Second Place: Exxpose Exxon
Protest at Exxon shareholder meeting
May, 2007
Support Group(s):
Alaska Coalition, Alaska Oceans Program, Alaska Wilderness League, Citizens League for Environmental Action Now, Co-op America, Corporate Accountability International, deSmogBlog.com, Ecopledge.com, Environmental Action, Friends of the Earth, MoveOn.org, National Environmental Trust, Public Citizen, Oil Change International, Texas Campaign for the Environment, True Majority
Description of the Problem the Campaign is seeking to address (50 word max):
ExxonMobil is the only oil giant directly funding a network of organizations that deny the science and urgency of global warming. Exxon has funneled $17 - $23 million to these groups since 1998 as part of its tobacco-style plan to manufacture uncertainty around climate science and delay action.
Brief Description of the Achievement(s) (30 word max):
For the first time, in 2006, ExxonMobil cut its funding of climate denier groups by at least $1.4 million, or nearly 40 percent of its annual funding to these groups.
Description of how this is an important
step toward the Campaign's goals, and if applicable, how it shows
innovation (150 word max):
Description of how this is an important step toward the Campaign's goals, and if applicable, how it shows innovation (150 word max):
Getting ExxonMobil to cut funding to global warming deniers is a major feat for the campaign. Many doubted it could be done. Through this success, Exxon has been forced to fess up to undermining the public understanding of global warming for a decade. It's also affected the credibility and scope of the denier groups themselves, both in the public eye and on Capitol Hill. The campaign set out to isolate Exxon in the public discourse on energy and global warming. We identified early on that widespread awareness of Exxon's insidious funding of denier groups would be the ideal vehicle to accomplish that. It would also help pave the way to stronger legislation. We've worked hard to educate mainstream reporters and activate the public. But we've also innovatively tapped our coalitions varied strengths to get policymakers, scientists, universities, and filmmakers to work with us behind the scenes and carry our message.
