Remember the Exxon Valdez? The Exxon tanker in Alaska? Read on…
Most of us with eyes and brains are aware that our planet is changing. Still, there is a slightly alarming lack of action in our legislation to regulate oil exploration and usage. Though some do, there is no denying at this point that Carbon emissions are a significant contributor to trapping heat in our atmosphere.
Now, in a recently released article, we find that Exxon – a global oil behemoth – who by the way stand in opposition of regulation of Carbon emissions, has been using climate change data to make their business decisions. What does this entail?
“…With mounting evidence the planet was warming, company scientists, including Croasdale (senior ice researcher for Exxon’s Canadian subsidiary), wondered whether climate change might alter the economic equation. Could it make Arctic oil exploration and production easier and cheaper?”
Rex W. Tillerson, chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil
Climate change making arctic exploration easier and cheaper? This is profiteering projection from the same people who publicly scoff climate research data, claiming it unreliable and based in speculation. By the way, I’d like to mention that all of Exxon’s board members are men, which you can verify by clicking here. A glance through any of our other posts let you know how we feel about the morality of men. But, according to this article, the company has invested money into investigating the implications of climate change since 1986…
“Greenhouse gases are rising ‘due to the burning of fossil fuels,’ Croasdale told an audience of engineers at a conference in 1991. ‘Nobody disputes this fact,’ he said, nor did anyone doubt those levels would double by the middle of the 21st century.”
This is a pretty exasperating thing to hear about, but it is symptomatic of an unbalanced world – one in which mankind’s greed, inefficient use of resources and irresponsibility is ignored. Why? Maybe it is easier to be comfortable and unaware of how our lifestyles touch the whole planet than to accept that we need to see ourselves more honestly and behave more prudently. This includes holding companies accountable for how they choose to interact with the planet and ALL of her people.
Since Pope Francis visited not too long ago, I feel this small quote is relevant:
“First, it must be stated that a true ‘right of the environment’ does exist, any harm done to the environment, therefore, is harm done to humanity. Human beings are not authorized to abuse it, much less to destroy it.”
Thank Goddess there are so many people working on the side of alternative energy. The only thing that stands in the way of these becoming viable sources of energy that could replace our oil-based infrastructure is money. This means that there does need to be some amount of attention focused on preventing Big Energy companies from standing in the way of innovation AND in giving experimental startups the capital they need to be able to challenge the industry’s status quo. We the people can voice our support by rallying, protesting or even just signing petitions from the comfort of our computer chairs. If there is anything out there that is worth your time and money, I’d say the healthy future of our planet is a good investment.
For the full article on Exxon’s duplicity you can click here.
And check out our book, The Word 2.0.
Namaste
Sonya Barriere
