Why Boycott Exxon-Mobil and Chevron-Texaco?

www.snspress.com, April 2006

I have to buy gas, but I hate supporting companies that destroy the environment and negatively impact people's lives while supplying me with it.

Since gasoline is a necessity in our society we must find ways to make a statement about how it is extracted and sold, and what we feel are the oil companies' responsibilities. If the companies that do the greatest harm and earn the most profits while doing so are boycotted, perhaps all the companies will realize that the consumers are fed up with how they are conducting business.

The most dramatic way that consumers can express their opinions is to vote with their dollars. Each purchase we make empowers those receiving our money and implies consent with their business practices. This enables them to continue their practices unchecked by and immune to the opinions of their customers.

A boycott is the first step to start influencing the companies that provide us gasoline. At least it may get their attention if their profits decrease. Below are some questions to consider when making the personal decision to boycott a company:

Oil Company Rights versus Human Rights

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the members of the United Nations in 1948 outlines the principles and responsibilities upon which life on our planet should be governed. Article 3 of the declaration states that, Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person. When governments or businesses jeopardize the well-being of people and the well-being of our planet they are in violation of this agreement.

"Our health has been damaged seriously by the contamination caused by Texaco. Many people in our community now have red stains on their skin and others have been vomiting and fainting. Some little children have died because their parents did not know they should not drink the river water."_Excerpt: Affidavit of the Secoya tribe given by Elias Piaguaie -Aguinda, et al v. Texaco Inc. - Case # 93-CV-7527.

The right to profit from the extraction and sale of oil may be legitimate as long as the process does not harm people or the environment, as long as it serves the common good and as long as profits are made without exploiting the consumers for the benefit of a few.

Who owns the world's resources?

Presently, the right of ownership of natural resources rests with those who extract them. Many, if not most of the oil comes from territories which are not deeded to an individual or to a corporation. Most comes from beneath undeveloped regions or from beneath the oceans. Does not all the world's resources belong to humanity in common? Who owns the sun, the oceans, the rivers, the air we breathe, the forests? Humanity needs to assert its custodianship over these resources, and those that use them for profit need to be held to standards beneficial to humanity.

Does gasoline constitute a public utility along the lines electricity, water, natural gas, etc.?

Since gasoline is presently a necessity, it ought to be governed as a utility. In my state of Arizona we have a Corporation Commission in charge of balancing the rights of the utilities with the rights of the consumer. These are elected officials. The guidelines are for fairness and the health of both the utility industry and the consumer. The commission sets the rates based on the needs of all the stakeholders. The interests of the environment, the elderly and needy are also taken into consideration. Decisions of the Corporation Commission have the force of law. Currently there are no laws binding the exploitation of oil, especially by American corporations in developing countries. This is a grave cause for concern.

What are the rights and responsibilities of those making profits from natural resources?

A corporation that profits from the extraction, refinement and sale of natural resources must see their business as a public service. As such they must not harm people or the environment in the course of their business. They must not charge arbitrary or excessive prices. The huge profits earned by oil companies can only be justified if some is used for restoring the environment, cleaning up the toxic wastes caused by extraction or accidents in shipping, and to improve the lives of people from the areas impacted by their business. They must also be responsible to encourage and not prevent the development of alternative and renewable sources of energy. Their rights are contingent upon the fulfillment of their duties as responsible benefactors of society and custodians of human and environmental well-being.

What are the rights of people impacted by oil development and mining?

They are entitled to the rights of all people to be respected and not put at risk by the oil companies. They should have a say in the development of their lands and also share the responsibility of custodianship of their environment and the integrity of their culture. They should benefit by the use of their resources to be demonstrated by improved quality of life.

What are the rights and responsibilities of consumers?

The rights of consumers are to use products which conform to standards that they agree with in terms of their effects on people and the environment, and the right to be fairly treated in terms of what they are charged for the products. Health and safety of consumers ought not be compromised in the use of products. Consumers have the responsibility to not waste natural resources. Also they have the responsibility to demand practices of the suppliers which respect the rights and needs of people and which protect the future sustainability of life and economic stability. Consumers have the responsibility to not support companies that do not have business practices beneficial to the common good. Shareholder of stock in these companies are responsible for improving the policies of the companies.

It is our opinion that Exxon/Mobil and Texaco/Chevron be boycotted until they demonstrate responsible practices that do not harm the future of society and our planet. The strength of a boycott is determined by wide ranging support. We hope our readers will join us in publicizing this option for expressing our values and demand that oil companies be held accountable for the consequences of their business practices.

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