Hugh Helferty published an opinion for NJ.com and The New Jersey Star-Ledger on the 1924 toxic lead crisis that led to the deaths of six workers at a Bayway, NJ plant. Back then, the government was swayed by oil companies’ argument that lead should not be banned from gasoline until there was definitive proof that it was harmful––despite overwhelming anecdotal evidence like the Bayway tragedy. Millions were exposed to toxic lead poisoning in the 60 years it took to finally ban lead from gasoline. Today, we are repeating history as we face the crisis of climate change.

From the article:

The argument that even an unmistakable danger must be scientifically certain to curtail its use was used again in 1997 by Exxon, when it resisted the call to reduce fossil fuel burning because of climate change.

Of course, proving beyond a doubt that climate change is real – just like proving that TEL in gasoline was a danger to the public – took time and much study to prove. And, from Exxon’s perspective, the longer it took, the better.

Eventually, the realities of climate change became undeniable. The UN has declared the crisis the “defining issue of our time,” estimating that over 3 billion people live in areas that are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

Yet even when faced with the disastrous effects of climate change –– most recently demonstrated by the death and destruction brought by hurricanes Helene and Milton –– Exxon wants to increase oil and gas production.

Read on NJ.com here.