Rex Tillerson, ExxonMobil’s chief executive, observed in 2012 that climate change was a “manageable” problem for which solutions could be found over time. It has turned into a more immediate concern than that. On Thursday it emerged that Eric Schneiderman, the attorney-general for New York state, was investigating Exxon over whether it had misled investors with its statements about the risks to its business posed by climate change. He has requested emails, financial records and other documents in a broad probe that covers the period from the 1970s up to this year. Mr Schneiderman’s office is also probing whether Exxon perpetrated consumer fraud regarding climate change and is assessing the company’s advertisements, marketing and communications to the public, say people familiar with the case. Other oil and energy companies could also face similar investigations, although formal probes have not yet been launched. So far, only Exxon and Peabody Energy, a coal producer, have received subpoenas.