During the fist half of the 20th Century, we knew about visible pollution and the 1953 Clean Air Act addressed the damage being done to rivers, lakes, oceans and air quality. As the decades progressed, for the most part (with the aid of lawsuits) we considered ourselves a good match for the tobacco industry, lead based paint, aerosols, freon and even common roadside litter. Yet, all during that time another powerful, invisible polluter was lurking all around us, steadily growing in volume unbeknownst to everyone, except a select group of individuals.

During the mid 1950s, the BOG (big oil and gas) teams of scientists became aware of a greater polluting menace bogging down our atmosphere, something they now readily admit. Internal communication regarding this development was recently made public.

Science is a close knit society, and 70 years ago it knew that if this menace went unchecked while profits soared, Earth would warm gradually, unnoticeable for a very long time, until one day when atmospheric pollution would bite us in the butt. 

I sometimes think about the public’s reaction back then if BOG, and the coal industry, had done the right thing and was transparent about the consequences of a warming planet caused by their greenhouse gases. Would we have even cared considering our state of fossil fuel dependency? Probably not at first. But keep in mind, America’s population more than quadrupled when it went from 76 million in 1900 to 335 million as of July, 2023. In just a short 123 years, no less. 

And as our country’s population shot up 87% since 1960, you can be sure heads would have started to turn if BOG had stepped forward to educate our society about the perils of dramatically increased greenhouse gas tonnage. Decades ago, conversation about transitioning from dirty energy to clean energy could have begun and today the energy transformation requirement would be in full swing - most likely entering the final stages. And you can be sure BOG would be far from out of business after controlling a slow navigation through decarbonization to sustainable energy.

But trillion dollar profits prevailed! Identical to the tobacco industry’s denial about addiction and any possible link to lung cancer. BOG leadership, without an ounce of moral fiber, along with their special interest groups, maintained there was no direct connection between polluting energy and global warming. Beginning about 25 years ago, a string of six meaningful presidential or congressional initiatives to slash carbon were defeated, mostly by the Senate. When one administration would pass emission curbing regulations, another administration would undo them. The American Petroleum Institute was opposed to climate change action for decades. Petroleum’s Global Climate Coalition didn’t ratify the mid-90’s Kyoto Protocol, which would have established realistic emission reduction goals. Big oil and gas ran ads in major news outlets labeling climate change as an “uncertain science.”  The denier’s word, “A hoax,” ran loud and clear. . .until about eight years ago when severe weather began leaving trails of planet damage around the world, worsening by the year. Deny was replaced with delay and deflection, and BOG’s uncanny stall tactic for its participation in decarbonizing efforts is holding the course on behalf of unprecedented peaking of profits. Why do I bring this up? Because a meaningful BOG effort to begin transferring to renewable energy can’t wait another 50-60 years!!

Back to why I know Earth will be bruised and disfigured, but not beaten in the decades ahead: common sense tells me mainstream climate education will intensify as society witnesses the forthcoming planet and property damage in plain sight. At a certain point in time, the populace will insist Congress enacts rules, standards and laws forcing BOG to take energy transition seriously.

In the not too distant future, the will of the original youth climate justice movement alumni, and their children will prevail at every midterm and general election.

Even if there is minimal cooperation from the BOG executives, clean energy momentum will slowly gain on its own and it will win over the dirty energy customers. However, BOG has no choice - it must come to its climate senses. In about two years, half of U.S. power will be derived from renewable energy. Thus, progress is being made without BOG’s participation. By 2035, should the world maintain the 2.7 degree Fahrenheit warming ceiling, one half of BOG’s assets will be inoperable. This is one reason why oil production is currently on a record pace. Yes, oil and gas consumption is here to stay for a while longer. 

We have to consume your product, BOG, so how about doing the right thing - starting now?

Be mindful of the fact that we’re not demanding you shut down dirty energy production overnight. That’s impossible. But please, for humanity’s sake, make a realistic effort to start the energy transformation now by investing heavily in clean energy alternatives and lead the way. Please!