Climate crisis - How oil companies hushed up research results | DW Documentary
DW Documentary・16 minutes read
South Carolina's maritime forests destroyed by saltwater, impacting the Gullah-Geechee community as rising sea levels and intense hurricanes showcase climate change impact. Oil giants like Exxon downplayed climate science, launching campaigns to sow doubt and protect profits, leading to legal action and urgent calls for renewable energy transition.
Insights
- Major oil companies like Exxon and Shell had early knowledge of climate risks, predicting rising CO2 levels and global temperatures, but deliberately downplayed findings to protect profits.
- The oil industry, led by the American Petroleum Institute, spent heavily on lobbying and campaigns to sow doubt about climate change, influencing public perception for decades and hindering decisive action to combat its effects.
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Recent questions
What is the impact of rising sea levels in South Carolina?
Rising sea levels in South Carolina have led to the destruction of a maritime forest, affecting the Gullah-Geechee people who have resided there for centuries. The region has experienced intense hurricanes and erosion, showcasing the tangible effects of climate change on coastal areas like Charleston.
Which major oil companies had early knowledge of climate risks?
Shell, Total, BP, Chevron, and Exxon were among the major oil companies that had internal science programs in the early 1990s, understanding the climate crisis before it became public knowledge. Exxon's research in 1982 accurately predicted the rise in atmospheric CO2 levels and global temperatures, revealing their early awareness of climate risks.
How did oil giants respond to climate science findings?
Oil giants like Exxon and others deliberately downplayed climate science findings and launched campaigns to sow doubt about climate change in order to protect their profits. They spent hundreds of millions on lobbying and advertising to influence public perception and manipulate Congress to safeguard their investments and shareholders.
What was the American Petroleum Institute's role in climate change denial?
The American Petroleum Institute (API) led a communication plan in 1998 to manipulate public opinion on climate change, targeting politicians, media, and even schoolteachers. This effort aimed to cast doubt on climate change and hinder decisive action to combat its effects, contributing to the denial of climate change for over 40 years.
How did the tobacco industry hearings influence climate change accountability?
Ro Khanna sought to replicate the success of the 1994 tobacco industry hearing by questioning fossil fuel executives on their role in causing climate change and efforts to reduce fossil fuel use. While the tobacco hearings led to a cultural shift in America regarding smoking habits, the fossil fuel executives avoided direct accountability during the hearing, highlighting the challenges in holding them responsible for their actions.
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Summary
00:00
Oil companies knew, misled public on climate.
- The U.S. state of South Carolina was home to a maritime forest until a few years ago, now destroyed by saltwater, impacting the Gullah-Geechee people who have lived there for centuries.
- Rising sea levels and intense hurricanes are evident in South Carolina, showcasing the impact of climate change on the region.
- Major oil companies, including Shell, Total, BP, Chevron, and Exxon, had internal science programs in the early 1990s, understanding the climate crisis before the public.
- Exxon's research in 1982 accurately predicted the rise in atmospheric CO2 levels and global temperatures, revealing their early knowledge of climate risks.
- Climate researcher Sonia Seneviratne confirms that the 1982 prediction of 420 parts per million of greenhouse gases in 2020 was almost exact.
- Exxon and other oil giants deliberately downplayed climate science findings and launched campaigns to foster doubt about climate change to protect their profits.
- The American Petroleum Institute (API) led a communication plan in 1998 to manipulate public opinion on climate change, targeting politicians, media, and even schoolteachers.
- The oil industry spent hundreds of millions on lobbying and advertising to cast doubt on climate change, influencing public perception for decades.
- Undercover footage in 2021 revealed ExxonMobil's top lobbyist admitting to manipulating Congress to protect their investments and shareholders.
- Fossil fuel executives, including those from Shell, ExxonMobil, and Chevron, testified before Congress in 2021 about their role in causing climate change and efforts to reduce fossil fuel use, but avoided direct accountability during the hearing.
17:49
"Ro Khanna questions tobacco, climate change"
- Ro Khanna sought to replicate the success of the 1994 tobacco industry hearing by questioning executives on the addictive nature of nicotine.
- The tobacco hearings led to a cultural shift in America, prompting a change in smoking habits and attitudes towards tobacco.
- Climate change has been denied for 40 years, hindering decisive action to combat its effects.
- Rising sea levels due to climate change are impacting coastal regions like Charleston, South Carolina, leading to increased erosion and flooding.
- Charleston is suing 24 major oil companies for damages and misinformation campaigns related to climate change, seeking repayment for climate adaptation measures.
- Scientists emphasize the urgent need for a transition to renewable energy to combat climate change, highlighting the detrimental effects of past disinformation campaigns by oil companies.
