McGuire, James2024-06-252024-06-252023-05https://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/34521Climate change has become a major concern among many Americans who fear for the well-being of the planet if the issue is not properly addressed. Despite this, little has been done to limit the carbon emissions that cause climate change, and the discussion around climate change has become partisan. To understand why this has occurred, this paper studies the actions of leading multinational carbon emitting companies Exxon, Shell, Koch Industries, and others from the middle of the 20th century to the present through the leading climate related research. This study reveals that these companies have pursued a comprehensive agenda for climate change misinformation. This campaign began with research of the issue prior to other climate scientists and awareness of the threat of climate change. Next these companies funded think tanks, news sources, and politicians to stifle the rising concerns of climate scientists and confuse the public. This study highlights how the narrative of climate change misinformation is very malleable and resistant to factual correction. This paper ends with a discussion of how to address climate change through greater education, the potential for lawsuits against these companies, and anticipation of future problems in seeking climate change regulations.en-USThesis