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The Socialist 16 February 2006 |
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The real cost of BP mega-profits
OIL GIANT British Petroleum (BP) made £11 billion in annual profits
in 2005, 25% up on the year before. But that record-breaking surplus
would become an £18 billion loss if you start calculating the firm's
damage to the environment, says Britain's Treasury!
BP operations are responsible for 6% of the total world output of
greenhouse gas emissions. The Treasury worked out that paying these
costs - £29 billion in environmental charges - would totally wipe out
BP's profits.
As reported last week, Coventry Socialist Party councillor Dave
Nellist was invited onto a nationwide radio show to comment on BP's
rival Shell who made nearly £13 million profit during 2005.
The oil giants' windfall, Dave pointed out, was made on the back of
record fuel prices caused by such factors as global greenhouse gas
emissions and wars and insecurity. Now, the Treasury figures back his
claims up.
Dave Nellist proposed bringing Shell, BP and other globally
exploiting and polluting energy companies into democratic public
ownership so society could plan its energy needs. Unfortunately, the
Treasury (proprietor Gordon 'Privatiser' Brown) is not likely to agree
with Dave's solution to the problem!
In this issue
 Troops out of Iraq
Fight for your future
Hands off our schools!
ID cards: 'Creeping compulsion' and grovelling MPs
The real cost of BP mega-profits
Universities and the arms trade
Haitian poor rebel at suspected poll-rigging
Building an alternative to the profit system
New Labour attacks the sick and disabled
Keep fighting New Labour's Education Bill
Labour's pro-business policies are punished
The housing scandal
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender History Month
Striking postal workers build support
Sick of the system
Marching for jobs and services
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