❝ In the 1980s, oil companies like Exxon and Shell carried out internal assessments of the carbon dioxide released by fossil fuels, and forecast the planetary consequences of these emissions. In 1982, for example, Exxon predicted that by about 2060, CO2 levels would reach around 560 parts per million – double the preindustrial level – and that this would push the planet’s average temperatures up by about 2°C over then-current levels (and even more compared to pre-industrial levels).
❝ Later that decade, in 1988, an internal report by Shell projected similar effects but also found that CO2 could double even earlier, by 2030. Privately, these companies did not dispute the links between their products, global warming, and ecological calamity. On the contrary, their research confirmed the connections.
❝ The documents make for frightening reading. And the effect is all the more chilling in view of the oil giants’ refusal to warn the public about the damage that their own researchers predicted. Shell’s report, marked “confidential,” was first disclosed by a Dutch news organization earlier this year. Exxon’s study was not intended for external distribution, either; it was leaked in 2015.
I haven’t much concern for the excuses these firms and their peers raise to shield their greed, sophistry. Nor am I surprised at the culpability of our politicians, the ignorant acceptance of corporate lies by the US population in general. We are the poster child for advertising abuse and lies.
“Not a cough in a carload” indeed! Multiply that by millions and begin to comprehend the global crime we face – living in the belly of the beast that has been devouring the whole world for decades.
Eideard 
Methane-breathing (and cryogenic fluid-based) life-forms were a staple of the ‘Sector General’ series of novels by James White. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sector_General
One of the extraterrestrial hospital’s senior consultants, Dr. Semlic, is a Vosian, one of said methane-breathing species, a completely benign life form, unlike the alien creatures who are rapidly modifying the atmosphere and temperature of our planet to suit their own insatiable needs.
A series from Inside Climate News…
https://insideclimatenews.org/news/15092015/Exxons-own-research-confirmed-fossil-fuels-role-in-global-warming
“The world has just over a decade to get climate change under control, U.N. scientists say” (Washington Post )ct 7, 2018) https://www.washingtonpost.com/energy-environment/2018/10/08/world-has-only-years-get-climate-change-under-control-un-scientists-say/?utm_term=.376261cc424c “There is no documented historic precedent” for the sweeping change to energy, transportation and other systems required to reach 1.5 degrees Celsius, the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) wrote in a report requested as part of the 2015 Paris climate agreement. https://www.ipcc.ch/
Replace Shell and Exxon with Verizon and AT&T to get another possible buried truth about climate change jonathanbrookes.com
Exxon predicted in 1982 exactly how high global carbon emissions would be today https://thinkprogress.org/exxon-predicted-high-carbon-emissions-954e514b0aa9/
Not only did Exxon predict the rise in emissions, it also understood how severe the consequences would be. See https://insideclimatenews.org/sites/default/files/documents/1982%20Exxon%20Primer%20on%20CO2%20Greenhouse%20Effect.pdf
“Activist Investor Wins Exxon Board Seats In Day Of Reckoning For Big Oil” https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Activist-Investor-Wins-Exxon-Board-Seats-In-Day-Of-Reckoning-For-Big-Oil.html
“Activist investor ousts at least two Exxon directors in historic win for pro-climate campaign” https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/26/business/exxon-annual-meeting-climate-oil/index.html
“Exxon’s board will reconsider two shareholder proposals that received majority shareholder approval, according to the company. The proposals include Item No. 9, which calls for a report on lobbying, and Item No. 10, which requests a report on climate lobbying.” https://corporate.exxonmobil.com/News/Newsroom/News-releases/2021/0526_ExxonMobil-announces-preliminary-results-in-election-of-directors
‘Exxon Mobil’s Last-Ditch Attempt to Stave Off a Climate Coup” https://finance.yahoo.com/news/exxon-mobil-last-ditch-attempt-134046729.html
“The Day the World Changed for Big Oil” https://www.bloombergquint.com/gadfly/exxon-shell-chevron-saw-the-world-change-for-big-oil-emissions
“Why has Andy Karsner frightened the mighty ExxonMobil?
The oil giant spent millions of dollars to keep Karsner, a Republican who favors renewable energy, off the company’s board of directors. It failed.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2021/06/19/exxon-board-karsner-engine1/
“Watch an Exxon Lobbyist Explain How the Oil Giant Fights Climate Science : The oil company has long been accused of sowing climate doubt through lobbying and misinformation campaigns. Now, the company is caught on tape admitting to it.” https://www.vice.com/en/article/xgx48n/watch-an-exxon-lobbyist-explain-how-the-oil-giant-fights-climate-science
“ExxonMobil lobbyist ‘deeply embarrassed’ after he accidentally reveals 11 senators he says he relies on to push Big Oil’s agenda” https://www.rawstory.com/exxonmobil-controls-11-senators/
Dutch court to rule on Shell’s climate change responsibility : A verdict holding oil companies liable for greenhouse gas emissions caused by the burning of fossil fuels they have extracted would be a landmark victory for environmental campaigners. https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2021/5/25/dutch-court-to-rule-on-shells-climate-change-responsibility
Recent decisions have not gone Shell’s way in both countries in which the Anglo-Dutch company is jointly listed. Thousands of Nigerians can sue Shell in London over environmental damage in the West African nation, the U.K.’s top court said in February. A month earlier, a Dutch court ordered Shell’s Nigerian unit to compensate locals for oil spills 13 years ago in a case that was also brought by Milieudefensie [the Dutch arm of Friends of the Earth https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milieudefensie ]
New York City suffered a setback last month in its effort to make Shell, Exxon Mobil Corp., BP Plc and other energy companies help cover the public costs of dealing with climate change, as a federal appeals court ruled the global problem demands political rather than legal action.
Court orders Royal Dutch Shell to cut emissions in historic first https://electrek.co/2021/05/26/court-orders-royal-dutch-shell-to-cut-emissions-in-historic-first/
Shell unsuccessfully argued that governments, not companies, are responsible for meeting targets under the Paris climate deal. The Dutch verdict could have significant implications for similar cases around the world.
“The scientists hired by big oil who predicted the climate crisis long ago : Experts’ discoveries lie at the heart of two dozen lawsuits that hope to hold the industry accountable for devastating damage” (July 2, 2021) https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jul/02/scientists-climate-crisis-big-oil-climate-crimes
“Big oil and gas kept a dirty secret for decades. Now they may pay the price” (6/30/21) https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/30/climate-crimes-oil-and-gas-environment
“How cities and states could finally hold fossil fuel companies accountable” https://www.theguardian.com/environment/ng-interactive/2021/jun/30/climate-crimes-fossil-fuels-cities-states-interactive