1 min read
If it’s tough for a society to transition away from oil, it’s tougher still for those whose entire livelihood is tied up with the stuff. Yet as the costs of our addiction to it begin to bite – on our pockets and our planet – an increasing number are doing just that. And giving up a lucrative career as they do so.
Samantha Cooper’s one of them. Back at university in the ’90s, her career aims were simple: get a job in London where she could continue a studenty social life – and get paid for it. Out of the so-called ‘milk round’ of companies who came calling for bright young graduates, she picked oil giant Mobil, and soon found herself just where she wanted to be.
The pay was good, there was a chance to travel, “it was hard work, but it was also fun.” Early on, she was in charge of scheduling barges delivering fuel oil for the Tube network – nice, practical stuff. “Occasionally I’d be sitting with my friends in a pub by the river, and one of my barges would go by – it was rather exciting!”
