Exxon's Donations and Ties to AGU Larger Than Previously Recognized

"Donations tied to Exxon have totaled more than $600,000 since 2001, and a former Exxon vice president sits on the AGU's board of directors."

"The board of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) sparked a protest among member scientists when it announced last month that it would keep accepting money from ExxonMobil amid new revelations the oil giant misled the public on climate science. At issue was the company's sponsorship of a $35,000 student breakfast at its annual conference.

What AGU president Margaret Leinen did not discuss when announcing the decision was Exxon's other, longtime financial support and close ties to the world's largest organization of earth scientists.

ExxonMobil Exploration is recognized by AGU as a top donor, and some of that money was raised by two longstanding AGU members who are Exxon employees: Carlos Dengo, a former company vice president and a member of AGU's board of directors, and Exxon scientist Pinar Yilmaz."

Phil McKenna, Zahra Hirji, and Lisa Song report for InsideClimate News May 16, 2016.