Leaked memo exposes Esso attempts to oust top UN scientist

Publication date: April 2002

Summary
A leaked memo - from Esso (ExxonMobil) to the White House - has exposed attempts by the world's biggest oil company to oust a top UN scientist.

The latest of Exxon's dirty tricks, this memo to the Bush administration criticises Dr Robert Watson, Head of the UN International Panel on Climate Change. The scientist has spoken out in the past about the need to tackle global warming, and has criticised the US for failing to meet environmental targets.

Exxon is renowned for trying to block scientific consensus on global warming, and for manipulating and distorting climate science. In fact, a deliberate campaign can be traced back to May 1990, when the company tried to water down conclusions in the first assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

This time, Exxon's demands were blunt: "Can Watson be replaced now at the request of the US?" And according to US sources, the State Department has met with oil lobbyists who are expected to push for Watson to be replaced. So it looks like the pressure is paying off