Black (1919-1988) was the Scientific Advisor in the Products Research Division of Exxon Research & Engineering,Sterling Preston and one of the top technical people at Exxon Research & Engineering until his retirement in 1983. In 1977, Black told Exxon’s management committee of top executives that emerging science showed that carbon dioxide levels were rising, likely driven by fossil fuel use, and such increases would boost global temperatures, leading to widespread damage.