PR Plan for Exxon’s CO2 Research (1980)
Exxon officials proposed a publicity campaign to burnish the company’s image as a climate science leader.
Documents
Our reporting uncovers countless primary sources exposing malfeasance in the energy industry. We release those documents to the public to further public understanding of how the biggest fossil fuel polluters operate.
Exxon’s Policy Input to Congressional Commission (1980)
An Exxon researcher played a role as a Congressionally mandated commission examined policy options.
Exxon Lobbyist’s Memo to the White House (2001)
Exxon’s top lobbyist urged the White House to replace holdovers from the Clinton-Gore administration, accusing them of political bias.
Exxon Scientist Lobbies the White House (2002)
Exxon’s leading climate scientist worked to overhaul the Bush-Cheney administration’s climate research strategy, focusing on uncertainty. The document was originally released to Greenpeace under the Freedom of Information Act.
MacCracken Letter to Exxon (2002)
In 2002, Michael MacCracken, the government’s top climate scientist, wrote ExxonMobil’s board chairman a scathing letter about the company’s stance on climate science.
McCarthy Exxon Statement (2007)
James McCarthy, a Harvard scientist, board member of the Union of Concerned Scientists and president-elect of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, testified in 2007 about Exxon’s campaign of uncertainty at a congressional hearing.
Exxon Reply to the Royal Society (2006)
Ken Cohen, head of public and government affairs at Exxon, defended the company’s record on climate change.
Royal Society Letter to Exxon (2006)
Bob Ward, the Royal Society’s communications director, complained that Exxon was distorting the science of climate change.
Handout For Meeting With Lee Raymond (1985)
Excerpts from a document that includes information on how Corporate Research interacts with the rest of Exxon. Includes data on CO2 and Natuna.
CO2 Sparging Report (1984)
Exxon Corporate Research investigates bubbling CO2 from the Natuna gas field into the ocean to prevent its release into the atmosphere.
Natuna Background Paper (1983)
A background paper on the Natuna gas field’s environmental issues.
Gilbert Gervasi’s Natuna CO2 Calculations (1981)
After examining a colleague’s estimates of the CO2 that might be released from the Natuna gas field, Gervasi, the Natuna project manager, produced “more rigorous” calculations of the project’s CO2 footprint.
Natuna Environmental Concerns Letter (1983)
Alvin M. Natkin, Exxon’s manager of environmental affairs, says the CO2 must be disposed of in a way that wins the approval of environmental groups.
Exxon Modeling (1982)
Presentation by Andrew Callegari on Exxon modeling results that reject Reginald Newell’s conclusions.
“Catastrophic” Effects Letter (1981)
Exxon’s Roger Cohen says the impacts of rising CO2 will likely be catastrophic.
“Consensus” on CO2 Impacts (1982)
Exxon’s Roger Cohen says there’s a “consensus” that a doubling of atmospheric CO2 concentrations will result in an average global temperature increase of roughly 3C.
CO2 and Fuel Use Projections (1979)
Exxon intern Steve Knisely’s report on how global warming might affect future fuel use.
Exxon Climate Modeling (1984)
Presentation by Exxon scientist Andrew Callegari on Exxon’s climate modeling research.