Big Oil shifts from greenwashing to promoting fossil fuel dependence amid geopolitical tensions

Since 2020, major oil companies including BP, Shell, Exxon, and Chevron have replaced greenwashing with messaging emphasizing fossil fuels as essential for national energy security. This pivot aligns with geopolitical disruptions, such as the Russia-Ukraine war, which have strained global oil supplies and justified fossil fuel expansion. Climate advocates view this rhetoric as deceptive, constituting a new form of climate gaslighting that challenges decarbonization efforts; observers should watch how this narrative shapes policy and public opinion going forward.