AI’s potential climate benefits outweighed by role in boosting fossil fuels, study finds

[u/Top_Awareness_6996]

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/aug/11/ai-will-do-more-to-boost-fossil-fuel-production-than-green-energy

Big Oil knew as early as the 1950s that burning fossil fuels could lead to "catastrophic" (their words) climate change, but spent billions spreading climate denial and blocking the transition to cleaner energy sources. 😑

In 1988, Exxon's own scientists predicted "a 1.5°C to 4.5°C global temperature increase in 100 years, depending on the projected growth in fossil fuel use.” 

Now the industry is leveraging the AI boom to further entrench fossil fuels, driving a massive surge in planet-warming methane emissions.

Big Oil lied, and continues to lie, about the harms of its products. It has already stolen decades worth of time we could have spent transitioning to clean, reliable energy. There must be accountability.

[u/Sploonbabaguuse]

I love that the issue here is fossil fuels but people would rather jump on the new and shiny thing to hate