Decades of Deception: How Exxon Fueled Climate Denial in Latin America and Beyond
Did you know that one of the world’s largest oil companies spent millions to cast doubt on climate science in developing nations? Newly unearthed documents reveal a shocking campaign by Exxon to undermine global climate action, particularly in Latin America. But here’s where it gets controversial: while Exxon claims these efforts are ancient history, experts argue the consequences are still shaping our planet’s future today.
According to hundreds of previously unpublished documents, Exxon funded right-wing think tanks through the Atlas Network, a coalition of over 500 free-market organizations, to spread climate change denial across Latin America. These documents, which include actual checks and internal correspondence, detail a coordinated effort to make the Global South “less inclined” to support UN-led climate treaties. For instance, Exxon’s money financed Spanish and Chinese translations of books denying human-caused climate change, funded flights for American climate deniers to Latin American cities, and supported public events where these deniers could influence local media and politicians.
One of the campaign’s goals, as explained by Atlas Network to Exxon, was to convince developing nations of the supposed “adverse effects of global climate change treaties.” In a strategy proposal sent to Exxon’s Texas headquarters, Atlas argued that investing in such policies was crucial for “continued strong returns to Exxon’s investors.” But this is the part most people miss: these efforts weren’t just about profits—they were about delaying global climate action for decades.
When confronted with these documents, Atlas Network spokesperson Adam Weinberg dismissed them as outdated, claiming they were written by former employees over 25 years ago and that Exxon was never a significant donor. Exxon itself did not respond to requests for comment. Yet, experts like Carlos Milani, a professor of international relations, emphasize that the impact of these actions is still felt today: “The atmosphere has a huge historical memory when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions. What happened 30 years ago matters very much.”
Kert Davies, director of special investigations at the Center for Climate Integrity, calls this history “pretty ugly.” He argues that Exxon’s strategy was to sow skepticism about climate change in developing nations, ensuring a global treaty would never gain traction. And with Brazil set to host the Cop30 climate negotiations in November, the fallout from these efforts is impossible to ignore. Scientists warn that global emissions have pushed the planet past critical tipping points, threatening coral reefs and the Amazon rainforest with irreversible collapse.
Exxon’s role in climate denial didn’t stop at Latin America. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, the company funded and led a network of U.S.-based organizations that discredited climate science and opposed America’s participation in UN climate treaties. These actions have since led to dozens of lawsuits accusing Exxon of misleading the public about the climate emergency. By 1997, Exxon sought to expand its influence globally, asking Atlas Network to nurture free-market think tanks in Asia, the former Soviet Union, Europe, and Latin America.
In 1998, Exxon sent a $50,000 check to Atlas Network (roughly $100,000 in today’s dollars) to grow “international groups capable of influencing government policies.” The results? Atlas partners in Latin America translated a booklet by Fred Singer, a prominent climate denier, into Spanish, claiming there was no scientific basis for global warming. They also organized seminars in Argentina ahead of the Cop4 climate talks, featuring speakers like Patrick Michaels, who famously dismissed climate change as “hysteria.”
Atlas Network even facilitated the translation of Singer’s work into Chinese and arranged meetings between Indian think tanks and U.S. right-wing groups like the Heritage Foundation and Cato Institute. In a 1998 letter to Exxon, Atlas admitted, “Few of these accomplishments would have been possible without Exxon’s generous financial assistance.” Notably, Exxon insisted on remaining anonymous, preferring to work behind the scenes.
But here’s the burning question: Should corporations like Exxon be held accountable for decades of climate misinformation, or is it too late to undo the damage? Share your thoughts in the comments—this is a debate we can’t afford to ignore.
