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 […]
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: “present trends of fossil fuel combustion […]
A 1979 memo from Exxon’s R.J. Campion to W.W. Madden referencing Bill Slick’s need for information on atmospheric CO2 buildup as a potential emerging issue for the American Petroleum Institute to consider. Exxon recommended that this is not a high priority and referenced the Exxon Research and Engineering pilot “Greenhouse Project” study that measured CO2 […]
March 26, 1979 Exxon proposed to help the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) assess the greenhouse effect. Exxon’s Edward Garvey, Henry Shaw, Wallace Broecker, and Taro Takahashi presented to Dr. Lester Machta. The slides detail Exxon’s rationale for involving itself with NOAA on this issue, intending to “assess the possible impact of the greenhouse […]
December 7, 1978 W.M. Cooper sends a memo to Edward David Jr. detailing the Exxon programs developed to measure CO2 uptake by the various levels of the ocean through equipment on tankers and drilling infrastructure. Cooper notes that the rationale for the studying of CO2 is to understand the possible impact of the greenhouse effect […]
June 6, 1978 J. F. Black sent a memo to F. G. Turpin, Vice President of Exxon’s Research and Engineering Company, that included the presentation and text Black made to the Corporation Management Committee in July 1977 after several people requested the prepared text. Black notes the general scientific consensus surrounding the likely manner that […]
March 7, 1978 memo from Exxon’s H.N. Weinberg to E.J. Gornowski proposing the company undertake the task of answering the “CO2 problem.” Weinberg proposes that this effort can benefit mankind and it is appropriate for the “world’s leading energy company and leading oil company” to find out if the CO2 problem exists. Share this post […]
October 31, 1977 Exxon memo from Henry Shaw to John W. Harrison about a meeting Shaw recently attended (October 15, 1977) in Atlanta. The meeting was part of the Department of Energy’s Environmental Advisory Committee addressing carbon dioxide questions. Dr. Alvin Weinberg of the Institute of Energy Analysis chaired the committee. The October 15 meeting […]