How Lawson Sold BP – And How An Arab State Almost Got Control
Lord Lawson is a patriot. He believes himself to be a very wise man indeed. But his sale of BP to the private sector nearly handed the oil company to an Arab state and this means that today, governments cannot control carbon emissions. The Hayek-inspired revolution was about to be completed as British Petroleum (BP) would […]
Tide Turning Against Global Coal Industry: New Report
Coal, the fossil fuel that largely sparked the industrial revolution, may be facing the beginning of the end — at least in terms of generating electricity. There are increasing signs of the demise of the world’s dirtiest fossil fuel, from a global oversupply to plummeting prices to China starting to clean up its polluted air. Last week, […]
Solar Could Be Our Biggest Source Of Energy By 2050, If Politicians Make it Happen
The sun could be our biggest single source of energy and prevent 6 bilion tonnes of climate-warming CO2 pollution by 2050, according to two new reports. Issued by the International Energy Agency, the two “Technology Roadmap” reports conclude that solar photovoltaic (PV) systems could supply 16% of the world’s electricity needs and concentrating solar power […]
Did David Cameron Forget Climate Change Section in His Leader's Speech?
David Cameron warned the Conservative party conference in his barnstorming speech that “the dangers of climate change are stark and very real” and “if we don’t act now, and act quickly, we could face disaster.” This was, however, during his speech before delegates in Manchester in 2009, as the party readied itself for the 2010 general […]
Meet Lord Lawson's Shy Climate Denial Funders – Lord Vinson
BY HELEN NIANIAS As someone who worked closely with Margaret Thatcher, it’s fair to say that Lord Nigel Vinson fits into a decidedly 1980s view of the world. Vinson was made a Conservative peer in 1985. Alongside Thatcher, Vinson co-founded the Centre for Policy Studies, a neoliberal British think tank, which has come under fire recently […]
Meet Lord Lawson's Shy Climate Denial Funders – Micheal Hintze
BY HELEN NIANIAS Sir Michael Hintze, an Australian-born hedge fund manager and Tory party donor, may manage firms that turn over hundreds of millions of pounds a year, but he is pretty good at getting away with only paying a little light tax to HMRC. Hintze, who Forbes reckon is worth $1.8 billion (£1.1 billion), manages […]
Lawson Becomes Chancellor – Attacks Miners, Sells Coal, Oil and Gas
Lord Lawson created Britain’s privatised energy industry. Some argue that he supports their interests by denying the need for robust climate change policies. But he didn’t support everyone who worked for coal, oil and gas companies. Even back then. The general election of June 1983 was a landslide for the Tories and landed Thatcher an increased […]
It's Official: Lord Lawson's Charity 'Promoted Particular Position' on Climate Change
Lord Lawson’s registered charity, the Global Warming Policy Foundation (GWPF), “promoted a particular position on global warming” according to a report published today by the Charity Commission. During the last three years, the GWPF has since remained one of the most complained about charities registered by the commission, with members of the public concerned […]
Lawson's Climate Denial Donor Boasts of Shale Gas Investment
Lord Lawson accepted a donation for his climate denial charity from a millionaire financier who successfully invested in shale gas fracking, DeSmog UK can reveal. Edgar Miller Jnr, a Texan-born venture capitalist, has been named as an early donor, fundraiser, and founder of the Global Warming Policy Foundation (GWPF) who claims he turned down the role […]
How Lawson Lost Control of Britain's Fossil Fuels
Lord Lawson is today the main voice of climate denial in Britain. But 30 years ago he was personally responsible for the British state losing control over our reserves of fossil fuels. “My career as a cabinet minister began with quite a bang,” Lord Lawson recalled in his autobiography. His first act was to sell of the […]