Yup: Looks like there is an industry with a standard operating pattern:

Form a public interest group. Find an issue, e.g., a claim of a big threat, some version of the old the sky is falling.

To put over the issue: For evidence for the threat, scientific is not necessary; anecdotal is sufficient. Celebrity endorsement can help.

Get the media hungry for content on-board: Have them gang up, pile on, form a mob, publish shocking content, get credibility for the group and the issue via one for all, all for one, write click-bait headlines. Then the media gets eyeballs and ad revenue.

The group gets publicity, credibility, donations, goes for legislation and appropriations which help the group, result in campaign contributions, maybe cushy jobs.

Make use of a fact of life in politics: One percent of the voters making a big noise can scare politicians more than the other 99% not much concerned.

I.e., there is "extortion" -- objecting to the issue can result in getting hurt.

But eventually too many of that 99% find reasons not to like the issue, and it dies.

Repeat with another group/issue.