Union of Concerned Scientists
A number of major United States corporations publicly support climate change science but contribute heavily to politicians and research groups that deny or play down the threat of global warming, according to a new study from the Union of Concerned Scientists.
The study found that ExxonMobil, Caterpillar and Boeing are among the companies that play both sides of the fence, supporting groups that promote climate change science as well as those that seek to undercut it.
Oil companies and utilities, not surprisingly, are among the heaviest contributors to research centers and trade groups that seek to delay government action on climate change.
The scientists’ group said their report highlighted the need for greater transparency in corporate political contributions and spending on issue-driven advertising. Their findings were endorsed by Representative Chris Van Hollen, Democrat of Maryland, the House sponsor of the so-called Disclose Act, which would require more complete and timely disclosure of political spending.
An earlier version of this post, and an earlier version of the accompanying chart, erred in suggesting that General Electric finances nonprofit groups that challenge climate science. That calculation, by the Union of Confirmed Scientists, counted funds that General Electric has given to several nonprofit groups through an employee matching gift program. Under that program, it is individual employees who decide where their money (and G.E.’s matching money) go, not the company’s executives or board. After removing the matching gifts from its calculation, the Union of Concerned Scientists says, it concluded that G.E. has only funded nonprofit groups that support climate science.