Exxon Still Dragging Feet on Climate Change

We recently acknowledged the 25th anniversary of Exxon Valdez spill, which still stands as one of the worst single environmental disasters in history. Of course, we had the leak in the Gulf of Mexico by BP that was bigger since and, recently, we have had a number of big oil spills around the country.

And not long ago, we had a different president, George W. Bush, a man who was rich from oil, and surrounded himself during his years in the White House with others who had gotten rich off of oil, admitting that the United States was addicted to oil.

You might think that Exxon would go out of their way to not make waves, to show that they care about the environment and climate change, and the long term ramifications.

Yes, you might think that. But you'd be wrong.

Exxon-Mobil just released a report that was a big "F*** You!" to all those who actually are concerned. In it, the top brass at Exxon essentially predicted that society would not curb access to natural resources.

This report by Exxon-Mobil came out on the very same day that the world's scientists came out with their own report about just how dire the situation with climate change might be in the future, that the ramifications are far more serious than even previously envisioned.

Ah, the irony!

Here is a quote taken from Lindsay Abrams piece on the subject that was published in salon.com, on April 1, 2014 (see link below):

“We know enough based on the research and science that the risk (of climate change) is real and appropriate steps should be taken to address that risk,” Ken Cohen, Exxon’s government affairs chief, said. And yet, the report reads: “We do not anticipate society being able to supplant traditional carbon- based forms of energy with other energy forms, such as renewables, to the extent needed to meet this carbon budget.”

What exactly does this mean? What is Exxon saying that society is not likely going to curb or limit access to resources? Well, according to Oil Change International Executive Director Stephen Kretzmann (taken from "Exxon to World: Drop Dead" by David Turnbull, March 31, 2013 - see link below):


“ExxonMobil is saying it doesn’t believe governments will keep their internationally agreed commitments to limit climate change to safe levels. This should not come as any surprise. Of course they don’t believe governments are going to address climate change adequately — they are in fact betting billions on the failure of climate and clean energy policy.  And they’re shoring up their bet by buying politicians and spending millions to sow doubt and promote inaction.  

Still, these reports represent the beginning of the next phase of the climate fight.  Exxon is no longer ignoring or denying climate science.  Now it is denying that the American people and people around the world have the will and the power to change our futures and save our children.    

They are wrong and we look forward to proving it to them.”

So, what should be done now?

Well, one thing that I think is absolutely clear: Exxon is not taking climate change seriously. Also, it surely never will, unless this apparently minor problem (according to Exxon, anyway) of climate change threatens a penny in profits.

That means that to get them to listen and act responsibly, it is up to us to force their hand, to make them listen.

How do we do that? By hitting them where it hurts the most: their wallets. Or, rather, their quarterly profit stats.

And the best way of doing that, of course, is simply by doing this (which I'm proud to say that I've been doing, o the extent possible, since I first started driving, specifically as a result of their role in the whole Exxon Valdez mess):

BOYCOTT EXXON!

BOYCOTT EXXON!

BOYCOTT EXXON!

Any questions?








Here are valuable links to learn more about this report from Exxon, and what it really means to us:

"Exxon: Highly Unlikely World Limits Fossil Fuels" by Jonathan Fahey, Energy Writer for the Associated Press, published by ABC News, March 31, 2014:

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/exxon-highly-world-limits-fossil-fuels-23132060




"Exxon: The world is never going to get over fossil fuels" by Lindsay Abrams, April 1, 2014:

http://www.salon.com/2014/04/01/exxon_the_world_is_never_going_to_get_over_fossil_fuels/




"EXXON SAYS OIL, GAS RESERVES NOT ENDANGERED FROM FUTURE CLIMATE RULES:" by ALEX GUILLÉN with help from Erica Martinson, both of politico.com, April 1, 2014:

http://www.politico.com/morningenergy/0414/morningenergy13470.html




"Exxon to World: Drop Dead" by David Turnbull, March 31, 2013:

http://priceofoil.org/2014/03/31/exxon-world-drop-dead/





"ExxonMobil reports to shareholders on managing climate risk" published on April 1, 2014:

http://corporate.exxonmobil.com/en/environment/climate-change/managing-climate-change-risks/carbon-asset-risk




And finally, here is the actual report from Exxon-Mobil, so that you can take a look for yourself at the entirety of what they are saying, in their own corporate words. This was published on April 1, 2014:

http://cdn.exxonmobil.com/~/media/Files/Other/2014/Report%20-%20Energy%20and%20Carbon%20-%20Managing%20the%20Risks.pdf