Environment

Arsenic Flap and "Sound Science"

Submitted by Sheldon Rampton on

The Christian Science Monitor quotes industry mouthpiece Steven Milloy in defense of the Bush administration's decision to scrap regulations limiting arsenic in drinking water. "Over the last 40 years, and accelerating over the last 20, science has become very political in Washington," Milloy complains. Somehow the Monitor fails to mention that Milloy himself is a Washington policy wonk, not a scientist, who spends his days politicizing science and harassing researchers in defense of corporate polluters.

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Main Source: 
Christian Science Monitor, June 14, 2001
Topics: 
Environment
Science

The Industry Behind the Curtain

Submitted by Sheldon Rampton on

This essay by politics professor Jackie Stevens examines the behind-the-scenes influence of the biotech industry on "Paradise Now: Picturing the Genetic Revolution," a multimedia art show in New York City with a Madison Avenue publicity budget. "Why fund installations and images that might frighten us -- a painting of a designer farm, transgenic frogs, even pieces criticizing the industry itself?

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Main Source: 
http://www.cat.nyu.edu/investnow/jackies.html
Topics: 
Genetic Engineering
Public Relations

Ex-PR Executive Wins $32M Toxic Mold Suit

Submitted by Laura Miller on

Melinda Ballard, former PR executive at Ruder Finn and United Brands in New York, on June 1 won a $32 million toxic mold case against a unit of Farmers Insurance Group. She charged the company mishandled her family's claim for mold damage which damaged the health of her husband and son and made her 22-room house uninhabitable.

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Main Source: 
O'Dwyer's PR Daily, June 4, 2001
Topics: 
Environment

Green Mountain Energy Teams Up With American Forests

Submitted by Laura Miller on

Delivering "a breath of fresh air" to Texas consumers, Green Mountain Energy Company, the nation's largest residential retail provider of cleaner electricity, is kicking off the state's Electric Choice Pilot Program with the launch of the first phase of its year-long Texas Fresh Air Project. In partnership with American Forests, the nation's oldest non-profit conservation organization, Green Mountain Energy Company will donate additional fresh air to Texas by sponsoring the planting of 10,000 native trees in the state to help restore damaged forest ecosystems and provide clean air.

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Main Source: 
Press Release, May 31, 2001
Topics: 
Environment

Professor BS

Submitted by Sheldon Rampton on

Supporters of genetically modified foods frequently claim that their position is based on "sound science," in contrast to the "junk science" practiced by anti-GM activists. Their definition of "sound science" is rooted in a set of norms for appropriate scientific behavior. A true scientist, the GM defenders say, would only argue his case with great care on the basis of sound, peer-reviewed data open to critical scrutiny. In reality, however, these standards of scientific probity are only demanded from perceived critics, while anything goes with scientists who support GM foods.

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Main Source: 
Norfolk Genetic Information Network
Topics: 
Genetic Engineering

Chemical Industry Discusses PR Damage Control

Submitted by Sheldon Rampton on

Environmental activist Dave DeRosa snuck into the March 22, 2001 meeting of the Vinyl Formulators Environmental Forum and caught industry representatives discussing ways to limit bad publicity connected with Bill Moyers exposT of the chemical industry.

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Main Source: 
Focus on the Corporation, March 26, 2001
Topics: 
Crisis Management
Corporations
Environment

Pro-Road TV Ads Tar Environmentalists as Tyrants

Submitted by Sheldon Rampton on

"The Korean War veteran stares out from the television screen, an American flag waving behind him. 'Environmentalists are telling us how to live our lives ... preventing us from driving cars, and forcing us to live downtown,' he says. 'In America, these are still personal choices. Tyranny didn't win in South Korea,' he concludes. 'Don't let it get a foothold here.' The message, brought to you by the Georgia Highway Contractors Association, began airing on metro Atlanta television stations last week. Similar messages have been airing for months across the country..."

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Main Source: 
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, March 18, 2001
Topics: 
Environment
Public Relations

The New Thought Police--Suppressing Dissent in Science

Submitted by Sheldon Rampton on

This article examines attempts in England to establish a "press council" that would control what reporters are allowed to write about issues involving science and product safety, particularly in regard to genetically modified foods. Mae-Wan Ho and Jonathan Mathews report on the seamless way in which the corporations, the state and the scientific establishment are co-ordinating their efforts to suppress scientific dissent and force feed the world with GM crops.

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Main Source: 
http://www.i-sis.org/sciencewar-pr.shtml
Topics: 
Genetic Engineering
Public Relations
Science

What Global Warming?

Submitted by Sheldon Rampton on

ExxonMobil's stubborn refusal to acknowledge the fact that burning fossil fuels has a role in global warming is creating a backlash against the world's biggest company. Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth and People & Planet launched a campaign in the U.K. earlier this month to boycott Esso gasoline, supported by a variety of prominent politicians, celebrities and writers.

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Main Source: 
O'Dwyer's PR Daily, May 23, 2001
Topics: 
Climate Change

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