BP Boss Calls For Action On Peak Oil And Climate Change  

The president of BP Australia clearly isn't from the Lee Raymond school of oil company executives, calling for action on both peak oil and global warming at a recent business conference.

He noted that the exact date of the peak isn't particularly important but being prepared for it is, as well as declaring that only "blatant vested interests" still denied global warming.

Does this mean we can all give up complaining now ? Probably not, but its great to see this sort of speech being made.

BP Australia president Gerry Hueston has told the West Australian Business Leaders Breakfast that industry must face its responsibilities in dealing with global climate change and a looming peak in global oil supply. Addressing the gathering of industry stakeholders, Hueston said not taking action and instead arguing about the specificities of when peak oil might occur was not a practical exercise.

He advocated that industry act now to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, because no matter the date, peak oil would arrive and it was better to be prepared sooner than later. Hueston also said while much scientific information on climate change was provisional, there was enough available evidence to suggest that early precautionary action was necessary.

"It would be too great a risk to stand by, do nothing and to wait so long that when the impact on the climate really does begin to be felt, we have to collectively take action which is so disruptive that it causes serious damage to the world's economy," he said. "This is not a radical view. Whilst there is a significant debate on what sort of action to take, these days very few people, aside from some pretty blatant vested interests, now challenge the basic need to take on the issue."