'Follow the money' tells the tale of doubtful climate researcher

“Follow the money” was among the earliest of advice given to understand what drove climate change deniers.

Little has changed and that adage is again proved through a story in the New York Times headed: “Deeper Ties to Corporate Cash for Doubtful Climate Researcher”.

That story, by Justin Gillis and John Schwartz, tells how for years, politicians wanting to block legislation on climate change have bolstered their arguments by pointing to the work of a handful of scientists who claim that greenhouse gases pose little risk to humanity.

“One of the names they invoke most often is Wei-Hock Soon, known as Willie, a scientist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics who claims that variations in the sun’s energy can largely explain recent global warming.

“He has often appeared on conservative news programs, testified before Congress and in state capitals, and starred at conferences of people who deny the risks of global warming,” they write.