The reporter provides this transcript of her interview with Prof. Oreskes who essentially argues the main thesis of the excellent book entitled, Merchants of Doubt, which she co-authored.
American science historian Professor Naomi Oreskes believes political uncertainty about climate change comes from a small handful of distinguished scientists who also denied the link between tobacco smoke and cancer.In the interview, and much more in detail in the book, she explains how some scientists were essentially co-opted into serving ruling class interests by being given access to some of the highest levels of power.
I believe that it is a similar story to how they managed to co-opt many leaders of labor unions. Co-optation is a major tool in the arsenal of capitalists to deal with opposition from working people.
