The drumbeat of research papers, talking heads and issue briefs
attacking the scientific consensus around climate change has been
carefully bankrolled by the oil and gas industry. This includes Koch
Industries, the energy industry giant and second-largest
privately held corporation in the country, which is a key funder of a
vast network of right-wing groups -- including many focused on state
policy -- who have promoted climate change denial, according to a recent report released by Greenpeace.
The debate over clean energy is ripping open divisions in conservative
business lobbies. Debate on federal climate change legislation has led
an increasing number of businesses to leave the Chamber of Commerce,
the National Association of Manufacturers, and other business
associations because of those organizations' stances against
recognizing the scientific validity of climate change. The revolt has
been growing ever since a senior Chamber official called for a "Scopes monkey trial of the 21st century" to evaluate evidence of global warming.
