Envirotruth

Envirotruth is a project of the National Center for Public Policy Research, which in 2003, was underwritten to the tune of $30,000 from Exxon Mobil. 

The project was launched in May 2002 with a media release stating that the site is "dedicated to injecting badly needed truth into the debate about our environment. For too long, some environmental groups have seized the world stage and the public's attention by distorting facts, bending the truth and even committing acts of terrorism against innocent citizens." 

The site concentrates on four issues - biotech food, chlorine, climate change and polyvinylchloride. Envirotruth - like a number of similar sites - claims that it "sheds light on the environmentalist movement, offering information about their tactics, terrorist acts and fundraising machines."

Groups in the sights of the project include the Sierra Club and Greenpeace. The media release announcing the launch of the project cited Patrick Moore criticising Greenpeace.

NCPPR does not disclose who is funding the project. However, ExxonMobil - which clashes with Greenpeace and the Sierra Club - have disclosed their funding for the site.

In 2002 ExxonMobil donated $30,000 to NCPPR for "educational activities" and a further $15,000 for general support. In 2003 the company boosted its general operating support to $25,000 with another $30,000 for 'global climate change/EnviroTruth website".

For all its hype the project appears to be floundering. News postings on topics such as environmental organisations, "eco-terrorism" and biotech food news were last updated in November 2003. The climate change news page has not been updated since December 2004.

Other SourceWatch resources

 * climate change sceptics