Literature Review on The Global World Problems

The Unseen Threads of Environmental Controversies

The book ‘Merchants of Doubt’ by Naomi Oreskes and Erik Conway explores the common thread linking several major environmental and health issues: lung cancer, nuclear weapons, acid rain, the ozone hole, pesticides like DDT, and climate change. All these issues have been targeted by an anti-environmentalist agenda that has, for decades, contradicted scientific facts, thus slowing our response to these dangerous environmental situations. Central to this effort were figures like Fred Singer and Frederick Seitz, who aimed to perpetuate controversy by spreading confusion nationwide, allowing industries to continue their operations while any regulatory actions were delayed (Oreskes & Conway, 2010).

Literature Review on The Global World Problems

When examining the statements of prominent figures, it becomes evident that they are often riddled with faulty reasoning, primarily relying on the appeal to ignorance, and further confusing the public by asserting that there was doubt within the scientific community.

In the Context of Global Warming

Thomas Schelling, an economist, suggested that adaptation or migration was the solution to environmental change. In a letter to the Academy, he mentioned that scientists were uncertain, and therefore, policymakers should refrain from implementing regulations to avoid potential costs. Instead, he advocated for more research funding, a classic red herring tactic (Schelling, 1983).

The report titled "Changing Climate: Report of the Carbon Dioxide Assessment Committee" presented a dual perspective. Five chapters written by natural scientists highlighted the severity of climate change, while two chapters by economists emphasized waiting to observe potential outcomes. Even implementing a carbon tax proved difficult. Like Schelling, Nierenberg advocated for migration as a solution, dismissing the need for political reforms, another red herring argument (National Research Council, 1983).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prepared two reports warning about the seriousness of CO2 accumulation. However, these were discounted by Keyworth’s monthly report in October for the NAS report. Notably, individuals who were not experts in the field, such as economists, received more attention, and they set forth policies (Keyworth, 1983).

The George C. Marshall Institute (GMI), founded by Seitz, in its report, attributed the majority of warming to the Sun rather than the effects of fossil fuel burning and the industrial revolution. They cherry-picked data from Hansen’s team, such as the Keeling Curve, and showcased the linear curve while ignoring the exponential growth of CO2 in the environment (Seitz, 1990).

Fred Singer, a physicist, used the same tactics he had employed for the American tobacco industry. He cast doubt on the alarming effects of global warming and the increasing impact of CO2, similar to the cancerous effects of cigarettes. He also downplayed acid rain and ozone depletion. In the 1990s, Singer attempted to create a strawman fallacy by stating that global warming was the greatest global challenge facing mankind (Singer, 1990).

F. Seitz accused Santer and the IPCC of exaggerating the human impact on nature, claiming that their work should be abandoned by the government, which should instead rely on GMI for data, employing ad hominem and slippery slope fallacies. Over the decades, Singer and Seitz repeatedly echoed their previous charges, with Singer seizing the opportunity to exploit the IPCC’s caution (Seitz, 1990).

Seitz employed the strategy of doubt-mongering, previously used to persuade people that tobacco smoking was safe, to argue against government restrictions on smoking in public places. He applied the same method to global warming, acid rain, the ozone hole, nuclear winter, and pesticide issues, ultimately allowing industries to continue their operations.

Another significant figure, Milton Friedman, in "Capitalism and Freedom," expressed his strong belief that free-market capitalism, political freedom, and economic freedom are interconnected. During that time, environmentalists were urging the government to regulate tobacco, fossil fuels, pesticides, and more. Friedman argued that regulation would eventually lead to socialism. The contrarians in "Merchants of Doubt" thus claimed that environmentalism would ultimately lead to socialism, a slippery slope argument (Friedman, 1962).

The work of numerous scientists like Tyndall, Arrhenius, Revelle, and Keeling was overshadowed by a handful of scientists like Singer and Seitz, delaying action against human activities and the industrial revolution. These figures sold uncertainties for decades, emphasizing doubt to prevent political action by the government (Oreskes & Conway, 2010).

References

• Friedman, M. (1962). Capitalism and Freedom. University of Chicago Press.
• Keyworth, G. A. (1983). Monthly Report for NAS Report. National Academy of Sciences.
• National Research Council. (1983). Changing Climate: Report of the Carbon Dioxide Assessment Committee. National Academy Press.
• Oreskes, N., & Conway, E. M. (2010). Merchants of Doubt: How a Handful of Scientists Obscured the Truth on Issues from Tobacco Smoke to Global Warming. Bloomsbury Press.
• Schelling, T. C. (1983). Letter to the Academy.
• Seitz, F. (1990). Report on Climate Change. George C. Marshall Institute.
• Singer, F. (1990). Global Warming: The Greatest Global Challenge.