October 25, 2019

It comes as no surprise that coal companies, railroads and electrical utilities are the most numerous and influential members of the Climate Change Countermovement (CCCM). What’s less clear, is exactly who plays a role in opposing legislation that will address the climate crisis. For the first time, a Drexel University researcher has exposed the corporate membership of the twelve major coalitions opposing climate action in the United States.

A new study by Drexel environmental sociologist and Professor Emeritus Robert J. Brulle, PhD, shows the structure of key political coalitions that have worked to oppose climate action between 1989 and 2015. By analyzing the membership of these climate countermovement coalitions, Brulle found the CCCM had mounted a well-funded and organized effort to undermine public faith in climate science and effectively block action by the U.S. government to regulate emissions. The largest CCCM sectors are electrical utilities, coal companies and railroads, followed by conservative movement organizations.

“This countermovement involves a large number of organizations, including conservative think tanks, advocacy groups, trade associations and conservative foundations with strong ties to sympathetic media outlets and conservative politicians,” said Brulle. “Together they can pool resources and execute sophisticated political and cultural campaigns to achieve their goals.”

Read More at the Drexel News Blog