The American oil company ExxonMobil has known since the 1970s that the use of fossil fuels leads to global warming. Nevertheless, the company repeatedly tried to raise doubts about the harmful effects on the climate. Scientists write this in the renowned scientific journal Science.
ExxonMobil had climate models made for the years 1977 through 2003, which correspond fairly closely with comparable studies by governments and universities. Also, ExxonMobil’s numbers are suspiciously similar to observed temperature rises over the same period, the new study shows.
“Our research brings out new data from old documents,” said lead author Geoffrey Supran. The scientist, who studies environmental sciences and policy at the University of Miami, emphasizes that behind the scenes, the oil company was actually a pioneer in the field of climate science.
A study published in 2015 detailed how ExxonMobil researchers studied climate change in the 1970s and 1980s. But at the time it was not yet known that the oil company’s own research was so accurate.
The findings could have major legal consequences. Patrick Parenteau, professor emeritus of law at the Vermont Law and Graduate School, even calls the revelation explosive. ExxonMobil and other oil companies have for years been accused of misleading investors and the public on climate change issues. This study shows that ExxonMobil did know how harmful fossil fuels are.
The oil company has de Volkskrant denied that ExxonMobil had the knowledge all along. “Those who say Exxon knew are wrong,” said a spokesman.
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