International

Insurance Companies Profit Twice from Smokers

by Anne Landman — June 8, 2009 - 1:41pm

A new study in the New England Journal of Medicine reveals that life and health insurance companies in the U.S., Canada and Great Britain invest heavily in tobacco companies. Tobacco use is a major cause of fatal lung diseases and cancer, and is known to elevate the risk for heart attack and stroke.

Main Source: 
The Province (Canada), June 5, 2009

Behind Bate

by Bob Burton — June 8, 2009 - 5:12am

In a major article profiling Roger Bate, one of the leading think tank players, Adam Sarvana writes that Bate is "to the environmental movement what Bugs Bunny is to Elmer Fudd, a clever, slippery and often triumphant adversary. But unlike Bugs, who cuts a wide swath, Bate is unknown even to his favorite targets.

Main Source: 
Natural Resources News Service, May 28, 2009

Greenwashing a Coal Power Plant

by Bob Burton — June 2, 2009 - 3:53am

The Guardian, a major British news publisher, is hosting The Guardian Climate Change Summit 2009, which it states aims to "explore how business can build and maintain a commitment to tackling climate change through the recession and beyond." The conference, which is sponsored by the energy company E.ON UK and the Food

Main Source: 
The Guardian Climate Change Summit 2009, June 2009

Government TV

by Bob Burton — May 25, 2009 - 5:35am

The Victorian government has spent $222,000 Australian on a television program promoting the attraction of living and working in areas outside the major metropolitan areas. The program, ''Changing Places: Life in Provincial Victoria,'' was broadcast on commercial television at Easter.

Main Source: 
The Age (Melbourne, Australia), May 21, 2009

Corporate Think Tank Dives into Water Policy

by Diane Farsetta — April 28, 2009 - 9:49am
  • Topics: Front Groups, Global Warming, Corporations, International, Think Tanks

    • In May 2008, the major law firm Hunton & Williams launched the Water Policy Institute (WPI), a think tank-esque, industry-supported consortium formed "to address water supply, quality and use issues," according to its website.

    After the initial flurry of press releases, WPI appeared to languish. Then, ten months after its formation, WPI issued its first white paper. "Water Wars: Conflicts Over Shared Waters" (pdf) focuses on two river basins in the Southeastern United States. The paper urges the states involved -- Georgia, Florida and Alabama -- to put aside litigation and work with federal mediators to reach an agreement on water allocation. It also supports further study of seasonal water use, ecological issues and efficiency measures.

    The white paper's conclusions seem reasonable, even obvious. So much so that it's unclear why Hunton & Williams felt the need to recruit major public relations and corporate powerhouses when forming WPI -- and what they, and the law firm, get out of the effort.

    What is clear is that WPI, Hunton & Williams and their corporate allies have a long history of siding with (or being) polluters and attempting to undermine water quality safeguards. It seems reasonable, therefore, to worry that whatever WPI is up to, it's likely to do more harm than good.

    Industry Celebrates Obama's Climate Caution, Enviros Self-Censor

    by Bob Burton — April 15, 2009 - 4:22am

    Despite Barack Obama's bold rhetoric on global warming, the administration is pursuing a more timid line both domestically and in international negotiations leading to the COP15 conference in Copenhagen in December. John M.

    Main Source: 
    New York Times, April 10, 2009

    Coke Busted for Promoting Myths

    by Bob Burton — April 7, 2009 - 11:09pm

    The Australian government's consumer watchdog, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), has forced Coca-Cola to take out advertisements in national newspapers to correct its misleading advertisements. In October 2008, Coca-Cola ran full-page ads featuring a prominent Australian actress, Kerry Armstrong.

    Main Source: 
    Sydney Morning Herald, April 4, 2009

    Australian Police Unspun

    by Bob Burton — March 26, 2009 - 4:56am

    After pleading guilty to counts of perjury and three of disclosing a confidential hearing, the former media director for Australia's Victoria Police, Stephen Linnell, has been fined $A5,000 and sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years. Linnell, a former journalist, became a friend of the then-assistant commissioner, Noel Ashby, after being appointed media director in 2003. In May 2007, Ashby was a suspect in an investigation by the Office of Police Integrity (OPI) into the leaking of confidential information.

    Main Source: 
    The Age (Melbourne), March 26, 2009

    Six Years Later, Iraqis Ready for the U.S. to Leave

    by Diane Farsetta — March 19, 2009 - 11:08am

    Six years after the U.S. invasion of Iraq, "violence and insecurity are no longer the main concern of most Iraqis," according to a poll conducted for the BBC and other news organizations. The poll results (pdf) show that Iraqis' top personal concerns are unemployment and rising prices.

    Main Source: 
    BBC News, March 16, 2009

    Branding El Salvador's New President

    by Bob Burton — March 17, 2009 - 11:14pm

    The narrow election win of Mauricio Funes as President of El Salvador has spurred extensive media coverage on the political success of the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front, a center-left party that has its roots in the guerilla movement of the 1980s. However, none of the media coverage mentions the role of the Washington D.C.-headquartered political consulting firm Greenberg Quinlan Rosner.

    Main Source: 
    Los Angeles Times, March 17, 2009
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