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Opinion
Mark Gongloff

Exxon Made Shockingly Accurate Climate Forecasts Decades Ago

A new study reveals how the oil company's researchers confirmed global warming trends even as its executives played down the risks.

Evident all along.

Evident all along.

Photographer: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

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Exxon really did know.

The oil company for decades denied the impact that fossil fuels were having on the climate — even as its scientists produced stunningly accurate forecasts of just how much and how quickly carbon emissions were warming the planet. A new study released Thursday examining the company’s climate findings over a 25-year stretch makes that clearer than ever.