The explosive revelation that ExxonMobil’s own scientists accurately predicted climate change in the 1970s-80s while the company publicly denied it.
Investigative Journalism
In September 2015, Inside Climate News and Los Angeles Times published investigations revealing Exxon’s internal research from 1977-2003 accurately projected global warming from fossil fuels. Company scientists warned executives about climate risks. Instead of acting, Exxon funded climate denial campaigns and lobbied against regulations for decades.
Legal and Political Fallout
The revelations sparked lawsuits from states and cities seeking damages for climate deception. #ExxonKnew trended as climate activists demanded accountability. Congressional hearings grilled oil executives. The evidence paralleled tobacco industry’s cancer denial—companies knew the dangers but lied to protect profits.
Ongoing Litigation
By 2023, dozens of climate lawsuits cited Exxon’s deception. Some cases were dismissed on jurisdictional grounds; others proceeded. In 2023, the European Court of Human Rights ruled climate inaction could violate human rights. The #ExxonKnew revelations shifted climate debate from “is it real” to “who’s responsible and who pays”—reframing climate change as an accountability issue.
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