Exxon
The Road Not Taken
This nine-part history of Exxon’s engagement with the emerging science of climate change is the result of an eight months-long investigation conducted in 2015. The stories span four decades, and are based on primary sources, including internal company documents dating back to the late 1970s; interviews with former company employees; and other evidence published for the first time by ICN.
We found that decades ago, Exxon conducted cutting-edge climate research and then worked at the forefront of climate denial, manufacturing doubt about the scientific consensus that its own scientists had confirmed.
This series was named a finalist for the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service, and earned national recognition from many other quarters. It spawned the popular hashtag #ExxonKnew and many climate liability lawsuits.
Part I of the Award-Winning Series: Exxon’s Own Research Confirmed Fossil Fuels’ Role in Global Warming Decades Ago
Top executives were warned of possible catastrophe from greenhouse effect, then led efforts to block solutions.
By Neela Banerjee, Lisa Song and David Hasemyer
Exxon Believed Deep Dive Into Climate Research Would Protect Its Business
Neela Banerjee, Lisa Song, David Hasemyer
Exxon Confirmed Global Warming Consensus in 1982 with In-House Climate Models
Lisa Song, Neela Banerjee, David Hasemyer
Exxon’s Business Ambition Collided with Climate Change Under a Distant Sea
by Neela Banerjee & Lisa Song
Highlighting the Allure of Synfuels, Exxon Played Down the Climate Risks
By John H. Cushman Jr.
Exxon Sowed Doubt About Climate Science for Decades by Stressing Uncertainty
By David Hasemyer and John H. Cushman Jr.
Exxon Made Deep Cuts in Climate Research Budget in the 1980s
By John H. Cushman Jr.
More Exxon Documents Show How Much It Knew About Climate 35 Years Ago
By Neela Banerjee
Exxon’s Oil Industry Peers Knew About Climate Dangers in the 1970s, Too
By Neela Banerjee
Documents
James Black Talk (1977)
Summary of a presentation on the CO2 greenhouse effect that Black gave to top Exxon executives and other company scientists.
“Bad News” Letter (1978)
Exxon scientist Henry Shaw tells his boss the company needs a “credible” team to research CO2.
CO2 Forecast (1980)
Overview of the current scientific understanding of the CO2 greenhouse effect and ongoing federal research programs into the issue.
Exxon CO2 Primer (1982)
This document describes the state of the science on the greenhouse effect was widely circulated among Exxon management.
Government Meeting Memo (1977)
Exxon scientist Henry Shaw summarizes a government meeting he attended, on the “global environmental effects of carbon dioxide.”
Probable Legislation Memo (1979)
Exxon scientist Henry Shaw tells his boss there is “a good probability” that CO2 legislation will eventually be passed.
“Worldwide” R&D Memo (1978)
Exxon’s Harold Weinberg proposes some “grandiose thoughts” on how Exxon might research the “CO2 problem.”
Presentation to NOAA (1979)
Exxon and Columbia University scientists present their CO2 research plan to NOAA scientist Lester Machta.
Letters to Senior VPs (1980)
Exxon scientists update Senior Vice Presidents M.E.J. O’Loughlin and George T. Piercy on the status of their CO2 research.
