Des Orsinelli: Even Exxon admits we’ve got to cut our carbon emissions

In a recent television interview, Ken Cohen of Exxon acknowledged that policy is needed to reduce atmosphere CO2 emissions. In the same interview he admitted that Exxon funds organizations who cast doubt that such policy is necessary. Cohen said that they need to answer for their themselves. If that sounds like it’s saying one thing and doing another, that’s because it is.

I can hardly blame Exxon for funding denialists while knowing the risks – they support 70,000 workers (down from almost 100,00). The last thing Exxon wants is a stampede. But they’re right – we need to pull back slowly with a federal law that places a small but increasing fee on oil, coal and natural gas consumption over 20 to 30 years. This will give companies time to survive and thrive in the search for new energy.

A recent study suggests we can reduce our annual CO2 emissions by 50 percent over 2 years with just a 3 percent cost of living increase over that time. And that assumes no major technology breakthroughs. When it comes time to vote, keep in mind Exxon’s recommendation and the world we want to leave to our children.

This story was originally published December 3, 2015 at 5:55 PM with the headline "Des Orsinelli: Even Exxon admits we’ve got to cut our carbon emissions."