Oil execs have known for many decades that human-caused climate change is real
According to Google search: Yes, major oil executives knew that human-caused climate change was real and dangerous as early as the late 1950s and 1960s, with internal company research becoming exceptionally precise by the 1970s and 1980s. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Early Warnings and Internal Research
- 1950s–1960s: Industry groups and scientists warned oil companies early on. For example, nuclear physicist Edward Teller warned the American Petroleum Institute in 1959 that burning fossil fuels would release carbon dioxide and eventually melt the ice caps. A 1968 report by the Stanford Research Institute prepared for the industry also stated that significant temperature changes were nearly certain by 2000.
- Exxon’s Accurate Models: Internal company memos and peer-reviewed studies show that Exxon (and later ExxonMobil) scientists built highly accurate climate models. Research published in Science revealed that 63% to 83% of Exxon’s own internal global warming projections matched subsequent actual temperatures.
- Shell and Total Confidential Reports: Shell completed a comprehensive internal report in 1986 predicting catastrophic global warming, sea-level rise, and destructive floods, which was marked confidential. Similar internal awareness existed at Total and other major firms. [7]
Public Denial and Disinformation
Despite their own scientists confirming the reality of human-driven warming, company executives chose a different path.
- Public Doubt: Major oil corporations spent millions of dollars funding public relations campaigns, advertisements, and front groups to cast doubt on climate science.
- Delaying Action: Executives downplayed the risks, overemphasized scientific uncertainties, and lobbied against international climate regulations like the Kyoto Protocol to protect short-term profits. [1, 8, 10]
If you’d like, I can provide more details on:Specific internal memos leaked from Exxon or ShellCurrent legal battles and lawsuits filed by states against oil companies
