Center for the Study of Carbon Dioxide and Global Change

Last updated
Center for the Study of Carbon Dioxide and Global Change
Founded1998
Type 501(c)(3)
FocusCO2 Science
Location
Key people
Sherwood B. Idso, President
Craig D. Idso, Chairman
Keith E. Idso, Vice-President
Revenue
$1,001,003
Website www.co2science.org

The Center for the Study of Carbon Dioxide and Global Change is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Tempe, Arizona. [1] It is seen as a front group for the fossil fuel industry, and as promoting climate change denial. [2] [3] The Center produces a weekly online newsletter called CO2Science.

Contents

The Center was founded and is run by Craig D. Idso, along with Sherwood B. Idso, his father, and Keith E. Idso, his brother. They came from backgrounds in agriculture and climate. According to the Idsos, they became involved in the global warming controversy through their study of Earth's temperature sensitivity to radiative perturbations and plant responses to elevated CO2 levels and carbon sequestration. The Center sharply disputes the scientific consensus on climate change shown in IPCC assessment reports, and believes that global warming will be beneficial to mankind.

Funding

According to IRS records, the ExxonMobil Foundation provided a grant of $15,000 to the center in 2000. [4] Another report states that ExxonMobil has funded an additional $55,000 to the center. [5] ExxonMobil stated it funded, "organizations which research significant policy issues and promote informed discussion on issues of direct relevance to the company. [...] These organizations do not speak on our behalf, nor do we control their views and messages." [6]

The center was also funded by Peabody Energy, America’s biggest coalmining company. [2]

Reception

A December 2009 article in Mother Jones magazine said the Center was a promoter of climate disinformation, from a family prominent in promoting climate change denial. [3]

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References

  1. "Center for the Study of Carbon Dioxide and Global Change". National Center for Charitable Statistics (NCCS). Archived from the original on 2013-04-16. Retrieved 2012-08-19.
  2. 1 2 Goldenberg, Suzanne (13 June 2016). "Biggest US coal company funded dozens of groups questioning climate change". the Guardian. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  3. 1 2 Harkinson, Josh (December 4, 2009). "The Dirty Dozen of Climate Change Denial". Mother Jones . Retrieved August 17, 2015.
  4. Nesmith, Jeff (June 1, 2003). "Foes of global warming theory have energy ties". Seattle Post-Intelligencer . Retrieved 2012-08-18.
  5. "Put a Tiger In Your Think Tank". Mother Jones . May 2005. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  6. Lawless, Jill (September 20, 2006). "Exxon accused of funding groups that mislead on climate change". USA Today . Retrieved 2012-08-18.