Produced by:
KBOO
Program::
Air date:
Mon, 10/12/2015 - 10:15am to 11:00am
Exxon's climate change deception
An investigation by InsideClimate News has revealed that Exxon conducted research as far back as 1981, confirming that fossil fuels were playing a major role in causing climate change. But instead of using this research to alert the public about these concerns, the company spent two decades and millions of dollars promoting skepticism about climate change. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island) and others are now suggesting that the best way to hold Exxon accountable for its fraudulent disinformation campaign is through the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), the same law that played a crucial role in taking down the tobacco companies’ misinformation campaign. On this episode of Locus Focus we talk with The Nation Magazine writer (and former KBOO volunteer) Zoë Carpenter about how this idea of charging Big Oil with racketeering is gaining traction, and may be the most effective way to curtail its power.
Zoë Carpenter is The Nation’s assistant Washington editor. She worked previously for Rolling Stone, and has appeared on MSNBC, CNN, and other media outlets. Zoë grew up in Tillamook County, and worked in the KBOO news department some years ago.
Zoë Carpenter is The Nation’s assistant Washington editor. She worked previously for Rolling Stone, and has appeared on MSNBC, CNN, and other media outlets. Zoë grew up in Tillamook County, and worked in the KBOO news department some years ago.
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Comments
Using RICO to Get Big Oil
Good show. I only caught part of it and missed the reference to a recent article. "Climate change news" or something like that. I'll trade you that for this piece of idiocy:
"Alaska mulls extra oil drilling to cope with climate change"
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-34501867
"Expanding the search for oil is necessary to pay for the damage caused by climate change, the Governor of Alaska has told the BBC."
Mull that one over for a minute or two. I did environmental work, and commercial fished, in Alaska for many decades. During that time I heard and saw many foolish statements and actions by Alaska's politicians. This one, however, takes the cake.*
John Copp
Portland OR
*a goofball idea that has recently been morphed to building a fresh water pipeline from AK to CA