Spin doctors try to hide truth of science

CONSERVATION COMMENT

"The science is not completely clear" is a phrase that is used by spin doctors whenever there is mounting evidence that there is a problem, environmental or otherwise. It is the response of those who don't like the emerging evidence and would like the rest of us to not believe it.

The spin is to dismiss and deny there is any problem for as long as possible, knowing that in science there is almost never a final and definitive answer.

A reasonable person when confronted by mounting evidence, as it is with climate change, would consider it proven, for all practical purposes (see the current Listener, May 12).

This barrage of well financed misinformation, such as we've had from the oil industry in denial of climate change, can only be for their own self-interest.

The only logical reason for this huge and costly misinformation machine is that business and their shareholders demand increasing returns. Increasing returns leads to the idea of "continuous growth", which leads to increasing demands on resources. But current economics seems unable to recognise that resources are finite, so there cannot be continuous growth.

A recent example of "the science is not completely clear" was on last weekend's 60 Minutes (TV3). The US sugar industry was not pleased with the evidence that highly refined sugar and corn syrup was contributing to obesity and diabetes and is now also linked to heart disease and cancer.

From alcohol, tobacco and oil, big business publicly denies the evidence (using their huge economic and publicity resources) while behind the scenes acknowledging the science and discussing how to spin the facts. It's all about the bottom line and how important profits are to their shareholders.

Profits rely on growth, and "growth" could be described as the biggest and most dangerous Ponzi scheme ever, involving the entire planet. But the irony here is that those promoting growth don't even see it as a Ponzi scheme. But like all Ponzi schemes it looks great while there are still resources, but eventually this scheme, like all others, will fail when the resources that sustain them run out, as they must.

You would think that anyone who cared to take the time to look at the evidence and cared about the future for the planet and their family would not go out of their way to actively lie.

All scientists worthy of the name are fascinated by their field and the search for understanding about our place in the universe.

Scientists are not in the business of misinformation.

But all too often business is.

John Milnes is a member of Sustainable Whanganui, and a Green candidate in the past three general elections. He believes sustainability is critical for a long-term future and therefore a healthy environment is necessary.