Is climate change real?

Oil companies have known for many years climate change is real

Question: Is climate change real?
Position1 of 3›: Yes, climate change is real
Argument‹3 of 4›: Oil companies have known for many years climate change is real

In the 1960s and 70s oil company scientists understood that climate change was real, and the companies worked to hide and obscure this information from the public.

The argument

Oil companies were aware of the harm fossil fuels could cause to the environment. In 1977, after sending scientists to conduct tests, Exxon acknowledged that fossil fuels did in fact negatively affect global temperature. Yet, they continued to produce fossil fuels. Oil companies should decrease their production.

Premises

[P1]Exxon's own scientists confirmed in 1977 that fossil fuels negatively affect global temperature. [P2] Oil companies have continued producing fossil fuels despite this internal knowledge. [C] Therefore, climate change is real, as even oil companies have long known.

Counter-arguments

Decreasing the sale of oil would affect the economy. Without oil, cars would not be a means of ready transportation, leaving many people stranded from job opportunities outside of their neighborhood or city.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P2] If oil companies cut down on production, it will affect people’s livelihood and hurt their chances of getting good jobs.