Buy BP, not ExxonMobil

Sure, we all buy gas. Those of you who are lucky enough to walk, bike, or take public transportation don’t have to worry about it. For those of us who drive, we know it’s not good for the environment and makes the US depend too much on oil. With that said, we still have a choice.

Pick Your Poison: An updated environmentalist's guide to gasoline from Sierra Club shows you which companies are at the top and which are at the bottom of the barrel.

ExxonMobil, known for its bad environmental reputations and its strong stance in trying to dismiss global warming, ranked as one of the worst and BP Amoco, who supports the Kyoto Protocol to cap greenhouse-gas emissions, ranked at the top with Sunoco.

I'm actually a regular at the local Dominick’s (Safeway) gas station because they use the wind energy to power the fuel station. My ultimate goal is to bike to work. Until then, I'll take Safeway or BP over ExxonMobil.

On a somewhat related note, In the book Stop Global Warming, Laurie David wrote –

"Clever self-interests have successfully scared people away from the fight by insisting that to be an environmentalist, you must be held to a gold standard of perfection. Environmentalists even do it to each other. Unless you live in a solar-powered house, are a practicing vegan, wear hemp clothes, and bike to work, no need to apply here. These qualifications would scare away pretty much everyone I know, and I know a lot of environmentalists. I’ve been asked, “Do you eat meat?” The not-so-subtle subtext being, well, if you do, you aren’t really an environmentalist. I’ve been asked, “What are your shoes made of?” The subtext being that if they’re leather, well, you’re just a hypocrite."

I believe the point she tries to get across is that there will always be people who attempt to discourage you from being aware of the issues and from taking actions against the big companies. But why let someone with hidden agendas tell you what to do? If everyone listens to these people then there would never be any actions taken.

It’s fortunate that I can think for myself and I know that I can make a difference. For example, I know that the local produce is more expensive than buying from the big supermarkets but I’m supporting the local farmer, which mean better local economy, and the food is fresher, healthier, and doesn’t have to be shipped from someplace else, which mean less transportation and less contribution to the global warming.

If it’s possible, then I’d write a different piece like “Buy bike, not car” but since we live in a country where driving is a part of life, you pick the companies that you think have done the less damage to the planet.

Related links:

Take Action! — There are many simple things you can do in your daily life — what you eat, what you drive, how you build your home — that can have an effect on your immediate surrounding, and on places as far away as Antactica.

Join the Virtual March — The Stop Global Warming Virtual March is virtual but its purpose is real. By spreading the word and sharing this with others, our collective voice will be heard around the world.

Energizing America — Fossil fuels burned brightly in their day, but now it's time to make the leap to safer, cleaner, climate-friendly alternatives

Negawatt Power — The simplest solution to global warming

Decoder: Corn-Fed Cars - Detroit's phony ethanol solution

Consumer Power - Want to send a message with the dollars you spend? Here's what you need to know to select products and companies that are consistent with your environmental values.