310 – Big Mad about Big Oil’s Big Apocalypse (w/ Hazel Thayer)
May 10, 2024
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Hazel Thayer, an expert on the oil and gas industry's cover-up of climate change, discusses the industry's knowledge, profit-driven actions resembling mass murder, and ethical dilemmas. They delve into deceptive practices, oil companies' influence on climate change discourse, and satirical portrayals of industry practices. The conversation critiques economic assumptions, societal impacts, and the need for accountability in a thought-provoking and satirical manner.
Oil industry knew and covered up climate change for profit.
History's largest corporate campaign of mass murder uncovered.
Tactics included funding disinformation campaigns and lobbying against regulations.
Deception eroded trust, divided communities, and hindered climate action.
Deep dives
The Oil and Gas Industry's Role in Climate Change
The podcast delves into how the oil and gas industry has knowingly contributed to climate change for over 50 years by funding disinformation campaigns, evading accountability, and obstructing climate action. They highlight how the industry actively worked against addressing the crisis, prioritizing profit over environmental concerns.
Historical Context and Industry Knowledge
The episode explores historical instances dating back to the 1950s and 60s where the industry had early knowledge of climate impacts from burning fossil fuels. It discusses how internal documents revealed awareness of the crisis, including efforts to adjust infrastructure for future climate effects while publicly denying the reality of climate change.
Disinformation Campaigns and Industry Influence
The podcast reveals the industry's tactics of funding disinformation campaigns, lobbying against climate regulations, and creating a climate of doubt around climate science. It highlights how industry-backed groups distorted public perception of climate change, undermining efforts to address the crisis.
Impact on Social Discourse and Human Connections
The episode delves into the social consequences of the industry's deception, emphasizing how it has divided communities, eroded trust in scientific consensus, and hindered meaningful conversations on climate change. It underscores the damaging effects of industry-led misinformation on public discourse and human relationships.
Flawed Assumptions of the Petroleum Industry
Assumptions made by the American Petroleum Institute and economists funded by the petroleum industry were challenged in the podcast. These assumptions included underestimating the availability and cost of alternative energy sources, ignoring the costs of climate change, and dismissing the benefits of reducing pollution. The discussion highlighted the dangerous impact of these flawed assumptions on shaping policies and public perception around energy and climate issues.
Critical Analysis of Economic Models
The podcast delved into the deceptive tactics employed by economists funded by the petroleum industry to downplay the economic impacts of climate change and environmental degradation. It critiqued the reliance on economic models that prioritize short-term gains over long-term sustainability, neglecting the true costs of pollution and climate change. The discussion underscored the urgent need for comprehensive economic models that account for the true ecological and social costs of energy production.
Misleading Climate Change Communication
The podcast exposed the deliberate misinformation and deception perpetuated by the oil and gas industry in shaping public perception around climate change. Strategies such as cherry-picking data, funding climate think tanks, and targeting policymakers and educators were discussed. The analysis highlighted the urgent need for transparent and accurate climate change communication to combat industry-driven misinformation and ensure informed decision-making.
Call for Accountability and Systemic Change
A call for accountability and systemic change was emphasized throughout the podcast episode. The need to hold the oil and gas industry accountable for their role in exacerbating the climate crisis was a recurring theme. The discussion underscored the importance of mass movements, legal action, and legislative changes to address the root causes of environmental degradation and promote a sustainable future. The episode advocated for collective action to challenge the power dynamics that perpetuate harmful industry practices.
The oil and gas industry has known for decades that climate change is real and they covered it up for profit. We are joined this week by Hazel Thayer to discuss the details behind this travesty, which many are now calling history’s largest corporate campaign of mass murder.
