‘Fossil fuel CEO [oxy] Vicki Hollub has said people who call for the end of the oil and gas industry “have no clue what that would mean” and refused to say whether she accepted her company’s role in climate disasters.’
She also tried to deflect by blaming individuals “ Everybody that uses a product that was generated from oil and gas has a part in this and is also responsible” it’s important to note that this can’t be avoided due to the way the system works, but phasing out oil and gas and replacing with renewable energy is pretty basic and the technology already exists.
Oxy is 55th in the 100 companies responsible for 71% of emissions.
This is an example of big oil and gas trying to desperately keep hold of their power and fuel the disasters caused by the climate crisis. There must come a point where we who have everything sacrifice a few luxuries to allow for a just transition that prioritises the most affected people. This doesn’t involve working with CEOs of major fossil fuel companies, a key reason as to why climate conferences don’t work.
I have a slightly different take on the whole oil -v- climate debate.
If we don't economize significantly on our use of crude oil to provide fuel for road, marine and air transport, we risk either running out or running very low on stocks of this particular natural resource. Although most people think of crude oil in terms of petrol, diesel, heating oil and perhaps kerosene (the fuel used in aircraft), much of it is used as a feedstock for the chemical industry. Crude oil is the foundation upon which the world's chemical and pharmaceutical industries are built. Without it, many chemicals and medications would be quite simply impossible to synthesize. Without crude oil, most plastics would be completely unavailable and although substitutes using other raw materials are under development, for the time being, the overwhelming bulk of plastic production requires a crude oil input.
We will be doing future generations a gross disservice if, in our manic scrabble for growth at any price, we deprive them of a supply of one of the world's most ubiquitous feedstocks.
