Brulle, R. J. (2014). Institutionalizing delay: foundation funding and the creation of U.S. climate change counter-movement organizations.
Title: Institutionalizing delay: foundation funding and the creation of U.S. climate change counter-movement organizations Author: Brulle, R. J. Year: 2014
Summary: In "Institutionalizing Delay: Foundation Funding and the Creation of U.S. Climate Change Counter-Movement Organizations," Robert J. Brulle (2014) investigates the role of foundation funding in supporting organizations that promote climate change skepticism and delay climate action. Brulle's study focuses on the financial and organizational dynamics behind the U.S. climate change counter-movement (CCCM), which has been influential in shaping public opinion, policy, and debate on climate change.
By analyzing the financial data of 118 organizations involved in the CCCM, the author reveals a complex network of funding, with a significant portion of the money originating from conservative foundations. These foundations often provide funding through third-party organizations or pass-through foundations, which can obscure the sources of financial support and the links between the funders and the climate change counter-movement organizations.
Brulle's research demonstrates that the funding provided by these foundations has played a crucial role in the growth and influence of the CCCM. This financial support has allowed the counter-movement organizations to develop a wide range of activities, including lobbying, public relations campaigns, and the promotion of climate change skepticism in the media and educational institutions. The CCCM has been successful in challenging the scientific consensus on climate change, influencing public opinion, and delaying political action on climate policies.
The author argues that the significant financial resources provided to the CCCM have enabled it to become a powerful force in shaping the climate change debate in the U.S. This influence has contributed to the polarization of public opinion and the politicization of climate change, making it more difficult to achieve a consensus on the urgency and necessity of climate action.
In conclusion, Brulle's (2014) "Institutionalizing Delay" provides an insightful analysis of the financial and organizational underpinnings of the U.S. climate change counter-movement. By highlighting the role of foundation funding in supporting climate skepticism and delaying climate action, the study sheds light on the complex dynamics that influence the public and political discourse on climate change. The findings emphasize the need for greater transparency in foundation funding and a more balanced and evidence-based public debate on climate change issues.