Scientists reveal how the fossil fuel industry misled the public about climate change

An international group of scientists show that fossil fuel corporations have, for decades, denied the public's right to be accurately informed about climate change by funding efforts to deceive people about the dangers of their product. A report illustrating how the industry "polluted the information landscape," and how the damage could be undone is published today [Monday 21 October].

The report entitled, "America misled: how the fossil fuel industry deliberately misled Americans about climate change," by academics from the universities of Bristol, UK; George Mason, U.S. and Harvard, U.S., summarizes more than a decade of peer-reviewed research, and has been published to help inform policymakers, journalists, and the public.

The report includes what the fossil fuel industry knew versus what they did, the arguments they used to seed doubt in the public, the techniques they used to create those arguments, and some strategies for combating them.

Read the story from PHYS.org - “Scientists reveal how the fossil fuel industry misled the public about climate change.”

Morrison denies Northern Territory's extra $260m is for lifting fracking ban

The federal government has given the Northern Territory an extra $260m to compensate for its low GST share, a decision both governments have denied is linked to the territory’s decision to lift a moratorium on fracking.

 NT’s extra funding is not due to the decision to lift
the ban on fracking, Scott Morrison says. 

At a press conference on Monday the treasurer, Scott Morrison, said the Northern Territory would receive the extra funding from the commonwealth’s consolidated revenue, as well as an extra $550m over five years for remote Indigenous housing.

The Northern Territory’s GST share is set to fall from 4.66% of Australia’s total in 2017-18 to 4.26% in 2018-19 as a result of the recommendation of the Commonwealth Grant Commission – the independent body that carves up the GST pie.

Read Paul Karp’s story from The Guardian - “Morrison denies Northern Territory's extra $260m is for lifting fracking ban.”

Bill Shorten accused of flip-flopping on Adani coal mine

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has denied telling colleagues he wants to block the Adani mega-mine should Labor win government, instead insisting that blocking it would hurt foreign investment in Australia.

The Adani coal mine proposal has encountered strong public opposition.

Mr Shorten declared the position on Friday amid internal wrangling over the divisive coal mine proposal, and concern from some quarters within the party that Labor is sacrificing its electoral chances in Queensland for city votes.

Read Nicole Hasham’s story in The Age - “Bill Shorten accused of flip-flopping on Adani coal mine.”

Charity crackdown would be a 'torpedo' to environmental groups, Bob Brown says

The Federal Government has denied it is trying to silence environmental activists, as prominent voices in the environment and charities sectors speak out against a series of regulatory changes.

Bob Brown - "putting the fox in
charge of the chicken coop".

As Treasury canvasses a proposal to limit tax concessions for green groups, there have been changes at the top of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), including the appointment of Peter Hogan, chairman of coal seam gas company, Carbon Energy, to the regulator's advisory board.

That has raised the ire of environment groups, many of which are registered charities.

"We've got the Turnbull Government arranging to put the fox in charge of the chicken coop," former Australian Greens leader Bob Brown told 7.30.

Read the ABC News story - “Charity crackdown would be a 'torpedo' to environmental groups, Bob Brown says.”