Top oil and gas executives took the stage at the annual industry conference CERAWeek in Houston, Texas, this week to shift the blame for climate inaction onto the public, claiming in speeches and statements that consumers are unwilling to pay higher energy costs to hasten the transition away from fossil fuels.
While U.S. consumers may not be excited about the prospect of paying higher energy bills for cleaner air, they do have strong opinions about who should pick up the tab.of likely U.S.
“Poll after poll shows that across party lines, demographics and regions, the public wants these companies to take responsibility for the damage they’ve done to our climate,” DiPaola said. “It’s time for elected officials to listen to their constituents and hold polluters accountable.” “Comments like those from Exxon’s CEO reveal any fossil fuel industry claims about having climate plans to be little more than attempts to continue lining their own pockets while the world burns,” Bender said in a statement.