Reed, S. (2019, October 7). Oil Companies Ponder Climate Change, but Profits Still Rule. Retrieved November 11, 2019, from https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/07/business/energy-environment/oil-companies-climate-change-profits.html.

 

The article talks about how Carbon emissions have been linked to climate change, and how oil companies need to seek new alternatives to producing energy cleanly, so that their business doesn’t become slandered. For example, the article mentions Dutch oil-giant “Royal Dutch Shell” and others are investing in clean energy resources, such as wind. Several of these European companies have formed the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative to invest in low carbon resources. These companies have begun to realize how climate change can forsake oil production, and seek means to produce energy more cleanly. As aforementioned, Royal Dutch Shell has begun investing in wind farms in the United States, to help resolve climate change issues. Moreover, Chevron Corporation has also begun making gas and oil production more efficient and with fewer Carbon emissions. 

 

It is common knowledge that the oil industry isn’t necessarily environmentally friendly. However, carbon emissions can be lowered by producing energy by means of wind, solar, or even hydrogen. I agree with the oil companies that change in the industry is necessary, because climate change is a severe problem that can dwindle the future of oil’s success. Although clean energy isn’t as profitable, and more expensive to produce, it is necessary to ensure the harmful effects of climate change don’t continue. I like how these oil companies are making wind farms to try and combat these issues, despite their expenses because of the severity of climate change.