Despite the city's efforts to divest from fossil fuels and reduce environmental impact, Pittsburgh maintains a close relationship with lobbyists representing fossil fuel companies.
Dharna Noor reports for The Guardian.
In short:
- Pittsburgh employs lobbyists with ties to major fossil fuel corporations, highlighting a conflict of interest in the city's fight against climate change.
- Educational, cultural and conservation groups in Pittsburgh also share lobbyists with the fossil fuel sector.
- Calls for these institutions to sever such ties are growing.
"Instead of being the villains on climate, suddenly they’re heroes for children, for local conservation efforts and for all kinds of good causes even though they’re also working for fossil fuel companies."
— James Browning, executive director of F Minus.
Why this matters:
The entanglement of Pittsburgh's institutions with fossil fuel lobbyists undermines environmental initiatives and public health efforts. This relationship is particularly notable given the region's high rates of health issues related to fossil fuel exposure.
Question for the reader:
How do you think local institutions should navigate their relationships with lobbyists to maintain integrity in their environmental commitments?
Read Matt Smith's piece for EHN: "From coal lobbyists to community leaders—the plot to keep Birmingham polluted"
AI-based tools helped produce this text, with human oversight and editing.
