Memorandum for the Petitioners | 49
5 .66 . As pointed out in the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s
Association v. Chevron Corp. et al (Annex “B” hereof ), a climate lawsuit
against many of the respondents herein, Exxon scientists pushed for additional
research generated by scientists working for the fossil fuel industry:
We should determine how Exxon can best participate
in all these [atmospheric science research] areas and
influence possible legislation on environmental controls. It
is important to begin to anticipate the strong intervention of
enviromnental groups and be prepared to respond with
reliable and credible data. It behooves [Exxon] to start a very
aggressive defensive program .. . , 189 (Emphasis supplied)
r
r
5.67. Exxon executives, and other respondents herein, were presented
with this type of research throughout the 1970s, yet it appears that they
actively chose to defend their climate polluting business models despite the
scientific warnings and recommendations pointing to the need to transition
out of fossil fuels.
D. 4. By the 1980s, the fossil fuel industry
knew there was broad scientific
consensus that climate change was
real, was caused by fossil fuel
consumption, and would have
significant
impacts
the
on
environment and human rights
5.68. By the 1980s, the fossil fuel industry understood that climate
change was real, was caused by the burning of fossil fuels, and “would have
significant impacts on the environment and human health » 190 The industry
therefore, had actual knowledge of the potential human rights harms that
would result from the use of their products.
.
,
5.69. Members of the oil industry were warned again when Dr. John
Laurman,191 a consultant hired by API, gave a presentation entitled, “The CO2
Problem” (cited in Annex “B,” Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s
Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen' s Association v. Chevron Corp. et ai 9 supra note 184, p. 31.
citing Shaw, H. ( 19 November 1979), Research in Atmospheric Science [Memo to H. N. Weinberg ], p. 1 ,
available at
https://insideclimatenews.org/sites/default/fiIes/documents/Probable%20Legislation %20Memo%20(1979).
pdf (last accessed on 12 September 2019).
190
See Amicus Brief filed by Robert Brulle, Center for Climate Integrity, Justin Farrell , Benjamin Franta,
Stephan Lewandowsky, Naomi Oreskes, and Geoffrey Supran in support of appellees and affirmance
County of San Mateo v. Chevron Corp., p. 14, available at https://www.sheredling.com/wp~
content/uploads/2019/01/Center-for-Climate-Integrity-Amicus.pdf (last accessed 12 September 2019).
191
Dr. John Laurman appears to have been associated with Stanford University in 1977. Elliot, W., et al.
( 1979 ), Carbon dioxide effects: research and assessment program. Workshop on the global effects of
carbon dioxide from fossil fuels, p. 120, available at https://www.osti .gov/servlets/purl/6385084 ( last
accessed on 12 September 2019).
189
.
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