(VERGE) Makena Kelly, January 29, 2019

On Monday, Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Chellie Pingree (D-ME) asked the heads of Facebook, Google, and Microsoft to pledge their companies’ support for the science suggesting that climate change has made a significant, negative impact on the environment.

The lawmakers penned the letter after news broke last week that the companies sponsored a conference, LibertyCon, which promoted climate change denialism. At the libertarian-focused conference, a speaker from the CO2 Coalition gave a talk arguing that the environmental impact of climate change has been exaggerated.

“We are encouraged that each of you have pledged to reduce your carbon footprint and have committed other efforts like pursuing renewable energy,” the two lawmakers wrote. “Disappointingly, though, the example you have set promoting sustainability and evidenced-based science is compromised by your implicit support of the session organized at LibertyCon.”

At the conference, the session cited by the lawmakers and reports was the only in support of climate denialism. The conference was not focused solely on environmental issues, but other other sessions were held asking whether carbon taxes were a viable solution for climate change, and religious liberty.

via Rep. Ocasio-Cortez rips into Facebook, Google, and Microsoft on climate – The Verge.