An open letter to Yahoo to stop hosting a climate change denier’s website
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
Aaron V.
7. May 2008 | 11:09 hI 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
Beth
8. May 2008 | 12:01 hYahoo!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!
Daniel
2. June 2008 | 08:41 hJustin, 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.