Context with Brad Harris Merchants of Doubt, by Naomi Oreskes & Erik Conway
Oct 30, 2018
Naomi Oreskes and Erik Conway discuss the tactics used by influential physicists to prevent regulation on issues like smoking, acid rain, ozone hole, and global warming. They explore the role of the tobacco industry in disguising scientific evidence on smoking and cancer. The podcast also highlights the Reagan administration's doubt on acid rain and the success story of science-based regulation addressing the ozone hole. It touches on the role of Cold War heroes in the climate debate and emphasizes the need for unbiased science.
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Same Physicists, Same Tactics
- The same few Cold War physicists used identical tactics to deny tobacco harms, acid rain, ozone depletion, and global warming for nearly 50 years.
- Their deep government ties and status gave them power to shape public perception according to their ideology.
Tobacco's Manufactured Doubt
- The tobacco industry knew smoking caused cancer by the 1950s but hired PR to create doubt and delay regulation.
- They weaponized normal scientific uncertainty to fabricate controversy and deceive the public.
Doubting Acid Rain Science
- The same Cold War physicists cast doubt on acid rain science, emphasizing uncertainties and economic costs.
- Their doubt delayed U.S. regulations for over two decades despite overwhelming environmental evidence.