Fueling the Climate Crisis: Big Oil’s Disinformation Campaign

In October 2021, the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, led by Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney and Subcommittee Chair Rep. Ro Khanna, convened a landmark hearing to address the fossil fuel industry’s role in the climate crisis. For the first time, top fossil fuel executives testified under oath about their decades-long campaign to mislead the public on climate science and block meaningful reforms.

Since the 1970s, internal research from companies like Exxon revealed the severe climate impacts of burning fossil fuels. Instead of taking action, the industry doubled down on fossil fuel extraction while collaborating with front groups to spread disinformation. Between 1990 and 2019, the industry reaped nearly $2 trillion in profits, but its lobbying efforts focused overwhelmingly on protecting these profits rather than supporting climate policies.

Although fossil fuel companies now publicly claim to support climate action, their actions tell a different story. They continue investing in new oil fields and fund campaigns opposing climate measures, such as the Build Back Better Act provisions. Despite public relations campaigns painting them as climate allies, internal documents and a recent admission from an Exxon lobbyist reveal that commitments like a carbon tax are often dismissed as mere "talking points."

Chairwoman Maloney emphasized that the American people have lost over 30 years of potential climate progress due to the industry’s deception, resulting in more severe hurricanes, wildfires, and floods. She called for immediate action, demanding transparency from the fossil fuel companies and their commitment to meaningful climate solutions. The committee vowed to continue its investigation, signaling a crucial step toward holding Big Oil accountable for its role in the climate crisis.