The Corporate Elite and the Architecture of Climate Change Denial: A Network Analysis of Carbon Capital's Reach into Civil Society. (5th July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Carroll, William; Graham, Nicholas; Lang, Michael K.; Yunker, Zoë; McCartney, Kevin D.
• Is Part Of: Canadian review of sociology. Volume 55:Number 3(2018)
• Page Start: 425
• Page End: 450
• Publication Date: 2018-07-05
• Subjects: Sociology -- Periodicals
• DOI: 10.1111/cars.12211
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1755-6171

Abstract

Abstract: This study employs social network analysis to map the Canadian network of carbon‐capital corporations whose boards interlock with key knowledge‐producing civil society organizations, including think tanks, industry associations, business advocacy organizations, universities, and research institutes. We find a pervasive pattern of carbon‐sector reach into these domains of civil society, forming a single, connected network that is centered in Alberta yet linked to the central‐Canadian corporate elite through hegemonic capitalist organizations, including major financial companies. This structure provides the architecture for a "soft" denial regime that acknowledges climate change while protecting the continued flow of profit to fossil fuel and related companies.