Exxon Knew About Climate Change Almost 40 Years Ago

• This article from Scientific American explains the extent of Exxon's knowledge about carbon emissions and climate change in the 1970s and early 1980s.
  
• Students will learn about the investigation into Exxon and the steps the company took after completing their own research on global ocean and air temperatures. 

Positives

• This article lays out a strong argument regarding Exxon's knowledge of climate change and how their product negatively impacts the environment.
• Students will gain an understanding of the historical and environmental implications of Exxon's actions. 
  

Additional Prerequisites

• Students should understand the role fossil fuels play in climate change. 
  

Differentiation

• This article could be used in social studies classes that are discussing how individual and collective choices can impact humanity.
• Economics and civics classes could use this article for a discussion or project about industries or businesses that pollute air, water, or land in indiscriminate ways and how to account for these externalities.
  
• Try using this article as a resource in a debate about if fossil fuel companies should be liable for the environmental damages resulting from the carbon emissions from their products. 
• Create a class timeline using the board and sticky notes. Have students add events to the timeline as you read about them. Once the article and timeline are complete, have a class discussion reflecting on your findings.

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