Fossil Fuel Companies: Climate Change Denial For Profit

Fossil fuel companies have been aware of the impact of their products on the climate for decades. Despite this, they have led the way in climate change denial, opposing regulations to reduce global warming. ExxonMobil, for example, has been the most active of the major oil corporations in the debate surrounding climate change, using tactics similar to those employed by the tobacco industry to deny the link between smoking and lung cancer.

These companies have funded organisations critical of climate agreements, such as the Kyoto Protocol, and sought to undermine public opinion about the scientific consensus on global warming. They have also spread misinformation, emphasising uncertainty and disputing established science.

In addition, fossil fuel companies have lobbied politicians and governments, and influenced the media to create a false balance between climate science and climate sceptics. As a result, they have delayed action on climate change, with devastating consequences for the planet.

Fossil fuel companies have known about climate change for decades

Fossil fuel companies have known about the impact of their products on the climate for decades. In 1966, a coal industry research organization, Bituminous Coal Research Inc., published its finding that if coal consumption trends continued, global temperatures would increase, leading to "vast changes in the climates of the earth".

In the 1970s, oil companies published research that concurred with the scientific community's view on climate change. Exxon's own scientist, James Black, warned in 1978 that critical choices about changing energy strategies were just 5-10 years away. However, instead of heeding these warnings, Exxon curtailed its carbon dioxide research in the late 1980s and worked at the forefront of climate denial in the subsequent decades.

In the 1980s, oil companies like Exxon and Shell carried out internal assessments of the carbon dioxide released by fossil fuels and forecast the planetary consequences. Exxon predicted that by about 2060, CO2 levels would reach around 560 parts per million, double the pre-industrial level, resulting in a global temperature increase of about 2°C. Shell's assessment included a one-meter sea-level rise and warned of the "disappearance of specific ecosystems or habitat destruction."

Despite this knowledge, fossil fuel companies chose to deceive the public, politicians, and shareholders about the risks of global warming. They fought efforts to move away from fossil fuels and spread disinformation to create uncertainty and undermine public trust in climate science. Exxon, for example, was a significant influence in preventing the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol by the United States.

These companies should be held accountable for their actions and take responsibility for their fair share of the costs of climate-related damages and adaptation.

They have deceived the public about the risks of climate change

Fossil fuel companies have deceived the public about the risks of climate change for decades. In the 1970s, oil companies published research that concurred with the scientific community's view on climate change. However, since then, these companies have been organising a widespread and systematic campaign of climate change denial.

One of the key tactics has been to manufacture uncertainty and create the impression of a scientific controversy where none exists. For example, ExxonMobil, one of the most active companies in the climate change denial movement, has funded organisations that are critical of the scientific consensus and seek to undermine public opinion. Between 1998 and 2004, the company granted $16 million to advocacy organisations that disputed the impact of global warming. ExxonMobil has also been accused of funding climate change denial groups, with Greenpeace claiming that Koch Industries invested more than $50 million in the past 50 years to spread doubts about climate change.

Another tactic has been to lobby against emissions regulations. For instance, in 2001, ExxonMobil's head lobbyist in Washington wrote to the White House urging that scientists critical of the prevailing scientific consensus on climate change be included in the US delegation to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This resulted in the replacement of the IPCC chairman, who was seen as too supportive of the consensus.

Fossil fuel companies have also attacked the work of climate scientists and spread disinformation. For example, climate change deniers have attacked the work of climate scientist Michael E Mann for years, and in 2024, Mann won a $1 million judgment in a defamation lawsuit against bloggers who had called his research "fraudulent".

The consequences of these deceptive tactics have been severe. Climate change denial has undermined public confidence in climate science and contributed to government inaction worldwide. It has also influenced how scientific knowledge is communicated to the public, with universities and scientific organisations often being risk-averse when it comes to defending and communicating controversial science.

They have funded climate change denial campaigns

Fossil fuel companies have funded climate change denial campaigns for decades.

ExxonMobil, one of the most active companies in the debate surrounding climate change, has been a leader in climate change denial since the 1980s. The company has funded organisations critical of the Kyoto Protocol and worked to undermine public opinion about the scientific consensus that global warming is caused by the burning of fossil fuels. Between 1998 and 2004, ExxonMobil granted $16 million to advocacy organisations that disputed the impact of global warming. The company has also been accused of spreading misinformation through advertorials in prominent newspapers, including the *New York Times*, the *Washington Post*, and the *Wall Street Journal*.

Other fossil fuel companies have also been implicated in funding climate change denial campaigns. In 1989, Exxon, Mobil, Chevron, BP, Shell, and other fossil fuel companies started the Global Climate Coalition (GCC) to oppose reductions in carbon emissions. In 1991, a leaked document from a fossil fuel industry front group, the Information Council on the Environment (ICE), revealed a $500k advertising campaign designed to disparage climate science and cherry-pick data to confuse the public. In 1998, a leaked memo from the oil industry's trade group, the American Petroleum Institute (API), outlined a roadmap for climate deception, which included recruiting scientists to emphasise uncertainty around climate science.

The funding of these campaigns has had a significant impact on public opinion and legislative efforts to address climate change. By spreading misinformation and creating doubt, fossil fuel companies have delayed action and prevented the implementation of policies to reduce carbon emissions.

They have lobbied against emissions regulations

Fossil fuel companies have a long history of lobbying against emissions regulations. They have used their financial resources and influence to obstruct and delay government action on climate change. This includes lobbying against vehicle emissions standards and other climate-related regulations.

One notable example is the campaign against the EPA's vehicle emissions rules in the US. The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) and other fossil fuel interest groups mobilised quickly to oppose the new rule, which aimed to accelerate the transition to electric and hybrid vehicles. The AFPM falsely portrayed the rule as a "ban" on new cars and gas cars, and announced a "seven-figure issue campaign" to influence public opinion. They also threatened to challenge the rule in court if it was not undone.

Another example is ExxonMobil's efforts to prevent the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol by the United States. From the 1980s to the mid-2000s, ExxonMobil was a leader in climate change denial and opposed regulations to curtail global warming. They funded organisations critical of the Kyoto Protocol and worked to undermine public opinion about the scientific consensus on climate change.

In addition to direct lobbying, fossil fuel companies have also used lawsuits and the threat of costly litigation to delay or block climate-related regulations. For instance, shortly after the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) finalised a rule requiring public companies to disclose their emissions and climate risks, several conservative interest groups, including the US Chamber of Commerce, challenged the measure in court.

The fossil fuel lobby's influence extends beyond national governments. Their presence at global forums for decision-making, such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the Paris Climate Agreement negotiations, has been criticised. They have also been known to exploit international crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, to justify new fossil fuel development or roll back existing regulations.

The fossil fuel industry's lobbying efforts have had a significant impact on climate policy and public perception. They have contributed to the erosion of democracy, undermined public trust in governments and scientific consensus, and delayed or blocked meaningful climate action.

They have attacked and threatened scientists

Fossil fuel companies have a long history of attacking and threatening scientists whose work contradicts their interests. Climate scientists, especially in the United States, have reported government and oil-industry pressure to censor or suppress their work and hide scientific data, with directives not to discuss the subject publicly.

One prominent example is the case of climate scientist Michael E. Mann, who, for years, was attacked by climate change deniers. In February 2024, Mann won a $1 million judgment in a defamation lawsuit against bloggers who had called his work "fraudulent", despite numerous investigations clearing him of any misconduct.

Another example is the case of James Hansen, who, in 1988, testified before Congress with high confidence that long-term warming was underway and that severe warming was likely within the next 50 years. Hansen warned of likely storms and floods, and his testimony brought increased media attention to the issue of climate change.

In addition to targeting individual scientists, fossil fuel companies have also funded and supported organizations that spread climate change denial and misinformation. These organizations include the Competitive Enterprise Institute, the George C. Marshall Institute, the Heartland Institute, the American Legislative Exchange Council, and the International Policy Network. These groups have received millions of dollars from fossil fuel companies to cast doubt on the scientific consensus on climate change.

The tactics used by fossil fuel companies and their allies in attacking and threatening scientists include misinformation, harassment, and personal abuse. They have also employed rhetorical tactics to create the false appearance of a scientific controversy, even though there is a strong scientific consensus on climate change.

The attacks on scientists who study and communicate the realities of climate change have had a chilling effect on the scientific community. Scientists have reported receiving threats, harassment, and abuse for their work. This has led to self-censorship and a reluctance to engage with the public on climate issues.

Despite the efforts of fossil fuel companies to deny and downplay the impact of their activities on the climate, the scientific consensus on climate change is strong and continues to grow. However, the attacks on scientists and the spread of misinformation have contributed to public confusion and inaction on addressing the climate crisis.

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