Also from Co-op America, a call to action:
For Immediate Release
April 19, 2005
Contact: Amanda Chehrezad
achehrezad@coopamerica.org
202-872-5314
Urging ExxonMobil to Address Climate Change this Earth Day
Denying climate change as a reality won't stop consumers from seeing the
truth
Washington, DC - On the 35th anniversary of the birth of the modern
environmental movement, Co-op America and conscience consumers are telling
ExxonMobil to listen to scientists, investors, and the concerned public to
take climate change seriously and invest in renewable energy.
This Earth Day Co-op America's Shareholder Action Program urges key
ExxonMobil Board Committee Chairs to override ExxonMobil's senior
management's lackluster response to this issue. Over 20,000 letters are
expected to be generated and delivered to the board at the annual meeting.
Co-op America's letter urges the Board of Directors at ExxonMobil to look
closely at climate change, since their CEO is failing to respond to climate
change and the company has become a target of boycotts, protests,
divestments, and shareholder action.
Alisa Gravitz, Co-op America's Executive Director, said, "We expect board
members to fulfill their duty and not simply rubber stamp ill-advised
opinions of senior management on the issue of climate change. We expect
board members to reduce ExxonMobil's climate change impact and join other
forward thinking energy companies and invest in renewable energy."
"The health of the planet is at stake, and so is the financial health of the
company. This is not a simple 'do-good' demand, as ExxonMobil shareholders
and consumers we care about the financial future of the company and if
ExxonMobil continues ignoring climate change they are exposing the company
to enormous risk," Gravitz said. Co-op America is encouraging people to
write letters and e-mails to Board Committee Chairs, which will then be
presented to them at the next ExxonMobil shareholder meeting in May. Sample
letters can be found at www.coopamerica.org.
Last year Co-op America's Shareholder Action Program presented Lee Raymond
with over 10,000 letters concerning his stance on climate change and now
they're going to the board with the hopes of awakening them to the threat of
global warming and the opportunities for ExxonMobil to act.
"Nearly everyone in the country buys gas from ExxonMobil or owns its shares,
often through mutual funds or 401(k) plans. So if you are an ExxonMobil
consumer or a conscience member of the public, you can join in this effort
to demand that ExxonMobil take responsibility for the health of the planet
and the company," Gravitz added.
# # #
Amanda Chehrezad is the Public Education and Media Coordinator at Co-op
America, a national nonprofit organization founded in 1982, providing the
economic strategies, organizing power and practical tools for businesses and
individuals to address today's social and environmental problems. She can
be reached at achehrezad@coopamerica.org.
Amanda Chehrezad
Public Education and Media Coordinator
Co-op America
1612 K Street Suite 600, NW
Washington, DC 20006
Fax 202-331-8166
National Coordinator
Everett Public Service Internship Program
