Global Spin
The Corporate Assault on Environmentalism

Global Spin reveals the sophisticated techniques being used around the world by powerful conservative forces to try to change the way the public and politicians think about the environment. Large corporations are using their influence to reshape public opinion, to weaken gains made by environmentalists, and to turn politicians against increased environmental regulation. The corporations’ techniques include employing specialized PR?firms to set up front groups that promote the corporate agenda whilst posing as public-interest groups; creating ‘astroturf’—artificially created grassroots support for corporate causes; deterring public involvement by imposing SLAPPS—strategic lawsuits against public participation; getting corporate-based ‘environmental educational’ materials into schools; and funding conservative think-tanks, which have persistently tried to cast doubt on the existence of environmental problems and to oppose stricter environmental regulations. In the media, corporate advertising and sponsorship are influencing news content, and industry-funded scientists are often treated as independent experts. This updated edition includes new chapters about the business campaign to prevent action on global warming, and whether Greenpeace’s ideals are being compromised by ‘greenwash’.

Sharon Beder

Dr Sharon Beder is a visiting professor in the School of Social Sciences, Media and Communication at the University of Wollongong. Sharon's research has focussed on how power relationships are maintained and challenged, particularly by corporations and professions. She is interested in environmental politics; the rhetoric of sustainable development; the philosophies behind environmental economics; and trends in environmentalism and corporate activism/public relations. Most recently she has broadened her research interests to critique various manifestations of neoliberalism including privatisation and deregulation, market solutions to social problems and the business takeover of school education. She has written 10 books and around 150 articles, book chapters and conference papers.