UPDATE: Ed Markey probes AGU over fossil fuel funding
Hey everyone! Emily here. Apologies for sending you such a late-in-the-day Friday e-mail, but I just had to share this exciting update on Arielle’s debut investigation for HEATED. This update shows that our climate accountability reporting is getting noticed in high places. And that’s no accident. Because our resources are so limited, we specifically choose stories that we believe have the greatest ability to move the needle, whether it be by sparking national conversations or high-powered investigations. It doesn’t always work. But sometimes it does. HEATED wasn’t the only outlet to report on Rose and Peter’s protest at AGU. But we were the only ones to go deep enough to reveal inconsistencies with AGU’s response. We don’t believe it’s a coincidence that one week later, one of the Senate’s most powerful climate voices is now probing those very same inconsistencies. This is the power of independent climate journalism, and it cannot exist without the readers who support it. If you value this work, please consider supporting us with an annual paid subscription today. UPDATE: Ed Markey probes AGU over fossil fuel fundingThe Democratic Senator is now asking the same questions HEATED asked in our investigation last week—and more.Today we’re bringing you a new development in last week’s investigation of the American Geophysical Union’s harsh response to a peaceful protest by two climate scientists. In case you missed it: AGU, the world’s largest Earth science organization, banned Rose Abramoff and Peter Kalmus from the conference, threatened them with arrest if they re-entered, and withdrew their research from the annual event. Abramoff was subsequently fired by her employer, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The incident sparked condemnation from many in the scientific community. And now, following HEATED and other outlets’ reporting on the incident, Senator Edward Markey is also expressing concern—and demanding answers about the organization’s actions, as well as its relationship with fossil fuel companies. Markey: AGU’s response a “gross overreaction”In a letter to AGU president Lisa Graumlich on Friday, Markey called AGU’s response to the protest a “gross overreaction” that could have “a chilling effect on scientifically informed activism.” The Democratic senator from Massachusetts also submitted a list of questions to Graumlich seeking clarification about AGU’s response to the protest. Markey’s list included many of the questions posed in HEATED’s investigation, namely:
To recap our reporting, HEATED found out the following answers to those questions last week:
AGU’s fossil fuel fundingIn Friday’s letter, Markey also asked AGU whether the organization is funded by fossil fuel companies. HEATED dug into this question as well, but didn’t have room to include it in last week’s story. Here’s what we found out:
It should be noted that sponsorships make up the smallest share of AGU’s revenue: In 2020, AGU earned $17.5 million from their scientific publications, compared to $95,000 from sponsors. But AGU has a reputation for taking fossil fuel funding. Exxon donated over $620,000 from 2001 to 2015. AGU voted in April 2016 to continue Exxon’s sponsorship, despite intense backlash following initial reports revealing Exxon’s funding. Instead, Exxon decided to drop AGU in December 2016. AGU is the world’s largest Earth sciences conference, and the organization says it is actively trying to solve the climate crisis. Its acceptance of funding from the fossil fuel industry raises questions of a conflict of interest. We’ll be keeping an eye on this story, and will update you if we hear back from AGU. HEATED’s climate accountability journalism is making a difference—but we need our readers’ help to keep it going. Currently, only a very small percentage of our subscribers are paid. If you support this work, please consider joining that community of paid subscribers today. Your help really makes a difference for us. Bonus Catch of the Day: Fish would never allow us to send you a late Friday e-mail without also including some of his furry friends. Today’s catch is a two-for-one fluff fest via reader Byron, who shares his life with one-year-old brothers Edward and Alphonse. These Salem, Oregon-based furry bums love greek yogurt; have an expensive taste in the things they prefer to scratch; and think Exxon executives can take a hike (but not with them!!) Want to see your furry (or non-furry!) friend in HEATED? Send a picture and some words to catchoftheday@heated.world. (We currently have a lot of submissions, so it may take a few months! But we’ll get to it!) You're currently a free subscriber to HEATED. For the full experience, upgrade your subscription. |
Key phrases
Older messages
Fearmongering over footballs
Thursday, February 2, 2023
The fossil fuel industry says footballs couldn't exist without oil. It's a lie designed to prevent us from imagining a more sustainable world.
You don't have to be angry to be a climate activist
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Anger and disruption may get the most media attention, but solutions and beauty-focused climate activism is just as important, argues artist and climate scientist Mika Tosca.
What really happened at AGU?
Friday, January 27, 2023
A protest at the world's largest Earth science conference led to a high-profile climate scientist's firing. Was it justified?
Three small things
Thursday, January 26, 2023
Just a few updates for you.
Edelman's climate cop-out
Friday, January 20, 2023
The world's biggest PR firm vowed to drop “environmentally irresponsible” clients. Has it?
You Might Also Like
New and Old #158
Friday, April 19, 2024
Friday roundup and commentary ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
why women grow: the savour session
Friday, April 19, 2024
a savour members books event ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
Diamonds and dictionaries
Friday, April 19, 2024
10 things worth sharing this week ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
You’re a Taurus, let me feed you
Friday, April 19, 2024
But first: a weekend activity that'll get you off your phone — Check out what we Skimm'd for you today Subscribe Read in browser April 19, 2024 Daily Skimm But first: a weekend activity that
"17 Kinds of Hungry" by Adrian Matejka
Friday, April 19, 2024
Until around sundown, the surviving / lilies in the yard stay wide open, Facebook Twitter Instagram Support Poem-a-Day April 19, 2024 17 Kinds of Hungry Adrian Matejka Until around sundown, the
5-Bullet Friday — Clever Gadget I’m Loving, TV Series I’m Bingeing, Food from Thin Air, and More
Friday, April 19, 2024
“We spend our entire lives trying to tell stories about ourselves—they're the essence of memory. It is how we make living in this unfeeling..."
These Controversial Pants Are Making A Comeback & We're Here For It
Friday, April 19, 2024
Give it a go.
My Top 3: Photography Techniques
Friday, April 19, 2024
It's a bit more than point and click ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
How Using Smart Tech at Home Can Lower Your Insurance Bills
Thursday, April 18, 2024
Why Not Waffle Some Ramen Noodles? There's an emerging trend of insurance companies offering discounts for specific smart tech in the house. Not displaying correctly? View this newsletter online.
The Most Astrologically Intense Day Of The Year Is Here
Thursday, April 18, 2024
Plus, Scheana Shay doesn't care if you don't like her, Gigi Hadid stuns in new campaign, & more.