Double Dipping Pat Michaels Told to Choose Sides

onAug 22, 2006 @ 16:28 PDT

Bravo to the Ranoake Times for this editorial on the “Virginia State Climatologist” Pat Michaels.

It has recently come to public attention that Michaels’ title is somewhat ceremonial and dates back to 1980. The Ranoake Times points out that Michaels seems to have two paymasters: the University of Virginia (which holds the paperwork on his state appointment) and the energy industry financiers that pay him consulting fees as he wanders about the country quibbling about climate change.

The title of State Climatologist, and Michaels position as a UVa professor, seem to give him credibility, while the money from industry might be taken to suggest that he is a well-paid corporate apologist. The Times suggests that he clear up the issue by foresaking further payments from one of those two masters.

Willingly? We think not.

By Richard Littlemore

Q&A: This Comedy Series Is Taking Aim at Big Oil’s PR Machine

ByEllen Ormesher

onSep 14, 2026 @ 11:01 PDT

SLICK is a funny yet cutting satire of how the ad industry contributes to the climate crisis.

Series: Holding the Advertising and Public Relations Industry Accountable for Greenwash and Climate Misinformation

Series: Advertising & PR Industry

Analysis

Majority of Planned Alberta Data Centre Projects Could be Under Foreign Control

ByMitch Anderson

onSep 14, 2026 @ 07:05 PDT

DeSmog analysis finds less than one third of planned projects could have full Canadian control over data.

Carbon Capture Is Booming. So Is the Push to Shift Oversight to States

BySarah Hofmann

onSep 11, 2026 @ 10:36 PDT

As hundreds of CO2 storage wells move toward development, the EPA is handing more regulatory authority to states — despite concerns about safety and long-term liability.