Global Spin: The Corporate Assault on Environmentalism

Global Spin reveals the sophisticated techniques being used around the world by powerful conservative forces to try to change the way the public and politicians think about the environment. Large corporations are using their influence to reshape public opinion, to weaken gains made by environmentalists, and to turn politicians against increased environmental regulation. The corporations’ techniques include employing specialized PR firms to set up front groups that promote the corporate agenda while posing as public-interest groups; creating “astroturf”—artificially created grassroots support for corporate causes; deterring public involvement by imposing SLAPPS strategic lawsuits against public participation; getting corporate-based environmental educational materials into schools; and funding conservative think-tanks, that have persistently tried to cast doubt on the existence of environmental problems and to oppose stricter environmental regulations. In the media, corporate advertising and sponsorship are influencing news content, and industry-funded scientists are often treated as independent experts. This updated edition includes new chapters about the business campaign to prevent action on global warming, and whether Greenpeace’s ideals are being compromised by greenwash.