Marc Morano, Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK)’s environmental communications director, sits at the center of the right-wing global warming denier propaganda machine — of fifty-two people. Conservative columnist Fred Barnes recently refused to tell TPM Muckraker who’s informed him “the case for global warming” is falling apart, but all signs point to Marc Morano. Morano’s “entire job,” Gristmill’s David Roberts explains, “is to aggregate every misleading factoid, every attack on climate science or scientists, every crank skeptical statement from anyone in the world and send it all out periodically in email blasts” to the right-wing echo chamber. The Wonk Room has acquired Morano’s email list, and we can now reveal the pack of climate skeptics, conservative bloggers, and corporate hacks who feed the misinformation machine.
Promoted on the Drudge Report and Fox News, Morano’s moronic misinformation enters mainstream discourse through columns by Barnes, George Will, Robert Samuelson, and others. Many in the Morano gang are funded by right-wing think tanks, though a few are committed activists, conspiracy theorists who believe their homebrew interpretations of climate data. Others are aging scientists with strong conservative beliefs, motivating them to challenge action on global warming not because they disbelieve its existence, but because they are ideologically opposed to regulation of pollution:
Marc Morano’s Pack Of Climate Denial JokersMarc Morano, Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK), Committee on the Environment and Public WorksThe ScientistsNameWebsiteAffiliationsBob CarterJames Cook University, Queensland, AustraliaJohn ChristyUniversity of Alabama at HuntsvilleDavid DemingUniversity of Oklahoma /National Center for Policy AnalysisDavid DouglassUniversity of RochesterDon EasterbrookWestern Washington UniversityStanley GoldenbergNOAAVincent GrayNew Zealand Climate Science Coalition /Natural Resources Stewardship ProjectWilliam GrayColorado State University (ret.)Ben HermanUniversity of ArizonaCraig Idso co2science.orgArizona State University /Center for the Study of Carbon Dioxide and Global ChangeRichard LindzenMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyRoger PielkeColorado State University (ret.)James A. PedenExtranuclear Laboratories (ret.)Hans Schreuderilovemycarbondioxide.com Rocky Mountain Research StationThomas P. SheahenWestern Technology, Inc.Fred SingerUniversity of Virginia (ret.) /Science and Environmental Policy Project /National Center for Policy AnalysisRoy Spencerdrroyspencer.comUniversity of Alabama at Huntsville /Marshall Institute /Interfaith Stewardship AlliancePhilip Stott University of London (ret.)Willie Wei-Hock SoonHarvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics / Marshall Institute / Fraser Institute / Science and Public Policy InstituteBrian Valentine Department of EnergyThe BloggersMichael Asherdailytech.comJoseph Bastglobalwarmingheartland.orgHeartland InstituteEdward John Craigplanetgore.nationalreview.comNational ReviewDan Gainornewsbusters.orgMedia Research CenterBarry Hearnjunkscience.comSteven Milloyjunkscience.com Competitive Enterprise InstituteTom Nelsontomnelson.blogspot.comLubos Motlmotls.blogspot.com Harvard University (ret.)Roger Pielke, Jr.sciencepolicy.colorado.edu University of ColoradoJon Jay Rayjonjayray.blogspot.comGabriel Rychertco2sceptics.comMarc Sheppardopinioneditorials.comFrontiers of FreedomNoel Sheppard newsbusters.orgMedia Research Center Matthew Sheffieldnewsbusters.orgMedia Research Center Anthony Wattswattsupwiththat.com surfacestations.orgThe “Think Tankers”Dennis Averyhudson.orgHudson InstituteMike Buritaaccf.org American Council for Capital FormationTerry Dunleavyclimatescience.org.nzNew Zealand Climate Science CoalitionRobert Ferguson scienceandpublicpolicy.org Science and Public Policy InstituteTom Harrisclimatescienceinternational.orgInternational Climate Science CoalitionChristopher Moncktonscienceandpublicpolicy.org Science and Public Policy InstituteCraig Rucker cfact.orgCommittee for a Constructive TomorrowJames Taylorheartland.orgHeartland InstituteThe WeathermenWilliam M. Briggswmbriggs.comstatisticianRichard S. CourtneyCoalTrans International (ret.)Joseph D’Aleoicecap.usWeather Channel (ret.)Art Horntheartofweather.comweatherman (ret.)Alan Siddons George E. SmithMonsanto, Hewlett Packard (ret.)James Spann jamesspann.comweatherman, ABC 33/40Herb Stevens weatherman (ret.)
— The Scientists: Ph.D.s, often with strong industry ties, who may or may not have experience in climate science, but are ready to denounce the scientific consensus
— The Bloggers: They flood the Web with “news” and opinion, ready to be picked up by Drudge, Fox News, and the rest of the right-wing echo chamber
— The “Think Tankers”: Ready spokesmen associated with impressive-sounding organizations, often founded by themselves
— The Weathermen: Meteorologists, statisticians, and corporate scientists not associated with a think tank or university, but happy to give reporters their “expert” opinion
Update:
Newsbusters’ Noel Sheppard responds, “I’m sure I speak for all my fellow jokers when I say that I am honored to be mentioned with these highly-respected climate realists.”
Update:
,George E. Smith (gsmith@avagotech.com) writes in to inform the Wonk Room that he is not the George E. Smith formerly of Bell Labs who invented the charged coupled device. In fact, this Smith is a different inventor with “no discernible experience in climate or earth sciences.” He writes: “I think you owe George E. Smith, Bell Labs (ret) an apology.” The Wonk Room agrees, and apologizes for sullying that George E. Smith’s reputation.
Update:
,DeSmogBlog is “working to research the individuals on Morano’s list” and compiling this handy referral guide; we’re linking the names to their backgrounders as they’re added.
Update:
,In an email interview spurred by John Tierney’s attack on Obama’s scientists that cites “Obamite” Roger Pielke Jr., Pielke compares me to Joe McCarthy.
Update:
,Brian Valentine writes in to inform the Wonk Room that it is he, not Phil Valentine, who regularly corresponds with Marc Morano. Our apologies to Mr. Valentine, whose conservative radio show describes global warming as a swindle.
Phil Valentine is not an associate of Marc Morano.
I am an ethusiatic Morano supporter — as well as an absolute denialist.
Brad you are picking on the wrong people — and you’re making a MISTAKE.
You never know! You might be missing some really great material!
I might be a fraudulent PhD!
I might be a stooge for Exxon-Mobil!
I might be out ther helping to expose the fraud you are promulgating!Brian G Valentine PhD PEUS Department of EnergyWashington, DC
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