7gen Bloc

Legislative progress on climate change is moving forward, but it won't be easy. Though we read about legislative committee hearings, most of the action takes place out of sight and goes unreported in the media. The Multinational Monitor, a media outlet that tracks corporate activity around the world, recently reported on the intensity of the lobbying activity:

"Hoards of industry lobbyists are on Capitol Hill trying to cool off momentum around global warming legislation. There are more than 600 lobbyists focused on climate change from manufacturing companies alone, not counting heavyweights like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers, according to a February report by the Center for Public Integrity. Overall, more than 770 companies and interest groups hired 2,340 lobbyists to work on climate change, spending more than $90 million in 2008, according to estimates by the Center for Public Integrity. This total includes environmental groups.

"The number of lobbyists looking to shape climate change policy has grown more than 300 percent in five years. Finance, insurance and investment firms, which had almost no climate change lobbyists in 2003, now have as many lobbyists as alternative energy firms, as they look to influence decisions on market-based cap-and-trade policies. Cities, counties, and public agencies have more than 100 lobbyists on the Hill now, up from just a handful in 2003, focusing on how Congress will distribute climate change funds.

"Environmental, health, and alternative energy lobbyists have increased their numbers as well, although they are still outnumbered by industry and other interests by 8-to-1."

photo: Kate Mereand