By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Newly revealed documents show ExxonMobil funded right-wing think tanks, such as the Atlas Network, to spread climate change denial throughout Latin America, hindering support for UN climate treaties. This initiative involved translating denialist materials, sponsoring speaking engagements for American climate skeptics, and facilitating connections with local media and politicians. The goal, according to internal communications, was to influence developing nations and foster skepticism about the urgency of climate action. Despite efforts to remain anonymous, the documents, including checks, underscore Exxon’s strategy to undermine global climate efforts through strategic financial investments.
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Exxon funded thinktanks to spread climate denial in Latin America, documents reveal, and honestly, are we really surprised? This feels like a tragic, but sadly predictable, continuation of a long-standing pattern. It’s almost as if the playbook was set in stone decades ago. We’re talking about a history of misinformation and strategic manipulation, designed to protect profits at the expense of our planet.
The term “think tank” is perhaps too generous in this context, isn’t it? It implies a genuine exploration of ideas, a reasoned debate. In reality, these groups often function more like propaganda machines, churning out carefully crafted narratives to sow doubt and confusion. “Bullshit tank” might be a more accurate, albeit less polite, description. The goal wasn’t to understand climate science; it was to muddy the waters and delay action.
Thinking about it, I understand the frustration of seeing family members, like the author’s own “tios”, embrace climate denial. It’s infuriating to witness this resistance to scientific consensus, especially when the evidence has been clear for so long. We’ve known about climate change since the 1970s. The fact that denial persists, fueled by bad faith actors and misinformation, is a testament to the effectiveness of these campaigns.
This reminds me of the all-too-common excuses offered by those in power, who are clearly motivated by something other than what is right. Take the example of the former Prime Minister whose religious beliefs led him to ignore environmental policies, claiming God made the world for humans, so they couldn’t possibly destroy it. It’s a convenient rationale, but completely detached from reality and the overwhelming scientific consensus.
It’s disheartening to be surrounded by people who hold such views, especially when you consider the potential consequences. It’s a reminder of the fundamental disconnect between facts and beliefs, and the power of misinformation to shape our world. The conspiracy theories surrounding climate change, often involving small research groups supposedly fabricating data, seem almost quaint in comparison to the documented conspiracies of massive corporations like Exxon.
The German Meteorological Society and the German Physical Society, for instance, are now warning us that global warming is accelerating. Projections suggest we could be facing a 3°C rise in temperature by 2050. The potential consequences of this are chilling, with the UK’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries estimating that such a scenario could lead to billions of deaths. The fossil fuel industry’s propaganda is largely to blame.
The biosphere isn’t dying naturally; it’s being killed, and those responsible have names and addresses. It’s a stark reality, and one that highlights the human cost of greed and the pursuit of profit above all else. This isn’t just a scientific or environmental issue; it’s a moral one.
The fact that so many people seem to enjoy being evil and greedy is an aspect that I find extremely distressing. It makes you wonder how we got to this point. I do wonder what that says about us.
This is where the Atlas Network comes in. It’s a DC-based consortium of hundreds of global think tanks, with a significant presence in South America. It shares donors and a philosophical alignment with the Heritage Foundation. Its focus on Latin America, specifically Venezuela and Argentina, reveals the strategic targeting by these groups.
I find it appalling that it can be possible to do all this harm and not face a reckoning for the harm they’ve done. It’s difficult not to feel angry at the blatant manipulation and the long-term damage it has caused. The term “corporate psyops” or “propaganda” feels more suited than “think tank.”
The scientific understanding of CO2-driven global warming has been established for over a century. Yet, unscrupulous politicians allowed this propaganda to flourish and spread in the 70s and 80s, and they continue to do so today. They sacrificed our planet’s future for financial gain. The mechanisms are still in place, the networks continue to operate, and the consequences of their actions are becoming increasingly apparent. This is a story of deliberate deception, of vested interests, and of a planet at risk.