Decades of Denial, Disinformation and Delay
WHO TOLD YOU THE EARTH WAS WARMING...
CHICKEN LITTLE ?
A Long History of Climate Denial​​
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For decades prior to the establishment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988, Southern company executives had been privy to the latest scientific information regarding human produced greenhouse gas emissions, global warming, and the predicted devastating impacts. In fact, its own scientists were doing some of the cutting edge research in these areas. But in 1988, as momentum for worldwide action to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions was growing, Southern Company buried that research and established itself as a driving force behind climate disinformation. They backed misleading campaigns that attacked climate science, opposed binding limits on greenhouse gas emissions, promoted “clean coal” as a false solution to the problem, and fought to slow the transition to clean and renewable energy sources like wind and solar power.
This is well documented in the comprehensive 2022 report, titled “Southern Company Knew.” The report identifies over $62 million that Southern Company paid to special interest groups and outside firms involved in campaigns against climate science and policies. The report only traces dollars spent from 1993 to 2004, and it acknowledges that it captures only a portion of the money that Southern Company has spent to influence the climate debate.
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Recent Climate Denial​
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A particularly egregious example of climate science denial occurred during a 2017 national television interview, when Southern Company CEO Tom Fanning was asked whether it had been proven that carbon dioxide is the primary driver of climate change. His response: "No, certainly not." This statement blatantly contradicted decades of scientific research and the findings of the 2013 and 2014 IPCC reports, which concluded with high confidence that carbon dioxide emissions from human activity are the dominant cause of global warming. The IPCC underscored that the scientific evidence for this connection was both overwhelming and unequivocal.
Despite this mounting evidence, it must have been challenging for Mr. Fanning to publicly acknowledge the science, no matter how convincing or widely accepted. By 2016, Southern Company had doubled down on fossil fuels, making a significant investment in natural gas with its acquisition of AGL Resources. This move came even as scientists were already warning that natural gas, due to methane leaks and other factors, might be as damaging to the climate as coal. Southern Company’s actions demonstrate a clear pattern of prioritizing short-term profits over long-term responsibility, even in the face of an escalating climate crisis.
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A New Strategy in the Era of Escalating Climate Impacts​​
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Today, Southern Company and Georgia Power can no longer credibly deny the role of fossil fuels in driving climate change. Escalating extreme weather events—such as hurricanes, heatwaves, and wildfires—combined with a more informed public, have made denial untenable. Yet, the companies have shifted their strategy, now downplaying the urgency of the crisis. They dismiss IPCC scientists' recommendations as alarmist, claiming that following their advice would result in economic hardship.
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At the same time, both companies continue to advocate for policies that delay the clean energy transition while doubling down on fossil fuel investments. The Georgia Public Service Commission’s 2024 approval of a massive fossil fuel expansion exemplifies this approach. Instead of prioritizing renewable energy, Georgia Power has increased its reliance on coal and natural gas, locking the state into decades of continued emissions.
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Meanwhile, Southern Company has lobbied aggressively against federal transmission reforms that would encourage greater interconnection between the nation’s fragmented electricity grids. Such reforms could enable the distribution of cheaper, renewable energy across regions, but they would also cut into Southern Company’s profits by increasing competition.
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A Misleading Green Facade
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Adding to the frustration, Georgia Power actively promotes a false narrative of climate leadership. On its website, in press releases, and in interviews, the company portrays itself as a responsible corporate citizen taking meaningful steps toward clean energy and energy efficiency. A particularly disturbing example is a video entitled Powering Tomorrow Today, which paints a rosy picture of Georgia Power’s efforts. Smiling faces, optimistic music, and buzzwords like "sustainability" and "innovation" give the impression that the company is fully aligned with the scientific community’s recommendations.
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The reality is far different. Georgia Power’s actions fall woefully short of the targets set by the worldwide scientific community to avert the worst impacts of the climate crisis and transform our economy to run entirely on clean energy.
Studies show that to meet our climate goals utilities must retire all their coal plants by 2030, abandon plans to build gas plants, and aggressively build out renewable energy resources over the next ten years. Despite this pressing deadline, utilities are either not moving fast enough toward these goals, or not moving at all.
to many other states, Georgia lags behind in deploying renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and reducing emissions.​​
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A Tragic Missed Opportunity
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None of the extreme weather events we are witnessing today had to happen. Climate scientists warned us decades ago, and global leaders began gathering at annual COP (Conference of the Parties) meetings in 1992 to address the crisis. The science was clear, and commitments were made to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, powerful people and corporations who benefit from fossil fuel investments fought relentlessly to block meaningful policies and regulations. Their efforts to protect profits at the expense of the planet have left us with a narrow and rapidly closing window to act.
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As climate impacts intensify and public awareness grows, it is imperative to hold companies like Georgia Power and Southern Company accountable. The time for delay has long passed. Transitioning rapidly to clean energy is no longer optional—it is a moral and practical necessity. The question remains: will they rise to meet the moment, or will they continue to prioritize short-term profits over the future of our planet?
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Sources for this article:
3.https://energyandpolicy.org/reports/southern-company-knew-climate-change
4. https://reliefweb.int/report/world/human-influence-climate-clear-ipcc-report-says
5. https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/12/business/energy-environment/12gas.html