Merchants of Doubt –Film and Discussion

Inspired by the acclaimed book by Naomi Oreskes and Erik Conway, Merchants of Doubt uses sharp humor as it lifts the curtain on a secretive group of highly charismatic, silver-tongued pundits-for-hire who present themselves in the media as scientific authorities – but whose real goals are to mislead the public, undermining support for acting on well-studied environmental and other threats to public well-being for the benefits of the significant financial interests that back them.  The film explores the roots of this strategy in protecting tobacco companies over four decades ago, and traces its recurrence through various environmental topics to today’s pundits who vehemently deny the overwhelming scientific evidence and scientific consensus that climate change is happening, it’s bad and we are causing it.

As we reflect on and celebrate Earth Day 2016, Merchants of Doubt provides much to consider about how humanity is served by the presence or absence of such characteristics as integrity, trustworthiness, honesty, humility, and honor.

The following organizations are co-sponsoring this event with Lake County Green Congregations: Faith in Place, the College of Lake County, Citizens’ Climate Lobby Lake County/Citizens’ Climate Education, Moms Clean Air Force, and CAPOW! Citizens Act to Protect Our Water.