93. 1 In 1980, API’s CO2 Task Force members discussed the oil industry’s responsibility 2 to reduce CO2 emissions by changing refining processes and developing fuels that emit less CO2. 3 The minutes from the Task Force’s February 29, 1980, meeting included a summary of a 4 presentation on “The CO2 Problem” given by Dr. John Laurmann, which identified the “scientific 5 consensus on the potential for large future climatic response to increased CO2 levels” as a reason 6 for API members to have concern with the “CO2 problem” and informed attendees that there was 7 “strong empirical evidence that rise [in CO2 concentration was] caused by anthropogenic release 8 of CO2, mainly from fossil fuel combustion.”70 Moreover, Dr. Laurmann warned that the amount 9 of CO2 in the atmosphere could double by 2038, which he said would likely lead to a 2.5° C (4.5º 10 F) rise in global average temperatures with “major economic consequences.” He then told the Task 11 Force that models showed a 5°C (9º F) rise by 2067, with “globally catastrophic effects.”71 A 12 taskforce member and representative of Texaco leadership present at the meeting posited that the 13 API CO2 Task Force should develop ground rules for energy release of fuels and the cleanup of 14 fuels as they relate to CO2 creation. 94. 15 In 1980, the API CO2 Task Force also discussed a potential area for investigation: 16 alternative energy sources as a means of mitigating CO2 emissions from Defendants’ fossil fuel 17 products. These efforts called for research and development to “Investigate the Market Penetration 18 Requirements of Introducing a New Energy Source into World Wide Use.” Such investigation was 19 to include the technical implications of energy source changeover, research timing, and 20 requirements.72 95. 21 By 1980, Exxon’s senior leadership had become intimately familiar with the 22 greenhouse effect and the role of CO2 in the atmosphere. In that year, Exxon Senior Vice President 23 and Board member George Piercy questioned Exxon researchers on the minutiae of the ocean’s 24 role in absorbing atmospheric CO2, including whether there was a net CO2 flux out of the ocean 25 26 American Petroleum Institute, AQ-9 Task Force Meeting Minutes, supra note 59 (AQ-9 refers to the “CO2 and Climate” Task Force). 71 Id. 72 Id. 70 27 28 SHER EDLING LLP COMPLAINT 43