A national campaign to boycott Esso was launched in London today by the Stop Esso Campaign, an alliance founded by Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth and People & Planet (1). Bianca Jagger unveiled a 'Boycott Esso' mobile billboard at the campaign launch. Annie Lennox, Ralph Fiennes, Jerome Flynn, The Body Shop, Damien Hirst and Keith Allen, along with several politicians have already signed up to the boycott.
The Stop Esso Campaign is calling on the public not to buy any Esso products until the US based oil company changes their stand on global warming. The campaign is targeting Esso as the world's leading global warming villain because:
- Esso are the financial power behind George Bush - Esso donated more dollars than any other oil company to help Bush win the election and soon reaped the rewards when Bush ditched an international agreement to stop global warming. Esso have been the most active company undermining this treaty, the Kyoto protocol.
- Esso refuse to accept the link between their oil and global warming.
- Esso don't invest any of their massive profits in renewable energy or green fuels.
The campaign will be urging the British public to avoid all Esso petrol stations and pledge their support at Stop Esso. Campaigners will also focus on companies that buy Esso fuel in bulk and ask them to switch suppliers. The boycott will continue until Esso agree to support the Kyoto Protocol to fight global warming.
Stop Esso Campaign co-ordinator Lorne Stockman said,
"We're not going to let Esso get away with polluting the planet to make their billions. They are not too big for the rest of us to stop them. If Esso choose to sabotage the fight against global warming, we can choose to sabotage their profits."
Bianca Jagger, who was at today's launch, said,
"Often we as individuals feel powerless in the face of this catastrophe that is unfolding. But with this campaign we can make a difference. We can say enough, we can say stop. We will make our voices heard."
Comedian Rory Bremner said of Esso,
"Your choice is their income. Use your choice. Make a change."
Anita and Gordon Roddick said,
"At The Body Shop we're all taking this very personally. The Body Shop will be launching the Stop Esso campaign in their shops in the UK and we'll be encouraging all of our customers to take it personally".
Greenpeace Executive Director Stephen Tindale said,
"Esso are the world's number one global warming villains. They have paid George Bush to ditch the only international treaty to stop global warming from devastating our lives. We should all take this personally and stop buying from Esso".
Charles Secrett, Executive Director at Friends of the Earth said,
"This campaign will demonstrate to Mr Bush and his corporate backers that it doesn't pay to put profits before the planet. By supporting the Stop Esso campaign the British public will show that it wants effective action to tackle global climate change."
"People & Planet Director, Kevin Steele said,
"Claims by Esso that burning oil might not cause global warming are as believable as tobacco industry claims that cigarettes might not cause cancer."
Esso faces the threat of a worldwide boycott. Already in the UK, former Environment Minister and Conservative MP, John Gummer has called for consumers to stop buying petrol from Esso. Last month the Observer newspaper told its readers that if they wanted to take direct action over climate change they should not buy from Esso and "Don't put a tiger in your tank."(2)
Notes to Editors:
Photos and video of today's launch and jpegs of Stop Esso campaign logo available from the Greenpeace Press Office.
Download the media briefing on 'The case against Esso'.
Pledges to boycott Esso so far: Bianca Jagger, Annie Lennox (singer/songwriter), Ralph Fiennes (actor), Linus Roache (actor), , Gary Kemp, (actor), Tim Roth (actor), Jerome Flynn (actor, musician), Les Ferdinand (footballer), Kenny Logan (rugby player), Goldie (musician/artist), William Roache (actor), Ronny Jordan (jazz musician), Edward Goldsmith (The Ecologist), Gaby Yorath (TV presenter), Jeremy Thomas (film producer), Eski Thomas (screenwriter), Julien Temple (film director), Amanda Temple (film producer), Sacha Puttnam on behalf of the band Bush, Darren Johnson (GLA), Tony Lloyd MP (Labour), Simon Thomas MP (Plaid Cymru), Robin Harper MSP (Green Party), The Body Shop (Anita and Gordon Roddick), Dan Morell (Future Forests), Keith Allen (comedian/actor), Damien Hirst (artist).
(1) "People & Planet is a national student network campaigning to end world poverty, defend human rights and protect the environment."
(2). John Gummer interviewed on Channel 4 News, 3/4/01 and Observer Editorial 22/4/01
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