The guilt associated with our environmental impact, whether it’s the constant hum of air conditioners or the fuel guzzling road trips, may seem like a significant contributor to climate change. However, the truth is that the climate crisis is not our fault.
For decades, corporations have successfully shifted the blame onto consumers. But the evidence is clear: the oil and gas industry is primarily responsible for the overwhelming majority of carbon emissions.
Just 57 oil and gas companies account for 80% of all carbon emissions since 2016. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, when many people were working from home and reducing their travel, scientists expected a significant drop in emissions. In reality, the International Energy Agency (IEA) reported only a 10% decrease in carbon emissions among “advanced countries.”
Why was the figure so low? Because changes in individual behaviors are futile when Big Oil is allowed to develop new pipelines, drill for new oil wells and lobbying for weaker environmental regulations.
Moreover, instead of investing in renewable energy, ExxonMobil, Royal Dutch Shell, and BP — have poured billions into fossil fuels. In 2022, they allocated only 1% of their capital expenditure to unspecified “low-carbon” projects. This is a far cry from the drastic changes needed to address the climate crisis.
Big Oil has employed various tactics to mislead consumers. In 2004, British Petroleum (BP), introduced the concept of the carbon footprint, shifting the focus from corporate responsibility to individual actions. The IEA’s 2020 report highlighted the ineffectiveness of such individual efforts.
Furthermore, the oil industry promotes the idea that plastic recycling can mitigate its environmental impact. However, the reality is that less than 10% of all plastics are recycled, many plastics are not recyclable, and there’s limited demand for recycled plastics. It’s time to see through this deception. The climate crisis is not our fault. It’s the fault of the oil and gas industry. We must demand that these corporations take responsibility and start making real changes.
Reference- IEA report, The Guardian, EARTHDAY NETWORK newsletter, EPA website