As big climate trial starts, Exxon buys Google ads to defend itself

To combat terrible publicity, Exxon purchased some strategic Google ads for people searching for the climate trial :/

'You would totally expect them to do that.'

on Monday.To combat the terrible publicity associated with fraud allegations, brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James, the company strategically purchased ads from Google for people searching for the climate trial. Exxon has specifically targeted keyword searches like"Exxon climate trial,""Exxon knew," and"Exxon climate change." (Mashable spotted the ads on Oct. 18 and the morning and afternoon of Oct. 22.)

Though the oil giant's scientists have understood the consequences of emitting prodigious amounts of carbon into the atmosphere since the 1950s, Exxon began tosow doubtabout climate science in the 1980s. This latest Google ad campaign is a continuation of Exxon's decades-long efforts to influence the public's perception of climate change.

"You would totally expect them to do that," said John Cook, a research assistant professor at the Center for Climate Change Communication at George Mason University."It's striking that they're using the same tactics," added Cook, who on Monday headtopics.com

about how fossil fuel companies have misled people, notably Americans, about the risks posed by climate change.Screenshot taken on Oct. 22, 2019.Image: ScreenshotScreenshot taken on Oct. 22, 2019Image: ScreenshotExxonMobil Don't be Misled | Understanding the Facts

," which leads to a webpage, updated on Tuesday, Oct. 22, that first shows the viewer a pop-up box addressing the trial.It's a message crafted by Exxon's PR team. Exxon recently sent the identical missive to Mashable, the Associated Press, and other media that inquired about the trial."The New York Attorney General’s allegations are false," Exxon's message reads."We tell investors through regular disclosures how the company accounts for risks associated with climate change. We are confident in the facts and look forward to seeing our company exonerated in court."

The opening note then leads to a detailedwebpagethat seeks to discredit reports, research, and media that found Exxon has actively mislead the public on the dangers posed by climate change, which the corporation lumps together as the"#exxonknew campaign." Atop the webpage, Exxon cites"flawed academic reports" have been used to"misrepresent" company research on climate change and other policy.

"They gloss over the fact that they funded climate misinformation""When you scan this page, the bulk of it is attacking anyone who promotes the 'Exxon knew' narrative," noted Cook. But Exxon isn't telling the whole story. headtopics.com

"They gloss over the fact that they funded climate misinformation," said Cook.For example, in 2004 ExxoninThe New York Times

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