The new public relations group calling itself the Natural Resources Stewardship Project is a classic example of an astroturf group – a surprisingly well-funded PR team that presents itself as a grassroots organization.

NRSP (think: Not Really Science People) sets this out as it’s First Priority Project:

“Understanding Climate Change”
A proactive grassroots campaign to counter the Kyoto Protocol and other greenhouse gas reduction schemes while promoting sensible climate change policy.

Think about that for a minute. A true grassroots campaign occurs when a bunch of people who share an interest rise up spontaneously to fight for a common interest. Which of your neighbours might be inclined to rise up spontaneously to “counter the Kyoto Protocol and other greenhouse gas reduction schemes”? Conscientious objectors in the war on climate change don’t join astroturf groups. They drive SUVs and grumble about gas prices (which, by the way, still don’t reflect any taxes linked to global warming.)