And we'll see if Exxon keeps acknowledging climate science with an SEC run by Trump appointees. 2/2— Brian Schmidt (@BSchmidtTweets) December 20, 2016
And in other news, I worried in July about the Trump Administration misusing the pardon power to allow the abuse of governmental power, but I underestimated how soon and how stupidly that might come into play.
I don't think Exxon ever failed to acknowledge climate science existed. Before 2006 they simply expressed forcefully their doubts about the impact of CO2 being such a serious problem. Tillerson is a pretty smart CEO, and realized that Exxon would have an advantage if a carbon tax was imposed (because the carbon tax applies to everybody). Given that Tillerson was supposed to retire next year, his replacement is already waiting in the wings, and it is very likely (high certainty) that this person will follow up exxon's long term strategy plan.
ReplyDeleteTillerson will divest all of his Exxon investments and options. This will be covered by existing tax law, so he'll do fine. And given his personality he will try to become the best Secretary of State ever. This means that, in spite of the neocon propaganda storm, the USA will make a deal with Russia, concede that Assad will rule Syria, focus on destroying ISIS, and prepare to corner Saudi Arabia. This means building the Keystone XL pipeline and hooking up the lines from North Dakota. The smooth flow of an additional 1 million BOPD all the way to Houston, coupled to energy efficiency measures, will allow the USA to withstand Saudi instability, which we know us coming.
Brian --- Likely to be found unconstitutional.
ReplyDeleteOff topic but Eli will want to know about the synthesis of N5, pentazolate.
ReplyDeleteQuite an accomplishment.
Fernando - sounds like your guess is they won't change their tunes. So we'll see.
ReplyDeleteDavid - I don't see courts as likely to jump into this.
Many thanks, David-
ReplyDeleteAlfred Nobel wouls surely smile on NaN5 as the finest kind of explosive precursor !:
https://arxiv.org/pdf/1612.01918.pdf
Brian, I didn't work for Exxon, but I know their bureaucracy. And I know how these large corporations work at the top. Tillersons replacement won't have any drivers to change course. These guys realize we are running out of oil, are gradually shifting to gas all over the world, and don't mind a more competitive environment because they think they are tougher, smarter and better educated.
ReplyDeleteI think you will see Tillerson introduce a libertarian anti war foreign policy. If you want to see where he's headed start reading American Conservative Magazine. They are opposed to the warmongering and fanning of conflict we have seen under Bush and Obama.
My understanding is that Exxon management had a fiduciary duty to its stockholders to reveal the results of its own scientific inquiries into AGW. And didn't.
ReplyDeleteRussell is always worth rereading.
ReplyDeleteSo why isn't this guy getting a Trump position?
https://vvattsupwiththat.blogspot.com/2013/02/a-matter-of-conviction.html
Give it time Hank, give it time...
ReplyDeleteAnybody know why CDIAC is shutting down?
ReplyDeleteNOTICE: CDIAC as currently configured and hosted by ORNL will cease operations on September 30, 2017. Data will continue to be available through this portal until that time. Data transition plans are being developed with DOE to ensure preservation and availability beyond 2017.
CDIAC shutodown will break a lot of educational and informative links.
ReplyDeletehttps://johncarlosbaez.wordpress.com/2016/12/28/give-the-earth-a-present-saving-climate-data/
ReplyDeleteEli, you emailed me a confirmation that CDIAC is on track for a long planned shutdown. Can you post that? Or should I quote you?
ReplyDelete