Exxon Mobil blinks in the global warming debate, Posted on CNN Money, September 20, 2006

Background: Exxon Mobil is one of the worst corporations in existence. Exxon closed Mobil's domestic partner benefits program to new employees when the two corporations merged, and yet it has the gall to say that it doesn't discriminate against gays, because its non-discrimination clause uses generic language. Exxon is still fighting punitive damages in court from the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill, where it allowed an alcoholic captain to pilot a tanker which ran aground. It denied that there was any "scientific evidence that this oil ... could cause damage to any population or species." It has violated the Clean Air Act to the tune of half a billion dollars in fines (normally, fines are slaps on the wrist). It is involved in innumerable toxic spills and pollution lawsuits. And it has funded quack-science groups that question the existence of global warming - they might as well question the fact that the Earth is round. However, there is some evidence that they may be discontinuing funding to one such group.

PS, Despite this good news, I will not be buying gas at any Exxon or Mobil station anytime soon. A full list of Exxon Mobil's sins is available here; some of the charges may be overblown, but it's still a long list: http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/rs/profile.cfm?id=221


Article:

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- ExxonMobil, which has come under increasing scrutiny for funding junk science views on global warming in recent years, has given no money to a global warming denier group it had previously funded.

The oil company donated no money to the Competitive Enterprise Institute in 2006, which ran ads on American television touting the benefits of carbon dioxide in May with the catchphrase: "Carbon dioxide: They call it pollution. We call it life."

Carbon dioxide is produced when fossil fuels are burned and has been shown to be linked to global climate change.

In 2005, however ExxonMobil (Charts) had given the organization $270,000.

The company says there is no connection between the funding change and a July meeting with the UK scientific society, the Royal Society.

In a letter released at the beginning of the month the Royal Society charged the company with funding "organizations that have been misinforming the public about the science of climate change."

Oil giant Exxon is reviewing its funding of groups that deny global warming's dangers as part of its annual review of organizations it donates to, according to the company.

"Decisions on funding are made based on that review, which is not final," said Mark D. Boudreaux, Media Relations Manager of Exxon Mobil.

Boudreaux said that "the review includes all charitable organizations we support, including those in the public policy area."

"This review is NOT in response to any action by the Royal Society," said Boudreaux "but is something we do in our normal budgeting process."

ExxonMobil shares fell 2.12 percent Wednesday. BP (Charts) ended the session 31 cents lower. Royal Dutch Shell (Charts) gained 32 cents.