It’s the latest twist in a debate over whether scientists studying climate change are working to remain unbiased in how they present data, and it is pulling in some of the biggest businesses in the world.
Following the release of a number of leaked documents, climate scientists are once again finding themselves facing criticism, as reports show some of the largest companies backing studies on the controversial issue. The memos also show the controversial group hopes to raise almost $4.5 million in corporate donations during 2012, alongside $1.25 million from a long-standing anonymous donor.
Internal documents leaked from the Heartland Institute, a Chicago nonprofit think tank, show a number of climate change studies are funded by a relatively small number of donors, including Microsoft, Koch Industries, and GlaxoSmithKline.
The documents suggest Microsoft paid $59,908 to Heartland in 2011, GlaxoSmithKline paid $20,000 in 2011 and $30,000 the year before, Pfizer provided $130,000 in 2010, and Diageo gave $10,000 in 2010 and is expected to shell out another $10,000 in 2012.
The release of the memos has left major companies scrambling in an effort to explain their coordination with the group. In statement released by Microsoft, the company noted that it works with various non-profits in an effort to continue studies on how to reduce greenhouse gases and lower rates of pollution.
“Microsoft believes climate change is a serious issue that demands immediate, worldwide attention and we are acting accordingly,” said the company. “We are pursuing strategies and taking actions that are consistent with a strong commitment to reducing our own impact as well as the impact of our products. In addition, Microsoft has adopted a broad policy statement on climate change that expresses support for government action to create market-based mechanisms to address climate change.”
The issue is the latest to hit the climate change community. In late 2010, a handful of scientists faced criticism after internal documents were leaked, some of which showed conflated data regarding global climate change.
It also comes as a number of studies on climate change have found conflicting results. A recent study by scientists running a new set of climate models find that the world could face massive extinctions if carbon dioxide levels are not greatly reduced in the coming years. Another study finds that amounts of greenhouse gases trapped below thawing permafrost will likely seep into the air over the next several decades, accelerating and amplifying global warming.
