Exxon knew of climate change in 1981, email says
By Suzanne Goldenberg, Guardian
ExxonMobil, the world’s biggest oil company, knew as early as 1981 of climate change – seven years before it became a public issue, according to a newly discovered email from one of the firm’s own scientists. Despite this the firm spent millions over the next 27 years to promote climate denial.
The email from Exxon’s in-house climate expert provides evidence the company was aware of the connection between fossil fuels and climate change, and the potential for carbon-cutting regulations that could hurt its bottom line, over a generation ago – factoring that knowledge into its decision about an enormous gas field in south-east Asia. The field, off the coast of Indonesia, would have been the single largest source of global warming pollution at the time.
“Exxon first got interested in climate change in 1981 because it was seeking to develop the Natuna gas field off Indonesia,” Lenny Bernstein, a 30-year industry veteran and Exxon’s former in-house climate expert, wrote in the email. “This is an immense reserve of natural gas, but it is 70% CO2,” or carbon dioxide, the main driver of climate change.
However, Exxon’s public position was marked by continued refusal to acknowledge the dangers of climate change, even in response to appeals from the Rockefellers, its founding family, and its continued financial support for climate denial. Over the years, Exxon spent more than $30m on thinktanks and researchers that promoted climate denial, according to Greenpeace.
Exxon said last week that it now acknowledges the risk of climate change and does not fund climate change denial groups.
So you’re telling me that a huge corporation would cooperate in endangering the population of the world in order to protect its own profits and shareholders? I’m shocked.
Once more, remind me about how wonderful our unregulated capitalism is. And why I shouldn’t admire Bernie Sanders.
We don’t HAVE “unregulated capitalism”. Never have, in our lifetimes.
Why shouldn’t you admire Bernie Sanders? Because he’s never read an economics book in his life. He has absolutely no clue. He calls you greedy for not wanting to let HIM control 90% of your earnings. While he remains a millionaire.
” Because he’s never read an economics book in his life.”
That has to be false.
90% of earning?
What?
This is why people struggle to take you seriously.