Shrink your global warming impact by changing one purchasing habit
Do you want to find a way to make oil companies do something about their global warming impact?
Would you like to help reduce the amount of CO2 going into the atmposphere?
Here's an easy way that you can help prevent global warming from getting worse just by changing one simple purchasing habit:
Every oil company website lists how that particular company is striving to improve its production of oil while reducing its greenhouse gas emissions,but all oil companies are not created equal. Buying your gas from eco-friendly oil and gas companies can help shift the overall business environment in a way that will reduce the amount of CO2 emmissions because your buying behavior will encourage the more polluting oil companies to change their practices in order to get your business.
**Chevron and Exxon Mobil earn D+'s when it comes to global warming**
With a small bit of research you can quickly find a lot of information about which oil companies are contributing the most to global warming and which are contributing the least. In conducting my own mini research project I found a 2003 report released by Oekom Research, a Munich-based firm, that rated the 26 major oil and gas companies on a scale from A+ to D-. D+. However, I also found some other sources, which studied the pollution from American-based oil refineries, which painted ChevronTexaco in a better light.
Also, you might want to note, in June 2005, eight communities in Nigeria sued several large oil companies for gas flaring. Gas flaring is a process that releases a number of global warming causing pollutants, including methane and carbon dioxide, and Exxon, Chevon and Shell were among the defendants.
**Purchase your gas from Citgo, BP, and smaller companies to lend your finanical support to the oil companies doing the most to help minimize global warming.**
Aftering doing my research I came to the conclusion that, while all oil companies put on a public face that they care about the environment, Citgo, BP, and the smaller companies such as Valero and Diamond Shamrock often lead the environmental pack.
So, my recommendation would be to avoid shopping for gasoline at ExxonMobil and ChevronTexaco whenever possible and instead pump your gas at Citgo, BP or smaller companies. It will help prevent global warming from getting worse and it can help reduce other environmental degradation as well.
However, you don't need to just take my word for it. You can do your own research about which oil companies do the most to minimize their global warming impact, but weather you take my word for it, or you do your own research, I want you to understand the importance of your your gas purchasing behavior. If you are mindful of where you spend your money, you can have a significant influence in getting oil companies to be part of the global warming solution!
Sources:
1. Baue, Wiliam. "Report Finds Oil Companies' Social and Environmental Practices Unsustainable."' Social Funds.com. Found January 14, 2007 at http://www.socialfunds.com/news/article.cgi/1193.html.
2. Cohen, Jeff. "Buy your gas at Citgo: Join the Buy-cott!"' Published Monday, May 16, 2005 by CommonDreams.org.
3. "Gas flaring contributes to climate change."' ClimateLaw.org. Found January 14, 2007 at http://www.climatelaw.org/gas.flaring/report/section6.
4. "Oil refinery rankings."' Environmental Defense.org. Found January 28, 2007 aqt http://www.environmentaldefense.org/documents/1586_Facility%20Rankings.htm.
5. "Nigerian Communities Sue Oil Companies to Stop Gas Flaring."' ENS-newswire.com. Found Jan. 28, 2007 at http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jun2005/2005-06-23-02.asp.
About the Author
This article may be reprinted freely as long as this resource box is included. Nathan Brown is an activist creating a revolutionary movement by showing people how to prevent global warming from getting worse. You can sign up to join and help spread the movement: http://www.acoolerclimate.com
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