Private Sector Influence on Environmental Issues

This excerpt is from a report by M.B. Glaser, Manager of Environmental Affairs Programs at Exxon Research and Engineering Company in 1982, at a time when scientists were beginning to sound the alarm about the impact of increasing levels of carbon dioxide.

Atmospheric monitoring programs show that the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased about 8% over the last twenty-five years and now stands at about 340 parts per million . . .The carbon dioxide content of the atmosphere is of concern since it can affect global climate . . . Mitigation of the “greenhouse effect” would require major reductions in fossil fuel consumption. . . Overall, the current outlook suggests potentially serious climate programs are not likely to occur until the late 21st century.

M.B. Glaser, Manager, Environmental Affairs Programs, Exxon Research and Engineering Company, “CO2 Greenhouse Effect,” November 12, 1982

Question 1

Short answer

Identify one cause of the scientific trend described in the excerpt.

Question 2

Short answer

Explain one way that companies like those that produced the excerpt attempted to influence the debate about climate change.

Question 3

Short answer

Explain one way that the scientific trend described in the excerpt influenced the adoption of alternative energy sources.

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