Stanley Hubbard: global warming expert?
by Fresh EnergyBy J. Drake Hamilton, science policy director, Fresh Energy
Teachers and administrators at several school districts across the state of Minnesota have mentioned that their school principals received packets in December 2007 from Stanley S. Hubbard, Chairman and CEO of Hubbard Broadcasting, Inc. (locally, KSTP Channel 5). The packets were designed so that “people will then be better able to make intelligent decisions regarding global warming.” The cover letter stated, “…I am sure that our program will help you and your teachers shed more light on the questions, ‘Is there global warming? If so, what causes it? And if so, is it good or is it bad?’”
Apart from a few clips from the news media (including from KSTP TV), the packet contained only two articles—both from sources that are not peer-reviewed by scientists, one published by the Exxon Mobil-funded Heartland Institute.
Interestingly, the packets contained no information from the peer-reviewed scientific literature on climate change, nor any information from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The IPCC’s Fourth Assessment Report on climate change states clearly that human-induced climate change is unequivocal, and it summarizes in detail the causes for concern and the realistic options for reducing the damage from uncontrolled climate change.
This may be useful food for thought for those citizens out there who have an interest in how our children are being educated about climate change science.
March 19th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Just for the record, The Heartland Institute receives about 16% of its total income from corporations, the rest comes from individuals and foundations. No one corporation has EVER contributed more than 5% of Heartland’s annual budget. All energy companies COMBINED in 2007 gave less than 5% of the organization’s total budget. ExxonMobil hasn’t contributed since 2006. If funding determines a think tank’s perspective, then you might expect Heartland to be 95% in favor of global warming alarmism!
March 19th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Our experience is that schools are already well-supplied, and teachers well-educated, on the Global Warming and Climate Change info and teaching goals groups like yours hope to spread. You needn’t spent time worrying about a small group in a liberal state sending schools info to the contrary or even just more to the middle on the “debate” because it’s not going to change the minds of any teachers.
March 20th, 2008 at 9:01 am
Thanks to Jill for her comment. However, she might want to check elecion records to verify that Minnesota is decidedly not a liberal state, and she may want to consult with classroom teachers in Minnesota, who report a distinct lack of training and science-based materials on climate science and clean energy solutions.