Investigative journalist Amy Westervelt reveals the sinister tactics of the fossil fuel industry and its allies, exposing the Atlas Network's global influence on climate policies. From manipulation to corporate sovereignty, she advocates for revolutionary change in activism and policy-making to combat right-wing extremism and corporate capture.
The fossil fuel industry uses deceptive tactics, like funding dubious research and spreading lies, to maintain its influence.
The Atlas Network, supported by oil giants, demonizes climate activists globally and advocates for policies benefiting extractive industries.
Corporations hold immense power in shaping global politics, hindering climate action and challenging governmental sovereignty.
Deep dives
The Creation of The Atlas Network
The Atlas Network, a web of neoliberal think tanks, was founded by Antony Fisher, who leveraged funding from oil giants like Shell and BP to establish think tanks promoting free-market ideas. Fisher's network included the IEA in the UK, the Fraser Institute in Canada, and influenced policymakers globally with a focus on neoliberalism.
Influence of Atlas Network on Climate Activism
The Atlas Network's think tanks played a significant role in demonizing climate activists by labeling them as either naive youths or eco-terrorists, leading to increased criminalization of protests. Their coordinated efforts pushed for criminalizing activists globally, with strategies echoed across their member think tanks in various countries.
Role of Atlas Network in Economic Policies
Atlas Network think tanks advocated for policies benefiting extractive industries, like oil and gas, under the guise of economic freedom for marginalized groups. Proposals included involving indigenous communities in projects to deter protests, revealing the network's influence in shaping economic narratives and policies.
Challenges with Property Rights in Southeast Asia and Papua New Guinea
The podcast addresses the challenges faced by tribes in Southeast Asia and Papua New Guinea regarding property rights. Despite having legal ownership of land, these tribes often face exploitation by industries like logging. Companies use tactics like bribery to acquire lands, disregarding tribal rights. This highlights the illusory nature of claims that capitalism and neoliberalism offer equal opportunities, revealing the exploitation of wealth through destructive economic systems.
Corporate Influence and Sovereignty Issues in Global Politics
The episode delves into the influence of corporations in global politics, especially regarding energy industries like oil and gas. Corporate interests wield significant power, challenging governmental sovereignty and impeding climate action. The conversation underscores the skewed balance of power where corporations possess more rights and influence than nations, leading to concerns about democracy and citizens' ability to instigate impactful change against powerful corporate entities.
Truth is stranger than fiction—but fiction is better written.
We know their playbooks and their networks, but the bad guys of this story are in no rush to change their tactics. From funding dodgy research to bleating lies on prime time television, the fossil fuel industry and its allies are audaciously villainous. They’d been getting away with it for decades—but now independent media has them running scared.
Amy Westervelt is an award-winning investigative climate journalist and media founder with 20 years on the climate beat. Her investigations have exposed the worst crimes of the fossil fuel industry, and she now leads an international team of climate reporters at Drilled who uncover the connections between governments, industry and policy.
She joins me today to discuss their recent exposé of The Atlas Network, the shadowy ecosystem of think tanks pushing for the criminalisation of climate activists all around the world. Amy explains the roots of the network’s beginnings in World War Two, its rapid expansion as neoliberalism sunk its teeth into global politics, and its vast grip today on policy-makers around the world. This is a startling conversation, revealing the terrifying reach of right-wing extremism and corporate capture, with Amy suggesting the only path forward may indeed be revolutionary.
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