Investigation: How Climate Data Is Being Manipulated by Industry
A six-month investigation reveals how fossil fuel companies have funded research designed to cast doubt on climate science. Internal documents show coordinated campaigns to delay action on global warming.
By Sarah Mitchell - Chief Political Correspondent
Last Updated: December 15, 2025
Climate disinformation investigation
What We Found
Internal industry documents obtained by our investigation show that major oil companies funded think tanks and researchers specifically to create the appearance of scientific uncertainty about climate change.
The Strategy
The playbook was borrowed from tobacco: fund contrarian research, amplify minority scientific views, and lobby against regulation. The goal was not to win the scientific debate but to delay policy action.
Accountability
State attorneys general are now investigating whether these campaigns constitute fraud. Climate litigation against fossil fuel companies is accelerating based on evidence of deliberate deception.