Know, Scheme, Deny, Delay

It's no surprise, to learn from caches of internal memos and reports, the major oil companies were well-aware of the human health risks of air pollution, 50 or more years ago (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/18/oil-industry-fossil-fuels-air-pollution-documents). The documentation confirms the oil companies did virtually nothing to limit the serious risks of air pollution on human health. Instead, they spent decades 'aggressively lobbying' against clean air regulations. Indeed, the companies spent substantial amounts of money on this process. It is all very reminiscent to the (earlier) responses of tobacco companies to their product's link to lung cancer and other diseases. When you get large companies making very substantial profits for their shareholders, they appear very unlikely to have the best interests of the general public as their primary focus. Profit is king. It seems much more likely the companies will direct a chunk of their profits, to fighting health legislation. Megacompany and political party 'pledges' to go carbon zero by the mid-2000's, may also be more driven by 'profits' (cash or votes), than responsibilities to people and the planet. 'Greenwash' might be the new 'deny and delay'?