Exxon’s Role in Climate Change: A Call for Accountability
The question of whether ExxonMobil should be held accountable for climate change damage has long been a topic of debate. As with the rest of the fossil fuel industry, ExxonMobil has faced increasing scrutiny due to their historical knowledge of the impacts of increased CO2 emissions on the environment and the planet's climate. This article explores the arguments for holding Exxon responsible, backed by historical insights and scientific consensus.
Exxon's Awareness and Silence
According to research, ExxonMobil acknowledged the effects of CO2 emissions on climate change as early as the 1980s. Roger Cohen, a former manager at ExxonMobil, stated in 1982 that the results of their research were in line with the scientific consensus. However, despite this knowledge, they chose to remain silent and continue business as usual.
These actions raise ethical and moral questions. If a company is aware of environmental damage they are causing and chooses to withhold this information from the public, they are not merely passive—they are actively contributing to a global issue with potential long-term and devastating consequences.
Historical Context and Legal Precedents
The analogy often drawn is to the Salem witch trials, where those accused of witchcraft, despite no actual proof, were executed. This comparison highlights the often overzealous and capricious nature of awareness and responsibility. However, the case of ExxonMobil and other fossil fuel companies is more serious, involving a corporation with significant knowledge and resources.
Current legal precedents, such as cases against tobacco companies, suggest that corporations have a duty to disclose information when it could cause public harm. If it can be proven that ExxonMobil and other fossil fuel companies were aware of the potential damage caused by their practices and chose not to act or inform the public, they may indeed be held accountable.
Challenging the Science and Correlation
Despite the scientific consensus, some argue that it is difficult to directly link climate change damage to specific events or companies. For example, the claim that Hurricanes Ida, wildfires in California, and other natural disasters are caused by climate change is often overreaching. Natural variability and other contributing factors, such as poor forest management practices, play significant roles in these events.
The statistics support this. According to data from the National Hurricane Center, the year 2005 was an anomaly both in the number of hurricanes and major hurricanes compared to historical records. The hurricane seasons from 1851 to 2017 show that the year 1933 had more total hurricanes and major hurricanes than 2005. This indicates that claims of a growing trend in hurricane intensity and frequency may be exaggerated.
Critical Analysis and Cautious Approaches
It is important to maintain a critical and cautious approach to the claims made by climate change activists. While the science of climate change is clear, the direct causation and attribution of specific events to climate change remain complex. Fabrication and misrepresentation, common in some climate alarmist groups, undermine the efforts to build a truly informed and rational debate.
The recent hurricane season in 2021 has thus far shown a pattern that falls short of exceeding historical norms in terms of major hurricanes. Only 14 named storms and 1 to 2 major hurricanes have been recorded, far below the numbers in 1933 and 2005.
Given this data, it is crucial for the public to remain informed by consulting reliable sources and maintaining a balanced view. Climate change is a global issue that requires careful study and rational policy-making. Holding accountable those who have significant influence over the environment is not only justified but essential for the well-being of our planet.
Conclusion
In conclusion, ExxonMobil and the rest of the fossil fuel industry should be held responsible for their role in climate change. Despite the complexity of linking specific events to climate change, the historical and scientific evidence does highlight a pressing need for action. As we continue to grapple with the challenges of climate change, it is essential to ensure that corporations act with transparency and responsibility, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.