KILLING OUR CLIMATE

A Primer on the Koch Network’s Impact on the Environment Through Dark Money, Deceit, and Disinformation

From funding university-affiliated research centers and state-based think-tanks to making sure climate-denying politicians are seated in legislatures across the country, the Koch network has been one of the largest driving forces behind climate misinformation in the United States. This has stalled government action on climate change, disrupted efforts by the states to transition to renewable energies, and paved the way for the Trump administration's privatization of public lands. 

The Koch network is helmed by billionaire Charles Koch, head of Koch Industries -- a multinational corporation with subsidiaries involved in the manufacturing, refining, and distribution of petroleum, chemicals, energy, fiber, and more. Koch has a vested interest in delaying climate action: he’s made billions from his ownership and control of Koch Industries, an oil corporation that is the second largest privately-held company in America. Much of the Koch network’s success in cutting environmental regulations and delaying action on climate change can be attributed to its commitment to a “battle of ideas” that seeks to mainstream favorable narratives of privatization and limited government intervention, along with the direct promotion of climate change denial content.

Through dark money infusions in the political realm, communications, the judiciary system, and education since the 1970s, the Koch network has been able to create and manipulate pro-corporate messaging that translates into deregulation policy -- policy that is championed by people who have been plucked from the network’s talent pipeline to ensure that profit wins out over the common good. In the last year, we’ve seen this formula of using dark money and misinformation surrounding COVID-19 as well, with similar disastrous results that have impacted our environment.

This report looks at the Koch network’s involvement in education, the media, the courts, and politics to see just how interwoven they are when it comes to climate disinformation and harm to the environment.

Published April, 2021