ABSTRACT
From George W. Bush to the Tea Party to Donald Trump, the history of the entwinement of the fossil fuel industry, climate change denial, and the American political system is examined in this chapter. This is followed by a detailed look at the deceitful game plan of deniers and the deep-pocket sources of their funding. Climate change denial has become ensnared in the American political process as a point of tension between Republicans and Democrats with complete polarization and a left/right divide on the issue. Yet with the support of both parties, fossil fuel companies continue to be awarded billions of dollars in federal production and exploration subsidies by the government. While climate change deniers commonly rail against big government, the giant corporations that contribute most to greenhouse gas emissions are often the biggest benefactors of government actions, which is precisely why they are ready to spend startling amounts of money on lobbying and even, when possible, have a hand in directly writing the language of new policies at the invitation of politicians who are the biggest recipients of energy sector campaign donations. This tactic constitutes part of the climate war quietly raging in the U.S.
