
Benjamin Franta
Ph.D. Candidate in History
Stanford University
Scientists warned the federal government about fossil fuels and global warming in the 1960s. So why have we made such little progress in halting the growing threat? Benjamin Franta's research answers this question and offers solutions for making progress in stopping the danger before us. He studies the history of climate denial, disinformation, and delay, including their origins, funders, operatives and strategies. He investigates the history and behavior of fossil fuel producers, including what they knew about global warming science and when, what they told the public and how they've influenced policy. And he analyzes what legal strategies may be effective in holding fossil fuel companies accountable for the effects of their products. He seeks to inform litigation efforts and the public of the history that has led us to the present. With this knowledge, we can overcome policy delay and halt disastrous climate change in our lifetimes.