Janice's post | Quora

Is ExxonMobil Just a Giant, or Is There More Beneath the Surface? 🤔🌍 Okay, let’s get real for a second—how many of you actually think about where your gas comes from when you fill up at the pump? ⛽️ For the loooongest time, I admit I just kinda ignored the whole thing. “Gas is gas, who cares who made it?!” Well… turns out, it’s a big deal, and ExxonMobil’s name comes up a lot. A Giant That Touches Everything ExxonMobil is basically the OG of Big Oil—like, if the oil industry had trading cards, they’d be the holographic rare. From gas stations on random highways in the middle of nowhere to super fancy skyscrapers in big cities, their logo is pretty much everywhere. Last summer, when I did that insane 2,000-km road trip with friends (which deserves its own story, lol), I started noticing: ExxonMobil stations are so common, you almost forget they’re literally a global behemoth. But here’s the wild part—they’re not just about oil. They’re deep into industries like chemicals, plastics, and even alternative fuels. I was honestly a little shook when I dug into their website. It kinda hits different when you realize the shampoo bottle in your shower or the food packaging in your fridge might have roots tracing back to “Big Oil.” Controversial? Yep. But Also Kinda Inescapable 😬 Let’s be real, the climate talk around ExxonMobil (and other oil giants) is intense. There are those infamous “Exxon Knew” campaigns, and sometimes it feels like every other week there’s some new story about pollution, lobbying, or emissions. As someone who cares about the environment—like, I have metal straws in my bag and try (emphasis on try) to recycle everything—there’s a gnawing guilt when I swipe my card at an ExxonMobil pump. But… and it’s a big but… here’s the thing: the world isn’t ready to quit oil cold turkey. Every facet of our daily lives, from commuting to Zoom calls (hello, all those servers!), is powered by energy that, in some way, usually ties back to petroleum. Is ExxonMobil the Darth Vader of energy? Or are they just a reflection of what society still craves? Hard questions, but worth asking (and debating!). Have They Changed? Or Is It Just PR? 🤷♂️ I get a bit skeptical whenever I see glossy ads promising “a greener tomorrow powered by ExxonMobil.” Like, are they legit about going green, or just trying to keep investors happy? To be fair, they’ve put money in renewable tech and carbon capture, but their profits still mostly come from oil and gas. It's kind of like me promising I'll eat salads but always ordering extra fries on the side—we see you, ExxonMobil. 🍟😅 On the other hand, I do think companies as massive as ExxonMobil have the power (and responsibility!) to make real change. Even though it feels slow, I’m low-key hoping they pivot hard toward sustainable solutions—because they actually have the resources to make a global impact. “We can’t just cancel Big Oil overnight, but we can push for transparency and greener choices—every little step counts!” So… What’s Next? 🚀🌱 After all my late-night doomscrolling, I’m left feeling torn. Part of me is frustrated—like, why can’t ExxonMobil move faster? But another part (the realist) gets that our whole system’s tangled up, and change takes time. For now, my take is: keep asking questions, make as many eco-friendly swaps as you can, but don’t beat yourself up for living in a world that runs on gas (for now). Maybe one day I’ll post about my all-electric road trip with zero guilt—but until then, I’m keeping my eyes open, staying nosy, and hoping some of these energy giants surprise us with real, lasting change. 🌍✨ 👉 What do you guys think? Have you had your own ExxonMobil “aha” moments? Drop your thoughts, rants, or even hopes for the future below—let’s get real, talk it out, and maybe learn something new together! 💬💡