DeSmog

Facebook-f X-twitter
Subscribe

DeSmog

Donate
Search
Search
Headshot of Rebecca John

Rebecca John

Rebecca John is a freelance investigative reporter and former research fellow at the Climate Investigations Center, specialising in historical investigations with contemporary significance. Her work examines how the industry has shaped public debate and policy on climate change, and what it knew along the way. Author of DeSmog’s ‘History Lessons’ series, Rebecca’s work has been featured in The Guardian, Mother Jones, NPR, PBS’ Peril & Promise, Lever Time and other print, radio and online media. She has also been published in Air Mail and UnHerd. Rebecca is a former research fellow at the Climate Investigations Center,and an award-winning documentary film maker. As Producer and Director of the acclaimed “Extreme Oil” / “Curse of Oil” series for PBS/BBC her work won a Cine Golden Eagle for News Analysis.

Follow her on Bluesky at @rebeccajohn.bsky.social and on X at @rebecca_John1.

Articles by Rebecca John

uk/The Lovelock Papers: Shell’s Hidden Climate Knowledge Under Scrutiny as Court Battle Looms
ByRebecca John
on
As the company faces a landmark climate lawsuit, confidential documents show how British scientist James Lovelock warned executives of the risks of burning fossil fuels in the 1960s.
Series: #ShellKnew, History Lessons: Polluter Influence
Montage of documents with photo of Prof. James Lovelock. Documents Credit: Science Museum Library and Archives (Science Museum London). Photo Credit: History of Modern Biomedicine Research Group, (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons
Breaking: UK Court Paves Way for Alleged Exxon Hacker-for-Hire’s Extradition to U.S.
ByRebecca John
on
Israeli private eye Amit Forlit denied appeal in decision that could lead to his facing a maximum of 45 years in prison if found guilty.
An ExxonMobil gas station in Hiawassee, Georgia, with a blue house in the background.
‘Maddening’ Proof Plastics Industry Knew Recycling Was False Solution in 1974, New Document Shows
ByRebecca John
on
Exclusive finding by DeSmog shows high-level industry awareness that recycling plastic ‘not feasible’ as companies face lawsuits over alleged public deception campaign.
Series: History Lessons: Polluter Influence
For half a century, the plastics industry has publicly advocated recycling as a strategy for managing plastic waste while knowing recycling was not feasible. Credit: RawPixel on Flickr
uk/“Compliant Deception”: MPs Warn of Oil Industry Greenwashing at Debate on Proposed Fossil Ad Ban
ByEllen Ormesher and Rebecca John
on
UK’s first parliamentary debate on the issue drew comparisons both with tobacco industry tactics and the industry's now widely accepted ad ban.
Series: Advertising & PR Industry
MPs debate calls to ban fossil fuel advertising and sponsorship. Credit: UK Parliament
us/Revealed: Now There’s Proof That the Fossil Fuel Industry Uses Cultural Sponsorships to Block Climate Action
ByRebecca John
on
BP, Chevron, Shell, and other oil majors back arts and community groups to protect their business models, subpoenaed documents show.
Series: Advertising & PR Industry
Credit: Sabrina Bedford
Breaking: Alleged Exxon Hacker-for-Hire Loses Extradition Fight In London Court
ByRebecca John
on
Amit Forlit, who is accused of conducting hacking operations against 128 targets, faces up to 45 years behind bars if found guilty.
An ExxonMobil gas station in Indianapolis. Credit: Jonathan Weiss / Alamy Stock Photo
How a New York PR Agency Helped the U.S. Oil Industry Conquer Australia
ByRoyce Kurmelovs and Rebecca John
on
Hill & Knowlton played a key role in exporting Big Oil's PR tactics to the Southern Hemisphere.
Series: Advertising & PR Industry
Credit: Sabrina Bedford Manhattan skyline: Ivan Chalakov Map of Australia: omersukrugoksu
Climate Denial Group Aided Legal Defense of Alleged Exxon Hacker-for-Hire
ByRebecca John and Geoff Dembicki
on
Lawyers defending private eye Amit Forlit against extradition to the U.S. cite a group that’s argued climate change isn’t “settled science.”
An Israeli private investigator who allegedly carried out a hack-and-leak operation commissioned on behalf of ExxonMobil is being prosecuted at London’s Westminster Magistrates’ Court for extradition to New York. Credit: Wikimedia Commons/
Revealed: Big Oil Told 70 Years Ago That Fossil Fuel Emissions Could Impact ‘Civilization’
ByRebecca John
on
New documents show how a deceptive PR strategy pioneered in 1950s California first exposed the risk of climate change and then helped the industry deny it.
Series: History Lessons: Polluter Influence
The Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA), one of the most powerful oil lobbies in the United States, played a central role in concealing the fossil fuel industry’s impact on both smog and climate change. Credit: Sabrina Bedford
us/Oil Companies Use Paid News Media Partnerships to Protect ‘Social Licence to Operate,’ Documents Show
ByEllen Ormesher and Rebecca John
on
BP sees sponsored content as a crucial tool to reach “Washington, DC, elites,” according to subpoenaed memos.
Series: Advertising & PR Industry
Credit: Mike Mozart (CC BY 2.0 DEED)