When people wonder why there is such a “controversy” over global warming science, it pays to follow the money. The coal, oil, and transportation industries stand to lose billions of dollars if the United States gets serious. Of course, these billions of dollars won’t be lost from the U.S. economy. Rather, companies and industries that can provide lower emissions fuels and products will start earning these profits.
Carbon intensive industries are scared. They won’t give up their profits without a fight. So, they’ve helped create a
“controversy.” To do this, they’ve enlisted the help of Republican Congressmen.
The following chart shows campain contributions made by carbon intensive industries since 1990:
Industry Contribution to Democrats to Republicans % to Dems % to Repubs.
Auto Manufacturers $35,582,670 $104,358,369 25% 74%
Coal Mining $4,731,283 $17,941,812 21% 79%
Electric Utilities $55,054,143 $83,513,394 40% 60%
Oil & Gas $60,659,784 $185,578,206 24% 75%
Railroads $16,187,969 $33,587,344 33% 67%
Trucking $10,423,163 $31,121,187 25% 75%
Total $182,639,012 $466,023,312 28% 72%
The numbers really speak for themselves.
The next time you hear a Republican Congressman railing about the inconsistencies in science, ask yourself how much money he (or she) would stand to lose if they accepted what 90% of scientists believe: that global warming is happening now.
The poor and powerless of the world are the ones who will be hurt by the effects of global warming. We are willing to let that happen because there’s more profit for some in doing nothing. This is the sad state of American business and American politics.