Shocking Truth: Billionaires Secretly Financing Climate Activists

Hidden behind the scenes of controversial and disruptive climate activism lies a lesser-known network supported by notable figures like the Rockefellers and former Google CEO Eric Schmidt. Tax records reveal the workings of Climate Defiance, an organization that has created a stir by staging eye-catching protests and confrontations to push Democratic lawmakers to take a stance against the oil and gas industry. Here’s a deeper dive into the inner workings of this network and its funding sources.

Unveiling the Financial Backing

• Climate Defiance had a revenue of $543,000 in 2023, with more than half funded by the Oil and Gas Action Network.
• Major donations come from notable organizations like Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, the Schmidt Family Foundation, and the Rockefeller Family Fund to the network.
• Institutes like the Tides Foundation and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream charity also contribute to the financial backing.

Through these generous supporters, unconventional activism that breaks boundaries has seen significant funding streams, raising concerns and calls for close scrutiny from experts like Thomas Pyle of the Institute for Energy Research.

The Deceptive Facade of Grassroots Activism

• Climate Defiance operates as a tax-exempt charity funded significantly by a public charity named the Oil and Gas Action Network.
• Financial records reveal that the advocacy arm of Climate Defiance, its 501(c)(4) section, plays a substantial role in pushing its agenda.
• Clashing approaches with allies like the Climate Emergency Fund, known for striking protests, and vandalism, show how Climate Defiance bends the rules while maintaining its influence.

The interconnected web of support from charities, philanthropists, and funders forms a complex matrix that blurs the lines between grassroots movements and larger backers, blurring the transparency and accountability in modern activism.

Funding Revelations and Collaborative Efforts

• Billionaire donations grace both Climate Defiance and the Oil and Gas Action Network via sources like the Schmidt Foundation and the Climate Emergency Fund.
• Donor-advised funds managed by prominent institutions like PayPal and Goldman Sachs continue to flow capital into such activist hubs.
• The link between activist hubs and influential donors showcases how larger operations pull the strings from behind the scenes, steering the direction of these movements.

The narrative of making fossil fuels toxic and stripping the industry’s power takes shape through strategic partnerships and financial injections that propel these activist campaigns.

Conclusion

The unveiling of Climate Defiance’s financial sources brings to light the vast network that supports disruptive climate activism. Behind the scenes, influential backers and charity organizations fund causes that may cross legal boundaries, raising questions about the transparency and legitimacy of such initiatives. As society grapples with the balance between advocating for change and maintaining integrity, a closer look at the financial structures guiding these movements is necessary. A call for accountability and transparency in funding is vital to ensure the credibility and responsibility of the activist network behind the scenes.