HEATED - AOC is HEATED
If you’re a long-time reader of this newsletter, you may remember that last year, Earther’s Molly Taft and I co-published a joint investigation of Big Oil climate advertising in three popular D.C. political newsletters: Punchbowl, Axios Generate, and POLITICO Morning Energy. We found that, in the weeks leading up to a major hearing on climate disinformation, Big Oil climate ads were exploding in number. We also found that most of the ads in these newsletters contained misinformation—specifically, a tactic called “paltering” to mislead readers about oil companies’ climate efforts. Our story didn’t inspire any of these publications to stop profiting from misinformation. The business divisions of Punchbowl, Axios and POLITICO still routinely run paltering oil company climate ads alongside their reporters’ high-quality climate journalism. (Don’t come for the journalists, folks. It’s not about them). Our story did, however, catch the attention of Rep. Alexandria-Ocascio Cortez, who submitted it into the Congressional record today during a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing titled “Fueling the Climate Crisis: Examining Big Oil’s Prices, Profits and Pledges.” After discussing our findings, Ocasio-Cortez asked Dr. Mijin Cha, associate professor of urban and environmental policy at Occidental College, how oil company advertising in political newsletters influences the negotiating environment in Congress ahead of major hearings and policy battles. “I think they have a direct influence, of course,” Cha replied:
I don’t know about you, but I thought this was pretty cool. It’s exciting to know our work is being seen; that some people with power are, in fact, paying attention. This particular investigation was also one I worked on in the thick of my professional burnout, which has been an absolute nightmare to recover from. I’ll talk about that more when I’m ready, but for now, it’s nice to know that it wasn’t all for nothing. HEATED is in the Congressional record, baby. And it wouldn’t be there without all of your support. Thanks for your readership, and for letting me share this little “hell yeah” moment with you. And if you’d like to learn more about today’s Oversight hearing, I’ll be interviewing Environment Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Ro Khanna about it on Monday. If you have suggestions for questions, drop them in the comments. Bye! |
Key phrases
Older messages
This is what fossil fuel extremism looks like
Sunday, October 9, 2022
For the GOP, fossil fuels are a religion, and pointing out that they hurt people is blasphemy.
Ro Khanna's quest to expose Big Oil
Sunday, October 9, 2022
The Congressman leading the House Oversight investigation into Big Oil reflects on this past year's triumphs and struggles.
Listen to our interview with Rep. Ro Khanna
Sunday, October 9, 2022
The Congressman leading the House Oversight investigation into Big Oil reflects on this past year's triumphs and struggles.
The climate idiocy of Ron DeSantis
Sunday, October 9, 2022
Florida's governor is spending $1 billion to shield his constituents from a crisis he's actively trying to make worse.
The dark side of essential oils
Sunday, October 9, 2022
They have a reputation for being “pure and natural," but many essential oils are derived from fossil fuels—and there's almost no way to tell which ones.
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