Summary June 9, 1980 internal memorandum from Exxon Research and Engineering’s H.N. Weinberg to H. Shaw and N.R. Werthamer about Exxon’s CO2 research initiative, the “Greenhouse Program.” Shaw was a manager of the Environmental Area in Exxon Research & Engineering and an early advocate for the company’s research of atmospheric CO2. Werthamer was Shaw’s boss. […]
Summary February 29, 1980 the American Petroleum Institute hosts a meeting with its CO2 and Climate Task Force comprised of fossil fuel industry representatives from Exxon, Texaco, and Standard Oil. The meeting was called to discuss research needs regarding the rise in atmospheric CO2, to establish API’s position on “climate matters,” and to edit API’s […]
Summary January 29, 1980 memo from Exxon’s Walt Eckelmann to Morey O’Loughlin on Exxon Science and Technology Department’s view and position on greenhouse effect. The memo is in response to O’Loughlin’s inquiry. Eckelmann writes that the Exxon Science and Technology Department views the build-up of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is a “potentially serious problem requiring the […]
Summary This January 1980 document from Imperial Oil Ltd, the Canadian subsidiary of Exxon, is a collection of project research sheets regarding solar energy. This document is part of the ClimateFiles Imperial Oil document set, gleaned by DeSmog researchers from the Glenbow Imperial Oil Archive Collection. The “major objective” of the project described is to […]
Summary This 1980 document from Imperial Oil Ltd., the Canadian subsidiary of Exxon, is a report on “Arctic & Deep Sea Technology,” and also contains the company’s research and projections about the potential for renewable energy systems such as solar in Canada. This document is part of the ClimateFiles Imperial Oil document set, gleaned by […]
Summary This 1980 document contains Exxon’s financial contributions for the year. The report shows that Exxon contributed to a variety of interesting organizations, including the American Society for Environmental Education and American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research. The report reveals Exxon contributed over $3.7 million to public information and policy research, and around $700,000 to […]
Summary This 1980 edition of TREND, a bimonthly Shell Chemical Company (Shell) publication, featured a series of articles on issues concerning the company, including: I. A New Public Relations Strategy TREND’s first two pieces highlighted the company’s increasing collaboration with trade associations in their effort to shape public opinion and the expansion and restructuring of […]
Summary November 19, 1979 memo from Exxon’s Henry Shaw to H.N. Weinberg on research about atmospheric science and the “potential greenhouse effect.” Shaw writes that Exxon should participate in all disciplines researching and studying climate science so that Exxon can “influence possible legislation on environmental controls.” Shaw also writes that Exxon should start a “very aggressive defensive […]
Summary October 16, 1979 memo from Exxon’s W.L. Ferral to Exxon’s R.L. Hirsch about a study conducted by an Exxon summer employee named Steve Knisely. The study was on the potential impact of fossil fuel combustion on CO2 concentration in the atmosphere. Some of the conclusions in the study are: Source Document
Summary Exxon’s R.J. Campion memo to J.T. Burgess regarding comments on the American Petroleum Institute’s background paper on CO2 effects. Exxon supports the “API conclusion that no industry research on CO2 (“Greenhouse”) Effects be initiated at this time.” Exxon also wants API’s paper to reflect that the earth is “now in a cooling phase, due to normal […]