Peak Oil: A Chance to Change the World | Common Dreams

I might be accused of being a pessimist - or perhaps being overly critical - and this might be a fair accusation. Nevertheless, I find myself incredibly frustrated by the actions of some of my colleagues in the oil and gas industry. Exxon-Mobil is probably the easiest example to criticize. For one thing, they are the biggest and the best at what they do. Among my complaints, they have made the largest investments in funding pseudo science to refute global warming - much like the big tobacco lobby of a few decades ago. They have also used their money and influence to overturn Canada's environmental safeguards that would have slowed down their tar sand mining operations and even to attack Alberta's provincial government for requesting slightly higher royalty payments.

OK - in fairness, I guess corporations exist to maximize profits and these pseudo-persons, from a legal perspective, are not encumbered by conscience. From this perspective, Exxon is just doing its' job.

That being said, I find it sad to hear that their current CEO is being invited as an inspirational speaker at university commencements.

And this alternative commencement address - given a few minutes after Exxon's heart-warming words - offers some small beacons of hope for an alternative future ahead.


Peak Oil: A Chance to Change the World | Common Dreams