Oil giants have ‘misled the American public about their role in the climate crisis’ since ‘at least’ the 1960s, says report

The result of an investigation lasting more than two years. The world’s leading oil and gas giants have known since “at least” the 1960s that fossil fuels would cause global warming, according to an American report (PDF document) from a commission of inquiry of elected Democrats unveiled Tuesday April 30. The targeted organizations are accused of having practiced disinformation,

“For more than half a century, theBig Oil” have misled the American public about their role in the climate crisis, doing everything in their power to keep the United States and the entire world dependent on their pollutants.”, denounces the text. “Big Oil” are the six giants and organizations scrutinized during this investigation, launched in September 2021: ExxonMobil, Chevron, BP America, Shell, the American Petroleum Institute and the Chamber of Commerce. “All six (…) obstructed and delayed” this investigation by refusing to submit to it “despite assignments”.

“A campaign of deception and doublespeak”

After describing climate change as “prank” and having denied its very existence, notes the report, the oil sector was forced to “change posture” in the face of sciencewhich was becoming too overwhelming to continue denying.” They then, he continues, “Elaborated a campaign of deception and doublespeak – backed by an armada of professional bodies – by publicly claiming to support climate action but taking behind-the-scenes actions to avoid it”.

“It is high time to place theBig Oil“face their responsibilities for their campaign of deception and take action to remedy the damage they have caused”concludes the 65-page report, entitled “Denial, disinformation, and doublespeak: evolving efforts of”Big Oil“to avoid responsibility for climate change”.