Oil giant vs. greens in Columbia, Md.
Officials with the oil company ConocoPhillips are inviting the public to a "town hall" meeting on global warming in Columbia, Maryland. The company is expected to talk about its reseach into alternative energy and position on mandatory limits on greenhouse gases.
Environmental activists with the Chesapeake Climate Action Network are urging people to turn out in large numbers -- with protest signs, and pointed questions to prevent any "greenwashing" of the company's record.
The event is at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow night (Tuesday, Sept. 25) at Sheraton Columbia Hotel, 10207 Wincopin Circle, in Columbia. Seating is limited so people need to register at www.conocophillips.com/energy/RSVP or call 1-888-877-5917.
Jim Mulva, chairman of ConocoPhillips, said in a press release: "We recognize that human activity, including the burning of fossil fuels, is contributing to increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere that can lead to adverse changes in global climate. While we believe no one entity can alone address the environmental, economic and technological issues inherent in any solution, ConocoPhillips will show leadership in finding pragmatic and sustainable solutions."
Claire Douglass, a coordinator for Chesapeake Climate Action Network, said in an email: "The official invite says that ConocoPhillips would like 'to discuss energy solutions that are reliable, available and environmentally friendly…' This, of course, is coming from a corporation that made an astonishing $15.5 billion in profits last year! Every dollar of that 15.5 billion, of course, was made at the expense of our troubled climate....We strongly encourage you to go to this event and not let this gross green-washing go unopposed. Make signs that display your concern about global warming, research the company's policies and ask hard-hitting questions. Most of all, demand that they stop destroying our climate and get serious about renewable energy."
Comments
With the discovery of the flawed NASA data on global warming, the activists close-minded stance needs to be questioned too.
Posted by: G. F. Spicka | September 25, 2007 1:15 AM