Posted 6th May 2001

The Seven Sisters Need Disciplining (Photo, US Vice President Richard Cheney) In response to the evergrowing disenchantment with George W. Bush's anti- climate policies, the US oil companies who put him into power, termed for many years `the seven sisters' have become prime targets of environmental defense groups. Five of the seven sisters, Exxon/Mobil, Chevron, Texaco, Conoco, Phillip will have their markets hurt outside the United States until they withdraw their support for the Bush administration's rejection of the international agreement to protect the climate, the Kyoto Protocol. International condemnation of the Bush Administration's position is nearly unanimous from governments around the world. "US oil company directors have to make a decision about who means more to them ? the consumers of their products who pay their salaries, or George W. Bush who takes their campaign donations," said Greenpeace spokesperson Steve Sawyer.

"We are part of a growing movement around the world opposing the Bush administration's position.Our aim is to put pressure initially on the main drivers of Bush's anti-climate policy - the US oil industry, and those who stand with them. President Bush may not care what the rest of the world thinks, but US businesses must, as so much of their market is outside the US. But it doesn't stop there. We will continue to probe the rest of the companies on the list to clarify their position on this critical issue. We will continue to provide people with information on where US businesses stand, so that consumers can make their own decisions on where they spend their money. Americans can vote at the ballot box, but the rest of us can and will vote in the marketplace," said Sawyer. Number one on the list and a major contributor to the Bush campaign, Exxon, stated bluntly that it fully supports the US position. Texaco states that "enough is known about the science of climate change to warrant action now", but does not support the Kyoto Protocol.

The other oil companies have not yet replied. Coke has said that it is implementing emissions reductions in its own operations but it does not take a stand on international treaties. Pepsi, on the other hand, said it had "not given it one iota of thought", and "had no intention of replying" to a Greenpeace questionnaire. Many companies claim not to have a position on the subject, but at the same time are members of industry lobby groups who are actively promoting and shaping the Bush Administration's policy. A US corporate lobby group 'The US Council for International Business' which has 46 members from the Fortune 100 list, and claims to speak on behalf of US business, made its position very clear in a letter to President Bush on April 11, supporting the Bush Administration's rejection of the international climate change agreement, the Kyoto Protocol.