Essay1

__The Heartland Institute K-12 Controversy__

The Heartland Institute has been aggressively disagreeing with climate experts on the topic of global warming for many years. The Heartland Institute refers to an American conservative and libertarian think tank, founded in 1984. The nonprofits partisan views remain constant despite prevalent scientific evidence disproving their belief that human activities are not driving climate change. Donations are continuously being made to the conservative think tank in order to spread skepticism throughout the United States. Exxon Mobil, General Motors, Microsoft, AT&T, Time Warner Cable, and Pepsi Co, are among the numerous large and prevalent companies that have donated thousands of dollars to the narrow minded organization, directly sponsoring climate change denial.

As if spreading these false ideas to the general public wasn’t enough, documents were leaked revealing that the Heartland Institute had decided it would be beneficial idea to hire a consultant to create a global warming science curricula in an attempt to condition our k-12 schools. The consultant, David Wojick, holds a doctorate in epistemology. Additionally, he has been employed by multiple coal and electricity generation companies. This mockery of a curricula includes topics like “whether CO2 is a pollutant is controversial” and “whether humans are changing the climate is a major scientific controversy”. As much as many would like to think that this curricula will never make its way into our school system, the financial backing of these ideas is horrifying. One hundred thousand dollars was pledged to fund a curricula that would shade our futures minds with conspiracy. In the event this curricula ever made into our schools, students would lose the ability to think critically about sustainability. Capitalistic ideals may upsurge in future generations which in many cases, does not go hand in hand with ecological efforts.

The Heartland institute made claims that the revealing documents leaked were “criminal” and “fake”, threatening to sue those who shared them. The way the organization publicly handled this “breach” of information was a clear indication that they consider it advantageous to keep their true intentions at bay. If that does not prove someone guilty, i’m not sure what does. As their motives became exposed, their facade diminished and it is plain that people are not happy with the actions or intended actions of the Heartland Institute.

By undermining the current K-12 climate change education curricula and making statements like “we hope that our efforts will restore sound science to climate change education.”, the Heartland Institute is sure to insult many of the hardworking and dedicated teachers throughout the United States. It is of utmost importance that the curricula produced by the Heartland Institute does not make its way into lesson plan circulation. Evolution is still being taught in a theological manner in approximately 17% of the schools in the United States;however, because these documents were leaked, educators may steer away from any (as advertised) “improved” or “enhanced” lessons plan distributed by the Heartland Institute. It is a difficult task to accomplish, but I think the global warming skepticism debacle will keep its toxins out of K-12 schools.

Brian, Merchant. "Leaked Docs Reveal How Top Think Tank Turns Oil Money Into Climate Denial." Treehugger. February 15, 2012. Accessed October 17, 2015.