Ben Block reports that a review of environmental skepticism literature from the past 30 years has found that the vast majority of skeptics, often identified as independent, are directly linked to politically oriented, conservative think tanks.The study, published in this month’s issue of Environmental
Politics, analyzed books written between 1972 and 2005 that deny the urgency of environmental protection. The researchers found that more than 92 percent of the skeptical authors were in some way affiliated to conservative think tanks – non-profit research and advocacy organizations that promote core conservative ideals.

The authors say skeptics have every right to voice their opinion. But the statements of a few think tank-supported experts should not be regarded as equal to scientific findings that have been vetted through an intense peer-review process, they say. “We want to allow a cacophony of voices in public policy,” Jacques said. “Where we get into problems is where we fail to evaluate the voices; we fail to evaluate the merit of the claim.”

Read the full article at the Worldwatch Institute website.