December 18, 1980 Henry Shaw sent a memo to T.K. Kett attaching a report he and P.P. McCall authored on the current status of the CO2 greenhouse effect. The Shaw/McCall report notes that because forests are a sink for carbon dioxide and deforestation is part of the reason why levels carbon dioxide in the atmosphere continue […]
Exxon Scientists Henry Shaw provides draft comments on the National Committee of Air Quality CO2 Workshop regarding rising levels of carbon dioxide and harmful impacts to society and the environment. These comments, dated December 5, 1980, also make policy recommendations for national and international action to reduce carbon emissions “attributed primarily to the combustion of […]
As first brought to light by Nathaniel Rich’s NYT magazine article “Losing Earth,” this document is a transcript of a 1980 meeting held by the National Commission on Air Quality (NCAQ). The meeting, requested by Congress, was held to discuss the societal implications of climate change in order to address problems “from increased carbon dioxide emissions.” […]
July 8, 1980 memorandum with notes from N.R. Werthamer of Exxon Research and Engineering to Harold N. Weinberg detailing a draft communications plan to publicize Exxon’s scientific initiative as well as findings regarding the CO2 problem. Share this post on your feed Twitter Facebook Google+
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. This […]
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 technical […]
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 results […]
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 environmental […]