Senator Calls For Investigation Into Climate 'Denial-For-Hire Scheme'

"Recently released documents show that fossil fuel interests paid more than $1.2 million to fund the research of a prominent climate change-denying scientist affiliated with the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. Now, a Democratic senator is calling for an investigation into whether other coal and oil companies are funding climate deniers.

The New York Times reported this weekend on documents that Greenpeace obtained under the Freedom of Information Act that show that Wei-Hock Soon, known as Willie, has accepted funding from Southern Company, Exxon Mobil, the American Petroleum Institute and the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation.

Soon's research suggests that variations in the sun, not the burning of fossil fuels, is causing the climate to warm. Soon has testified before Congress on his claims, and climate-change deniers inside and outside of Washington frequently note his work."

Kate Sheppard reports for the Huffington Post February 23, 2015.

SEE ALSO:

"Smithsonian's Inspector General to Probe Willie Soon" (InsideClimate News)

"Documents Spur Investigation of Climate Sceptic" (Nature)

"Scientific Journals Alerted to Fossil Fuel Funding of Contrarian Climate Studies" (InsideClimate News)

"A Guide To Willie Soon's Climate Research Funded by Fossil Fuel Companies" (InsideClimate News)

"Things Just Got Very Hot for Climate Deniers’ Favorite Scientist" (Washington Post)

"Sen. Markey To Investigate Industry Funding of Climate Studies" (The Hill)

"How Often Were Willie Soon’s Industry-Funded “Deliverables” Referenced by the IPCC?" (DeSmogBlog)

"Dealing in Doubt: The Climate Denial Machine vs. Climate Science" (Greenpeace)

"Armageddon for Climate Change Deniers" (Daily Beast)

"Prominent Climate Change Denier Accepted Money From Fossil-Fuel Industry" (UPI)

"Climate Change Denying Scientist Is Bought And Paid For, Surprise!" (Wonkette)

"Smithsonian Will Investigate Climate Scientist After Funding Revelations" (Washington Times)

"Climate-Denying Scientist Got Piles of Money From Fossil Fuel Interests" (Grist)

"Climate Deniers’ Favorite Scientist Quietly Took Money From The Fossil Fuel Industry" (Climate Progress)