Memorandum for the Petitioners | 50
Association v. Chevron Corp. et al ). 192 He explained that there was a
“scientific consensus on the potential for large future climatic response to
increased CO2 levels.”193 Moreover, he mentioned that there was “strong
empirical evidence” that fossil fuel combustion was causing climate
change.194
5.70. Dr. Laurman provided insights on climate modeling, including a
foreseeable temperature rise of 2.5° C by 2038 resulting in “ major economic
consequences” and 5°C rise by 2067 resulting in “globally catastrophic
effects.” 195
1.
r
In the early 1980s, scientists from
respondent Exxon recognized the
scientific consensus on climate
change, warned of potentially
catastrophic
effects,
and
highlighted the opportunities to
act
5.71. On 02 September 1982, Roger Cohen, Director of Exxon’s
Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences Laboratory, communicated the
findings of internal corporate research in climate modeling. Cohen wrote
about the “unanimous agreement in the scientific community” regarding the
effects of a significant temperature increase, and he noted that the results of
their research are “ in accord with the scientific consensus on the effect of
increased atmospheric CO2 on climate » 196 He stated that Exxon had a
responsibility to publish its research in scientific literature because to do
otherwise would be “a breach of Exxon’s public position and ethical credo on
honesty and integrity.» 197
,
r
5.72. A month later, on 12 November 1982, an Exxon briefing on “CO2
Greenhouse Effect’” was widely circulated to Exxon’ s management. The
briefing clearly communicated that “ jmjitigation of the ‘greenhouse effect
would require major reductions in fossil fuel combustion.”198 The briefing
See Annex “B” hereof, Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen' s Association v. Chevron Corp. et al ,
supra note 184, p. 42, citing American Petroleum Institute, AQ-9 Task Force Meeting Minutes ( 18 Mach
1980 ), available at https://insideclimatenews.org/documents/aq -9 task-force-meeting-1980, attachment B
(last accessed on 12 September 2019). AQ-9 refers to the “CO2 and Climate” Task Force .
193
Id.
194 Id.
195
Id.
196
Id., p. 45, citing Cohen, R. W. (1982), Memo to A. M. Natkin, Office of Science and Technology, Exxon
Corporation, Linden, N. J ., USA., pp. 1 2; available at http://www.climatefiles.com /exxonmobil/ 1982exxon- memo-summarizing-climate- modeling-and-co2-greenhouse-effect-research/ ( last accessed 12
September 2019); Also see: Exhibit “MMMMM” to “MMMMM 3 ”
197
Id., p. 45, citing Cohen, R. W. (1982), Memo to A. M. Natkin, Office of Science and Technology\ Exxon
Corporation, Linden, N. J ., USA, p. 3, supra note 196.
198
Glaser, M .B., ( 12 November 1982), Exxon Memo to Management about “CO2 ‘Greenhouse’ Effect,
Exxon Research and Engineering Co., p. 2, available at
192
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