For an economics paper I’ve researched how the PR industry has influenced the climate change debate by creating denial campaigns to cast doubt on the science and urgency of global warming and how all this activity has been funded by heavily polluting industries. Following the trail of disinformation, I’ve come to learn about Steve Milloy, his website junkscience.com and his Yahoo store: http://store.junkscience.com/index.html.
I find it insincere and hypocritical for Yahoo to be preaching green living and evangelizing carbon neutrality while supporting the work of a vocal climate change denier like Steve Milloy. I realize that Yahoo Stores and Yahoo Green are probably separate departments that may not collaborate on any work but this is not an adequate excuse forever, especially considering the significance and urgency of the crisis that is unfolding. All of our collective energies need to be dedicated to moving forward – creating solutions that solve the problems at hand, not dithering in indecision. These deniers have already been given far too much voice in the public realm. Please thoroughly research Steve Milloy’s background, see who is paying for his work and then decide if it is moral and just plain responsible to continue hosting his site.
In the spirit of transparency – I’ve posted this as an open letter on my blog at http://shibumi.net. If you respond by email, I will include your comments there or feel free to comment directly.
Thank you for your time and I look forward to your response.
Justin Tilson
http://shibumi.net
I realize the value of a diversity of opinions and the freedom of speech, but I also agree that Yahoo’s leadership efforts with “Yahoo Green” are contradicted by it support of Steve Milloy’s website.
Yahoo – we need consistent leadership that reflects the overwhelming science about global warming and is shown by your commitment with Yahoo Green. We don’t need to spend any more resources supporting efforts to divert seriousness of the current situation. Please consider removing Mr. Milloy’s Yahoo store and following through on your responsible efforts with Yahoo Green.
Aaron
Yahoo!Green’s mandate should extend to the entire organization, including Yahoo!Stores. It is unaccepatable for an organization to tout its green-ness and then in its next breath (or byte), provide a platform for climate change deniers. It’s time for you to take a stand, Yahoo! Be a leader!
Justin, thanks for writing this. I completely agree that if Yahoo! is going to walk it’s talk, this type of double-speak needs to be brought to light.
Craaazy. ‘Climate change’ is taking on an almost religious element these days:
‘Climate deniers’ – the words themselves being a biased epithet.
‘These deniers have already been given far too much voice in the public realm.’ – People should be allowed to voice thier opinions. Sounds damn authoritarian.
‘hypocritical for Yahoo to be preaching green living..’ – Yahoo stores is a tool for small businesses to expand. And in this case to fund a worthwhile cause.
‘decide if it is moral and just plain responsible to continue hosting his site’ – Seriously? I mean surely their needs to be debate, even if some overfunded intergovernmental panel doesnt think so.
The climate is always changing, and alway will, ANTHROPOGENIC global warming is still under debate, even if most of the ‘deniers’ (*hiss*) voices are muffled.
These comments are just as bad… Aaron, Beth, Daniel, do your research. And i dont mean those computer models from the IPCC. Look at the climate records, do the math and think about all of this…
Climate change is a political tool, a method for creating policy that will creates moral guidelines to intitute a reduction in our consumtion of fossil fuels – NOT because of CO2 emmissions, but because of a lack of energy supply growth. We have reached the limits to our growth in this highly complex global civilization. – and using climate change policy, western governments are restricting development in the third world using cap and trade schemes, monopolising natural resources, and reducing consumption at home.
I find it amazing no one has thought to question the fact that most of the government funding for climate change research came after the increase in oil prices from 2000 – 2008 (demand greater than capacity). Energy is the key here. We have been on a plateau of oil production for about 5-6 years now. The lack of energy growth has been the key cause of the economic crisis (lots of info on this). The decline is inevitable. Why are we seeing no government action? – we are…
Attention: Comment is being approved. – i dont hold out much hope…