The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (Final)

You can see the effects of climate change and scientists have clearly said what path we have to follow…All of us have a responsibility, all of us, small or large, a moral responsibility. We have to take it seriously. We can’t joke about it. Each person has their own. Even politicians have their own.                                                    

Pope Francis made the above comments following hurricanes Harvey and Irma that left a trail of destruction of enormous proportions in southern United States and the Caribbean. He cautioned that these events should prompt people to understand that humanity would “go down” if climate change is not addressed, and that history would judge those who deny the science on its causes. The Pope warned that political leaders who do not want to work with other countries to stem global warming should be held morally responsible for future effects on the planet. He also referred to the consensus by scientists that global warming is caused by human activity, such as the use of fossil fuels.

Stabroek News’ column last Monday “In the Diaspora” quoted an article in an online magazine where an environmental group suggested that hurricanes Harvey and Irma should have been named Exxon and Chevron, no doubt because of the role they play in contributing to global warming and climate change. The extraction and use of crude oil can be