How a Handful of Scientists Obscured the Truth on Issues from Tobacco Smoke to Climate Change

For decades, a small group of scientists have been working behind the scenes to obscure the truth on issues from tobacco smoke to climate change. These scientists, who are often funded by industry groups, have used a variety of tactics to mislead the public and policymakers, including cherry-picking data, misrepresenting the findings of other studies, and attacking scientists who disagree with them.

The tobacco industry has been one of the most successful in using science to obscure the truth. In the 1950s, when the link between smoking and lung cancer was becoming increasingly clear, the tobacco industry funded a group of scientists to downplay the risks of smoking. These scientists cherry-picked data, misrepresented the findings of other studies, and attacked scientists who disagreed with them. As a result, the tobacco industry was able to delay for decades the implementation of effective tobacco control policies.

Merchants of Doubt: How a Handful of Scientists Obscured the Truth on Issues from Tobacco Smoke to Global Warming

by Naomi Oreskes

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
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The fossil fuel industry has also been successful in using science to obscure the truth on climate change. In the 1980s, when the scientific evidence for climate change was becoming increasingly clear, the fossil fuel industry funded a group of scientists to downplay the risks of climate change. These scientists cherry-picked data, misrepresented the findings of other studies, and attacked scientists who disagreed with them. As a result, the fossil fuel industry has been able to delay for decades the implementation of effective climate change policies.

How have these scientists been able to obscure the truth on issues from tobacco smoke to climate change? There are a number of factors that have contributed to their success, including:

• Funding from industry groups. The tobacco industry and the fossil fuel industry have provided millions of dollars in funding to scientists who are willing to downplay the risks of their products. This funding has allowed these scientists to conduct research, publish papers, and give presentations at scientific conferences.
• Media attention. The media often gives a lot of attention to scientists who are funded by industry groups, even though their findings may not be accurate. This attention gives these scientists a platform to spread their message and obscure the truth.
• Public ignorance. Many people do not have a strong understanding of science, which makes them more susceptible to being misled by scientists who are funded by industry groups. These scientists can use complex scientific jargon to confuse the public and make it difficult for them to understand the real risks of their products.

The tactics used by these scientists have had a significant impact on public opinion and policy. As a result of their efforts, the public is less likely to believe that tobacco smoke and climate change are serious risks. This has made it more difficult to implement effective policies to address these issues.

It is important to be aware of the tactics used by scientists who are funded by industry groups. We need to be able to critically evaluate their findings and to hold them accountable for their actions.

We also need to do a better job of educating the public about science. We need to help people understand how science works and to be able to critically evaluate the findings of scientific studies.

Only by taking these steps can we hope to overcome the challenges posed by scientists who are funded by industry groups. We can create a more informed and engaged public, and we can make it more difficult for these scientists to obscure the truth.

Merchants of Doubt: How a Handful of Scientists Obscured the Truth on Issues from Tobacco Smoke to Global Warming

by Naomi Oreskes

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1216 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	369 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE