A groundbreaking study published in Nature reveals a direct link between the operations of major fossil fuel producers and the severity of over 200 recent heat waves globally. The research, conducted by scientists at ETH Zürich, meticulously analyzed the intensity and likelihood of these extreme weather events, demonstrating a substantial contribution from the greenhouse gas emissions of 'carbon majors' – including oil, coal, and cement companies, as well as certain nations.
The study's findings are stark: as much as 25% of the analyzed heat waves would have been virtually impossible without the climate pollution generated by these carbon majors. Specific companies, such as ExxonMobil, Chevron, and BP, are implicated in causing some of the most extreme heat events. The research didn't just focus on large, well-known players; it also highlighted the contribution of smaller, lesser-known entities in exacerbating the problem.
The impact of these heat waves has been catastrophic. The World Health Organization reports at least 489,000 annual heat-related deaths between 2000 and 2019, many stemming from climate-change fueled heat waves. The study's authors emphasize that quantifying the responsibility of these corporations is crucial, particularly given the increasing number of lawsuits filed against oil companies for climate-related damages.
The methodology involved utilizing a global disaster database to identify heat waves characterized by significant casualties, economic losses, and requests for international aid. Historical climate reconstructions and statistical models were employed to assess the influence of human-caused global warming on the intensity and likelihood of each event. The researchers then used the Carbon Majors Database to link specific emissions to the heat waves, running climate models both with and without the emissions of individual carbon majors to deduce their contribution.
Experts outside the study agree on its significance. Justin Mankin, a geography professor at Dartmouth College, highlights the study's ability to connect corporate emissions to heat waves with known societal impacts. He points out that this research directly counters claims that greenhouse gas emissions lack societal consequences, particularly amidst ongoing policy debates in the United States, where efforts to roll back climate pollution regulations are underway. The study provides compelling evidence to underscore the detrimental impact of fossil fuel emissions on human lives and global well-being.
---
Originally published at: https://www.npr.org/2025/09/11/nx-s1-5534484/oil-companies-heat-waves-climate
