How the oil industry spent decades undermining climate science to protect its profits
In short: During the 1980s, oil companies recognized that burning fossil fuels posed a significant risk to humanity's future. Rather than pivoting to renewable energy or warning the public, the industry launched a long-term campaign to discredit climate science. Stephanie Honchell Smith examines the tactics used to maintain the status quo.
By the 1980s, representatives from the oil industry were already aware of the dangers associated with their products. Internal discussions acknowledged that fossil fuel consumption threatened the future of the planet. Despite this internal recognition of the risks, the industry chose to double down on oil production.
To protect their interests, these companies initiated a sustained effort to cast doubt on climate change science. This strategy allowed the industry to avoid shifting toward sustainable energy alternatives and instead maintain its reliance on fossil fuels for decades.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: What the oil industry doesn’t want you to know - Stephanie Honchell Smith
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