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PSEUDOSCIENCE

Sources in the Pseudoscience category may publish unverifiable information that is not always supported by evidence. These sources may be untrustworthy for credible/verifiable information; therefore, fact-checking and further investigation is recommended on a per article basis when obtaining information from these sources. See all Conspiracy-Pseudoscience sources.

History

Founded in 1998, the Center for the Study of Carbon Dioxide and Global Change (CO2 Science) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in San Tan Valley, Arizona. According to their mission statement, the Center aims to disseminate factual reports and sound commentary on new developments in the worldwide scientific quest to determine the climatic and biological consequences of the ongoing rise in the air’s CO₂ content. The organization is managed by the Idso family: Sherwood B. Idso (President), Craig D. Idso (Chairman), and Keith E. Idso (Vice President). The Center publishes a weekly online magazine, CO2 Science, which includes editorials and reviews of peer-reviewed scientific journal articles.​

Read our profile on the United States media and government.

Funded by / Ownership

CO2 Science is operated by the Idso family and accepts donations from corporations, foundations, and individuals, as stated on their funding page. While the Center claims that it does not solicit donations from either energy companies or government agencies, it has received funding from fossil fuel interests in the past. According to DeSmog, the Center has received at least $100,000 from ExxonMobil and additional funding from other energy companies. The organization’s donation page encourages financial support to continue its educational activities.​

Analysis / Bias

CO2 Science exhibits a strong right-leaning bias in its coverage of climate change topics. The Center consistently publishes articles that downplay or deny the scientific consensus on human-induced climate change. For instance, in their position statement on global warming, they argue that the warming of the Earth over the past two centuries is likely due to natural causes, and that the benefits of atmospheric CO₂ enrichment and warming will likely outweigh any negative consequences.​

An example of this perspective is evident in their report titled “Enhanced or Impaired? Human Health in a CO₂-Enriched Warmer World,” where they claim that people would likely be healthier and live longer in a world with higher temperatures and atmospheric CO₂ concentrations. This report, along with others available in their report archive, reflects the Center’s tendency to highlight the purported benefits of increased CO₂ levels while minimizing or dismissing the associated risks.​

The Center’s publications often use emotionally charged language, referring to mainstream climate science as “alarmist” and promoting the idea that increased CO₂ levels are beneficial for plant growth and human health. This editorial stance aligns with the interests of their historical funders and indicates a clear opposition to the prevailing scientific understanding of climate change.

Failed Fact Checks

• While specific failed fact checks for CO2 Science are not documented, the organization has been identified by various sources, including DeSmog and Greenpeace, as a promoter of climate change denial and misinformation.

Overall, we rate the Center for the Study of Carbon Dioxide and Global Change (CO2 Science) as a strong right-biased source that promotes climate change denial and misinformation. The organization’s consistent publication of content that contradicts the scientific consensus on climate change, along with its historical funding from fossil fuel interests, indicates a clear editorial stance that opposes mainstream climate science. Due to its promotion of misleading pseudoscience and selective presentation of data, we rate its factual reporting as Low. (D. Van Zandt 04/30/2025)

Source: https://co2science.org/

Last Updated on April 30, 2025 by Media Bias Fact Check

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Left vs. Right Bias: How we rate the bias of media sources