competitive Enterprise Institute believes the report is just another attempt to try to stifle debate on the issue.
“Unfortunately, some environmental pressure groups, including the Union of Concerned Scientists, and some politicians are trying to silence anyone who disagrees with them,” said Myron Ebell, director of global warming and energy policy at CEI. “Nearly everything in the Union’s report is recycled uncritically from other sources. It’s mostly rubbish. The report even mistakenly labels me an economist.”
The Union’s report refers to groups such as CEI as global warming “deniers.” However, CEI does not deny that the global mean temperature is rising and that human activities may be responsible for some or all of the warming. “The reason we are attacked is because we don’t believe the computer model predictions and resist the cries of alarm and imminent doom. Global warming may turn out to be a problem, but if it does, then it should be dealt with in a way that will do more good than harm,” explained Ebell.
“The policies promoted by groups such as the UCS would do much more harm than the warming itself,” added Ebell. “Nearly 2 billion people around the world live without electricity. Building coal-fired power plants in China and Africa will provide inestimable benefits to people with only slight risks of minor harms from global warming. Yet, the Union favors keeping people in poverty and opposes the technological advances and economic growth that will alleviate risks we may experience from warming,” Ebell concluded.