After intensive investigation, InsideClimate News is currently releasing a history of Exxon Corporation’s engagement in the science of climate change starting back when that field was in it infancy. The story spans four decades, and is based on primary sources including internal company files dating back to the late 1970s, interviews with former company employees, and other evidence, much of which is now being published for the first time.
Turns out, Exxon conducted first-class, cutting-edge climate research starting in the 1970’s. Then in the late 1980’s, not liking what it’s scientists were finding, decided to discontinue that research and, instead, put its resources behind climate change denial, thereby promoting doubt about the scientific consensus that its own scientists and others from American Universities and government laboratories were coming to. By the time of NOAA’s James Hansen’s historic testimony before a Senate committee concerning the rapid advance of global warming in 1988, the denial and doubt campaigns of Exxon had already begun and, as we know, have continued to the present time.
A full account of the first portion of this story can be seen at
Note that additional chapters will be forthcoming.
ericgrimsrud 
At last some congressmen call for a federal inquiry into Exxon: of what their own scientists’ knew — and then Exxon funding purveyors of misinformation and denial.
http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/oct/16/exxonmobil-congress-climate-change-federal-investigation?CMP=twt_a-environment_b-gdneco
By: Ann Gallon on October 16, 2015
at 5:50 pm