What the oil industry doesn’t want you to know - Stephanie Honchell Smith
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Throughout the 1980s, oil industry reps discussed the dangers of burning fossil fuels, acknowledging the risk their product posed to the future of humanity. However, instead of warning the public or pivoting towards renewable energy sources, they doubled down on oil — and launched a decades-long campaign to discredit climate change science. Stephanie Honchell Smith digs into Big Oil's tactics.
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Industry Awareness of Global Warming and Climate Change Threats
The oil and gas industry has been aware of the existence and threats of global warming and climate change since at least the 1970s. Internal documents from companies like ExxonMobil reveal that their scientists had conducted extensive research on the impact of fossil fuels on the environment. For instance, a 1982 report by Exxon scientists accurately predicted the rise in global temperatures due to increased carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels. Despite this knowledge, these companies chose to suppress the information, opting to safeguard their profits over taking meaningful action to address the impending crisis.
Obstruction of Climate Action
In addition to concealing evidence, the oil and gas industry has actively obstructed climate action through lobbying and political influence. One notable example is the American Petroleum Institute (API), which spearheaded efforts to delay regulatory measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. During the 1990s, API launched campaigns to undermine the Kyoto Protocol, an international treaty that aimed to curb global warming by reducing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. By leveraging its significant financial resources, the industry has successfully influenced policymakers to stall or weaken climate-related regulations.
Promotion of Climate Denial and Disinformation
The oil and gas industry continues to be a significant source of climate disinformation, promoting skepticism and denial about climate change. Companies have funded pseudo-scientific research and front groups to cast doubt on the consensus regarding human-caused climate change. For example, ExxonMobil funded organizations like the Heartland Institute, which has produced misleading reports and hosted conferences to downplay the urgency of climate action. By spreading false information, the industry creates confusion among the public and policymakers, hindering the development of effective climate policies.
Sowing Doubt and Fear about Government
The oil and gas industry has also sown doubt and fear about government interventions in climate policy, framing regulatory actions as an overreach that could harm economic stability. This tactic is exemplified by campaigns that depict government efforts to address climate change as detrimental to jobs and the economy. In the early 2000s, the industry-funded group Americans for Prosperity launched the "No Climate Tax" pledge, urging politicians to oppose any legislation that would increase taxes related to climate action. By promoting a narrative that pits economic growth against environmental regulation, the industry fosters skepticism toward government initiatives to mitigate climate change.
Differentiating Oil Executives from Other Workers
While oil executives have played a central role in perpetuating climate denial and obstructing meaningful climate action, it is crucial to distinguish them from the broader workforce within the oil and gas industry. These high-level leaders, driven by profit motives, have been responsible for pushing disinformation and influencing policies against environmental regulations. In contrast, the workers in the industry are often individuals who depend on their jobs to support their families and communities. They are not the architects of climate denial but rather the backbone of the industry, performing essential tasks that keep the operations running. As we transition to a sustainable energy future, we must ensure that these workers receive support and opportunities through a just transition, recognizing their contributions and providing pathways to new employment in the evolving energy sector. This approach prevents the vilification of workers and focuses accountability where it belongs—on the executives and decision-makers who have steered the industry's harmful environmental policies.
The oil and gas industry has been aware of the existence and threats of global warming and climate change since at least the 1970s. Internal documents from companies like ExxonMobil reveal that their scientists had conducted extensive research on the impact of fossil fuels on the environment. For instance, a 1982 report by Exxon scientists accurately predicted the rise in global temperatures due to increased carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels. Despite this knowledge, these companies chose to suppress the information, opting to safeguard their profits over taking meaningful action to address the impending crisis.
Obstruction of Climate Action
In addition to concealing evidence, the oil and gas industry has actively obstructed climate action through lobbying and political influence. One notable example is the American Petroleum Institute (API), which spearheaded efforts to delay regulatory measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. During the 1990s, API launched campaigns to undermine the Kyoto Protocol, an international treaty that aimed to curb global warming by reducing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. By leveraging its significant financial resources, the industry has successfully influenced policymakers to stall or weaken climate-related regulations.
Promotion of Climate Denial and Disinformation
The oil and gas industry continues to be a significant source of climate disinformation, promoting skepticism and denial about climate change. Companies have funded pseudo-scientific research and front groups to cast doubt on the consensus regarding human-caused climate change. For example, ExxonMobil funded organizations like the Heartland Institute, which has produced misleading reports and hosted conferences to downplay the urgency of climate action. By spreading false information, the industry creates confusion among the public and policymakers, hindering the development of effective climate policies.
Sowing Doubt and Fear about Government
The oil and gas industry has also sown doubt and fear about government interventions in climate policy, framing regulatory actions as an overreach that could harm economic stability. This tactic is exemplified by campaigns that depict government efforts to address climate change as detrimental to jobs and the economy. In the early 2000s, the industry-funded group Americans for Prosperity launched the "No Climate Tax" pledge, urging politicians to oppose any legislation that would increase taxes related to climate action. By promoting a narrative that pits economic growth against environmental regulation, the industry fosters skepticism toward government initiatives to mitigate climate change.
Differentiating Oil Executives from Other Workers
While oil executives have played a central role in perpetuating climate denial and obstructing meaningful climate action, it is crucial to distinguish them from the broader workforce within the oil and gas industry. These high-level leaders, driven by profit motives, have been responsible for pushing disinformation and influencing policies against environmental regulations. In contrast, the workers in the industry are often individuals who depend on their jobs to support their families and communities. They are not the architects of climate denial but rather the backbone of the industry, performing essential tasks that keep the operations running. As we transition to a sustainable energy future, we must ensure that these workers receive support and opportunities through a just transition, recognizing their contributions and providing pathways to new employment in the evolving energy sector. This approach prevents the vilification of workers and focuses accountability where it belongs—on the executives and decision-makers who have steered the industry's harmful environmental policies.
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