Big Oil's secret weapon

+ a Roman’s guide to diversity and inclusion US Edition - Today's top story: Big Oil's trade group allies outspent clean energy groups by a whopping 27x, with billions in ads and lobbying to keep fossil fuels flowing [View in browser]( US Edition | 13 February 2023 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( The big oil and gas companies like to present themselves as the solution to climate change, even as they’re leaning into more fossil fuel production and making record profits from it. But while the public sees their optimistic ads promoting fuel-of-the-future projects like “blue hydrogen” (made with natural gas), these same companies are quietly pouring billions of dollars into industry groups that have worked for years to undermine pro-climate policies through advertising and lobbying. Environmental policy scholars Christian Downie and Bob Brulle sorted through a decade of trade groups’ tax documents to see [how these industry groups are deploying their cash]( and just how much more they’re spending compared with groups working in support of clean energy. The short answer: a lot. Also today: - [Adapting to West’s water-scarce future]( - [Why the world turns]( - [Scanning your brain may uncover IP theft]( Stacy Morford Environment + Climate Editor Keeping oil and gas flowing. Steve Chenn/The Image Bank via Getty Images [Big Oil’s trade group allies outspent clean energy groups by a whopping 27x, with billions in ads and lobbying to keep fossil fuels flowing]( Christian Downie, Australian National University; Robert Brulle, Brown University Researchers looked at a decade of political spending by the oil and gas industry and others engaged in climate policy. If money talks, one side had a giant megaphone. Science + Technology - [A less biased way to determine trademark infringement? Asking the brain directly]( Zhihao Zhang, University of Virginia How do you determine whether one brand is similar enough to another to infringe on its trademark? Researchers propose that comparing brain scans could be an option. - [Why does the Earth spin?]( Silas Laycock, UMass Lowell An astronomer takes us on a tour of the universe to learn about the birth of stars and planets and how they get their spin. Education - [Studying abroad is poised to make a post-pandemic comeback – here are 5 questions students who plan to study overseas should ask]( David L. Di Maria, University of Maryland, Baltimore County An international education expert offers five tips for students planning to study overseas in a post-pandemic world. Health + Medicine - [Cost of getting sick for older people of color is 25% higher than for white Americans – new research]( Marc Cohen, UMass Boston; Jane Tavares, UMass Boston A study of medical costs and income losses found that those who can least afford to pay for health care and miss out on their paychecks rack up the biggest bills. Ethics + Religion - [What a second-century Roman citizen, Lucian, can teach us about diversity and acceptance]( Eleni Bozia, University of Florida Lucian’s work provides insight into the second-century Roman world, which fostered multilingualism and multiculturalism. Environment + Energy - [A new strategy for western states to adapt to long-term drought: Customized water pricing]( Matthew E. Kahn, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences; Bhaskar Krishnamachari, University of Southern California Even after January’s storms, California faces a water-scarce future. An economist and an engineer propose a way to test higher water prices as a conservation strategy without hurting low-income users. Arts + Culture - [From Chaucer to chocolates: how Valentine’s Day gifts have changed over the centuries]( Clare Davidson, Australian Catholic University Today you are probably more likely to gift chocolates than fish. Trending on site - [How California could save up its rain to ease future droughts — instead of watching epic atmospheric river rainfall drain into the Pacific]( - [A nagging cough can hang on for weeks or months following a respiratory illness – and there is precious little you can do about it]( - [A journey from work to home is about more than just getting there – the psychological benefits of commuting that remote work doesn’t provide]( Reader Comments 💬 “I'd probably get addicted to smoking or gambling if I ever start it. So I made the decision to never get hooked in the first place. It’s difficult to crave the rush if you never experienced it. What’s concerning is how there’s no shortage of for-profit TV commercials and online ads trying to make such things as a social norm implying it’s fun and everyone should take part. Betting apps and gambling commercials are now everywhere and the young generation are being conditioned to see it as something that they must partake as everyone is doing it.” – Reader Matthew O'Neill on the story [Sports betting apps’ notifications and leaderboards encourage more and more wagers – a psychologist who treats gambling addictions explains why some people get hooked]( - - More of The Conversation Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our weekly and biweekly emails: • [Weekly Highlights]( • [Science Editors' Picks]( • [This Week in Religion]( • [Politics Weekly]( • [Global Perspectives]( • [Global Economy & Business]( Trying out new social media? 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