# The Power of Big Oil Part One: Denial (full documentary) | FRONTLINE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAAbcNl4Lb8

[00:05] for more than 150 years oil and gas has played a critical role in our society
[00:10] improving human lives raising standards of living and enabling unprecedented economic growth
[00:14] what do you do when your industry can no longer exist without creating catastrophes worldwide
[00:23] the impacts of climate change are intensifying
[00:27] it's important to understand the past
[00:30] you can't understand where you are if you don't know you got there
[00:33] in a special three-part series The Epic story of our failure to tackle climate change
[00:38] the whole world is up and the role of the fossil fuel industry did Big Oil knowingly spread disinformation
[00:47] now in part one what Big Oil knew about climate change more than 40 years ago
[00:52] the fact that Exxon had been doing rigorous peer viwed research in the80s was staggering to me
[00:57] there were uncertainties but the uncertainty was when how fast and what happened as
[01:02] was when how fast and what happened as the science became more certain.
[01:05] the science became more certain scientific evidence remains inconclusive.
[01:08] scientific evidence remains inconclusive as to whether human activities affect.
[01:09] as to whether human activities affect the global climate so there's simply no.
[01:12] the global climate so there's simply no reason to take drastic action.
[01:17] now they realized that it was going to.
[01:20] now they realized that it was going to be an existential threat to their.
[01:22] be an existential threat to their business but they made a deeply.
[01:25] business but they made a deeply unethical decision to try to OB fisc the.
[01:29] unethical decision to try to OB fisc the reality.
[01:30] reality we've contined to maintain a position.
[01:32] we've contined to maintain a position that has evolved with science and is.
[01:34] that has evolved with science and is today consistent with the science we.
[01:37] today consistent with the science we won't solve the climate crisis unless we.
[01:40] won't solve the climate crisis unless we solve the misinformation.
[01:57] crisis 1978.
[02:00] crisis 1978 my wife and I was just engaged uh 6 months prior so we were going to get.
[02:04] months prior so we were going to get married a year after I graduated from.
[02:06] married a year after I graduated from college I was kind of awkward a little bit reserved.
[02:09] I was definitely a nerd I mean I grew up in a blue collar area in Queens.
[02:11] went to Cooper Union and Cooper Union was very well known not to to my own horn but you had to be pretty good to get in.
[02:14] so we were a draw for Exxon Exon had a recruiting program they would go to colleges all around the country and every year they would take the best graduates from my school.
[02:17] and so when Exxon offered me a position in their research Division and doing environmental monitoring for me it was a really good fit.
[02:19] me the salary I got offered was about $188,600 which in those days was a lot of money somebody fresh out of school.
[02:21] Exxon was not just the largest oil and gas company in existence it was the largest company period in existence.
[02:24] it did business all over the world it was enormous and the resources.
[03:07] world it was enormous and the resources were gigantic and it had a very good reputation at the time I joined it.
[03:14] they had a company making word processors fax machines.
[03:18] there was a new division of the company Exxon nuclear and they had Exxon solar.
[03:26] Exxon wanted to become an energy company.
[03:29] they were flush with funds the oil business was doing really well in the 70s and so they wanted to move into other fields related to energy.
[03:38] the energy projects that they were doing were very well funded.
[03:39] each one of them would have teams of five to 10 scientists and then technicians supporting them.
[03:45] so the project that I ultimately ended up working for them on was really blue skyed.
[03:49] they weren't going to make any money on it it was just research for the sake of doing research.
[03:54] for somebody who was 22 or 23 years I was like Wow am I I'm really happy here.
[04:00] this is a really great place to be working.
[04:01] I was really happy working for Exxon.
[04:15] 1 back in the mid 70s I was working for NASA.
[04:23] It was a very exciting time because NASA was sending probes all over the solar system.
[04:31] And the information that was coming back was very interesting things that we never knew.
[04:34] For example, we found out that Venus was very hot.
[04:37] It's at least 700 degrees there.
[04:41] And the most plausible explanation came from the composition of Venus's atmosphere.
[04:47] Venus's atmosphere is almost 100% carbon dioxide.
[04:52] There was a kind of unified idea in the terrestrial planets of our solar system that greenhouse gas warming was causing by high concentrations of carbon dioxide.
[05:03] At the same time, some research scientists were making observations of carbon dioxide in our own atmosphere and
[05:11] carbon dioxide in our own atmosphere and we have seen this curve of increasing.
[05:15] we have seen this curve of increasing carbon dioxide it's become a classic.
[05:17] carbon dioxide it's become a classic icon of the carbon dioxide problem where.
[05:20] icon of the carbon dioxide problem where CO2 keeps going up and up a few parts.
[05:22] CO2 keeps going up and up a few parts per million every.
[05:24] per million every year and we can attribute that to.
[05:26] year and we can attribute that to greenhouse gases primarily fossil fuel.
[05:30] greenhouse gases primarily fossil fuel burning it was a small group of maybe 20.
[05:34] burning it was a small group of maybe 20 or 30 who were developing models.
[05:37] or 30 who were developing models independently and checking each other.
[05:40] independently and checking each other all of the models showed that the.
[05:42] all of the models showed that the average temperature of the Earth was.
[05:43] average temperature of the Earth was going to warm the things that we didn't.
[05:45] going to warm the things that we didn't know were details we didn't know exactly.
[05:49] know were details we didn't know exactly where that was going to happen and how.
[05:51] where that was going to happen and how it was going to.
[05:51] it was going to.
[05:53] happen the question came up what are we.
[05:55] happen the question came up what are we going to do over 85% of our energy was.
[05:59] going to do over 85% of our energy was generated by fossil fuels and about that.
[06:03] generated by fossil fuels and about that time is when I had the.
[06:06] time is when I had the opportunity to work as a consultant with.
[06:10] opportunity to work as a consultant with the biggest company in the world uh at.
[06:12] the biggest company in the world uh at the time Exxon.
[06:16] the time Exxon.
[06:38] today the evidence of climate change is everywhere.
[06:45] Frontline has been everywhere.
[06:47] Frontline has been investigating the role of the fossil fuel industry and one of its biggest players Exxon in delaying and preventing action on climate change over the past four decades.
[07:00] this film is based on over 100 interviews and thousands of documents.
[07:04] many of them newly uncovered.
[07:07] it's a story that begins with a small team of scientists inside.
[07:15] Exxon so this is this is a presentation.
[07:18] Exxon so this is this is a presentation entitled the proposed Exxon research program to help assess the greenhouse effect.
[07:23] It's presented by Edward a Garvey, myself Henry Shaw, Wally Broker, and Taro Takahashi, Columbia University.
[07:33] Exxon wanted to do research related to climate change, but they wanted it to be recognized that something that Exxon can contribute that was unlikely anybody else could do.
[07:45] The role of the ocean in the global balance of carbon dioxide was not well understood, and so Exxon saw an opportunity using the oil tanker to involve itself in that line of research and make a a really significant contribution to the understanding of the global of carbon dioxide program goal.
[08:00] Use Exxon expertise and facilities to help determine the likelihood of a global greenhouse effect.
[08:10] March 26th, 1979.
[08:14] Wasn't dying to go to sea, you know.
[08:17] 1979 wasn't dying to go to Sea you know I was a city kid I wasn't a sailor but I
[08:20] I was a city kid I wasn't a sailor but I think I understood from the very
[08:21] think I understood from the very beginning that the oil tanker was going
[08:23] beginning that the oil tanker was going to be my baby so to speak I was going to
[08:25] to be my baby so to speak I was going to make it
[08:27] make it work rationale for Exon and involvement
[08:30] work rationale for Exon and involvement develop expertise to assess the possible
[08:33] develop expertise to assess the possible impact of the greenhouse effect on Exxon
[08:35] impact of the greenhouse effect on Exxon business form responsible team that can
[08:37] business form responsible team that can incredibly carry bad news if any to the
[08:41] incredibly carry bad news if any to the corporation the work that we were doing
[08:43] corporation the work that we were doing the company was interested in at the
[08:44] the company was interested in at the highest levels they wanted the
[08:49] highest levels they wanted the knowledge we wrote computer programs we
[08:52] knowledge we wrote computer programs we planted graphs we analyzed the
[08:55] planted graphs we analyzed the results we compared it with data with
[08:58] results we compared it with data with what nature was was doing and we would
[09:00] what nature was was doing and we would compare our results with others results
[09:03] compare our results with others results we would see if there's a
[09:05] we would see if there's a consensus those papers would then get
[09:08] consensus those papers would then get presented at meetings with the
[09:10] presented at meetings with the government people from industry people
[09:12] government people from industry people from the University and it would sort of
[09:15] from the University and it would sort of be this sort of Brick by Brick advance
[09:17] be this sort of Brick by Brick advance in our understanding of how the system
[09:20] in our understanding of how the system worked everything that we studied was
[09:25] worked everything that we studied was basically consistent with the finding
[09:27] basically consistent with the finding that the Earth was going to warm
[09:29] that the Earth was going to warm significantly and it we just were trying
[09:32] significantly and it we just were trying to say how it would
[09:33] to say how it would warm I can only speak about the research
[09:36] warm I can only speak about the research group in Deon research and Engineering
[09:39] group in Deon research and Engineering everybody there accepted it Roger Cohen
[09:42] everybody there accepted it Roger Cohen completely accepted it Roger Cohen who
[09:45] completely accepted it Roger Cohen who was the manager of the group that I was
[09:47] was the manager of the group that I was Consulting for passed a lot of our
[09:49] Consulting for passed a lot of our results on to higher levels of
[09:52] results on to higher levels of management because that's what this is
[09:54] management because that's what this is he's writing to his boss about what the
[09:56] he's writing to his boss about what the guy working for him are doing there's
[09:58] guy working for him are doing there's unanimous Miss agreement in the
[10:00] unanimous Miss agreement in the scientific Community the temperature
[10:02] scientific Community the temperature increase of this magnitude would bring
[10:04] increase of this magnitude would bring about significant changes in the earth's
[10:06] about significant changes in the earth's climate including rain fo distribution
[10:08] climate including rain fo distribution and alterations in the biosphere that
[10:11] and alterations in the biosphere that our results are in accord with those of
[10:13] our results are in accord with those of most researchers in the field and are
[10:15] most researchers in the field and are subject to the same uncertainties there
[10:18] subject to the same uncertainties there was no separation between exxon's
[10:20] was no separation between exxon's understanding and that of Academia none
[10:23] understanding and that of Academia none yeah there were uncertainties but the
[10:25] yeah there were uncertainties but the uncertainty was when how fast that's
[10:27] uncertainty was when how fast that's what we were looking at we didn't reduce
[10:29] what we were looking at we didn't reduce fossil fuel consumption in a significant
[10:31] fossil fuel consumption in a significant fashion we were going to be facing
[10:32] fashion we were going to be facing significant climate change in the
[10:34] significant climate change in the future and here he's saying that we
[10:36] future and here he's saying that we should keep doing the research because
[10:39] should keep doing the research because it can inform our decisions our ethical
[10:43] it can inform our decisions our ethical responsibility is to permit the
[10:45] responsibility is to permit the publication of our research in the
[10:47] publication of our research in the scientific literature indeed to do
[10:50] scientific literature indeed to do otherwise would be a breach of exxon's
[10:52] otherwise would be a breach of exxon's public position an ethical Credo on
[10:55] public position an ethical Credo on honesty and integrity within the EXO
[10:58] honesty and integrity within the EXO research and engineering company at
[10:59] research and engineering company at least we knew the changes were going to
[11:00] least we knew the changes were going to be
[11:01] be necessary but I think Exon was afraid we
[11:04] necessary but I think Exon was afraid we we would change too fast you just can't
[11:06] we would change too fast you just can't shut off the fossil fuels because all of
[11:09] shut off the fossil fuels because all of society depends on it I was convinced
[11:11] society depends on it I was convinced that Exxon was doing this research to
[11:13] that Exxon was doing this research to understand it to get a place at the
[11:15] understand it to get a place at the table to be part of the solution not so
[11:18] table to be part of the solution not so that we can deny the problem
[11:21] that we can deny the problem
[11:55] sometime in the 2000s exom gave their
[11:57] sometime in the 2000s exom gave their archives to the library library at the
[11:59] archives to the library library at the University of Texas many truckloads of
[12:03] University of Texas many truckloads of documents perhaps it was a PR effort to
[12:06] documents perhaps it was a PR effort to show that this company has a proud
[12:08] show that this company has a proud history and it's all transparent it's
[12:10] history and it's all transparent it's all in a
[12:12] all in a library and so it was a revelation when
[12:15] library and so it was a revelation when journalists uncovered documents showing
[12:18] journalists uncovered documents showing how deep the conversation was about climate change within Exxon.
[12:23] we came across letter after letter after letter to leaders of the company about carbon dioxide.
[12:34] and not only letters but we came across a memo that said that if carbon dioxide concentrations continue to grow at this rate this could be catastrophic.
[12:40] that was the word he used.
[12:43] anybody who covered climate knew that Exxon had played a critical role in developing and funding a narrative of climate denial.
[12:51] that began in the 1990s.
[12:54] so the fact that Exxon had been doing rigorous peer reviewed research in the 80s was staggering to me.
[13:00] I've become a curator of documents.
[13:03] the evidence from the Exxon documents is that there was a cadre of really smart scientists putting Exxon in a position of authority on the science of climate change gasoline and fuel oil prices fell.
[13:20] change gasoline and fuel oil prices fell 2% last month the third consecutive
[13:22] 2% last month the third consecutive monthly decline in the price of gasoline
[13:25] monthly decline in the price of gasoline that set the stock markets getting into
[13:27] that set the stock markets getting into its worst loss in 3 months and the
[13:29] its worst loss in 3 months and the Fallout continued as the week progressed
[13:32] Fallout continued as the week progressed now we're in
[13:33] now we're in 1982 and in
[13:35] 1982 and in 1982 oil prices dropped the bottom fell
[13:39] 1982 oil prices dropped the bottom fell out of the oil market and so Exxon was
[13:41] out of the oil market and so Exxon was having a hard time staying profitable
[13:43] having a hard time staying profitable and it began
[13:45] and it began layoffs one of the things that was
[13:48] layoffs one of the things that was dropped overboard was the tanker project
[13:51] dropped overboard was the tanker project basically just said the markets too poor
[13:53] basically just said the markets too poor no longer can afford this level of
[13:55] no longer can afford this level of research we're going to keep the
[13:57] research we're going to keep the modeling team together and shut down
[13:59] modeling team together and shut down tanker project and by
[14:01] tanker project and by 1984 Lee Raymond was senior vice
[14:04] 1984 Lee Raymond was senior vice president with broad oversight for Exxon
[14:07] president with broad oversight for Exxon research and Engineering Raymond
[14:10] research and Engineering Raymond believed Exxon would always be an oil
[14:12] believed Exxon would always be an oil and gas company it would never be
[14:14] and gas company it would never be anything else when Exxon retrenched and
[14:17] anything else when Exxon retrenched and sold off its research in lithium
[14:19] sold off its research in lithium batteries sold off its solar energy it's
[14:21] batteries sold off its solar energy it's like you're throwing out the baby with the bath water.
[14:22] these are all important lines of research for the potential for the company and you're just getting rid of them.
[14:26] you're not trying to shrink them down saying okay we have to make do with a smaller budget.
[14:29] no this is gone we're done with this.
[14:31] we're done with this.
[14:32] we're done with this.
[14:33] we're done with that alternative fuels there was a time in the late '70s that your company spent a lot of money at that time to say is there an alternative fuel that will work so that we don't have to burn fossil fuel and put all that CO2 in the we were the we were the F we were the first oil company that really spent a lot of money looking at all that and the results were what none of these Technologies and we looked at everything I mean we looked from Soup To Nuts that none of these Technologies were going to be competitive against oil.
[14:54] the conclusion we came to Charlie was that fossil fuels had such an economic first of all such an economic advantage and secondly such a relatively ease of use that it was going to be very difficult to displace.
[15:22] them I didn't stay there that much.
[15:24] them I didn't stay there that much longer after they shut down the tanker project.
[15:29] I know that Exon did some really good climate related modeling work and was still funding research at Columbia University but effectively they turned the corner and well I just I knew that the place that I worked in was gone.
[15:39] I was heartbroken.
[15:44] Exxon Mobile declined to give us any interviews.
[15:49] In a written response to questions the company said for more than 40 years we have supported development of climate science in partnership with governments and academic institutions.
[16:00] And Exxon Mobile has never had any unique or superior knowledge about climate science let alone any that was unavailable to policy makers or the.
[16:27] Public, I didn't learn, learn about public.
[16:29] I didn't learn, learn about climate change until I was in graduate school.
[16:33] These are documents from the school.
[16:35] These are documents from the '80s, the '70s talking about climate change.
[16:38] And to only learn about it in 2010 shows that knowledge doesn't.
[16:41] 2010 shows that knowledge doesn't necessarily go in a unidirectional fashion.
[16:44] That we lose knowledge, we forget things all the time both as individuals.
[16:46] And as a society.
[16:49] There are many people working on this now and we're getting a better and better understanding all the time.
[16:52] We now know that Shell, for example, had a sophisticated understanding of the climate issue also by the end of the 1980s.
[16:54] The coal industry too.
[16:57] So there is a level of forn knowledge by the fossil fuel industry that business as usual would lead to disaster around the world.
[17:00] My fellow Americans with Summer.
[17:27] world my fellow Americans with Summer coming a lot of Americans be driving.
[17:29] coming a lot of Americans be driving more than ever and everything from Vans.
[17:31] more than ever and everything from Vans to buses to motorbikes this is a good.
[17:33] to buses to motorbikes this is a good time for it because gas prices continue.
[17:35] time for it because gas prices continue to fall corporate profits surged in the first quarter.
[17:38] to fall corporate profits surged in the first quarter individual winners were four Exxon General Motors IBM retail.
[17:40] first quarter individual winners were four Exxon General Motors IBM retail sales jump reflecting a surge in demand.
[17:43] sales jump reflecting a surge in demand for new car more with cathon 3 Starlet Corolla.
[17:45] for new car more with cathon 3 Starlet Corolla Aircraft Company unveiled their new 67 Jetline.
[17:49] Corolla Aircraft Company unveiled their new 67 Jetline sharp Fair reductions by American Airlines.
[17:51] new 67 Jetline sharp Fair reductions by American Airlines other they turn out to be a major turning point in the history.
[17:54] American Airlines other they turn out to be a major turning point in the history of Airline pricing.
[17:56] be a major turning point in the history of Airline pricing who is making the excess Buck here primarily us refiners.
[17:58] of Airline pricing who is making the excess Buck here primarily us refiners of petroleum products.
[18:01] excess Buck here primarily us refiners of petroleum products most of these companies have announced huge increases.
[18:04] of petroleum products most of these companies have announced huge increases in their Refinery profits over the last 9 months.
[18:07] companies have announced huge increases in their Refinery profits over the last 9 months.
[18:09] in their Refinery profits over the last 9 months Exxon had an idea of how soon governments would start to act about global warming.
[18:11] months Exxon had an idea of how soon governments would start to act about global warming.
[18:14] Exxon had an idea of how soon governments would start to act about global warming the company predicted that policy action would occur around the late 1980s.
[18:18] governments would start to act about global warming the company predicted that policy action would occur around the late 1980s which it did so this is.
[18:21] global warming the company predicted that policy action would occur around the late 1980s which it did so this is.
[18:23] the company predicted that policy action would occur around the late 1980s which it did so this is.
[18:26] that policy action would occur around the late 1980s which it did so this is.
[18:29] the late 1980s which it did so this is really when a huge battle began.
[18:42] 1988 was the year that the issue of climate change moved from scientific journals into the realm of public policy.
[18:54] I was a 26-year-old on the lower end of the totem pole in a Senate office.
[18:59] And Senator were said you want to work on the environment cuz that's where all the action's going to be.
[19:03] Our climate is changing very dramatically and it's time for us to start acting on it.
[19:11] You know we identified early on how important this was and uh you know we're probably one of the first to bang away at it.
[19:18] Senator worth said I want to write a piece of legislation that addresses Global Warming.
[19:26] The first person I reached out to was Dr Hansen, the distinguished.
[19:31] to to was Dr Hansen the distinguished senior scientist at Nasa.
[19:33] Senior scientist at Nasa a lot had changed between the Middle 1970s when we first got interested in the problem and the 1980s.
[19:37] So late 1980s because the real world was beginning to show signs that humans were affecting climate.
[19:51] That implies that we're really going to get a significant change a few decades Downstream.
[19:59] My response was pretty immediate this is a big deal you know we need to get working on a hearing.
[20:05] Seattle and other parts of the Northwest had their driest February in history.
[20:10] Irrigation reservoirs are 40 to 85% below normal levels by the spring of 1988.
[20:18] There was a fullscale drought the earliest Fire season in memory has been declared.
[20:24] They're dredging around the clock on the once Mighty now shrunken Mississippi to free hundreds of barges.
[20:30] It was my perception that the media
[20:32] it was my perception that the media wanted to explain this drought and
[20:36] wanted to explain this drought and seemed to be at a Tipping Point on the
[20:39] seemed to be at a Tipping Point on the issue of climate
[20:42] issue of climate change the evening before I was lying on
[20:45] change the evening before I was lying on my bed in a hotel in Washington writing
[20:48] my bed in a hotel in Washington writing my testimony and listening to the
[20:50] my testimony and listening to the Yankees baseball
[20:52] Yankees baseball game and I I wrote my testimony out my
[20:56] game and I I wrote my testimony out my hand I do think that scientists have a
[21:00] hand I do think that scientists have a moral obligation to point out the
[21:03] moral obligation to point out the implications of their findings and try
[21:06] implications of their findings and try to do it as clearly as
[21:10] possible I had a sense that it was going
[21:12] possible I had a sense that it was going to be a good hearing and that his
[21:16] to be a good hearing and that his statement would be important you could
[21:18] statement would be important you could feel it in the room that this was a
[21:21] feel it in the room that this was a significant
[21:24] moment thank you for the opportunity to
[21:26] moment thank you for the opportunity to present the results of my research on
[21:29] present the results of my research on the greenhouse effect which has been
[21:31] the greenhouse effect which has been carried out with my colleagues at the
[21:32] carried out with my colleagues at the NASA Godard Institute for space
[21:35] NASA Godard Institute for space studies I would like to draw three main
[21:38] studies I would like to draw three main conclusions number one the Earth is
[21:41] conclusions number one the Earth is warmer in 1988 than at any time in the
[21:44] warmer in 1988 than at any time in the history of instrumental
[21:46] history of instrumental measurements number two the global
[21:49] measurements number two the global warming is now large enough that we can
[21:51] warming is now large enough that we can ascribe with a high degree of confidence
[21:54] ascribe with a high degree of confidence a cause and effect relationship to the
[21:56] a cause and effect relationship to the greenhouse effect
[21:58] greenhouse effect and number three our computer climate
[22:01] and number three our computer climate simulations indicate that the greenhouse
[22:03] simulations indicate that the greenhouse effect is already large enough to begin
[22:06] effect is already large enough to begin to affect the probability of extreme
[22:08] to affect the probability of extreme events such as summer heat waves
[22:12] events such as summer heat waves altogether this evidence represents a
[22:14] altogether this evidence represents a very strong case in my opinion that the
[22:16] very strong case in my opinion that the greenhouse effect has been detected and
[22:19] greenhouse effect has been detected and it is changing our climate
[22:21] it is changing our climate now that was a kind of a magic sentence
[22:25] now that was a kind of a magic sentence this was not environmental groups this
[22:27] this was not environmental groups this was not some green kab
[22:29] was not some green kab this was probably the lead climate
[22:31] this was probably the lead climate scientist in the federal government
[22:33] scientist in the federal government making this
[22:34] making this statement I realized I was going out on
[22:37] statement I realized I was going out on a limb not all scientists agreed with me
[22:41] a limb not all scientists agreed with me that we were ready to say those things
[22:44] that we were ready to say those things but um they were based on sound physics
[22:50] but um they were based on sound physics and observations and models it was as if
[22:53] and observations and models it was as if the rocket had lifted off I wrote on the
[22:57] the rocket had lifted off I wrote on the hearing transcript
[23:00] historic and some experts are saying now
[23:03] historic and some experts are saying now that the whole world is heating up
[23:05] that the whole world is heating up because of a global Greenhouse Effect
[23:08] because of a global Greenhouse Effect and in the long run it could mean
[23:09] and in the long run it could mean devastating changes to all life on Earth
[23:12] devastating changes to all life on Earth the next morning the story was on the
[23:14] the next morning the story was on the front page of the New York Times there
[23:16] front page of the New York Times there are no easy solutions we're talking here
[23:18] are no easy solutions we're talking here about the use of gas and coal and oil
[23:21] about the use of gas and coal and oil scientists urge heavy conservation a
[23:23] scientists urge heavy conservation a switch to solar energy and a search for
[23:26] switch to solar energy and a search for new power sources pragmatists would
[23:28] new power sources pragmatists would argue that we cannot change our energy
[23:30] argue that we cannot change our energy habits overnight scientists say we had
[23:33] habits overnight scientists say we had better get going in those years there
[23:36] better get going in those years there was still a spirit of bipartisanship
[23:40] was still a spirit of bipartisanship when really important challenges to the
[23:43] when really important challenges to the public interest uh appeared you could
[23:46] public interest uh appeared you could work across the uh political
[23:49] work across the uh political aisle I felt like tremendous progress
[23:52] aisle I felt like tremendous progress was being made there was greater
[23:54] was being made there was greater awareness there was public policy
[23:57] awareness there was public policy emerging there was was International
[23:59] emerging there was was International negotiations developing momentum is on
[24:02] negotiations developing momentum is on our side and it kind of opened up the
[24:04] our side and it kind of opened up the world and you had the feeling wow you
[24:07] world and you had the feeling wow you know this is really going to
[24:09] know this is really going to change but the minute targets and Tim
[24:12] change but the minute targets and Tim taes began to appear you know those were
[24:15] taes began to appear you know those were magic signals to the industry uh-oh this
[24:17] magic signals to the industry uh-oh this is
[24:18] is serious little did we know how
[24:22] serious little did we know how devastating the Counterattack was going
[24:24] devastating the Counterattack was going to be
[24:26] to be [Music]
[24:32] [Music] I've collected documents from every
[24:34] I've collected documents from every place where I've worked my basement
[24:37] place where I've worked my basement looks like a trash bin and a fire hazard
[24:40] looks like a trash bin and a fire hazard but nevertheless I knew that having
[24:43] but nevertheless I knew that having access to original documents that were
[24:45] access to original documents that were in my view critical to certain decisions
[24:48] in my view critical to certain decisions being made would be enormously valuable
[24:51] being made would be enormously valuable I'm Terry Yosi I'm vice president for
[24:52] I'm Terry Yosi I'm vice president for health and environment at the American
[24:54] health and environment at the American petroleum Institute I want to thank API
[24:56] petroleum Institute I want to thank API at that time was tremendously fluential
[24:58] at that time was tremendously fluential it was a chief lobbying Organization for
[25:01] it was a chief lobbying Organization for the petroleum industry and had
[25:03] the petroleum industry and had representation from some of the major
[25:05] representation from some of the major oil companies Exxon Mobile Chevron shell
[25:09] oil companies Exxon Mobile Chevron shell BP companies like
[25:12] BP companies like that by early 1989 the newspapers the
[25:17] that by early 1989 the newspapers the television networks were bombarding API
[25:19] television networks were bombarding API with questions such as well what do you
[25:21] with questions such as well what do you think of Hon's testimony uh what is your
[25:24] think of Hon's testimony uh what is your view of climate change in general what
[25:26] view of climate change in general what do you think needs to be done about
[25:28] do you think needs to be done about climate change Terry what do you make of
[25:30] climate change Terry what do you make of all of
[25:31] all of [Music]
[25:35] this the decision was made that a
[25:38] this the decision was made that a briefing needed to be prepared for
[25:41] briefing needed to be prepared for industry
[25:42] industry CEOs global warming the knowns and
[25:45] CEOs global warming the knowns and unknowns by Terry F Yosi American
[25:48] unknowns by Terry F Yosi American petroleum
[25:49] petroleum Institute there is scientific consensus
[25:52] Institute there is scientific consensus that the atmosphere is changing due to
[25:55] that the atmosphere is changing due to human activities there are three schools
[25:57] human activities there are three schools of thought that car ciz the scientific
[25:59] of thought that car ciz the scientific and public debate over global warming
[26:01] and public debate over global warming the first is that a crisis exists and
[26:04] the first is that a crisis exists and that immediate measures are needed to
[26:05] that immediate measures are needed to amarate it through strong government
[26:08] amarate it through strong government actions the second school of thought is
[26:10] actions the second school of thought is that the problem will go away by itself
[26:13] that the problem will go away by itself the third school of thought and one that
[26:15] the third school of thought and one that reflects api's present thinking was
[26:17] reflects api's present thinking was expressed by a scientist named Patrick
[26:19] expressed by a scientist named Patrick Michaels in a recent article in the
[26:21] Michaels in a recent article in the Washington Post our policies noted
[26:24] Washington Post our policies noted Michaels should be no more drastic than
[26:26] Michaels should be no more drastic than the scientific conclusions they are
[26:28] the scientific conclusions they are based
[26:30] based upon I'm not a I hate I hate this word
[26:33] upon I'm not a I hate I hate this word I'm not a denier I'm a luk warmer
[26:37] I'm not a denier I'm a luk warmer totally different and people get that
[26:39] totally different and people get that wrong the lukewarm view on climate
[26:42] wrong the lukewarm view on climate change which means climate change is
[26:44] change which means climate change is real people have something to do with it
[26:47] real people have something to do with it but it's probably not the end of the
[26:48] but it's probably not the end of the world I'm probably a lukewarm
[26:50] world I'm probably a lukewarm libertarian too there is a real problem
[26:52] libertarian too there is a real problem with this so-called global warming
[26:54] with this so-called global warming apocalypse projection the Earth May in
[26:57] apocalypse projection the Earth May in fact be going in the other Direction and
[26:59] fact be going in the other Direction and until we solve that it seems to me that
[27:01] until we solve that it seems to me that we ought not take any very expensive
[27:03] we ought not take any very expensive remuneration Pat Michaels was not a
[27:06] remuneration Pat Michaels was not a major voice in the scientific community
[27:08] major voice in the scientific community on climate change but I think he was
[27:10] on climate change but I think he was primarily useful to the industry as an
[27:13] primarily useful to the industry as an external voice of Doubt creating more
[27:15] external voice of Doubt creating more skepticism about policy makers taking
[27:19] skepticism about policy makers taking action in that vein API must become an
[27:23] action in that vein API must become an active participant in the scientific and
[27:25] active participant in the scientific and policy debate we are well on our way to
[27:27] policy debate we are well on our way to doing that we must make policy makers
[27:30] doing that we must make policy makers fully aware of the uncertainty
[27:32] fully aware of the uncertainty surrounding the global warming
[27:34] surrounding the global warming issue it's amazing I mean it's it is um
[27:39] issue it's amazing I mean it's it is um it's it's a call to action they're
[27:41] it's it's a call to action they're realizing it's going down we need to be
[27:44] realizing it's going down we need to be in the room talking about uncertainty
[27:47] in the room talking about uncertainty and downplaying the urgency effectively
[27:51] and downplaying the urgency effectively that that is the
[27:53] that that is the call can I ask you to take a look at the
[27:55] call can I ask you to take a look at the document in front of you which found in
[27:58] document in front of you which found in the Exxon
[28:00] the Exxon Archives this says it all right here
[28:03] Archives this says it all right here this paragraph starts exxon's long-term
[28:06] this paragraph starts exxon's long-term public presence and contributions to the
[28:08] public presence and contributions to the scientific field give us unique
[28:10] scientific field give us unique credibility within the petroleum
[28:11] credibility within the petroleum industry um we served on the task force
[28:14] industry um we served on the task force of the American petroleum Institute and
[28:16] of the American petroleum Institute and contributed significantly to the
[28:17] contributed significantly to the development of the API position on
[28:19] development of the API position on climate
[28:20] climate change so essentially what we see as the
[28:23] change so essentially what we see as the API position is the Exxon position on
[28:26] API position is the Exxon position on climate change our advice and input
[28:29] climate change our advice and input influence the positions of Nam the
[28:31] influence the positions of Nam the National Association of Manufacturers
[28:33] National Association of Manufacturers CMA the chemical manufacturers
[28:35] CMA the chemical manufacturers Association and the global change
[28:37] Association and the global change Coalition which is probably the Global
[28:38] Coalition which is probably the Global Climate Coalition these trade
[28:40] Climate Coalition these trade associations are key they're working
[28:42] associations are key they're working with other Shields and other
[28:44] with other Shields and other umbrellas their focus is trying to
[28:47] umbrellas their focus is trying to emphasize
[28:50] uncertainty and we can show that they
[28:52] uncertainty and we can show that they pretty much did that in following
[28:56] pretty much did that in following years in response to questions API said
[28:59] years in response to questions API said critics were cherry-picking information
[29:01] critics were cherry-picking information from decades ago to support a misleading
[29:05] from decades ago to support a misleading predetermined
[29:06] predetermined narrative and that as climate science
[29:09] narrative and that as climate science has evolved so has the
[29:12] has evolved so has the industry Exxon Mobile has denied that
[29:14] industry Exxon Mobile has denied that its policy at that time was to emphasize
[29:17] its policy at that time was to emphasize uncertainty
[29:30] a man standing beside me today has what
[29:33] a man standing beside me today has what it takes to lead this nation from the
[29:35] it takes to lead this nation from the day we take office Senator Al Gore of
[29:39] day we take office Senator Al Gore of Tennessee when Bill Clinton announced
[29:41] Tennessee when Bill Clinton announced that his running mate was going to be Al
[29:43] that his running mate was going to be Al Gore that was very exciting there was an
[29:45] Gore that was very exciting there was an anticipation of a much greater effort to
[29:49] anticipation of a much greater effort to tackle climate change we will finally
[29:51] tackle climate change we will finally give the United States a real
[29:53] give the United States a real environmental
[29:56] presidency then then president-elect
[29:59] presidency then then president-elect Clinton understood clearly that that's
[30:01] Clinton understood clearly that that's why I was on the ticket that's why I
[30:02] why I was on the ticket that's why I agreed to run as vice president he has
[30:06] agreed to run as vice president he has won this presidential race along with
[30:08] won this presidential race along with Senator Al Gore now the vice
[30:10] Senator Al Gore now the vice president-elect now you're in the White
[30:12] president-elect now you're in the White House to tackle it did you feel a sense
[30:15] House to tackle it did you feel a sense of responsibility oh absolutely that was
[30:17] of responsibility oh absolutely that was the principal uh task that I set for
[30:20] the principal uh task that I set for myself uh entering the White House and I
[30:23] myself uh entering the White House and I went to work right away to try to get a
[30:25] went to work right away to try to get a carbon tax in our first budget plan
[30:29] carbon tax in our first budget plan Senator Gore asked me to produce some
[30:31] Senator Gore asked me to produce some quantitative results of how much various
[30:34] quantitative results of how much various energy taxes would reduce
[30:37] energy taxes would reduce emissions our plan does include a
[30:40] emissions our plan does include a broad-based tax on energy and it is
[30:43] broad-based tax on energy and it is environmentally responsible it will help
[30:45] environmentally responsible it will help us in the future as well as in the
[30:48] us in the future as well as in the present with the
[30:50] present with the deficit I was excited that a fairly bold
[30:53] deficit I was excited that a fairly bold step had been proposed it's called a BTU
[30:57] step had been proposed it's called a BTU tax the tax is likely to be levied at
[31:00] tax the tax is likely to be levied at the producer or distributor level though
[31:03] the producer or distributor level though consumers would feel it as energy
[31:05] consumers would feel it as energy companies passed it along in their
[31:07] companies passed it along in their prices it's a tax policy you don't
[31:09] prices it's a tax policy you don't expect everyone to love it but the
[31:12] expect everyone to love it but the opposition to this particular proposal
[31:15] opposition to this particular proposal was very strong very
[31:17] was very strong very strident very
[31:20] strident very aggressive Coke Industries has been
[31:22] aggressive Coke Industries has been called the biggest company you never
[31:24] called the biggest company you never heard of the sprawling giant includes
[31:27] heard of the sprawling giant includes pipeline
[31:28] pipeline petrochemicals asphalt plants trading
[31:31] petrochemicals asphalt plants trading floors based in wiah Kansas it sells
[31:35] floors based in wiah Kansas it sells everything from gasoline to be I would
[31:38] everything from gasoline to be I would say that virtually no one in the early
[31:40] say that virtually no one in the early 1990s had ever heard of cook
[31:42] 1990s had ever heard of cook Industries Coke's Core Business is
[31:45] Industries Coke's Core Business is distribution it owns 37,000 M of
[31:48] distribution it owns 37,000 M of international pipeline they can take the
[31:50] international pipeline they can take the heaviest oil the dirtiest oil the
[31:53] heaviest oil the dirtiest oil the hardest to turn into a useful product
[31:56] hardest to turn into a useful product and refine it and they became the best
[31:58] and refine it and they became the best in the world at doing that I think it's
[32:00] in the world at doing that I think it's still probably the second largest
[32:01] still probably the second largest privately held company in the world the
[32:04] privately held company in the world the two brothers who ran Coke industries
[32:06] two brothers who ran Coke industries were Charles and David kooch they had
[32:08] were Charles and David kooch they had their sight set on how they were going
[32:10] their sight set on how they were going to deal with issues that were
[32:12] to deal with issues that were existential to their industry it's the
[32:14] existential to their industry it's the heart of what they do so they're going
[32:15] heart of what they do so they're going to they're going to fight and hang on to
[32:17] to they're going to fight and hang on to that till The Bitter
[32:19] that till The Bitter End The Institute was a public policy
[32:22] End The Institute was a public policy thing tank it was founded by Charles
[32:25] thing tank it was founded by Charles kooch and Charles was heavily invested
[32:27] kooch and Charles was heavily invested Ed you know an energy policy uh
[32:30] Ed you know an energy policy uh discussions back in that time
[32:31] discussions back in that time particularly with the emergence of
[32:32] particularly with the emergence of climate change the KO Institute position
[32:36] climate change the KO Institute position was that climate change is real but the
[32:39] was that climate change is real but the climate change that we're seeing today
[32:41] climate change that we're seeing today is far far more modest than what the
[32:44] is far far more modest than what the computer models say we should have seen
[32:46] computer models say we should have seen by now we need to know a lot more before
[32:49] by now we need to know a lot more before we should be spending trillions of
[32:51] we should be spending trillions of dollars to address them so the co had
[32:54] dollars to address them so the co had funding directed of the KO Institute as
[32:55] funding directed of the KO Institute as a Libertarian Think Tank they also Al
[32:57] a Libertarian Think Tank they also Al had funding that went to Citizens foran
[33:00] had funding that went to Citizens foran economy which was built for a slightly
[33:01] economy which was built for a slightly different purpose which was to be a
[33:03] different purpose which was to be a quote
[33:04] quote Grassroots U
[33:06] Grassroots U mobilizer coming out of the gate we then
[33:08] mobilizer coming out of the gate we then get served up with a proposed BTU tax it
[33:12] get served up with a proposed BTU tax it was obvious to us at the KO Institute
[33:14] was obvious to us at the KO Institute that once that tax is in place it's
[33:17] that once that tax is in place it's going to be very hard to get rid of you
[33:20] going to be very hard to get rid of you we walked over from citizens foran
[33:21] we walked over from citizens foran economy over to the American petroleum
[33:24] economy over to the American petroleum Institute and we met with the entire
[33:26] Institute and we met with the entire leadership of API
[33:28] leadership of API and the meeting was all about let's just
[33:30] and the meeting was all about let's just knock out the btu tax in its infancy we
[33:34] knock out the btu tax in its infancy we would be meeting in various locals in
[33:37] would be meeting in various locals in Washington with over a 100 people in the
[33:39] Washington with over a 100 people in the room it was a real war room situation
[33:43] room it was a real war room situation this Coalition is one of the fastest
[33:45] this Coalition is one of the fastest growing and strongest that I've seen we
[33:48] growing and strongest that I've seen we will stop the btu tax and I believe
[33:51] will stop the btu tax and I believe substitute spending cuts in its place
[33:54] substitute spending cuts in its place thank you very much for coming
[33:56] thank you very much for coming [Music]
[34:00] we were known and I think we made
[34:02] we were known and I think we made ourselves known that way as the oil
[34:04] ourselves known that way as the oil capital of the
[34:06] capital of the world almost everywhere you looked had
[34:08] world almost everywhere you looked had behind it oil industry
[34:12] behind it oil industry dollars I thought that the tax was a bad
[34:14] dollars I thought that the tax was a bad idea for America but predominantly a bad
[34:17] idea for America but predominantly a bad idea for Oklahoma Oklahoma was not in a
[34:20] idea for Oklahoma Oklahoma was not in a good spot at that time at all the oil
[34:23] good spot at that time at all the oil wells were being shut that meant a lot
[34:25] wells were being shut that meant a lot of lost jobs a lot of lost companies and
[34:28] of lost jobs a lot of lost companies and that this was putting the heel of the
[34:30] that this was putting the heel of the boot down hard I got a call from Coke
[34:34] boot down hard I got a call from Coke Industries telling me the industry is
[34:37] Industries telling me the industry is very concerned about this but we're
[34:39] very concerned about this but we're worried that this word isn't getting out
[34:42] worried that this word isn't getting out our particular goal was to focus on
[34:45] our particular goal was to focus on Senator
[34:46] Senator borne David borne was a moderate
[34:48] borne David borne was a moderate Democrat who chaired the relevant
[34:50] Democrat who chaired the relevant committee that would deal with the
[34:52] committee that would deal with the Clinton
[34:53] Clinton budget we were hearing that he wanted to
[34:56] budget we were hearing that he wanted to be left to do his own revising of it
[34:59] be left to do his own revising of it behind closed doors they basically said
[35:02] behind closed doors they basically said if we can get David Bourne to flip we
[35:04] if we can get David Bourne to flip we win so they said what we're going to do
[35:07] win so they said what we're going to do whatever it
[35:08] whatever it takes we set about what I would call a
[35:11] takes we set about what I would call a grass tops and a Grassroots
[35:13] grass tops and a Grassroots campaign the Grassroots were encouraged
[35:16] campaign the Grassroots were encouraged to call Senator borne and let him know
[35:18] to call Senator borne and let him know that you do not want attacks after
[35:20] that you do not want attacks after seeing an ad that showed take shower pay
[35:22] seeing an ad that showed take shower pay a tax start your car pay a tax and
[35:25] a tax start your car pay a tax and everybody was given their marching
[35:26] everybody was given their marching orders out of this Playbook people would
[35:28] orders out of this Playbook people would stand up behind politicians with signs
[35:30] stand up behind politicians with signs about no BTU tax there were rallies to
[35:33] about no BTU tax there were rallies to the average household in Oklahoma is
[35:35] the average household in Oklahoma is going to be roughly about $500 a year my
[35:38] going to be roughly about $500 a year my main role was what I would call the
[35:40] main role was what I would call the grass tops you may be a Civic leader you
[35:43] grass tops you may be a Civic leader you may be a CEO often it would be Mr kooch
[35:46] may be a CEO often it would be Mr kooch would call them or myself and talk them
[35:49] would call them or myself and talk them through did you know it does this this
[35:52] through did you know it does this this this and this encourage strongly Senator
[35:55] this and this encourage strongly Senator Boren kill it what they told the public
[35:59] Boren kill it what they told the public and what the policy makers were led to
[36:01] and what the policy makers were led to believe was that there was an army of
[36:03] believe was that there was an army of folks who were ready to march in the
[36:05] folks who were ready to march in the streets maybe there were a handful of
[36:07] streets maybe there were a handful of folks who thought oh gosh I should call
[36:09] folks who thought oh gosh I should call my Senator and register my complaint but
[36:12] my Senator and register my complaint but they had no such Grassroots
[36:13] they had no such Grassroots Army it was funded and fueled by the
[36:16] Army it was funded and fueled by the corporate
[36:18] corporate interests CSC says its work isn't done
[36:21] interests CSC says its work isn't done yet it's joined forces with other
[36:23] yet it's joined forces with other lobbying groups stoking the Flames of
[36:25] lobbying groups stoking the Flames of the prairie fire hoping they'll spread
[36:27] the prairie fire hoping they'll spread and burn the btu tax for
[36:31] and burn the btu tax for good I remember a very late night or
[36:34] good I remember a very late night or early morning phone call and it was
[36:36] early morning phone call and it was actually Senator borne Communications
[36:39] actually Senator borne Communications guy we want those ads to stop and we
[36:43] guy we want those ads to stop and we want the CEOs to quit calling us and in
[36:46] want the CEOs to quit calling us and in return Senator Bourne's going to
[36:47] return Senator Bourne's going to announce his intentions to vote against
[36:49] announce his intentions to vote against it our proposal is fairer than that put
[36:53] it our proposal is fairer than that put forward by the administration that is
[36:55] forward by the administration that is the btu tax which is the tax which is a
[36:57] the btu tax which is the tax which is a part of the administration's plan that
[36:59] part of the administration's plan that does hit lower and middle- inome
[37:01] does hit lower and middle- inome Americans he folded right
[37:04] Americans he folded right away it's like wow this can really work
[37:09] away it's like wow this can really work we can pick our targets strategically
[37:11] we can pick our targets strategically and win even when we're not in political
[37:17] power at the time David borne disputed
[37:20] power at the time David borne disputed he was influenced by the oil industry he
[37:23] he was influenced by the oil industry he said he was responding to concerns from
[37:25] said he was responding to concerns from the American public and he opposed the
[37:27] the American public and he opposed the tax because it would hurt consumers and
[37:29] tax because it would hurt consumers and business
[37:32] business people President Clinton has pulled the
[37:34] people President Clinton has pulled the plug on his proposed BTU energy tax
[37:37] plug on his proposed BTU energy tax critics said it would cost jobs and
[37:38] critics said it would cost jobs and devastate the economy and there weren't
[37:40] devastate the economy and there weren't enough votes in the Senate to pass it
[37:42] enough votes in the Senate to pass it besides who the heck knew what it was as
[37:45] besides who the heck knew what it was as this is after all a nation addicted to
[37:47] this is after all a nation addicted to its cars and to the idea of driving down
[37:50] its cars and to the idea of driving down the open
[37:53] road it was extremely disappointing to
[37:56] road it was extremely disappointing to not get the votes it was just the raw
[38:00] not get the votes it was just the raw power of all the money that they threw
[38:02] power of all the money that they threw into
[38:03] into this but we just decided to regroup and
[38:07] this but we just decided to regroup and try to skin the cat a different way they
[38:10] try to skin the cat a different way they never proposed another energy tax it was
[38:13] never proposed another energy tax it was just considered
[38:15] just considered radioactive I think some of the
[38:17] radioactive I think some of the leadership of the coch network were
[38:19] leadership of the coch network were really quite excited that it worked so
[38:21] really quite excited that it worked so well so that's how that Playbook first
[38:24] well so that's how that Playbook first began it was developed right then what I
[38:26] began it was developed right then what I didn't know at the time was that it
[38:28] didn't know at the time was that it would become the beginning of something
[38:30] would become the beginning of something much
[38:31] much bigger and that Playbook is still in use
[38:35] bigger and that Playbook is still in use today I don't feel embarrassed or
[38:37] today I don't feel embarrassed or regretful in
[38:39] regretful in hindsight I shouldn't have done that
[38:42] hindsight I shouldn't have done that there's no question I shouldn't have
[38:43] there's no question I shouldn't have done that but they were my client I was
[38:45] done that but they were my client I was a contractor I was paid I'm going to do
[38:47] a contractor I was paid I'm going to do my job my job was to was was to do
[38:54] that Charles kooch did not respond to
[38:57] that Charles kooch did not respond to questions about the campaign against the
[38:58] questions about the campaign against the btu
[39:00] btu tax in 1994 a top cook executive said
[39:05] tax in 1994 a top cook executive said our belief is that the tax over time may
[39:08] our belief is that the tax over time may have destroyed our business
[39:46] as more and more scientists are
[39:47] as more and more scientists are confirming our world is deficient in
[39:49] confirming our world is deficient in carbon dioxide and a doubling of
[39:52] carbon dioxide and a doubling of atmospheric CO2 is very beneficial
[39:58] I was aware that this emerging industry
[40:01] I was aware that this emerging industry of naysayers was growing this effort to
[40:04] of naysayers was growing this effort to cast
[40:07] doubt you had Rams of material coming
[40:11] doubt you had Rams of material coming out of the government they were at Noah
[40:14] out of the government they were at Noah at Nasa this expanding network of people
[40:18] at Nasa this expanding network of people working on this day in and day out
[40:22] working on this day in and day out saying that this was a legitimate issue
[40:24] saying that this was a legitimate issue and that we needed to do something about
[40:26] and that we needed to do something about it
[40:28] it and on the other hand you had two or
[40:31] and on the other hand you had two or three guys who went around to
[40:33] three guys who went around to conferences and said oh I'm not sure oh
[40:35] conferences and said oh I'm not sure oh maybe there's clouds and I would like to
[40:37] maybe there's clouds and I would like to show you the warming that the satellit
[40:39] show you the warming that the satellit sensed over the same region from 1979 to
[40:42] sensed over the same region from 1979 to now which is the next slide if you could
[40:46] now which is the next slide if you could thanks nothing it quickly became
[40:49] thanks nothing it quickly became apparent that these were private
[40:51] apparent that these were private interests who had a stake in the status
[40:56] interests who had a stake in the status quo
[40:58] quo a respectable body of opinion in the
[41:00] a respectable body of opinion in the international scientific Community
[41:02] international scientific Community believes that any climate warming is as
[41:05] believes that any climate warming is as likely to be beneficial as
[41:07] likely to be beneficial as harmful I remember seeing in the press
[41:11] harmful I remember seeing in the press this skeptic Fred singer saying that
[41:13] this skeptic Fred singer saying that global warming was not a problem for the
[41:17] global warming was not a problem for the planet you saw that he had worked on
[41:20] planet you saw that he had worked on Tobacco and a number of other issues he
[41:23] Tobacco and a number of other issues he was sort of a specialist in denial I
[41:26] was sort of a specialist in denial I thought that's odd when I brought that
[41:29] thought that's odd when I brought that up to some of my peers in the
[41:30] up to some of my peers in the environmental movement they really
[41:32] environmental movement they really didn't think it was that important but
[41:34] didn't think it was that important but then every time a new piece of science
[41:36] then every time a new piece of science comes out the same story will have
[41:39] comes out the same story will have somebody you'd never heard of saying no
[41:41] somebody you'd never heard of saying no that's completely wrong so you start to
[41:44] that's completely wrong so you start to think well who are these people and
[41:45] think well who are these people and where are they coming
[41:47] where are they coming from oh interesting they're funded by
[41:50] from oh interesting they're funded by exxon's
[41:52] exxon's foundation and then you see this pattern
[41:54] foundation and then you see this pattern repeated over and over and over
[41:58] repeated over and over and over it was coming from the coal fired power
[42:00] it was coming from the coal fired power utilities Western fuels Association the
[42:03] utilities Western fuels Association the Coke brothers Global Climate Coalition
[42:06] Coke brothers Global Climate Coalition and they're funding climate
[42:10] [Music]
[42:13] [Music] deniers we are not an ad hoc group
[42:15] deniers we are not an ad hoc group anymore but as a matter of fact the
[42:17] anymore but as a matter of fact the Global Climate Coalition formalized not
[42:19] Global Climate Coalition formalized not too long
[42:21] too long ago the Global Climate Coalition
[42:24] ago the Global Climate Coalition consisted of every major Manufacturing
[42:27] consisted of every major Manufacturing trade Association that produced or
[42:29] trade Association that produced or consumed fossil fuels and every major
[42:32] consumed fossil fuels and every major company that was in the fossil fuels
[42:35] company that was in the fossil fuels industry and so it's a considerable
[42:38] industry and so it's a considerable Coalition of business interests the
[42:41] Coalition of business interests the Global Climate Coalition put out a bid
[42:43] Global Climate Coalition put out a bid for a contractor to provide
[42:46] for a contractor to provide communication Services I left API in the
[42:50] communication Services I left API in the late spring and I had come over to the
[42:52] late spring and I had come over to the Harrison firm the public relations firm
[42:54] Harrison firm the public relations firm devoted exclusively to environmental
[42:56] devoted exclusively to environmental issues isues communication proposal
[42:59] issues isues communication proposal prepared for the Global Climate
[43:01] prepared for the Global Climate Coalition by the E Bruce Harrison
[43:04] Coalition by the E Bruce Harrison company I was asked to be a part of the
[43:07] company I was asked to be a part of the pitch team because I was well known in
[43:09] pitch team because I was well known in the petroleum
[43:10] the petroleum industry everybody wanted to get the
[43:12] industry everybody wanted to get the Global Climate Coalition account because
[43:15] Global Climate Coalition account because it was a coalition of the biggest
[43:16] it was a coalition of the biggest industries in America I was brought in
[43:19] industries in America I was brought in to handle press relations for the Global
[43:21] to handle press relations for the Global Climate
[43:22] Climate Coalition a lot of reporters were
[43:24] Coalition a lot of reporters were assigned to write stories and they were
[43:26] assigned to write stories and they were strugg struggling with the complexity of
[43:28] strugg struggling with the complexity of the issue so I would write backgrounders
[43:31] the issue so I would write backgrounders so that reporters could read them and
[43:33] so that reporters could read them and get up to
[43:35] get up to speed it is important for GCC to
[43:38] speed it is important for GCC to continue to emphasize the scientific
[43:40] continue to emphasize the scientific uncertainty surrounding climate change
[43:43] uncertainty surrounding climate change scientists economists academics and
[43:46] scientists economists academics and other noted experts carry greater
[43:48] other noted experts carry greater credibility with the media and general
[43:50] credibility with the media and general public than industry Representatives
[43:53] public than industry Representatives communication efforts should be directed
[43:55] communication efforts should be directed toward expanding the platform for third
[43:57] toward expanding the platform for third party
[43:58] party spokespersons the idea behind a third
[44:00] spokespersons the idea behind a third party is that you form a relationship
[44:03] party is that you form a relationship with somebody who already has some
[44:05] with somebody who already has some stature or or standing around a
[44:08] stature or or standing around a particular Topic in this case climate
[44:10] particular Topic in this case climate change and you recruit that person you
[44:13] change and you recruit that person you pay that person to give a speech or
[44:15] pay that person to give a speech or write an oped the Global Climate
[44:17] write an oped the Global Climate Coalition would do the background work
[44:19] Coalition would do the background work of placing that oped or maybe editing
[44:22] of placing that oped or maybe editing it I mean I met some really brilliant
[44:25] it I mean I met some really brilliant climatologists and meterologists met Pat
[44:28] climatologists and meterologists met Pat Michaels he struck me as someone who was
[44:32] Michaels he struck me as someone who was very smart he loved talking about this
[44:37] very smart he loved talking about this issue what was your relationship with
[44:39] issue what was your relationship with the GCC the Global Climate
[44:42] the GCC the Global Climate Coalition oh
[44:45] God not
[44:47] God not much you were on their scientific
[44:50] much you were on their scientific Advisory Board yeah what does that mean
[44:53] Advisory Board yeah what does that mean I don't think we ever had a meeting I I
[44:56] I don't think we ever had a meeting I I understand you did we
[44:58] understand you did we did it wasn't much of a relationship at
[45:01] did it wasn't much of a relationship at all I mean when when you bring up GCC
[45:05] all I mean when when you bring up GCC it's like oh wait a minute who were
[45:07] it's like oh wait a minute who were those guys how did the funding that you
[45:11] those guys how did the funding that you received from the fossil fuel industry
[45:13] received from the fossil fuel industry and impact what you were able to do
[45:15] and impact what you were able to do workwise and impact the uh views that
[45:18] workwise and impact the uh views that you took it didn't change what I do it
[45:20] you took it didn't change what I do it didn't change the way I think how much
[45:21] didn't change the way I think how much do you think you did receive from
[45:22] do you think you did receive from industry I don't know do you feel like
[45:25] industry I don't know do you feel like in a way you were sort of used by them
[45:28] in a way you were sort of used by them um that you were no I was using them you
[45:31] um that you were no I was using them you got you got that wrong what I mean I'm
[45:36] got you got that wrong what I mean I'm somewhat verbal and I like to write and
[45:40] somewhat verbal and I like to write and I have an overestimation of my ability
[45:42] I have an overestimation of my ability my sense of humor but can you imagine
[45:45] my sense of humor but can you imagine somebody giving you a little bit of
[45:46] somebody giving you a little bit of money to say write whatever you want
[45:48] money to say write whatever you want every two
[45:49] every two weeks uh we had a blast doing that
[45:57] [Music]
[46:00] [Music] we weren't doing what we were told we
[46:01] we weren't doing what we were told we were doing what we
[46:03] were doing what we [Music]
[46:07] wanted the Global Climate Coalition is
[46:10] wanted the Global Climate Coalition is seeding doubt everywhere sort of fogging
[46:14] seeding doubt everywhere sort of fogging the air with these counterarguments that
[46:17] the air with these counterarguments that are contradictory and nonsensical
[46:20] are contradictory and nonsensical running this propaganda across the
[46:22] running this propaganda across the country putting millions of dollars into
[46:25] country putting millions of dollars into this media effort and environmentalists
[46:28] this media effort and environmentalists really don't know what's hitting
[46:30] really don't know what's hitting them it cross your mind or give you any
[46:33] them it cross your mind or give you any kind of late night worries that you were
[46:36] kind of late night worries that you were being paid by a group that had a vested
[46:40] being paid by a group that had a vested interest in delaying action blocking
[46:43] interest in delaying action blocking action creating doubt in the minds of
[46:47] action creating doubt in the minds of the public and policy
[46:49] the public and policy makers the backgrounders I was writing
[46:51] makers the backgrounders I was writing the narrative that I represented as the
[46:54] the narrative that I represented as the communications lead for the Global
[46:56] communications lead for the Global Climate Coalition
[46:57] Climate Coalition was not a popular narrative there's no
[46:59] was not a popular narrative there's no question about that um was there truth
[47:02] question about that um was there truth in all the materials yes there was there
[47:05] in all the materials yes there was there was a lot we didn't know at the
[47:07] was a lot we didn't know at the time and part of my role was to
[47:10] time and part of my role was to highlight what we didn't
[47:11] highlight what we didn't know it wasn't just that we that is the
[47:15] know it wasn't just that we that is the Global Climate Coalition needed to come
[47:16] Global Climate Coalition needed to come up with contrarian voices the media
[47:18] up with contrarian voices the media needed them to have
[47:20] needed them to have balance you want to make an assumption
[47:22] balance you want to make an assumption that it's a meritocracy a good argument
[47:25] that it's a meritocracy a good argument will prevail and it will it will
[47:27] will prevail and it will it will displace a bad
[47:29] displace a bad argument but what the Geniuses of the pr
[47:32] argument but what the Geniuses of the pr firms who work for these big fossil fuel
[47:35] firms who work for these big fossil fuel companies know is that truth has nothing
[47:38] companies know is that truth has nothing to do with who wins the argument if you
[47:41] to do with who wins the argument if you say something enough
[47:43] say something enough times people will begin to believe
[47:47] times people will begin to believe it finally tonight some new word on the
[47:50] it finally tonight some new word on the temperature of the world Charlene Hunter
[47:52] temperature of the world Charlene Hunter G has that story it's warmer than ever
[47:55] G has that story it's warmer than ever and last year said set a record that's
[47:58] and last year said set a record that's what British meteorologist report that
[48:00] what British meteorologist report that 1995 was the warmest year since records
[48:03] 1995 was the warmest year since records first were kept in 1856 you have ice
[48:07] first were kept in 1856 you have ice slowly melting you have sea levels
[48:09] slowly melting you have sea levels Rising you have places like the maldiv
[48:11] Rising you have places like the maldiv islands that's only a meter above sea
[48:13] islands that's only a meter above sea level that could be completely
[48:16] level that could be completely underwater we knew we knew in '95 that
[48:21] underwater we knew we knew in '95 that humans were affecting the global
[48:24] humans were affecting the global climate in 1990 the first report of the
[48:27] climate in 1990 the first report of the intergovernmental panel on climate
[48:29] intergovernmental panel on climate change the ipcc concludes that it's too
[48:32] change the ipcc concludes that it's too soon to tell definitively whether there
[48:35] soon to tell definitively whether there is or is not a human caused global
[48:38] is or is not a human caused global warming signal 5 years later a very very
[48:41] warming signal 5 years later a very very different finding people at different
[48:44] different finding people at different institutes using different statistical
[48:46] institutes using different statistical methods different models formally
[48:49] methods different models formally identified a human cause global warming
[48:52] identified a human cause global warming signal this was a paradigm shift in
[48:56] signal this was a paradigm shift in scientific
[48:57] scientific understanding of the reality of human
[48:59] understanding of the reality of human effects on
[49:01] climate I was 40 years old I had spent
[49:05] climate I was 40 years old I had spent one and a half years working as
[49:08] one and a half years working as convening lead author for chapter 8 of
[49:10] convening lead author for chapter 8 of the ipcc's second assessment report
[49:13] the ipcc's second assessment report detection of climate change and
[49:15] detection of climate change and attribution of
[49:19] causes we were in plenary in the
[49:22] causes we were in plenary in the beautiful palaso de congresos di Madrid
[49:26] beautiful palaso de congresos di Madrid delegates from nearly 100 countries were
[49:29] delegates from nearly 100 countries were all there to discuss the language that
[49:32] all there to discuss the language that was relevant to chapter 8 some of the
[49:36] was relevant to chapter 8 some of the industry scientists were involved in the
[49:38] industry scientists were involved in the process harun keski from Exxon was there
[49:41] process harun keski from Exxon was there from the beginning of our work on
[49:43] from the beginning of our work on chapter 8 right through to the end the
[49:46] chapter 8 right through to the end the Global Climate Coalition and the Saudis
[49:48] Global Climate Coalition and the Saudis and kuwaitis dominated the plenary
[49:51] and kuwaitis dominated the plenary sessions they're saying if you say
[49:53] sessions they're saying if you say something's uncertain then it can be
[49:55] something's uncertain then it can be overturned which led to all of these
[49:59] overturned which led to all of these sometimes heated
[50:01] sometimes heated exchanges because uncertainty is an
[50:04] exchanges because uncertainty is an irreducible part of climate
[50:07] irreducible part of climate science the notion that uncertainties
[50:10] science the notion that uncertainties mean you can't say anything useful about
[50:12] mean you can't say anything useful about anything is
[50:14] anything is preposterous there were these
[50:16] preposterous there were these extraordinary back and forth discussions
[50:18] extraordinary back and forth discussions and my job was to implement those
[50:21] and my job was to implement those changes that we had discussed and agreed
[50:24] changes that we had discussed and agreed upon I think the most critical part of
[50:28] upon I think the most critical part of the changes after Madrid was the
[50:31] the changes after Madrid was the deletion of the concluding summary
[50:34] deletion of the concluding summary chapter eight had a summary up front and
[50:36] chapter eight had a summary up front and a summary at the end no other chapter
[50:39] a summary at the end no other chapter had a summary at the end now the second
[50:41] had a summary at the end now the second summary discussed many of the
[50:43] summary discussed many of the uncertainties essentially repeating much
[50:46] uncertainties essentially repeating much of The Upfront summary so some of the
[50:49] of The Upfront summary so some of the government comments that we received
[50:52] government comments that we received said you need to delete the second
[50:55] said you need to delete the second summary which we
[50:58] summary which we did the bottom line finding agreed upon
[51:01] did the bottom line finding agreed upon by all countries present in Madrid was
[51:03] by all countries present in Madrid was 12 words quote the balance of evidence
[51:07] 12 words quote the balance of evidence suggests a discernable human influence
[51:10] suggests a discernable human influence on global climate
[51:12] on global climate unquote Madrid was a Triumph of the
[51:15] unquote Madrid was a Triumph of the science the science won it was a big
[51:19] science the science won it was a big [Music]
[51:21] [Music] deal hi I'm Joey Chan an International
[51:24] deal hi I'm Joey Chan an International Panel of scientists agrees we can BL
[51:26] Panel of scientists agrees we can BL blame ourselves for global warming
[51:28] blame ourselves for global warming Madrid where 2500 scientists from around
[51:30] Madrid where 2500 scientists from around the world have finally agreed with one
[51:32] the world have finally agreed with one another and are convinced that burning
[51:35] another and are convinced that burning oil and coal is causing the World's
[51:37] oil and coal is causing the World's temperature to rise which may bring with
[51:39] temperature to rise which may bring with it environmental disaster how do you
[51:42] it environmental disaster how do you think this is going to affect policy
[51:44] think this is going to affect policy action on this certainly ammunition for
[51:47] action on this certainly ammunition for those that would like more government
[51:48] those that would like more government regulation of Industry to move away from
[51:50] regulation of Industry to move away from fossil fuels to other forms of energy in
[51:53] fossil fuels to other forms of energy in retrospect those 12 words were the
[51:55] retrospect those 12 words were the handwriting on the wall
[51:59] [Music]
[52:02] [Music] what happened next was that the Global
[52:04] what happened next was that the Global Climate Coalition really came onto my
[52:06] Climate Coalition really came onto my radar
[52:07] radar screen uh in the spring of
[52:11] screen uh in the spring of 1996 they published this
[52:16] 1996 they published this um report the ipcc institutionalized
[52:21] um report the ipcc institutionalized scientific cleansing they were arguing
[52:24] scientific cleansing they were arguing that I had purged all discussion of
[52:27] that I had purged all discussion of uncertainty from the document which was
[52:30] uncertainty from the document which was patently untrue 20% of chapter 8 was
[52:33] patently untrue 20% of chapter 8 was specifically devoted to the discussion
[52:36] specifically devoted to the discussion of
[52:37] of uncertainties the changes quite clearly
[52:40] uncertainties the changes quite clearly have the obvious political purpose of
[52:43] have the obvious political purpose of cleansing the underlying scientific
[52:45] cleansing the underlying scientific report of important information and
[52:48] report of important information and scientific analysis that would lead
[52:51] scientific analysis that would lead policy makers and the public to be very
[52:53] policy makers and the public to be very cautious if not skeptical about blaming
[52:56] cautious if not skeptical about blaming human activities for climate change over
[52:59] human activities for climate change over the past
[53:03] Century I had grandparents who were
[53:06] Century I had grandparents who were cleansed because of their religion in
[53:09] cleansed because of their religion in the second world
[53:10] the second world war people were being cleansed because
[53:14] war people were being cleansed because of their religion in Bosnia and the
[53:17] of their religion in Bosnia and the Global Climate Coalition through this OD
[53:20] Global Climate Coalition through this OD scientific cleansing was arguing that I
[53:22] scientific cleansing was arguing that I was guilty of a crime these r Visions
[53:27] was guilty of a crime these r Visions raise very serious questions about
[53:29] raise very serious questions about whether the ipcc has compromised or even
[53:33] whether the ipcc has compromised or even lost its scientific
[53:37] Integrity
[53:40] Integrity um I certainly had a probably a role in
[53:43] um I certainly had a probably a role in the creation of this there's a there's a
[53:44] the creation of this there's a there's a level of detail here I just I I don't
[53:47] level of detail here I just I I don't remember but what I do I do remember the
[53:49] remember but what I do I do remember the gist of this um where things were said
[53:53] gist of this um where things were said at one point in the process and then
[53:55] at one point in the process and then they disappeared at the next and that
[53:58] they disappeared at the next and that struck me as
[53:59] struck me as troubling and so I I noted that to the
[54:03] troubling and so I I noted that to the folks in the Coalition this stuff caught
[54:06] folks in the Coalition this stuff caught on like
[54:08] on like wildfire Patrick Michaels devoted
[54:11] wildfire Patrick Michaels devoted substantial time to amplifying the
[54:14] substantial time to amplifying the global climate coalition's
[54:16] global climate coalition's allegations others picked up that report
[54:19] allegations others picked up that report and repeated bits of it
[54:22] and repeated bits of it verbatim things became worse when
[54:25] verbatim things became worse when Professor Frederick sites wrote an oped
[54:28] Professor Frederick sites wrote an oped in the Wall Street Journal I was accused
[54:30] in the Wall Street Journal I was accused of the worst abuse of the peer-reviewed
[54:33] of the worst abuse of the peer-reviewed system that Professor sites had seen in
[54:35] system that Professor sites had seen in his 60 years as a scientist folks who
[54:38] his 60 years as a scientist folks who were calling for my dismissal with
[54:40] were calling for my dismissal with dishonor from my position a gentleman
[54:43] dishonor from my position a gentleman intimated that I was about to be
[54:44] intimated that I was about to be indicted by the hay International court
[54:46] indicted by the hay International court of justice for quote falsification of
[54:49] of justice for quote falsification of international scientific documents
[54:56] that
[54:57] that document set in motion a number of
[55:02] document set in motion a number of public attacks on the lead scientist the
[55:05] public attacks on the lead scientist the lead author of that chapter wow he was
[55:08] lead author of that chapter wow he was particularly shaken by the accusation
[55:10] particularly shaken by the accusation that he was guilty of scientific
[55:11] that he was guilty of scientific cleansing he found yeah that that
[55:13] cleansing he found yeah that that wouldn't have been terminology by the
[55:15] wouldn't have been terminology by the way that I would have
[55:17] way that I would have used how this was used and what others
[55:19] used how this was used and what others did with it was outside of my control
[55:22] did with it was outside of my control and and purview and it troubles me to to
[55:26] and and purview and it troubles me to to hear that this had such an impact on an
[55:28] hear that this had such an impact on an individual that's not something I would
[55:30] individual that's not something I would want to do to to
[55:34] want to do to to anybody this attack on individuals on
[55:37] anybody this attack on individuals on their integrity decency honesty involved
[55:41] their integrity decency honesty involved High personal
[55:43] High personal cost and the Global Climate Coalition
[55:45] cost and the Global Climate Coalition knew what they were doing seow those
[55:48] knew what they were doing seow those seeds of doubt and watch them grow and
[55:51] seeds of doubt and watch them grow and mature and they did
[55:57] clearly one of the gcc's main missions
[56:00] clearly one of the gcc's main missions was to blunt the scientific urgency
[56:03] was to blunt the scientific urgency driven by scientific
[56:05] driven by scientific reports
[56:07] reports simultaneously there's an assessment
[56:08] simultaneously there's an assessment done written by a mobile scientist
[56:11] done written by a mobile scientist within the GCC so it says you know can
[56:15] within the GCC so it says you know can human activities affect the climate and
[56:18] human activities affect the climate and the answer is the scientific basis for
[56:20] the answer is the scientific basis for the Greenhouse Effect and the potential
[56:22] the Greenhouse Effect and the potential impact of human emissions of greenhouse
[56:24] impact of human emissions of greenhouse gases such as CO2 on the climate is well
[56:26] gases such as CO2 on the climate is well established and cannot be
[56:28] established and cannot be denied what's really interesting about
[56:31] denied what's really interesting about this document is the back six pages and
[56:35] this document is the back six pages and this is just a draft this was never
[56:36] this is just a draft this was never published as far as we know several
[56:39] published as far as we know several arguments have been put forward
[56:40] arguments have been put forward attempting to challenge the conventional
[56:42] attempting to challenge the conventional view of greenhouse gas induced climate
[56:45] view of greenhouse gas induced climate change Patrick Michaels named as one of
[56:49] change Patrick Michaels named as one of the people putting forward these
[56:50] the people putting forward these arguments and concludes they do not
[56:53] arguments and concludes they do not offer convincing arguments against the
[56:55] offer convincing arguments against the conventional model of greenhouse gas
[56:57] conventional model of greenhouse gas emission induced climate change so don't
[57:00] emission induced climate change so don't use their don't use their
[57:02] use their don't use their voice the science was growing more
[57:04] voice the science was growing more certain and exxon's own scientists were
[57:08] certain and exxon's own scientists were working with Scientists in Academia to
[57:11] working with Scientists in Academia to discern the the human fingerprint on a
[57:14] discern the the human fingerprint on a changing
[57:15] changing climate I am looking at an article L
[57:18] climate I am looking at an article L written by Lee Raymond who was chairman
[57:21] written by Lee Raymond who was chairman of Exxon Corporation and it looks like
[57:23] of Exxon Corporation and it looks like this is from the mid 1990s
[57:26] this is from the mid 1990s global warming who's Right facts about a
[57:28] global warming who's Right facts about a debate that's turned up more questions
[57:30] debate that's turned up more questions than answers Lee Raymond was certainly
[57:33] than answers Lee Raymond was certainly the person with the greatest stature in
[57:35] the person with the greatest stature in the oil industry to push forward this
[57:38] the oil industry to push forward this narrative that the science around
[57:40] narrative that the science around climate change was uncertain and
[57:41] climate change was uncertain and therefore we shouldn't act precipitously
[57:44] therefore we shouldn't act precipitously to address
[57:46] to address it what what's the date of this my God
[57:50] it what what's the date of this my God is this
[57:52] is this 82 no this says 1996
[57:59] we I am just flap gasted by this
[58:05] we I am just flap gasted by this uh the unproven
[58:09] uh the unproven theory this policy if implemented has
[58:11] theory this policy if implemented has ominous economic implications yet
[58:14] ominous economic implications yet scientific evidence remains
[58:17] scientific evidence remains inconclusive as to whether human
[58:19] inconclusive as to whether human activities affect global
[58:21] activities affect global climate it's just total
[58:23] climate it's just total Boney this person should never be be the
[58:26] Boney this person should never be be the CEO of of an energy
[58:30] CEO of of an energy company I think it's
[58:32] company I think it's outrageous that he would say such a
[58:35] outrageous that he would say such a thing because he has a worldclass
[58:39] thing because he has a worldclass climate and carbon cycle research group
[58:42] climate and carbon cycle research group in his own laboratory in Exxon research
[58:45] in his own laboratory in Exxon research and Engineering he could pick up the
[58:47] and Engineering he could pick up the phone and ask one of the people in that
[58:49] phone and ask one of the people in that group if that statement is true and they
[58:52] group if that statement is true and they would tell him that it
[58:54] would tell him that it isn't he's using using something which
[58:56] isn't he's using using something which is a lie to justify a policy which is
[59:01] is a lie to justify a policy which is bad for the world and I would have to
[59:04] bad for the world and I would have to say that on an ethical basis it's it's
[59:07] say that on an ethical basis it's it's actually
[59:09] actually evil I think he should be ashamed of
[59:12] evil I think he should be ashamed of himself and I think he should apologize
[59:15] himself and I think he should apologize to the world for saying
[59:18] to the world for saying that Lee Rayman did not respond to
[59:21] that Lee Rayman did not respond to interview
[59:22] interview requests in its statement to us Exxon
[59:25] requests in its statement to us Exxon Mobile insisted that its public
[59:27] Mobile insisted that its public statements about climate change are and
[59:30] statements about climate change are and have always been truthful fact-based
[59:34] have always been truthful fact-based transparent and consistent with the
[59:37] transparent and consistent with the Contemporary understanding of mainstream
[59:39] Contemporary understanding of mainstream climate
[59:40] climate science until his retirement in 2005 Lee
[59:44] science until his retirement in 2005 Lee Raymond continued to publicly question
[59:46] Raymond continued to publicly question the science of climate
[59:48] the science of climate change there is a natural variability
[59:51] change there is a natural variability that has nothing to do with man what
[59:54] that has nothing to do with man what would that the climate the climate has
[59:55] would that the climate the climate has changed
[59:57] changed every year for millions of
[59:59] every year for millions of years now the question is is part of
[01:00:03] years now the question is is part of what's Happening related to something
[01:00:05] what's Happening related to something other than natural
[01:00:08] other than natural variability and if so how do you
[01:00:10] variability and if so how do you determine what that
[01:00:13] determine what that is and the reality is the science isn't
[01:00:16] is and the reality is the science isn't there to make that determination
[01:00:22] [Music]
[01:00:32] two weeks from now this issue of global
[01:00:36] two weeks from now this issue of global climate
[01:00:37] climate change will be discussed by more than
[01:00:40] change will be discussed by more than 120 different countries in
[01:00:44] 120 different countries in Berlin this Administration will be at
[01:00:47] Berlin this Administration will be at the Forefront of This Global
[01:00:51] the Forefront of This Global effort I wanted the United States of
[01:00:53] effort I wanted the United States of America to lead the World Community to
[01:00:58] America to lead the World Community to agree on a set of global initiatives and
[01:01:02] agree on a set of global initiatives and policies the United States is committed
[01:01:04] policies the United States is committed to reaching 1990 levels of greenhouse
[01:01:07] to reaching 1990 levels of greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2000 let us
[01:01:10] gas emissions by the year 2000 let us make sure that our next steps are the
[01:01:13] make sure that our next steps are the right ones thank you very
[01:01:16] right ones thank you very much thank you we said that the United
[01:01:21] much thank you we said that the United States was prepared to engage in targets
[01:01:23] States was prepared to engage in targets and
[01:01:24] and timetables I mean that was obviously a
[01:01:27] timetables I mean that was obviously a massive threshold for us to
[01:01:31] cross I declare open the first session
[01:01:36] cross I declare open the first session of the conference of the parties the
[01:01:38] of the conference of the parties the convention is coming of
[01:01:41] convention is coming of age the question was who goes
[01:01:45] age the question was who goes first it was in no way possible to get a
[01:01:48] first it was in no way possible to get a global treaty with a proposal that the
[01:01:51] global treaty with a proposal that the poorest countries in the world would
[01:01:52] poorest countries in the world would have to take the same obligations that
[01:01:55] have to take the same obligations that the wealth countries were
[01:01:57] the wealth countries were undertaking and the idea was those who
[01:02:00] undertaking and the idea was those who developed the most and had contributed
[01:02:03] developed the most and had contributed historically the most to the problem
[01:02:05] historically the most to the problem should step up to the plate first in the
[01:02:08] should step up to the plate first in the effort to reduce emissions I should bang
[01:02:11] effort to reduce emissions I should bang the hammer now that was the formula that
[01:02:14] the hammer now that was the formula that the world agreed was the only way to
[01:02:16] the world agreed was the only way to make progress toward a truly Global
[01:02:20] make progress toward a truly Global agreement at a followup in Kyoto Japan
[01:02:23] agreement at a followup in Kyoto Japan negotiators hope to agree on binding
[01:02:25] negotiators hope to agree on binding limits
[01:02:26] limits the negotiators did agree they would
[01:02:28] the negotiators did agree they would exempt developing countries from the
[01:02:30] exempt developing countries from the Caps negotiated in Kyoto but the fossil
[01:02:33] Caps negotiated in Kyoto but the fossil fuel companies took that feature of the
[01:02:37] fuel companies took that feature of the agreement and made that a banir they
[01:02:40] agreement and made that a banir they made that a politically Salient issue
[01:02:43] made that a politically Salient issue that they used to uh to to great
[01:02:48] effect this is a plan from the pr firm
[01:02:52] effect this is a plan from the pr firm uh e Bruce Harrison after Berlin
[01:02:55] uh e Bruce Harrison after Berlin prepared for the GCC
[01:02:57] prepared for the GCC board this is the strategy of the grand
[01:03:01] board this is the strategy of the grand fog third-party Recruitment and oped
[01:03:04] fog third-party Recruitment and oped placement efforts will continue although
[01:03:06] placement efforts will continue although with a new emphasis on
[01:03:09] with a new emphasis on economists so the strategy is
[01:03:18] evolving in
[01:03:20] evolving in 1996 I finished up grad school and
[01:03:25] 1996 I finished up grad school and accepted a job Charles River Associates
[01:03:28] accepted a job Charles River Associates we were doing work for the American
[01:03:30] we were doing work for the American petroleum Institute so they had a
[01:03:32] petroleum Institute so they had a particular point of view if the US goes
[01:03:35] particular point of view if the US goes ahead and reduces its emissions and
[01:03:38] ahead and reduces its emissions and countries like China and India don't do
[01:03:40] countries like China and India don't do anything the US puts itself at a
[01:03:43] anything the US puts itself at a competitive
[01:03:44] competitive disadvantage to try and put numbers on
[01:03:47] disadvantage to try and put numbers on what those damages would do how much
[01:03:49] what those damages would do how much they were hurt I think is important
[01:03:51] they were hurt I think is important right we wrote a couple papers on our
[01:03:55] right we wrote a couple papers on our findings I had General surprise of how
[01:03:57] findings I had General surprise of how much attention it got it was Finding its
[01:04:00] much attention it got it was Finding its way into the
[01:04:02] way into the airwaves our president must decide if
[01:04:05] airwaves our president must decide if he'll sign a un climate treaty that
[01:04:07] he'll sign a un climate treaty that could increase the cost of gasoline by
[01:04:09] could increase the cost of gasoline by 50 Cents a gallon and raise electricity
[01:04:12] 50 Cents a gallon and raise electricity and natural gas prices by 25 to 50%
[01:04:15] and natural gas prices by 25 to 50% meanwhile countries like China India and
[01:04:18] meanwhile countries like China India and Mexico are exempt we pay the price and
[01:04:21] Mexico are exempt we pay the price and they are exempt it's not Global and it
[01:04:24] they are exempt it's not Global and it won't work
[01:04:26] won't work there's great pressure that came from
[01:04:28] there's great pressure that came from the clients to talk about
[01:04:30] the clients to talk about jobs we tried to tell clients we really
[01:04:33] jobs we tried to tell clients we really can't measure jobs accurately but you
[01:04:37] can't measure jobs accurately but you know you have to get paid at the at the
[01:04:39] know you have to get paid at the at the end of the day so you know we ended up
[01:04:42] end of the day so you know we ended up doing the best we could talking about
[01:04:45] doing the best we could talking about jobs but you don't really you don't
[01:04:48] jobs but you don't really you don't really know the first people that will
[01:04:51] really know the first people that will lose their jobs are the American coal
[01:04:53] lose their jobs are the American coal miner it would cost probably 5 6 700,000
[01:04:58] miner it would cost probably 5 6 700,000 jobs a year and that would hurt the US
[01:05:00] jobs a year and that would hurt the US automobile industry and it would hurt
[01:05:01] automobile industry and it would hurt the US economy every independent and I
[01:05:04] the US economy every independent and I say every independent economic study has
[01:05:07] say every independent economic study has come to the same conclusion that the
[01:05:09] come to the same conclusion that the impact is negative and it's going to
[01:05:11] impact is negative and it's going to cost
[01:05:13] cost [Music]
[01:05:14] [Music] jobs although the studies themselves
[01:05:17] jobs although the studies themselves acknowledge their funding from the
[01:05:19] acknowledge their funding from the industry that funding is often not
[01:05:22] industry that funding is often not acknowledged when the results are
[01:05:24] acknowledged when the results are presented to the public through
[01:05:26] presented to the public through advertorials that oil companies would
[01:05:28] advertorials that oil companies would take out in big venues like the New York
[01:05:32] take out in big venues like the New York Times without saying that the industry
[01:05:34] Times without saying that the industry had paid for the study or what the
[01:05:37] had paid for the study or what the limitations of the studies
[01:05:40] limitations of the studies were so it gave an impression that there
[01:05:43] were so it gave an impression that there were independent economists coming to
[01:05:46] were independent economists coming to this conclusion when in reality they
[01:05:49] this conclusion when in reality they were hired by the fossil fuel industry
[01:05:51] were hired by the fossil fuel industry the analysis completely ignored the
[01:05:53] the analysis completely ignored the benefits of taking action about about
[01:05:55] benefits of taking action about about climate
[01:05:56] climate [Music]
[01:05:59] [Music] change neither the API nor Charles River
[01:06:02] change neither the API nor Charles River Associates responded to questions about
[01:06:04] Associates responded to questions about their work
[01:06:08] together I had misgivings about just
[01:06:11] together I had misgivings about just telling half the story right you know
[01:06:13] telling half the story right you know what do we get if we reduce emissions we
[01:06:15] what do we get if we reduce emissions we get less damage from climate change
[01:06:18] get less damage from climate change right and we're not putting that in
[01:06:22] right and we're not putting that in there yeah I wish I weren't a part of
[01:06:25] there yeah I wish I weren't a part of that looking back I wish I weren't a
[01:06:26] that looking back I wish I weren't a part of delaying action you know clearly
[01:06:30] part of delaying action you know clearly on the wrong side of of
[01:06:44] History 18 weather and climate related
[01:06:47] History 18 weather and climate related disasters with a damage total of more
[01:06:50] disasters with a damage total of more than $1 billion each Global damages
[01:06:54] than $1 billion each Global damages estimated at around $280 billion these
[01:06:58] estimated at around $280 billion these natural disasters could push the
[01:07:00] natural disasters could push the nation's infrastructure to the
[01:07:05] [Music]
[01:07:14] [Music] brink please welcome our chairman Lee
[01:07:16] brink please welcome our chairman Lee Raymond
[01:07:17] Raymond [Music]
[01:07:18] [Music] [Applause]
[01:07:21] [Applause] Lee right now A United Nations effort is
[01:07:25] Lee right now A United Nations effort is moving for toward decision in
[01:07:29] moving for toward decision in 1997 to cut the use of fossil fuels
[01:07:32] 1997 to cut the use of fossil fuels based on the unproved theory that they
[01:07:35] based on the unproved theory that they affect the earth's
[01:07:36] affect the earth's climate if implemented such a policy
[01:07:40] climate if implemented such a policy could inflict severe economic damage so
[01:07:43] could inflict severe economic damage so it's critical that we in the industry
[01:07:45] it's critical that we in the industry provide a voice of Common Sense on this
[01:07:47] provide a voice of Common Sense on this important
[01:07:50] issue it means cooperating more closely
[01:07:53] issue it means cooperating more closely with other associations within our
[01:07:55] with other associations within our industry
[01:07:56] industry and it extends to the circle of logical
[01:07:58] and it extends to the circle of logical allies outside our industry that stand
[01:08:02] allies outside our industry that stand with us on any given
[01:08:04] with us on any given issue one example is our close
[01:08:07] issue one example is our close cooperation with the automobile
[01:08:09] cooperation with the automobile industry recently they have become
[01:08:11] industry recently they have become engaged in the global climate issue and
[01:08:14] engaged in the global climate issue and our active aggressive allies if we all
[01:08:17] our active aggressive allies if we all work toward the same
[01:08:18] work toward the same goal I believe we can change the
[01:08:21] goal I believe we can change the perceptions of the American people about
[01:08:23] perceptions of the American people about energy
[01:08:28] it's a call to Arms he's trying to Rally
[01:08:32] it's a call to Arms he's trying to Rally the oil industry to speak as one to
[01:08:34] the oil industry to speak as one to oppose climate change action to fight
[01:08:38] oppose climate change action to fight basically with a runup to the Kyoto
[01:08:41] basically with a runup to the Kyoto Protocol this is when it really ramps up
[01:08:44] Protocol this is when it really ramps up we know Exxon has been funding a bunch
[01:08:46] we know Exxon has been funding a bunch of right-wing and libertarian
[01:08:48] of right-wing and libertarian conservative think tanks suddenly in 97
[01:08:51] conservative think tanks suddenly in 97 the sums in those grants goes way up
[01:08:54] the sums in those grants goes way up they know that this is the big fight on
[01:08:56] they know that this is the big fight on the run up to Kyoto you're seeing these
[01:08:58] the run up to Kyoto you're seeing these ad campaigns the denial ad campaigns
[01:09:01] ad campaigns the denial ad campaigns you're seeing tv ads you're seeing print
[01:09:03] you're seeing tv ads you're seeing print ads there's op ads millions and millions
[01:09:06] ads there's op ads millions and millions of dollars worth of advertising why is
[01:09:08] of dollars worth of advertising why is the us being obliged to do more than
[01:09:10] the us being obliged to do more than everyone else it's not Global and it
[01:09:13] everyone else it's not Global and it won't work and Everybody sung from the
[01:09:16] won't work and Everybody sung from the same song
[01:09:17] same song sheet the administration had just
[01:09:19] sheet the administration had just completely misread the political
[01:09:21] completely misread the political situation there was no way in heck that
[01:09:25] situation there was no way in heck that the American public was going to accept
[01:09:27] the American public was going to accept regulating greenhouse gases in a fashion
[01:09:30] regulating greenhouse gases in a fashion which would disadvantage American
[01:09:32] which would disadvantage American industry that's an easy argument to make
[01:09:35] industry that's an easy argument to make politically uh you can make that in your
[01:09:38] politically uh you can make that in your sleep The Biggest Loser in all of this
[01:09:42] sleep The Biggest Loser in all of this will be science and I'm here to defend
[01:09:48] science and then the Senate issues this
[01:09:52] science and then the Senate issues this bird Hegel resolution which passes 95 to
[01:09:56] bird Hegel resolution which passes 95 to zero Sr 98 puts the administration on
[01:09:59] zero Sr 98 puts the administration on notice that an overwhelming and
[01:10:01] notice that an overwhelming and bipartisan majority of the United States
[01:10:03] bipartisan majority of the United States Senate rejects its current negotiating
[01:10:07] Senate rejects its current negotiating position on a proposed new Global
[01:10:09] position on a proposed new Global Climate treaty but for me it was it was
[01:10:12] Climate treaty but for me it was it was a it was a big deal as a freshman
[01:10:15] a it was a big deal as a freshman Senator it was my first year in the
[01:10:17] Senator it was my first year in the Senate with Bob
[01:10:19] Senate with Bob bird any effort to avoid the effects of
[01:10:22] bird any effort to avoid the effects of global climate change will be doomed to
[01:10:24] global climate change will be doomed to failure from to start without the
[01:10:28] failure from to start without the participation of the developing world
[01:10:31] participation of the developing world this treaty would be a lead weight on
[01:10:33] this treaty would be a lead weight on our nation's future economic growth
[01:10:35] our nation's future economic growth killing jobs and opportunities for
[01:10:36] killing jobs and opportunities for generations of Americans to come bird
[01:10:39] generations of Americans to come bird Hegel got 95
[01:10:41] Hegel got 95 votes 95 Senators nobody voted against
[01:10:45] votes 95 Senators nobody voted against it even using conservative assumptions
[01:10:48] it even using conservative assumptions Charles River Associates a leading
[01:10:49] Charles River Associates a leading economic modeling firm for example has
[01:10:52] economic modeling firm for example has estimated that holding ad Missions at
[01:10:54] estimated that holding ad Missions at 1990 levels would reduce economic growth
[01:10:57] 1990 levels would reduce economic growth by 1% a year rising to 3% I was not
[01:10:59] by 1% a year rising to 3% I was not going to support a treaty that would
[01:11:02] going to support a treaty that would affect our economy everything else when
[01:11:05] affect our economy everything else when we didn't have the absolute scientific
[01:11:09] we didn't have the absolute scientific evidence first of all to prove it and
[01:11:11] evidence first of all to prove it and second and maybe even more important let
[01:11:13] second and maybe even more important let all these other countries
[01:11:15] all these other countries off if anything has become clear during
[01:11:18] off if anything has become clear during Congressional hearings on this issue it
[01:11:20] Congressional hearings on this issue it is that the science is unclear is that
[01:11:24] is that the science is unclear is that the scientific Community has not even
[01:11:26] the scientific Community has not even come close to definitively concluding
[01:11:30] come close to definitively concluding that we have a problem I'm not a
[01:11:32] that we have a problem I'm not a scientist I'm not a climatologist I
[01:11:35] scientist I'm not a climatologist I listen to a lot of people I ask uh for a
[01:11:39] listen to a lot of people I ask uh for a lot of opinions I I had scientists
[01:11:41] lot of opinions I I had scientists coming in I had other people come
[01:11:46] in we on Earth documents that show a
[01:11:50] in we on Earth documents that show a series of meetings and briefings
[01:11:55] oh
[01:11:57] oh wow it's quite amazing here's a memo
[01:12:00] wow it's quite amazing here's a memo from the American petroleum Institute
[01:12:02] from the American petroleum Institute they're putting on a lunch in they're
[01:12:03] they're putting on a lunch in they're hosting Senator Hegel and they're going
[01:12:05] hosting Senator Hegel and they're going to brief him scientists do not have a
[01:12:07] to brief him scientists do not have a precise understanding of this issue
[01:12:09] precise understanding of this issue doubt doubt meeting with Senator Hegel
[01:12:12] doubt doubt meeting with Senator Hegel and the Ford Motor Company it's the
[01:12:14] and the Ford Motor Company it's the American automobile manufacturers
[01:12:16] American automobile manufacturers Association the aluminum Association
[01:12:18] Association the aluminum Association chemical manufacturers
[01:12:20] chemical manufacturers Association you know I'm I'm emphasizing
[01:12:23] Association you know I'm I'm emphasizing Senator Hegel but this is happening
[01:12:25] Senator Hegel but this is happening uh all throughout the Senate 95 Senators
[01:12:29] uh all throughout the Senate 95 Senators voted this certain way but if you pull
[01:12:32] voted this certain way but if you pull that lens back you're going to see their
[01:12:35] that lens back you're going to see their working politicians with the most
[01:12:36] working politicians with the most sophisticated legislative campaigns what
[01:12:39] sophisticated legislative campaigns what were they saying to you in those
[01:12:41] were they saying to you in those meetings and did you learn anything that
[01:12:43] meetings and did you learn anything that did help to shape your views well they
[01:12:47] did help to shape your views well they made their case they made their point so
[01:12:49] made their case they made their point so you listen to them like it you would
[01:12:51] you listen to them like it you would anybody I wasn't surprised by anything I
[01:12:53] anybody I wasn't surprised by anything I heard
[01:12:56] heard you met Lee Raymond the chairman and CEO
[01:12:59] you met Lee Raymond the chairman and CEO of Exon what kind of relationship did
[01:13:01] of Exon what kind of relationship did you have with him uh well Lee Raymond
[01:13:03] you have with him uh well Lee Raymond was um a South Dakota boy I remember
[01:13:06] was um a South Dakota boy I remember that um I didn't have a close
[01:13:09] that um I didn't have a close relationship with him I um but I
[01:13:11] relationship with him I um but I listened to him he's head of the largest
[01:13:13] listened to him he's head of the largest oil company uh in the country I listen
[01:13:16] oil company uh in the country I listen to everybody's
[01:13:18] to everybody's opinions so this is a page from a a a
[01:13:22] opinions so this is a page from a a a briefing document and it's uh the title
[01:13:25] briefing document and it's uh the title is the Dilemma for
[01:13:27] is the Dilemma for congress draft resolution is attached
[01:13:30] congress draft resolution is attached for your
[01:13:31] for your consideration so the American automobile
[01:13:34] consideration so the American automobile manufacturers Association is putting
[01:13:37] manufacturers Association is putting forth on behalf I think of the Global
[01:13:39] forth on behalf I think of the Global Climate Coalition the draft resolution
[01:13:42] Climate Coalition the draft resolution for the Senate to preemptively kill the
[01:13:45] for the Senate to preemptively kill the Kyoto
[01:13:48] Protocol I mean the bird Hegel
[01:13:50] Protocol I mean the bird Hegel resolution they didn't draft
[01:13:53] resolution they didn't draft that we had many people coming forward
[01:13:57] that we had many people coming forward with
[01:13:58] with written uh examples of why don't you do
[01:14:01] written uh examples of why don't you do this That's Not Unusual at all uh
[01:14:05] this That's Not Unusual at all uh because our staffs work with them and so
[01:14:07] because our staffs work with them and so on but that that resolution wasn't an
[01:14:09] on but that that resolution wasn't an AMA resolution that resolution was
[01:14:12] AMA resolution that resolution was decided uh By Us by the
[01:14:16] Senators vice president Al Gore is on
[01:14:19] Senators vice president Al Gore is on his way to Kyoto Japan to attend the
[01:14:21] his way to Kyoto Japan to attend the global warming Summit now the goal of
[01:14:23] global warming Summit now the goal of the conference is an intern treaty to
[01:14:25] the conference is an intern treaty to protect the environment but so far it's
[01:14:27] protect the environment but so far it's been hard to find anything the diplomats
[01:14:29] been hard to find anything the diplomats can agree on I think bird higel really
[01:14:32] can agree on I think bird higel really destroyed any hope of getting something
[01:14:34] destroyed any hope of getting something done in
[01:14:35] done in kyota there was no argument by the
[01:14:38] kyota there was no argument by the administration against the bird Hegel
[01:14:41] administration against the bird Hegel resolution the Clinton Administration
[01:14:43] resolution the Clinton Administration certainly uh didn't want to go into open
[01:14:47] certainly uh didn't want to go into open War to those who seek to obfuscate and
[01:14:50] War to those who seek to obfuscate and obstruct we say we will not allow you to
[01:14:54] obstruct we say we will not allow you to put narrow special interests above the
[01:14:57] put narrow special interests above the interests of all
[01:14:59] interests of all humankind both substance and
[01:15:02] humankind both substance and spirit democracy on Earth corporate
[01:15:06] spirit democracy on Earth corporate American leadership will not save the
[01:15:10] American leadership will not save the world it was just an unbelievable mess
[01:15:15] world it was just an unbelievable mess he did broker a deal and got as much out
[01:15:18] he did broker a deal and got as much out of Kyoto as he could have but we were
[01:15:19] of Kyoto as he could have but we were not going to get steep Cuts in CO2
[01:15:22] not going to get steep Cuts in CO2 emissions out of a global agreement with
[01:15:25] emissions out of a global agreement with all the industry fighting against them
[01:15:28] all the industry fighting against them delegates from the US and 149 other
[01:15:31] delegates from the US and 149 other countries have approved the treaty known
[01:15:32] countries have approved the treaty known as the Kyoto Protocol President Clinton
[01:15:35] as the Kyoto Protocol President Clinton is praising the agreement but he may
[01:15:37] is praising the agreement but he may have trouble getting it ratified the
[01:15:39] have trouble getting it ratified the Clinton Administration never even put
[01:15:40] Clinton Administration never even put the Kyoto Protocol up for a vote in the
[01:15:42] the Kyoto Protocol up for a vote in the Senate it was a DOA and I think they
[01:15:45] Senate it was a DOA and I think they understood that within a week of return
[01:15:47] understood that within a week of return from
[01:15:47] from [Music]
[01:15:49] [Music] Kyoto I feel that at the end of the day
[01:15:52] Kyoto I feel that at the end of the day the Clinton Gore Administration was not
[01:15:54] the Clinton Gore Administration was not able to deliver on the lofty promise of
[01:15:58] able to deliver on the lofty promise of American leadership the door
[01:16:01] American leadership the door closed for the next 10 years so it was a
[01:16:06] closed for the next 10 years so it was a significant missed
[01:16:10] opportunity when I became part of that
[01:16:14] opportunity when I became part of that world we thought the odds were pretty
[01:16:16] world we thought the odds were pretty long against us we did not expect to
[01:16:19] long against us we did not expect to Prevail uh in the climate debate the
[01:16:21] Prevail uh in the climate debate the problem that most scientists don't say
[01:16:23] problem that most scientists don't say Exist by the end of the decade however
[01:16:25] Exist by the end of the decade however the climate Skeptics and denialists were
[01:16:27] the climate Skeptics and denialists were in a position of strength now they had
[01:16:30] in a position of strength now they had that pretty much run the table in every
[01:16:33] that pretty much run the table in every decisive fight we had
[01:16:35] decisive fight we had won they won the battle I was intent
[01:16:39] won they won the battle I was intent that they would not win the war uh it
[01:16:43] that they would not win the war uh it became clear to me at that point that it
[01:16:45] became clear to me at that point that it was going to be a longer
[01:16:48] War we approached multiple members of
[01:16:51] War we approached multiple members of the industry Coalition that campaigned
[01:16:53] the industry Coalition that campaigned against Kyoto none would sit for an
[01:16:56] against Kyoto none would sit for an interview for its part Exxon Mobile has
[01:16:59] interview for its part Exxon Mobile has stated publicly that we recognize that
[01:17:02] stated publicly that we recognize that our past participation in Industry
[01:17:04] our past participation in Industry coalitions to oppose ineffective climate
[01:17:07] coalitions to oppose ineffective climate policies subjects us to criticism by
[01:17:10] policies subjects us to criticism by climate activist
[01:17:11] climate activist groups and that the kioto protocol was
[01:17:15] groups and that the kioto protocol was unrealistic and economically damaging
[01:17:25] [Music]
[01:17:45] it is unequivocal that human activities
[01:17:48] it is unequivocal that human activities are responsible for climate change
[01:17:50] are responsible for climate change that's the finding of a new study by the
[01:17:52] that's the finding of a new study by the un's intergovernmental panel on climate
[01:17:55] un's intergovernmental panel on climate change a dire warning and a stark
[01:17:58] change a dire warning and a stark reality the head of the UN referred to
[01:18:01] reality the head of the UN referred to this as code red for Humanity global
[01:18:05] this as code red for Humanity global temperatures are the hottest in a
[01:18:07] temperatures are the hottest in a 100,000 years and many effects of
[01:18:09] 100,000 years and many effects of climate change are already irreversible
[01:18:12] climate change are already irreversible if we want to avoid catastrophe we have
[01:18:14] if we want to avoid catastrophe we have to drastically cut emissions
[01:18:19] to drastically cut emissions now we now know that exom was making a
[01:18:23] now we now know that exom was making a concerted effort through the 199 90s to
[01:18:25] concerted effort through the 199 90s to cast doubt on the science do you feel
[01:18:28] cast doubt on the science do you feel that you were misled well what we now
[01:18:31] that you were misled well what we now know about um some of these large oil
[01:18:35] know about um some of these large oil companies
[01:18:36] companies positions they
[01:18:38] positions they lied and yes I was misled others were
[01:18:42] lied and yes I was misled others were misled when they had evidence in their
[01:18:46] misled when they had evidence in their own
[01:18:47] own institutions that countered what they
[01:18:49] institutions that countered what they were saying publicly I mean they lied if
[01:18:54] were saying publicly I mean they lied if they had said then if they held their
[01:18:56] they had said then if they held their hands up then and said yes this is real
[01:19:00] hands up then and said yes this is real could it have been different oh
[01:19:01] could it have been different oh absolutely it would have changed
[01:19:03] absolutely it would have changed everything I would have I think it would
[01:19:05] everything I would have I think it would have changed the average citizen's
[01:19:07] have changed the average citizen's appreciation of climate
[01:19:10] appreciation of climate change and and mine of course it would
[01:19:13] change and and mine of course it would have put have the United States and the
[01:19:16] have put have the United States and the world on a whole different track and
[01:19:18] world on a whole different track and today we would have been so much further
[01:19:22] today we would have been so much further ahead than we are it's cost this country
[01:19:26] ahead than we are it's cost this country and it cost the
[01:19:30] world Exxon Mobile continues to defend
[01:19:33] world Exxon Mobile continues to defend its record on climate change my name is
[01:19:37] its record on climate change my name is Darren Woods I'm the chairman and chief
[01:19:39] Darren Woods I'm the chairman and chief executive officer of Exon Mobile
[01:19:42] executive officer of Exon Mobile Corporation Exon Mobile has long
[01:19:44] Corporation Exon Mobile has long recognized that climate change is real
[01:19:47] recognized that climate change is real and poses serious risks but there are no
[01:19:50] and poses serious risks but there are no easy
[01:19:52] easy answers our position in this has been
[01:19:55] answers our position in this has been consistent with the general consensus in
[01:19:57] consistent with the general consensus in the scientific
[01:20:00] the scientific [Music]
[01:20:13] [Music] Community I am 83 years
[01:20:16] Community I am 83 years old three or four decades ago we
[01:20:18] old three or four decades ago we predicted
[01:20:21] predicted it as a scientist to have those
[01:20:23] it as a scientist to have those predictions come true that's sort of the
[01:20:26] predictions come true that's sort of the golden icon that you look
[01:20:30] golden icon that you look for however as a human being and as in
[01:20:34] for however as a human being and as in an inhabitant of planet
[01:20:36] an inhabitant of planet Earth I'm
[01:20:39] horrified to watch the lack of response
[01:20:44] horrified to watch the lack of response to
[01:20:44] to [Music]
[01:20:46] [Music] this I am trying as much as
[01:20:49] this I am trying as much as possible to distance myself emotionally
[01:20:56] so you're
[01:20:57] so you're angry yes I'm I'm
[01:21:05] furious it's heartbreaking to
[01:21:09] furious it's heartbreaking to me I saw all of that potential there at
[01:21:11] me I saw all of that potential there at least at that point in time to really
[01:21:13] least at that point in time to really solve the problem in many different
[01:21:17] solve the problem in many different ways had Exon chosen to pick up the ball
[01:21:20] ways had Exon chosen to pick up the ball then and begin to lead the discussions
[01:21:22] then and begin to lead the discussions would have been about how to do
[01:21:26] would have been about how to do it we had solar scientists doing
[01:21:28] it we had solar scientists doing research we had lithium battery chemists
[01:21:30] research we had lithium battery chemists doing research think of how important
[01:21:32] doing research think of how important these Sciences are to the world
[01:21:35] these Sciences are to the world currently parts of the world are going
[01:21:37] currently parts of the world are going to suffer enormously unnecessarily so
[01:21:41] to suffer enormously unnecessarily so and for for something that we could have
[01:21:43] and for for something that we could have done something
[01:21:46] about not doing anything for
[01:21:49] about not doing anything for decades that that that's just it's just
[01:21:53] decades that that that's just it's just squandered time and we're going to pay
[01:21:54] squandered time and we're going to pay for
[01:22:00] it next time the plan says Victory will
[01:22:04] it next time the plan says Victory will be achieved when recognition of
[01:22:06] be achieved when recognition of uncertainties becomes part of the
[01:22:08] uncertainties becomes part of the conventional wisdom the fossil fuel
[01:22:10] conventional wisdom the fossil fuel industry continues its fight emphasizing
[01:22:13] industry continues its fight emphasizing doubt is a critically important speed
[01:22:15] doubt is a critically important speed bump to ambitious policy I don't think
[01:22:18] bump to ambitious policy I don't think this is happening Lee Raymond is Salient
[01:22:20] this is happening Lee Raymond is Salient because he's hammering away the idea of
[01:22:23] because he's hammering away the idea of scientific uncertainty even as the
[01:22:25] scientific uncertainty even as the science grew more certainly and the
[01:22:27] science grew more certainly and the political struggles for the future of
[01:22:29] political struggles for the future of the planet we do not know how fast
[01:22:31] the planet we do not know how fast change will occur there just was no
[01:22:33] change will occur there just was no appetite economically politically to go
[01:22:36] appetite economically politically to go forward with a cap on carbon my brother
[01:22:37] forward with a cap on carbon my brother Charles and I provided the funds to
[01:22:40] Charles and I provided the funds to start the Americans for Prosperity our
[01:22:42] start the Americans for Prosperity our job was to fight back against the
[01:22:44] job was to fight back against the progressive agenda this was the end of
[01:22:47] progressive agenda this was the end of climate legislation in the US Congress
[01:22:49] climate legislation in the US Congress for a long time we had a shot at it and
[01:22:52] for a long time we had a shot at it and we got beat
[01:22:55] we got beat part two of The Power of Big Oil next
[01:22:57] part two of The Power of Big Oil next time on Frontline
[01:23:00] time on Frontline [Music]
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