DeSmog: Difference between revisions
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The blog was founded by James Hoggan, president of his own well estabished [[public relations]] firm. In a February 2007 interview with the ''[[Vancouver Sun]]'' he described his anger at what he saw as repeated misinformation being put out on behalf of industry interests to mislead the public about the scientific understanding of global warming caused by human activities, and called this "public relations at its sleaziest". The site had been launched to expose organizations and individuals he thought were unethical, using his own expertise in marketing to "clear the PR pollution that clouds the science of climate change".<ref name="Darah2007"/> |
The blog was founded by James Hoggan, president of his own well estabished [[public relations]] firm. In a February 2007 interview with the ''[[Vancouver Sun]]'' he described his anger at what he saw as repeated misinformation being put out on behalf of industry interests to mislead the public about the scientific understanding of global warming caused by human activities, and called this "public relations at its sleaziest". The site had been launched to expose organizations and individuals he thought were unethical, using his own expertise in marketing to "clear the PR pollution that clouds the science of climate change".<ref name="Darah2007"/> |
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Contributors to the site assist in outing organizations that the site's staff believe are phony [[grassroots]] organizations or [[astroturf]] groups sponsored directly or indirectly by industries seeking to thwart climate change-related legislation. Organizations alleged by the blog to be astroturfs include [[Friends of Science]], [[Natural Resources Stewardship Project]], [[Global Climate Coalition]], and [[International Climate Science Coalition]].<ref name="Littlemore2008a"/> |
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The blog responded to a 2006 open letter opposing the Canadian government's climate-change plans, claimed to be signed by "accredited experts in climate and related scientific disciplines", by analyzing the list of the signatories and finding that those checked out had few peer-reviewed publications on the topic. Some on the list had fossil fuel industry connections.<ref name="Gorrie2007"/> |
The blog responded to a 2006 open letter opposing the Canadian government's climate-change plans, claimed to be signed by "accredited experts in climate and related scientific disciplines", by analyzing the list of the signatories and finding that those checked out had few peer-reviewed publications on the topic. Some on the list had fossil fuel industry connections.<ref name="Gorrie2007"/> |
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Revision as of 04:46, 15 March 2010
Type of site | blog |
|---|---|
| Created by | James Hoggan |
| URL | http://www.desmogblog.com |
The DeSmogBlog, founded in January 2006, is a blog that focuses on topics related to global warming. The site describes itself as "the world’s number one source for accurate, fact based information regarding Global Warming misinformation campaigns".[1] It is non-profit and has claimed to be opposing "a well-funded and highly organized public relations campaign" which was "poisoning" the climate change debate.[2]
Content
The blog was founded by James Hoggan, president of his own well estabished public relations firm. In a February 2007 interview with the Vancouver Sun he described his anger at what he saw as repeated misinformation being put out on behalf of industry interests to mislead the public about the scientific understanding of global warming caused by human activities, and called this "public relations at its sleaziest". The site had been launched to expose organizations and individuals he thought were unethical, using his own expertise in marketing to "clear the PR pollution that clouds the science of climate change".[3]
Contributors to the site assist in outing organizations that the site's staff believe are phony grassroots organizations or astroturf groups sponsored directly or indirectly by industries seeking to thwart climate change-related legislation. Organizations alleged by the blog to be astroturfs include Friends of Science, Natural Resources Stewardship Project, Global Climate Coalition, and International Climate Science Coalition.[4]
The blog responded to a 2006 open letter opposing the Canadian government's climate-change plans, claimed to be signed by "accredited experts in climate and related scientific disciplines", by analyzing the list of the signatories and finding that those checked out had few peer-reviewed publications on the topic. Some on the list had fossil fuel industry connections.[2]
Owner and staff
The site's founder and owner, James Hoggan, is president of the Vancouver-based public relations firm James Hoggan & Associates, chair of the David Suzuki Foundation, a trustee of the Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education, and executive member of the Urban Development Institute. He is the author of a book, Climate Cover-Up: The Crusade to Deny Global Warming, which criticizes global warming skepticism.[5][3]
The website names John Lefebvre as a benefactor. Frequent contributors to the blog include Ross Gelbspan and Richard Littlemore. The site's project manager is Kevin Grandia, a former aid to Raymond Chan.[1][3]
Awards
The site was recognized in December 2007 by three British Columbia chapters of the Canadian Public Relations Society, the Vancouver, Victoria (CPRS-vi) and Northern Lights in Prince George, with an award for demonstrating "The highest ethical and professional standards while performing outstanding work". In a CPRS press release which accompanied the award, Hoggan stated that the site had been viewed by 520,000 people over its history and had been cited as a source by 24 media outlets as well as mentioned in more than 4,500 other blogs.[6]
References
- ^ a b "Who we Are". DeSmogBlog.com. Retrieved 2010-03-09.
- ^ a b Gorrie, Peter (January 28, 2007). "Who's still cool on global warming?". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2010-03-09.
- ^ a b c Hansen, Darah (February 17, 2007). "One man's green PR battle". Vancouver: Vancouver Sun. p. L.17. Retrieved 2010-03-09.
- ^ Littlemore, Richard (March 31, 2008). "A rail journey in search of Al Gore". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 2010-03-09.
- ^ "James Hoggan & Associates Inc.: Media Advisory" (Press release). Marketwire. October 28, 2009. Retrieved 2010-03-09.
- ^ "Canadian Public Relations Society names three PR campaigns as award winners" (Press release). Ottawa: Canada NewsWire. December 11, 2007. Retrieved 2010-03-09.
Further information
- "DeSmogBlog.com: Fraser Institute 'Analysis' of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Report Out of Date, Oil-Soaked and Incorrect; DeSmogBlog.com Leaks Advance Copy of Think Tank's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Attack." Internet Wire 31 January 2007
- Littlemore, Richard (March 31, 2008). "A rail journey in search of Al Gore". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 2010-03-09.
- "www.DeSmogBlog.com - Blowing off the PR pollution that clouds climate science" CNW Group 5 December 2005