Dutch and American climate deniers team up as Europe leans right

A climate denial conference in the Netherlands shows growing ties between Dutch and American groups, reflecting a broader rightward shift in Europe.

Nina Tea Zibetti, Alexander Beunder, Merel de Buck and Jilles Mast report for DeSmog.

In short:

Clintel's fifth anniversary conference showcased speakers like Gregory Wrightstone and Willie Soon, emphasizing CO2's purported benefits and mocking renewable energy.
The event underscored growing connections between Dutch climate deniers and U.S.-based organizations like the CO2 Coalition, which has financial backing from major American oil interests.
The rise of far-right political parties in the Netherlands, such as PVV and BBB, aligns with Clintel's anti-regulation stance, giving climate denial more media attention and political influence.

Key quote:

"I embrace that high carbon lifestyle […] CO2 is showing huge, huge benefits and so we should celebrate it."

— Gregory Wrightstone, climate science denier and executive director of CO2 Coalition

Why this matters:

The strengthening ties between Dutch and American climate deniers could undermine international climate efforts, promoting policies that ignore or downplay the dangers of climate change. This trend reflects a broader political shift that could have significant environmental and policy implications globally.

www.desmog.com

Dutch and American climate deniers team up as Europe leans right

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