Public Relations, Activist Public Relations, Activist Groups, Media, and the Groups, Media, and the

EnvironmentEnvironmentA recipe for Crisis Communication!A recipe for Crisis Communication!

A Little Overview/History:A Little Overview/History:

1956: Dawn of the 1956: Dawn of the Civil Rights movementCivil Rights movement.. 1962: Rachel Carson publishes 1962: Rachel Carson publishes Silent Spring,Silent Spring, predicting that predicting that

insect life on planet Earth will one day be gone due to the insect life on planet Earth will one day be gone due to the introduction of agricultural chemicals. introduction of agricultural chemicals.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENT IS BORN.THE ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENT IS BORN. 1965: Ralph Nader publishes 1965: Ralph Nader publishes Unsafe at Any SpeedUnsafe at Any Speed.. Press Press

follows his lead and begins doing “killer product” stories taken follows his lead and begins doing “killer product” stories taken from plaintiff’s legal briefs.from plaintiff’s legal briefs.

1965: 1965: Vietnam anti-war movementVietnam anti-war movement begins, followed by begins, followed by women’s liberationwomen’s liberation movement. movement. Both Draft cards and bras are Both Draft cards and bras are publicly incinerated in great numbers.publicly incinerated in great numbers.

1973:The Turning Point1973:The Turning Point

The Vietnam The Vietnam war is overwar is over (we picked up our gear and (we picked up our gear and came home).came home).

Significant civil rights legislation is on the books Significant civil rights legislation is on the books addressing inequalitiesaddressing inequalities for minorities and for minorities and women.women.

The result:The result: Lots of protestors are left with Lots of protestors are left with nothing of real value to protest!nothing of real value to protest!

But that will soon change ………….!!But that will soon change ………….!!

Legislation is born!Legislation is born!

1971: Congress 1971: Congress reactsreacts to to publics/media environmental publics/media environmental fervor by passing legislation -- fervor by passing legislation -- signed into law by President signed into law by President Richard Nixon -- establishing:Richard Nixon -- establishing:

The Environmental Protection The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)!Agency (EPA)!

A whole new movement -- theA whole new movement -- the GREEN! MOVEMENT --GREEN! MOVEMENT --begins!begins!

The result:The result:

All the out-of-work activists find a All the out-of-work activists find a NEW HOME!NEW HOME! Activist groupsActivist groups spring up like crazy, eventually totaling spring up like crazy, eventually totaling

over 350. over 350. JUNK SCIENCE REPLACES REAL SCIENCEJUNK SCIENCE REPLACES REAL SCIENCE……….………. Self-appointed seersSelf-appointed seers arise among us, predicting arise among us, predicting dire dire

environmental consequences to Mother Earthenvironmental consequences to Mother Earth if huge if huge changes are not made, changes that will require VAST changes are not made, changes that will require VAST amounts ofamounts of $$$$ to be spent.to be spent.

Media cover these new activists extensively, greatly Media cover these new activists extensively, greatly hyping the environmental doom stories.hyping the environmental doom stories.

A whole new A whole new cottage industrycottage industry is born. is born.

Activists have learned their trade!Activists have learned their trade!

While building huge war chests of $$While building huge war chests of $$ from both from both individual contributions and giant corporate foundations individual contributions and giant corporate foundations (Kellogg,Ford, etc(Kellogg,Ford, etc.),.),they keep a public image of poor they keep a public image of poor flower children.flower children.

They learn the media accepts without question their They learn the media accepts without question their cause -- cause -- no investigative reporting is doneno investigative reporting is done on them, on them, and their scary claims and predictions are and their scary claims and predictions are passed on by passed on by the media without question.the media without question.

They begin -- and sustain -- a public misinformation They begin -- and sustain -- a public misinformation campaign of tremendous proportion.campaign of tremendous proportion.

Success is soon theirs:Success is soon theirs:

The U.S. public -- and soon the developed world -- The U.S. public -- and soon the developed world -- comes to believe that comes to believe that the environmental sky is falling! the environmental sky is falling!

Vast amounts of moneyVast amounts of money are mandated by Congress to are mandated by Congress to clean up the environment.clean up the environment.

American business, especially farmers come under American business, especially farmers come under attack.attack.

American businesses find it even tougher to compete as American businesses find it even tougher to compete as unfunded government mandates drastically inflate the unfunded government mandates drastically inflate the cost of doing business.cost of doing business.

Perception replaces RealityPerception replaces Reality

While there are legitimate environmental While there are legitimate environmental problems that need addressing, often problems that need addressing, often

irrelevant or imagined ones top the irrelevant or imagined ones top the activist/media agenda.activist/media agenda.

Some examples:Some examples:

The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill:The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill: Activists claimed the 250,000 birds killed was Activists claimed the 250,000 birds killed was “…..a “…..a

disaster of unparalleled magnitude!” Media goes ape!disaster of unparalleled magnitude!” Media goes ape! FACT:FACT: 250,000 birds die from striking plate glass 250,000 birds die from striking plate glass

windows in the U.S. windows in the U.S. every 24 hours!every 24 hours! FACT:FACT: 300,000 birds are killed by mammals -- mostly 300,000 birds are killed by mammals -- mostly

cats -- in England cats -- in England every 48 hoursevery 48 hours!! Perspective:Perspective: While the Exxon Valdez spill was While the Exxon Valdez spill was

unfortunate, it was unfortunate, it was a mere blip on the scope of annual a mere blip on the scope of annual avian mortality!!avian mortality!!

Prince William Sound - - - -Prince William Sound - - - -

Energy:Energy:

Circa: Circa: 1970:1970: We were told that the We were told that the earth would run out earth would run out of oil by 1990.of oil by 1990.

19751975: : NewsweeNewsweek ran a terrifying cover story on the k ran a terrifying cover story on the Earth’s rapidly dwindling oil supply and Earth’s rapidly dwindling oil supply and predicted dire predicted dire consequences.consequences.

1976:CBS/ABC ran documentaries, one entitled 1976:CBS/ABC ran documentaries, one entitled “We Are “We Are All Going to Freeze in the Dark.”All Going to Freeze in the Dark.”

A A New Ice AgeNew Ice Age was predicted was predicted by by 2000!2000!

One More Example:One More Example:

Pesticides:Pesticides: Activists advocate a Activists advocate a total bantotal ban on their use. on their use. Minute pesticide traces on foodstuffs Minute pesticide traces on foodstuffs MIGHTMIGHT cause up to cause up to

20 deaths per year20 deaths per year in the U.S. in the U.S. (NOTE: 300 people drown in bathtubs in U.S. every year.)(NOTE: 300 people drown in bathtubs in U.S. every year.) FACT:FACT: A ban on pesticides would result in A ban on pesticides would result in less less

productionproduction, , greater costgreater cost, , less consumptionless consumption, especially by , especially by poor.poor.

EstimatedEstimated deaths deaths in this scenario: in this scenario: 26,000 per 26,000 per annum!annum!

The Great Cranberry Scare (1959)The Great Cranberry Scare (1959)

Trace amountsTrace amounts of aminotriazole of aminotriazole are found on cranberries in are found on cranberries in Oregon.Oregon.

HEW Secretary Fleming HEW Secretary Fleming cautions housewives againstcautions housewives against buying cranberriesbuying cranberries

Comments set off full-blown Comments set off full-blown panic --panic -- bans against berries in bans against berries in San Francisco, Chicago, Ohio.San Francisco, Chicago, Ohio.

Public figures Public figures try to mitigatetry to mitigate effect: Kennedy and Nixon both effect: Kennedy and Nixon both publicly eat cranberries at publicly eat cranberries at campaign stops.campaign stops.

Ag Secretary Benson says he’ll Ag Secretary Benson says he’ll have cranberries on his have cranberries on his Thanksgiving table.Thanksgiving table.

FACTFACT: Humans would have to : Humans would have to eat eat 15,000# of cranberries 15,000# of cranberries EVERY DAYEVERY DAY to equal amount to equal amount fed to test mice.fed to test mice.

Growers hurt; holiday sales Growers hurt; holiday sales trashed.trashed.

LEGACY:LEGACY: Food scares have Food scares have begun.begun. Delaney Clause Delaney Clause (1958) and “mouse as (1958) and “mouse as miniature man” idea is set in miniature man” idea is set in stone!stone!

DDT -- 1962DDT -- 1962 1940 - DDT discovered as 1940 - DDT discovered as

the most effective pesticide the most effective pesticide with with no ill effects to no ill effects to humanshumans

1962 - Carson’s 1962 - Carson’s Silent Silent SpringSpring erroneouslyerroneously says says that DDT is poisoning wildlife that DDT is poisoning wildlife and environment and and environment and endangering human health.endangering human health.

Environmental Activists -- Environmental Activists -- and press -- and press -- discount discount enormous benefitsenormous benefits to world to world health; label DDT a health; label DDT a carcinogen based on mouse carcinogen based on mouse studies.studies.

1969: WHO replicates 1969: WHO replicates mouse studies: finds major mouse studies: finds major flaws and flaws and clears DDT.clears DDT.

1971 - authority over 1971 - authority over pesticides transfers to new pesticides transfers to new EPA.EPA.

1972 - Federal Judge 1972 - Federal Judge declares declares DDT safe.DDT safe.

1973 - EPA Secretary 1973 - EPA Secretary Ruckleshaus, Ruckleshaus, despite despite science to the contraryscience to the contrary, , declared DDT a human declared DDT a human carcinogen and bans nearly carcinogen and bans nearly all uses.all uses.

Results of DDT Ban:Results of DDT Ban:

19481948, malaria deaths in Ceylon number , malaria deaths in Ceylon number 2.8 million2.8 million; ; after after DDT, in 1963, there are ONLYDDT, in 1963, there are ONLY 17!17!

19641964: DDT spraying: DDT spraying stopped stopped;; 1969 1969 - malaria deaths rose to - malaria deaths rose to 2.5 million.2.5 million.

19781978 - American Cancer Society concludes DDT - American Cancer Society concludes DDT notnot a a carcinogencarcinogen

1980’s1980’s - DDT - DDT cleared cleared of causing low survival rate in birds of of causing low survival rate in birds of prey.prey.

Despite Carson and the EPA, NONE OF THE CLAIMS Despite Carson and the EPA, NONE OF THE CLAIMS AGAINST DDT Were EVER SUBSTANTIATED!!AGAINST DDT Were EVER SUBSTANTIATED!!

YET: DDT remains today the first major enduringYET: DDT remains today the first major enduring victory victory of of the environmental activists!!!the environmental activists!!!

A Little Perspective:A Little Perspective:

According to the WHO in a study released April According to the WHO in a study released April 28, 2003:28, 2003: In South Africa, a child dies from malaria In South Africa, a child dies from malaria every :30 every :30

SECONDS!!SECONDS!! That’s 2 kids a minute times 60 minutes times 24 That’s 2 kids a minute times 60 minutes times 24

hours or hours or 2880 African children EVERY DAY!2880 African children EVERY DAY! That’s an awful price to pay for someone’s That’s an awful price to pay for someone’s

enviro/political agenda………….!enviro/political agenda………….!

November, 2005November, 2005

Congress is considering legislation to Congress is considering legislation to allow use of DDT.allow use of DDT.

September 2006:September 2006:

WHO publicly acknowledges that malaria is a WHO publicly acknowledges that malaria is a catastrophic disease out of control.catastrophic disease out of control.

It calls for the spraying of DDT in countries – It calls for the spraying of DDT in countries – notably sub-Saharan Africa – hardest hit by notably sub-Saharan Africa – hardest hit by malaria.malaria.

Old line enviro activist Jay Feldman – today of Old line enviro activist Jay Feldman – today of “Beyond Pesticides” -- says DDT not necessary. “Beyond Pesticides” -- says DDT not necessary. Instead, he says, we should concentrate on things Instead, he says, we should concentrate on things such as eliminating standing water where such as eliminating standing water where mosquitoes breed!!mosquitoes breed!!

Food for Thought . . Food for Thought . .

How would you like to How would you like to be the spirit of Rachel be the spirit of Rachel Carson or one of her Carson or one of her descendents, knowing descendents, knowing that your environmental that your environmental nonsense had nonsense had unnecessarily killed unnecessarily killed millions and millions of millions and millions of people – primarily people – primarily children – over the last children – over the last 40 years?40 years?

Love Canal, New YorkLove Canal, New York

1978 1978 - - Local reporter raises specterLocal reporter raises specter of unusual illnesses among of unusual illnesses among Love Canal residents.Love Canal residents.

19791979 - Dr. Beverly Paigan in an - Dr. Beverly Paigan in an unscientific, uncontrolled studyunscientific, uncontrolled study, , “finds” birth defects and miscarriages.“finds” birth defects and miscarriages.

19801980 - EPA back-to-back studies “find” chromosomal and nerve - EPA back-to-back studies “find” chromosomal and nerve damage in residents. damage in residents. HYSTERIA BREAKS OUT!HYSTERIA BREAKS OUT!

EPA announces it will temporarily relocate 2500 residents of LC.EPA announces it will temporarily relocate 2500 residents of LC. EPA studies reviewed and found flawedEPA studies reviewed and found flawed; CDC/AMA/NRC and ; CDC/AMA/NRC and

New York State Department of Health studies all New York State Department of Health studies all failed to show failed to show any abnormalitiesany abnormalities. LC residents often found. LC residents often found healthier healthier than control than control groupsgroups

Significance of Love Canal:Significance of Love Canal: EPA EPA “SUPERFUND!”“SUPERFUND!” IS BORN, authorized by IS BORN, authorized by

Congress months after Love Canal hit headlines.Congress months after Love Canal hit headlines. Note: SUPERFUND spends Note: SUPERFUND spends $1.7 billion annually$1.7 billion annually to to

clean up some 2000 identified waste sitesclean up some 2000 identified waste sites Today most of the sitesToday most of the sites NOTNOT reclaimed.reclaimed. Most of Superfund budget spent on consulting and Most of Superfund budget spent on consulting and

attorney's fees.attorney's fees. ““It remains unclear whether there will be any benefit It remains unclear whether there will be any benefit

to public health when and if all the sites are ever to public health when and if all the sites are ever cleaned up.”cleaned up.” -- American Council on Science and -- American Council on Science and Health, 1997.Health, 1997.

Three Mile IslandThree Mile Island

March 28, 1979March 28, 1979 - plumbing - plumbing problem results in cooling capacity problem results in cooling capacity loss and some fuel meltdown.loss and some fuel meltdown.

Radiation in an amount Radiation in an amount slightly slightly above naturally occurring levelsabove naturally occurring levels escapes into the atmosphere.escapes into the atmosphere.

Initial public reactionInitial public reaction negligible negligible Governor advises pregnant Governor advises pregnant

women and children within 5 mile women and children within 5 mile radius to leave; radius to leave; media frenzy media frenzy begins!begins!

Approximately 70% of all Approximately 70% of all residents evacuate.residents evacuate.

TMI Fallout:TMI Fallout:

From repeated studies of From repeated studies of high-risk groups: high-risk groups: NO NO EFFECT!EFFECT!

1996: All 2100 cases 1996: All 2100 cases brought against TMI for brought against TMI for alleged negative health alleged negative health effects effects DISMISSED!DISMISSED!

Today: Public still afraid Today: Public still afraid of nuclear power.of nuclear power.

However: However: With gas at With gas at $3/gal there may be $3/gal there may be some change in the windsome change in the wind!!

OzoneOzone

Activist Claim:Activist Claim: Clorofluorocrbons (CFC’sClorofluorocrbons (CFC’s) --specifically ) --specifically freonfreon -- are -- are creating a hole in the Ozone Layercreating a hole in the Ozone Layer that will that will allow more UV radiation to reach earth. allow more UV radiation to reach earth. (Translation: (Translation: We’re all going to get cancer!)We’re all going to get cancer!)

Fact: Ozone levels Fact: Ozone levels vary naturallyvary naturally by 50% every year. by 50% every year. Fact: Freon isFact: Freon is heavier than airheavier than air, , so itso it doesn’t doesn’t rise to the rise to the

stratosphere, it falls to earthstratosphere, it falls to earth, , where soil microbes use where soil microbes use it as a food source!!it as a food source!!

Scientific Reality:Scientific Reality:

A A single eruptionsingle eruption of a Mt. of a Mt. St. Helens or Pinatubo St. Helens or Pinatubo injects more “greenhouse injects more “greenhouse gases” into the gases” into the atmosphere by a multiple atmosphere by a multiple in the thousands in the thousands than all than all the activities of man to the activities of man to date!date!

Mt. Pinatubo Ash CloudMt. Pinatubo Ash Cloud

Ozone is much thicker at the poles during Ozone is much thicker at the poles during their respective winterstheir respective winters

OzonOzonee

LayerLayer

Fact: For every 6 Fact: For every 6 miles one moves miles one moves closer to the equator, closer to the equator, UV exposure rises by UV exposure rises by 1%! 1%!

Between the poles Between the poles and the equator, and the equator, ozone levels vary ozone levels vary naturally by 5000%!naturally by 5000%!

Global WarmingGlobal Warming

Those folks who brought us dire predictions of a New Ice Those folks who brought us dire predictions of a New Ice Age Age now say we’re going to be toast by Christmas!now say we’re going to be toast by Christmas!

Carbon dioxide emissions are going to melt polar Carbon dioxide emissions are going to melt polar icecaps and flood coastal cities!!!icecaps and flood coastal cities!!!

1992 Gallup Poll shows 1992 Gallup Poll shows 83%83% of scientific community of scientific community believes the above is believes the above is nonsensenonsense; ; (Media interview the (Media interview the other 17%!)other 17%!)

Senator Al Gore publishes Senator Al Gore publishes Earth in the BalanceEarth in the Balance; calls for ; calls for a world-wide “carbon tax” estimated to a world-wide “carbon tax” estimated to cost more than cost more than $200 billion annually!!$200 billion annually!!

Now for Reality ………..Now for Reality ………..

90% of the warming occurred 90% of the warming occurred before 1940,before 1940, beforebefore the use of the use of CFC’s.CFC’s.

Global tempsGlobal temps plummetedplummeted during 60’s and 70’s, which is during 60’s and 70’s, which is where the “New Ice Age” where the “New Ice Age” nonsense came from.nonsense came from.

19911991: NOAA reports analysis : NOAA reports analysis of of 750 weather stations750 weather stations world- world-wide wide over 40 year periodover 40 year period revealing revealing LITTLE OR NO LITTLE OR NO INCREASE IN MEAN INCREASE IN MEAN MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE!!MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE!!

1992:1992: Coldest winter in past Coldest winter in past 100 years100 years: Mt. Pinatubo!: Mt. Pinatubo!

Speaking of Al Gore:Speaking of Al Gore:

His movie is nonsense, His movie is nonsense, hype and half truths.hype and half truths. 1.Film shows 1.Film shows 2%2% of of

Antarctica that is Antarctica that is warmingwarming, , but ignores the but ignores the 98% that 98% that has been cooling the past has been cooling the past 35 years.35 years.

2. He shouts about the 2. He shouts about the shrinkingshrinking sea ice in the sea ice in the Northern hemisphere and Northern hemisphere and totally ignores the fact totally ignores the fact that that sea ice in the sea ice in the Southern hemisphere is Southern hemisphere is increasingincreasing. .

John Coleman, founder of the Weather Channel, John Coleman, founder of the Weather Channel, calls the whole global warming bit “ . . the calls the whole global warming bit “ . . the greatest scam in history.”greatest scam in history.”

“I have read dozens of scientific papers. I have talked with numerous scientists. I have studied. I have thought about it. I know I am correct. There is no run away climate change. The impact of humans on climate is not catastrophic. Our planet is not in peril. I am incensed by the incredible media glamour, the politically correct silliness and rude dismissal of counter arguments. . . In time, a decade or two, the outrageous scam will be obvious.”

ICECAP, November 2007

““It’s a hoax.”It’s a hoax.”

William Gray, Ph.D. William Gray, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus Professor Emeritus at Colorado State at Colorado State University and the University and the leading leading meteorologist on meteorologist on hurricane predictions hurricane predictions noted the above in noted the above in Orlando, FL April 5, Orlando, FL April 5, 2008. 2008.

Stick to Reality!Stick to Reality!

Following the Christmas 2004 tsunami, Activists wasted no Following the Christmas 2004 tsunami, Activists wasted no time blaming it on the activities of man, especially the time blaming it on the activities of man, especially the United States.United States.

NEWS FLASH: Man had NOTHING to do with it!NEWS FLASH: Man had NOTHING to do with it! Earth is composed of Earth is composed of 8 tectonic plates8 tectonic plates which shift which shift

constantly far below the earth’s crust.constantly far below the earth’s crust. Between the Crust/Mantle/Outer core/ Inner Core, it is Between the Crust/Mantle/Outer core/ Inner Core, it is

4000 MILES4000 MILES to the center of the earth. The deepest hole to the center of the earth. The deepest hole man has ever drilled is man has ever drilled is 7 miles7 miles..

If you fell into a “hole” that took you to the center of the If you fell into a “hole” that took you to the center of the earth, it would take you earth, it would take you 32 hours32 hours to hit bottom!!! to hit bottom!!!

The idea that man’s activities cause tsunamis is The idea that man’s activities cause tsunamis is nothing short of breathlessly stupid!nothing short of breathlessly stupid!

Speaking of Law & Crisis Management . .Speaking of Law & Crisis Management . .

Erin BrokovichErin Brokovich The basic story:The basic story:

Legal assistantLegal assistant found 650 plaintiffsfound 650 plaintiffs claimed chromium 6 in claimed chromium 6 in

water supply, leaching from water supply, leaching from PG&E plantPG&E plant

blamed PG&E for blamed PG&E for nosebleeds, miscarriages, nosebleeds, miscarriages, Hodgkin’s disease, breast Hodgkin’s disease, breast cancer, spinal deterioration, cancer, spinal deterioration, etcetc.etcetc.

Hired Lawyer Thomas GirardiHired Lawyer Thomas Girardi PG&E settled for $333mmPG&E settled for $333mm

However:However:

While EPA considers chromium 6 a human carcinogen:While EPA considers chromium 6 a human carcinogen: it is linkedit is linked ONLY ONLY to cancer of the lung and the septum to cancer of the lung and the septum it must be it must be INHALED (NOT INJESTED)INHALED (NOT INJESTED) to be a carcinogen to be a carcinogen it takes massive exposure over a long period of time to cause it takes massive exposure over a long period of time to cause

cancer.cancer. The only problems yet discovered are those involved in the The only problems yet discovered are those involved in the

productionproduction of the compound. of the compound. From the EPA Integrated Risk Information System: From the EPA Integrated Risk Information System: “No data “No data

were located in the available literature that suggested that it were located in the available literature that suggested that it is carcinogenic by the oral route of exposure.”is carcinogenic by the oral route of exposure.”

Moreover:Moreover:

Exhaustive, replicated studies of communities Exhaustive, replicated studies of communities adjacent to landfills full of chromium 6 adjacent to landfills full of chromium 6 -- -- including that detectable level in residents’ including that detectable level in residents’ urineurine -- have found -- have found NO ILL HEALTH EFFECTS, NO ILL HEALTH EFFECTS, CANCER OR OTHERWISE!CANCER OR OTHERWISE!

William Blot, head of International Epidemiology William Blot, head of International Epidemiology Institute study of 52,000 workers at PG&E plants Institute study of 52,000 workers at PG&E plants -- -- including the one at Hinkley, CAincluding the one at Hinkley, CA -- found -- found cancer rates the same as for the population in cancer rates the same as for the population in general, and general, and LOWER DEATH RATES!LOWER DEATH RATES!

More Scientific Information:More Scientific Information:

The amount of chromium 6 in Hinkley’s water supply was The amount of chromium 6 in Hinkley’s water supply was .058 ppm..058 ppm.

Animal studies on rats and dogs dosed with Animal studies on rats and dogs dosed with 25ppm25ppm and and 11.2ppm11.2ppm showed no ill health effects whatsoever. showed no ill health effects whatsoever.

When pregnant rats were dosed at 15-400 ppm of When pregnant rats were dosed at 15-400 ppm of chromium 6 they found that the compound chromium 6 they found that the compound “ . . , was not “ . . , was not a reproductive toxicant in either sex.”a reproductive toxicant in either sex.”

BOTTOM LINE: THE CLAIM THAT THE LEECHED BOTTOM LINE: THE CLAIM THAT THE LEECHED CHROMIUM 6 CAUSED HEALTH PROBLEMS IN CHROMIUM 6 CAUSED HEALTH PROBLEMS IN HINKLEY, CALIFORNIA IS BOGUS!HINKLEY, CALIFORNIA IS BOGUS!

Regarding Law,Lawyers, and the Public:Regarding Law,Lawyers, and the Public:

The PG&E case is instructive.The PG&E case is instructive. Why did PG&E settle? Why did PG&E settle?

All the science is very recentAll the science is very recent they feared Lawyer Girardi and his reputation for winning class they feared Lawyer Girardi and his reputation for winning class

action suits involving toxicants.action suits involving toxicants. A sympathetic witness and an emotional jury trial could have A sympathetic witness and an emotional jury trial could have

resulted in awarded damages in the billions.resulted in awarded damages in the billions. NOTE: One should always think twice (or more) NOTE: One should always think twice (or more)

before settling when one is not guilty of anything. before settling when one is not guilty of anything. One payoff can lead to another .. and another … and One payoff can lead to another .. and another … and another!another!

Some things to note:Some things to note:

Media Media is now in the picture.is now in the picture. Brockovich -- through the persona of actress Julia Brockovich -- through the persona of actress Julia

Roberts -- has been elevated to Roberts -- has been elevated to heroine statusheroine status.. Therefore: It is highly unlikely that -- without significant Therefore: It is highly unlikely that -- without significant

public relations crisis management -- that the public relations crisis management -- that the truthtruth of the of the Hinkley, CA case will ever be widely known among the Hinkley, CA case will ever be widely known among the movie-going public.movie-going public.

Lawyers for Hinkley get $133mm for winning the Lawyers for Hinkley get $133mm for winning the case.case.

Brockovich was given $2mm for her work.Brockovich was given $2mm for her work.

The Fallout:The Fallout:

The settlement, though not a court case, nonetheless The settlement, though not a court case, nonetheless sets a sets a precedentprecedent..

Thousands of people in Hinkley, California, will live Thousands of people in Hinkley, California, will live the rest of their lives believing -- incorrectly -- that the rest of their lives believing -- incorrectly -- that they have been poisoned.they have been poisoned.

PG&E -- if it’s going to survive as a company -- is going PG&E -- if it’s going to survive as a company -- is going to have to pass along the cost of the lawsuits to its to have to pass along the cost of the lawsuits to its customers.customers.

And as for Brockovich:And as for Brockovich:

Ms. Brokovich’s firm has Ms. Brokovich’s firm has currently identified 1500 currently identified 1500 clients in Kettleman, CA clients in Kettleman, CA and are about to file suit and are about to file suit against PG&E … again!against PG&E … again!

She is also soliciting public She is also soliciting public interest groups in Alaska, interest groups in Alaska, working on a case against working on a case against Exxon/Mobil alleging Exxon/Mobil alleging negative health effects from negative health effects from the cleanup of the Exxon the cleanup of the Exxon Valdiz oil spillValdiz oil spill

She is touring the country She is touring the country commanding $15,000 fees commanding $15,000 fees from audiences.from audiences.

The Result:The Result:

                                                                   

Some Bottom Lines:Some Bottom Lines:

1.The symbiotic relationship between reporters and 1.The symbiotic relationship between reporters and activists has ruined media coverage of things activists has ruined media coverage of things environmental. environmental.

2. 2. When it comes to learning about our health and the When it comes to learning about our health and the environment, the media are -- almost always -- environment, the media are -- almost always -- less than less than worthless! The Scary Story that brings in viewers and worthless! The Scary Story that brings in viewers and advertising dollars trumps science almost every timeadvertising dollars trumps science almost every time

3. 3. Activists enjoy entirely too much positive media attention.Activists enjoy entirely too much positive media attention. They are rarely, themselves, examined critically.They are rarely, themselves, examined critically.

The result:The result: Americans -- from DDT to nuclear power -- “know” Americans -- from DDT to nuclear power -- “know” a great deal of “stuff” that flat a great deal of “stuff” that flat isn’t true!isn’t true!

One Example:One Example:

For the past 30 years, environmentalists have For the past 30 years, environmentalists have ruled over U.S. energy policy, so:ruled over U.S. energy policy, so: No new oil fields have been brought on line.No new oil fields have been brought on line. No new refineries have been built in the U.S. for 23 No new refineries have been built in the U.S. for 23

years.years. As a result:As a result:

We produce only 32% of the gas/diesel needed to run We produce only 32% of the gas/diesel needed to run the countrythe country

68% of our energy we import form primarily three 68% of our energy we import form primarily three countries, all of whom hate us: Russia, Venezuela, Saudi countries, all of whom hate us: Russia, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia.Arabia.

Welcome to $4/gallon gas!!!Welcome to $4/gallon gas!!!

More Bottom Lines:More Bottom Lines: We’reWe’re wasting wasting a lot of valuable a lot of valuable timetime, ,

moneymoney, and , and resourcesresources on on crises that crises that aren’taren’t..

We’re doing the above We’re doing the above at our perilat our peril, ignoring , ignoring or giving a low priority to those things that or giving a low priority to those things that are, indeed, impending crises: are, indeed, impending crises: Food, Food, Energy, Freedom!!Energy, Freedom!!

These issues surely will -- and perhaps are These issues surely will -- and perhaps are -- catching up with us, and -- catching up with us, and perhaps it is perhaps it is time for some serious self-correction.time for some serious self-correction.

There are real consequences:There are real consequences:

Near Zellwood, FL there are Near Zellwood, FL there are thousands of acres that once thousands of acres that once produced tons and tons of produced tons and tons of vegetables for the people of the vegetables for the people of the world. The farms were world. The farms were breathtaking to behold!breathtaking to behold!

No MoreNo More

Today that land is abandoned and Today that land is abandoned and fallow, bought by the state and fallow, bought by the state and returned to swampland, and the food returned to swampland, and the food that was once produced there is no that was once produced there is no longer grown.longer grown.

With world populations growing, taking With world populations growing, taking land out of food production for dubious land out of food production for dubious reasons is the height of stupidity!!reasons is the height of stupidity!!

What does this mean to us?What does this mean to us?

Crises, both Crises, both realreal and and imaginedimagined, can , can strike any organization at any timestrike any organization at any time

They can have dire, sometimes They can have dire, sometimes terminalterminal consequences consequences

The greatest weapon in the arsenal of The greatest weapon in the arsenal of crisis management is crisis management is communicationcommunication

To Learn More:To Learn More:

ActivistCash.com:ActivistCash.com: Lists the groups, their affiliated foundations, the people who are Lists the groups, their affiliated foundations, the people who are

behind the groups and several celebrities and their ties to the behind the groups and several celebrities and their ties to the organizations.organizations.

ConsumerFreedom.com:ConsumerFreedom.com: Provides information about activist groups that appear to be on Provides information about activist groups that appear to be on

the side of the consumer but actually do severe societal damage the side of the consumer but actually do severe societal damage (PETA/Greenpeace/NRCD. Etc.)(PETA/Greenpeace/NRCD. Etc.)