One year ago, not many knew the name Koch Industries, a
publicity-averse private company run by two brothers, David
and Charles Koch. The Koch brothers each have an estimated
net personal wealth of more than $21 billion and are
now tied for the fifth richest man in America, ranking among
the top 20 richest people in the world.1 A year ago, even
reporters at major outlets responded “who?” in conversation
about the Koch brothers or Koch Industries. Fortunately, the
shroud of secrecy is being lifted.
Koch Industries: Still Fueling Climate Denial (2011 Update)
Greenpeace released the report Koch Industries: Secretly Funding the Climate Denial Machine in March, 2010 garnering international media attention. In August, The New Yorker magazine published a ten thousand-word investigation, Covert Operations: The billionaire brothers who are waging a war against Obama. David Koch tried to undermine the New Yorker story by placing a rare interview in New York magazine intended to offer a flattering portrait but instead adding fuel to the fire. Now, a growing awareness of these oil billionaires’ destructive agenda has led to increased scrutiny and resistance from people and organizations all over the United States.
