On January 16th, 2025, there was a climate protest that happened where protestors stormed a Phillips 66 oil facility in L.A demanding that the oil companies 'pay up' for the recent wildfires. At this protest there were 16 people who stormed the facility's office building. The protestors are also blaming the big oil companies saying that they are emitting greenhouse gases and claim that the oil companies know that they are linked to climate change, which has worsened wildfires in California. Now, they are demanding that the big oil companies have to pay money to support wildfire relief and aid the state's transition to clean energy.
This protest is with the Sunrise Movement LA which allows young people to get involved to help shift political power, people's alignment, and allow to strengthen the power of the people, to help create a strong Green New Deal. The protestors claim "Fossil fuel CEOs are responsible for the destruction that is happening right now in Los Angeles." Overall, it's just a sad time for the people in Los Angeles, because they have been evacuated from their homes, and their drinking water has been completely contaminated.
A 2023 Paper from climate and fire researchers across California found that climate change has increased the frequency of wildfire growth by 25%, and by the end of the century, in California could have the frequent explosive fire growth raise 59% to 172% more frequent.
This isn't the first time that oil companies knew that they were having an impact on the raising temperatures of the Earth. In the 1990s, Exxon publicly said that they studied the science of global warming and concluded it was too unclear, but they claim that if it's something you don't do then your competitors do, you're at a loss. For a lot of these big oil companies they see everything they do for a profit, and not for the good of the world. Everything they are working towards is for a bottom line or a profit margin, instead of trying to work around the problems going on.
In conclusion, with all of the pollution that the oil companies have been putting out, they are one of the reasons that LA is on-fire and that environmental activists are out there trying to make these companies aware that there are reparations that should be getting paid. As well as if nothing changes over the next couple of years, the problems in California won't get better, they will get even worse than they are currently.
This is a very informative blog post! I had no idea any of this was going on. How do you feel personally about the protest, do you think that protests like this help or make things worse?
ReplyDeleteI think this protest is important, and wish I would be able to get involved and make my voice heard, but as long as they are grabbing young people and trying to make a difference, that's all I could ask for.
DeleteThe way that climate change is affecting communities and worsening wildfires is concerning. It is encouraging to see Sunrise Movement LA's involvement and support for a Green New Deal. We must encourage the switch to clean energy and hold large oil firms responsible for their contribution to climate change.
ReplyDeleteThe recent protest at the Phillips 66 oil facility highlights the growing frustration over the role of big oil companies in climate change. With wildfires devastating California and research showing that climate change has increased the frequency of wildfire growth, it’s clear why activists are demanding accountability. The Sunrise Movement LA is pushing for a Green New Deal, calling for fossil fuel companies to fund wildfire relief and support a transition to clean energy. Do you think these protests will lead to meaningful action from oil companies or policymakers?
ReplyDeleteIt's sad to think that even with all these protests and calls for action nothing is really able to slow down these horrible fires and pollution without the companies themselves making the change and pumping the breaks. Who even knows how long and hard the fires will last in California before another one pops up from oil companies.
ReplyDeleteThank you for bringing this up. It makes me sad that so many people let their insatiable greed get to them in the oil business. I love to see people standing up to them but do they really care? Are they going to change their ways? Unfortunately boycotting oil companies is hard to do because the oil is necessary for our lives.
ReplyDeleteThis post made me realize how easy it is to live in a bubble and actively deny reality if you're making the profit from the situation. Big gas companies won't make changes if it means it impacts their bottom line, and no amount of human protest can shake that. Gas has inelastic demand and historically has been a great leader in manipulation and damage through price exploitation and climate catastrophes. Unfortunately the only way to wake them up would be to threaten their money.
ReplyDeleteInteresting, I'd only heard brief mention of the Sunset Movement LA before now. Good for them, though! It truly is only a handful of huge industries that drive our climate crisis, and we need to hold them accountable. How quickly would their actions and approach change when they are billed for the catastrophes that rise from the climate change that they're liable for?
ReplyDeleteI can see why citizens would blame big oil companies for a natural disaster, specifically the Los Angeles fires, but I don’t think it can be only one company’s fault. The BLM and other federal offices, as well as all the people that support oil companies are also at fault. This is a very interesting event, thank you for the blog, Noah! The frequent explosive fire growth potentially rising to 172% in the next century is unbelievably scary.
ReplyDeleteWith all the publishing and news about the LA wildfires I had no clue that there were protests going on at the same time. I think it really speaks to people's conviction to see them actively protesting at this time and publicizing their concerns.
ReplyDeleteIt amazes me that in the midst of dealing with fires, losing personal belonging and homes, and having to evacuate that these individual's still find the time to participate in climate activism. Additionally, I find the fact that climate change has increased the frequency of wildfire growth by 25% to be a frightening statistic, not to mention the predicted trajectory of increase throughout the century.
ReplyDeleteIt is so heartbreaking to see the devastating impact of wildfires in California and to know how deeply climate change and corporate negligence contribute to the crisis. It's especially infuriating how oil companies are aware of their role in the problem, but do nothing about it.
ReplyDeleteWow! The fact that Exxon researched climate change and how they affect it and still said that it was unclear baffles me. It is so disappointing! If you don't do it, someone else will?! That is so unfortunate that people look at it that way. This is a great post!
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing to see the resilience and motivation of people in difficult times, especially young people who are trying to make their voices heard in a very difficult time. I also appreciate that you highlighted such a recent protest - it serves as a reminder that climate activism is not a thing of the past and that there are till things that we can do to try and create change.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I knew about the current LA fires, I was not aware of the protests being made by the residents. I feel like this huge part that oil companies play in the downfall of our climate is extremely sad. I enjoyed this post because it was easy to draw connections from our current readings about fires and the part the oil industry plays in them.
ReplyDeleteWhy doesn't the media do a better job covering protests?
DeleteWhat would you think of creating a Sunrise chapter at WMU?
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