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Exxon: The Road Not Taken
After eight months of investigation, InsideClimate News presents this history of Exxon's engagement with the emerging science of climate change. The story spans four decades, and is based on primary sources including internal company files never before seen, interviews with former company employees, and other evidence. It describes how Exxon conducted cutting-edge climate research decades ago and then pivoted to work at the forefront of climate denial, manufacturing doubt about the scientific consensus that its own scientists had confirmed.
- GenresNonfictionEnvironment
92 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 28, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 26, 2019
This nine-part Pulitzer Prize finalist series by Inside Climate News describes how Exxon conducted cutting-edge climate research in the late 1970s and later pivoted to the forefront of climate denial, manufacturing doubt about the scientific consensus that its own scientists had confirmed.
It is a meticulously researched story, told through a series of stand-alone articles. Corroborating evidence (e.g. emails, reports, transcripts) is also included.
That said, perhaps unfairly, the stand-alone nature of these essays means that there is a lot of repetition in this book. Given the medium at hand (a book) I would have appreciated a rerendering of this research as a single, long-form read.
It is a meticulously researched story, told through a series of stand-alone articles. Corroborating evidence (e.g. emails, reports, transcripts) is also included.
That said, perhaps unfairly, the stand-alone nature of these essays means that there is a lot of repetition in this book. Given the medium at hand (a book) I would have appreciated a rerendering of this research as a single, long-form read.
September 17, 2023
Shocking truths about what Exxon hid from the public regarding global warming from the 1980's to the present. Presented by journalists who did an expose regarding the politics of climate change.
Recommended reading for all Americans.
Recommended reading for all Americans.
April 7, 2024
Lately I have been [obsessively] interested in the politics of things that cause societal harm such as climate change, misinformation and attention, both as stand alone phenomena but also how the three intersect to create propaganda. [There are so many books I have shelved to read on this, stay tuned]
This book is a collection of articles done by Inside Climate News, about Exxon’s early research into climate science, and how the company turned against the findings of their research when it suited it. Exxon, alongside many other corporations within the fossil fuel industrial complex, has done a lot to discredit the scientific consensus on climate change, claiming that the science is uncertain, and even if it wasn’t, there is nothing to worry about for a long time to come. They worked hard to lobby the government to forestall carbon regulations, and even got the Bush Administration to drop out of the Kyoto Protocol.
Such are the evils of capitalism.
I enjoyed this a lot. Because it’s a series of articles it can be hopelessly repetitive, and I wish there was some effort to edit this into a bit more coherence. Regardless, an interesting read.
This book is a collection of articles done by Inside Climate News, about Exxon’s early research into climate science, and how the company turned against the findings of their research when it suited it. Exxon, alongside many other corporations within the fossil fuel industrial complex, has done a lot to discredit the scientific consensus on climate change, claiming that the science is uncertain, and even if it wasn’t, there is nothing to worry about for a long time to come. They worked hard to lobby the government to forestall carbon regulations, and even got the Bush Administration to drop out of the Kyoto Protocol.
Such are the evils of capitalism.
I enjoyed this a lot. Because it’s a series of articles it can be hopelessly repetitive, and I wish there was some effort to edit this into a bit more coherence. Regardless, an interesting read.
September 8, 2019
This short book is a collection of articles posted on the Inside Climate News website during an investigation of ExxonMobil's role in the public discussion over climate science. It's already widely known that the company led fossil fuel producer in not just opposing public policy to cut greenhouse pollution from burning fossil fuels but also to go the extra step and dispute the accuracy of climate science.
The book outlines some of the main points about Exxon's network of front groups in lobbying and PR. But more interestingly, this book explains how before it became so evil on climate, Exxon was actually one of the good guys. Their own in-house scientists raised the issue of whether burning fossil fuels might dangerously heat the climate as early as the 1970s and the company actually made a serious effort to do its own scientific investigations and report those to the scientific community through dozen of journal articles. Then, around 1988, that all changed. This book tells how and why.
The book outlines some of the main points about Exxon's network of front groups in lobbying and PR. But more interestingly, this book explains how before it became so evil on climate, Exxon was actually one of the good guys. Their own in-house scientists raised the issue of whether burning fossil fuels might dangerously heat the climate as early as the 1970s and the company actually made a serious effort to do its own scientific investigations and report those to the scientific community through dozen of journal articles. Then, around 1988, that all changed. This book tells how and why.
December 20, 2016
I wish every person in the U.S. would read this book.
This book documents using primarily Exxon's own documents, that Exxon knew decades ago the impact of fossil fuels on our planet. Rather than becoming the leader in conversion to renewal energy, Exxon made the decision to fund ongoing denials of the issues.
This book documents using primarily Exxon's own documents, that Exxon knew decades ago the impact of fossil fuels on our planet. Rather than becoming the leader in conversion to renewal energy, Exxon made the decision to fund ongoing denials of the issues.
April 5, 2025
Powerful
Investigative journalism at its best. A clear emphasis on solid evidence and complete absence of editorial opinion.
This is one of the most crucial issues of our time. ICN’s compilation of nine short essays is both comprehensive and yet detailed. If you’re pressed for time, this work is essential.
Investigative journalism at its best. A clear emphasis on solid evidence and complete absence of editorial opinion.
This is one of the most crucial issues of our time. ICN’s compilation of nine short essays is both comprehensive and yet detailed. If you’re pressed for time, this work is essential.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews