ExxonMobil scientists’ climate models were accurate, but hidden
Documents show internal predictions were as good as contemporary science but executives publicly downplayed their significance
The first systematic analysis of data from over a hundred ExxonMobil documents has shown that the company’s scientists have accurately modelled global warming caused by fossil fuels since the late 1970s. However, company executives chose to publicly denigrate climate models, insist there was no scientific consensus on anthropogenic climate change, and claim the science was highly uncertain when their own scientists were telling them the opposite, the study’s authors say. Their findings are likely to figure in court proceedings around the world as fossil fuel companies face increasing legal and political attacks for their role in climate change.