Choosing the Positive Reality of Hydrocarbons Over ‘Green’ Fantasies

BP’s clever but ill-conceived “green” marketing of “Beyond Petroleum” has shifted to “Petroleum Now and for the Foreseeable Future.” - Vijay Jayaraj

• British multinational BP has announced its largest oil and gas discovery in 25 years in Brazil’s Santos Basin...
• Similarly chastened by reality, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva – once anointed to reverse his predecessor’s policies of developing the nation’s natural resources – has vetoed legislation to tighten environmental licensing...
• Countries like China and India have mastered the art of paying lip service to climate goals while doubling down on oil, natural gas and coal, and now others are following their lead.

This is the same hypocrisy that has political leaders fly private jets to climate summits – creating the lifetime carbon footprint of entire communities in Africa – and then propose to police the thermostats and driving habits of working people.

• The next time you hear a speech about ending the use of hydrocarbons, remember BP’s Brazilian oil, the coal plants under construction in Asia and Africa and Norwegian wealth created by offshore wells...