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8/1/2016 Exxon Believed Deep Dive Into Climate Research Would Protect Its Business | InsideCiimate News
In January 1980, Science & Technology's Eckelmann
wrote to senior vice president M.E.J. "Morey"
O'Loughlin that his unit "feels that the build-up of
carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is a potentially
serious problem requiring the results of a huge
worldwide research effort before quantitative
predictions can be reached on the probabilities and
timing of world climate changes."
Piercy and O'Loughlin seemed particularly
interested in following the emerging climate science,
internal documents indicate. In a memo to
Werthamer and Shaw in June 1980, Weinberg wrote
that Piercy "questioned him closely" at an Exxon
meeting about the movement of carbon dioxide
between the atmosphere and the oceans.
Outside Experts Take Notice
During this time, Exxon was building a reputation for
expertise on carbon dioxide, prompting government
and industry to seek its input on the issue. As early
as 1979, the American Petroleum Institute formed a
CO2 and Climate Task Force, and Exxon sent Shaw to
the group's meetings as its representative, according
to documents. The other industry members were
Sohio, Texaco, and Shell. They often met in a
conference room at LaGuardia Airport.
Shaw was a regular on advisory committees and
government task forces, rubbing shoulders with
many leading climate scientists, including NASA's
James Hansen and Columbia's Stephen Schneider,
whom Exxon even considered as a possible recruit,
according to one document.
U.S. government officials expressed their
appreciation to Exxon for the company's
contributions, calling it a valued partner.
In a letter to Shaw in May 1979, David Slade, the
head of the Energy Department's Carbon Dioxide
and Climate Research program, wrote: "This
represents very responsible action, which we hope
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