THE SIMPLE FACT IS WE HAVE TONS OF ALTERNATIVES SUPERIOR TO OIL BUT GREED, AND SELFISHNESS AND THE WILLINGNESS TO POISON THE PLANET, OUR FOOD AND ADDICT US FOR PROFIT IS WHAT IS CAUSING THE CLIMATE CHANGE GLOBAL THREAT!
Lies Big Oil Tells About Sustainable Energy Options
Lie 1: Oil companies are pivotal in the shift towards renewable energy.
In truth, oil companies have a minor role in the global shift to renewable energy. Their investments in clean energy are relatively small when compared to their spending on fossil fuels. For example, oil and gas companies make up only 1% of global investments in clean energy, despite sometimes making overstated claims about their involvement in renewable energy.
Lie 2: Big Oil is working to decrease climate pollution to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement and their own net-zero emissions pledges.
Contrary to such claims, numerous oil giants are in fact escalating their emissions and intensifying investments in fossil fuels, actions that starkly contrast with the objectives of the Paris Agreement. Firms such as Exxon and Chevron have acquired other oil-producing entities, thus augmenting their production capacities rather than diminishing them.
Lie 3: Oil companies are leading the development of real solutions to the climate crisis, such as “lower carbon” natural gas, biofuels, and carbon capture and storage.
Indeed, the touted solutions frequently act as diversions that extend the dependence on fossil fuels instead of enabling a true shift to renewable energy. Advocating for natural gas as a climate remedy permits these corporations to persist in fossil fuel production without being held responsible for their ecological effects.
Lie 4: Big Oil supports policies aimed at solving the climate crisis.
Behind closed doors, these companies actively oppose clean energy transitions while lobbying against regulations that would limit fossil fuel use. They frequently delegate their lobbying efforts to front groups or industry allies to maintain a socially acceptable public image while undermining climate action.
Lie 5: Individual consumers are primarily responsible for causing — and solving — climate change.
This narrative deflects responsibility from oil companies, which have historically been the primary contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. They would have you believe that individual actions like recycling and avoiding plastic bags are the key to saving the planet. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that a handful of fossil fuel producers are responsible for a substantial share of the total historical climate pollution. This has brought us to the brink of global tipping points that could cause irreversible damage to the planet for millennia and lead to mass extinctions, including that of humans.
Lie 6: The Use of Synthetic Fertilizers and Pesticides is helpful to global health!
The petrochemical industry produces a wide range of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides that are widely used in modern agriculture. These products often contain harmful chemicals derived from fossil fuels, which can lead to soil degradation, water contamination, and loss of biodiversity. The excessive use of nitrogen-based fertilizers can result in nutrient runoff into waterways, causing algal blooms that deplete oxygen levels and harm aquatic life.
Furthermore, numerous pesticides act as endocrine disruptors, impacting not only human health but also the cognitive and sexual development of unborn children, including fertility and gender. These chemicals do not only eliminate the intended pests but also harm non-target species such as beneficial insects, including bees and butterflies. Such disturbances can cause a reduction in pollinator populations, which are vital for the propagation of the majority of crops.
Lie 7: Impact on Nutritional Quality
Research indicates that reliance on petrochemical-based fertilizers may negatively affect the nutritional quality of food crops. For instance, studies have shown that crops grown with synthetic fertilizers may have lower levels of essential nutrients compared to those grown using organic methods or natural fertilizers. The deterioration in nutritional quality is especially alarming as it exacerbates widespread public health challenges associated with diet-related diseases, including obesity, diabetes, the spread of detrimental gut bacteria, vulnerability to illness, and heart-related ailments.
Lie 8: Long-term Sustainability Concerns are Unnecessary.
The ongoing reliance on petrochemicals casts doubt on the long-term viability of our food systems. With fossil fuels becoming less available or more costly due to geopolitical conflicts or the effects of climate change, farmers might incur higher expenses for essentials such as fertilizers and pesticides. This could result in a vicious cycle of increasingly intensive agricultural methods that further harm soil quality and diminish biodiversity, thereby gradually undermining the quality of food.
Lie 9: The Role of Petrochemicals in Pharmaceuticals isn't a major concern.
Petrochemicals, originating from petroleum and natural gas, are integral to the production of most pharmaceuticals. They are utilized in formulating active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients, which ensure effective medication delivery. This allows companies to patent and profit substantially from substances that could be sourced naturally. Drug manufacturing's dependency on petrochemicals means that oil price volatility can affect production costs, resulting in consistently rising prices for consumers.
Lie 10: Petro pharmaceuticals were not involved in the opioid crisis.
Pharmaceutical companies frequently utilize forceful marketing tactics to endorse their products. This involves direct-to-consumer advertising, which has been proven to boost the desire for medications even when they are not essential. The advertising typically highlights easy solutions for intricate health problems, prompting patients to request prescriptions for conditions that could potentially be addressed through lifestyle adjustments or alternative treatments.
A significant example of over-medication leading to addiction is the opioid crisis in the United States. Pharmaceutical companies heavily marketed opioids as safe and effective pain management solutions without adequately disclosing their addictive potential. This was facilitated by a culture that prioritized pain relief over caution regarding dependency risks.
The role of major pharmaceutical companies in this crisis has been scrutinized, with evidence showing that they downplayed risks while promoting high-volume prescribing practices among healthcare providers. As a result, many patients became dependent on these medications, leading to widespread addiction issues. 4 US companies were mainly responsible and outsourced manufacture subsidized by China to produce drugs like fentanyl resulting in a 26 billion dollar lawsuit and guilty judgement. Johnson & Johnson, the consumer products and health giant that manufactured generic opioid medications, contributed $5 billion to the settlement.
In summary, Big Oil employs various deceptive tactics regarding sustainable energy options by promoting misleading narratives about their commitment and contributions toward renewable energy while continuing practices that exacerbate climate change.
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