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European companies support climate change deniers in the U.S.
A report from the Climate Action Network (CAN) states that a number of European companies are supporting climate legislation blockers in the U.S. by funding the campaigns of republican candidates to the U.S. Senate. The CAN came to this conclusion by analyzing publicly available campaign finance records.
Image by dbking (source: Flickr)
The Climate Action Network reviewed financing streams from a number of candidates that are actively lobbying against climate change legislation. Their findings are that a number of big European industrial companies already spent a total of 171.000 EUR on candidates. Arcelor Mittal, GDF Suez, BP, BASF, Bayer and Lafarge are some of the companies mentioned. They are funding almost exclusively Senate candidates who have been outspoken in their opposition to comprehensive climate policy in the U.S., and candidates who actively deny the scientific consensus that climate change is happening and is caused by people.
These companies are simultaneously lobbying against aggressive emissions reductions in Europe – and are arguing that such reductions should not be pursued until the United States takes action.
On November 2nd one third of the current senators will have to fight to keep their seats in the Senate. The elections are to be watched closely, as they could put an end to the democratic majority that is currently in place in the U.S. And even within the Democratic Party, President Obama already faces many opponents to comprehensive climate policy.
No wonder though the European giants are stepping in to counter the efforts of the American President. The progressive political views from the EU towards climate policy and legislation are strong and almost all European countries are striving to reach significant reduction targets. At this point, there must be no other way for these industrials, who must be feeling Europe breathing down their necks, but to reach out and mingle with U.S. politics in an effort to find allies for their cause. The problem is, their cause is not the environment, nature or our changing climate, their cause is money. And we all know money never sleeps.
Additional information:
Report from Climate Action Network
Tags: climate action network, Climate change, climate change deniers, european companies, senate elections, U.S. elections, U.S. senate
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