Since, the following essay doesn't attempt to look at the root causes for the crazy-making they describe, I'll venture some thoughts.
The underhanded attacks on climate science's credibility started within the Reaganomics machine/mindset. The people that inhabit that machine were/are addicted to a notion that too much is never enough (for example). It embraces a notion of maximizing profits, minimizing liabilities. It openly rejects responsibility for environmental stewardship, abhors the notion of limits or regulation, and behaves as if resources are endless and tomorrow doesn't matter.
Worse they possess outright contempt for the "environment" and can't seem to fathom the difference between the 60s planet of three billion people and today's world of over seven billion hungry souls and a warming global climate system.
Their disregard for the lessons of history and seeming contempt for the future can be seen in everything from their rejection of responsibility for externalities such as clean (read healthy) soil, water and air, to the way our nation's proudly built infrastructure has been allowed to degenerate.
It's like a nation invited a charismatic Hollywood pretty boy into the halls of power and the halls of power started to believe their own Hollywood fairytale of endless milk and honey and no responsibility (read taxes) maintaining infrastructure nor preparing for our children's future.
Yes, these are generalities - perhaps a starting point for further discussion.
With thanks to The Conversation and their generous sharing policy here is their full article - I have highlighted some paragraphs.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
