Damages

Origins of Climate Denial: Weaponizing False Equivalence

Feb 7, 2023

Geoffrey Supran, lead author of the peer-reviewed study on the origins of climate denial and Exxon's role in it, discusses the industry's creation and weaponization of false equivalence in climate change coverage. The podcast explores Exxon's history of deception, their misleading statements on climate change, the funding sources of contrarian scientist Soon, and the influence of oil companies on promoting alternative explanations for climate change.

24:23

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Episode guests

Geoffrey Supran

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Quick takeaways

ExxonMobil scientists were aware of climate change while publicly questioning the science.

False equivalence in media coverage undermines the scientific consensus on climate change.

Deep dives

Study shows ExxonMobil's knowledge of climate change

A new peer-reviewed study reveals that ExxonMobil scientists were well aware of the reality of climate change while the company publicly cast doubt on the science. The study's lead author, Jeffrey Suprin, discusses how this research highlights the issue of false equivalence in media coverage. The study's findings have gained significant attention, with many recognizing the impact of ExxonMobil's deception and the importance of holding them accountable.

Introduction

4min

Widespread Reach and Impact of a Study on Nexon's Deception

2min

Exposing Exxon's Deception

7min

Questioning the Danger of CO2 Gas and Revealing Funding Sources and Contrarian Theories

3min

Contrarian Theories and Industry Influence

10min

A new peer-reviewed study in the journal Science shows that not only did Exxon scientists suspect climate change driven by the burning of fossil fuels was a growing problem that would lead to crisis if nothing changed, but they were terrifyingly accurate in their modeling and predictions. Alongside this special re-broadcast of Season 1 of Drilled, all about the origins of climate denial and Exxon's role in it, we speak with the study's lead author Geoffrey Supran about its importance.

In this episode, the industry's role in creating and then weaponizing false equivalence on climate—the idea that the opinions of a handful of contrarians are equally valid to those of the majority of peer-reviewed studies on the topic.

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Damages

Origins of Climate Denial: Weaponizing False Equivalence

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Study shows ExxonMobil's knowledge of climate change

Tech giants and the need for online privacy

Exxon's deceptive tactics and journalistic false equivalency

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts