Exxon's Misleading Role in Climate Change: Documents Reveal a Deliberate Cover-Up

Bill McKibben summarized it best: 'ExxonMobil, the world’s largest and most powerful oil company, knew everything there was to know about climate change by the mid-1980s and then spent the next few decades systematically funding climate denial and lying about the state of the science.'

Exxon's Knowledge of Fossil Fuel Pollution Effects

Internal documents from the late 1970s reveal that Exxon was well aware of the impact of fossil fuel pollution on ecosystems and the environment. An email from Lenny Bernstein, a 30-year industry veteran and Exxon's former in-house climate expert, mentioned that Exxon first got interested in climate change in 1981 due to its need to develop the Natuna gas field off the coast of Indonesia. This massive gas reserve was described as having a greenhouse effect equivalent to 1% of global emissions, essentially a 'carbon bomb.'

Media Exposure of Exxon's Cover-Up

Multimedia investigations by The Guardian, Inside Climate News, and the Los Angeles Times partnership with Columbia Graduate School of Journalism, led by Steve Coll, have revealed Exxon's longstanding efforts to cover up its knowledge of climate change. These reports document how Exxon did not publicly acknowledge the dangers of climate change, despite knowing about its effects since the late 1970s.

Exxon responded to the climate crisis with a strategy similar to the tobacco industry's response to the connection between smoking and lung cancer. The company funded climate denial and denial of science, spreading doubt and delaying action in the public eye.

Notable Exposés

The detailed investigations by InsideClimate News have uncovered several critical points. For instance, in the 1980s, Exxon lobbied to promote synthetic fossil fuels, ignoring the fact that these fuels had a high carbon footprint. This reflected Exxon's broader strategy to downplay the environmental impact of its products.

Additionally, the era saw a five-year hiatus in peer-reviewed publications by Exxon's scientists, during which the company embraced disinformation. Exxon also collaborated with the Bush-Cheney White House, turning scientific uncertainties into tools for public confusion. These efforts were clearly aimed at delaying any potential regulatory actions.

Further Reading and Resources

For those interested in learning more, there are a number of resources available. The ExxonSecrets website delves deeply into the connections and impacts of Exxon's actions. Additionally, InsideClimate News has published a number of articles on the subject, available through their website.

By delving into the truth behind these claims, we can better understand the history of corporate influence on climate policy and the urgent need for action.

Conclusion

The evidence clearly shows that ExxonMobil was aware of the risks of climate change from the 1970s onward. However, instead of taking appropriate measures, the company spent decades funding a campaign of denial, essentially delaying the implementation of effective climate policies. This exploitation of public trust is not only unethical but also poses a significant threat to our environment.