PRELIMINARY STATEI4ENT OF EXXONIS POSITION ON
THE GROI,{TH OF AT}.4OSPHER] C CARBON DIOXIDE
Position:
There is sufficient time to study the problem before
corrective action is required.
r An indication of the average globa1 temperature increase
due to cO^ wilf not be measurable above normal climatic
f luctuatizons (noise) until about 2000.
Effective energy conservation ancl high price for fossil
fuels over the last few years have now delayeil the projected doubling time of CO" - we estimate now that the
doubling time is about 100-Years.
o This permits time for an orderly transition to non-fossil
fuel technologies should restrictions on fossil fuel use
.
be deemed neCessary.
Synthelics Impact:
There is no reason to stif l-e or halt development of
synthetics industrY.
. Impact of synthetics on doubling time is very sma1l
doubling
U7/yr averlge synthetics growth rate reduces
2010)
in
synthetics
timL- by only 5 years = L5 Mr/D
'
o Coal- Iiquids contribute about 1003 more CO2 than burning
coal diiectly; shale oi1 about 50? more.
Background:
.
Average atmospheric CO, increased 78 since 1957 (3I5 to
338 p!m) . we project 6o, witt reach about 380 'ppm by 2000.
Atmospheric CO. will double in 100 years if fossil fuels
grow at L. 4z/ ai
3oc alobal average temperature rise and 10oc at poles if
co^
z doubles. - Major shifts in rainfal l/agriculture
- Polar ice maY melt
U. S. covernment conducting l-O-year study at 10M$,/a to
reduce large scientific uncertainties and recommend appropriate energy policy.
ER&E contributing to the research effort by monitoring
atmospheric and oceanic CO, from a tanker.