Former oil company exec takes on global warming

ANN ARBOR — For the first 10 years or so that Steve Percy traveled around the country talking about climate change issues, his message was simple: It’s happening.

Now, the former CEO of the oil company BP America has a slightly different message: Those people and companies who aren’t working to combat climate change will be left behind.

“It’s starting to manifest itself in what customers are asking for,” he said. “If you’re a business and not thinking about these things, likely your competitors are and (they) are going to beat you.”

Several of the speakers Thursday night directly challenged the college students in the audience.

“You’re going to have to kick our butts (on this issue),” said state Rep. Alma Wheeler Smith, D-Salem Township. “Without your pressure we’re going to coast.
“We are making timid, incremental change.”

Gazette News Service