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Samantha Cooper’s journey from a thriving career in the oil industry to becoming an advocate for climate action is a compelling story of transformation. Once a senior executive deeply embedded in oil trading, Cooper is now dedicated to challenging the very sector she helped power for two decades. Her path reflects the struggles and eventual awakening of many who find themselves at the crossroads of lucrative careers and urgent environmental realities.
Starting her professional life in the 1990s, Cooper chose to work for Mobil, attracted by the opportunity to be in London, enjoy an active social life, and earn a good salary. The role was demanding but enjoyable; early tasks involved practical responsibilities such as scheduling fuel deliveries supporting public transportation. The work brought her satisfaction and even moments of simple excitement, like spotting barges she’d coordinated passing by her favorite pub. Over time, promotions followed, culminating in a senior position overseeing global trading strategies within the joint venture between BP and Mobil’s European fuels division.
Despite the outward success, Cooper began to experience a growing disconnect and dissatisfaction. She recalls moments of awakening—like the Deepwater Horizon spill, legal troubles faced by oil traders, and a ship crew running out of water—that forced her to confront the often overlooked human and environmental impacts tied to the oil business. She describes her work life as a relentless treadmill, with mounting sales targets year after year, leaving her feeling drained rather than triumphant. The obsession with oil prices even permeated her holidays, highlighting how all-consuming the job had become.
Ultimately, these pressures prompted Cooper to reevaluate her life, leading her to explore mindfulness and Buddhist meditation and engage with women’s and environmental groups. These experiences opened her eyes to broader social and ecological issues, imparting lessons that profoundly influenced her values. In 2015, she made the bold decision to leave her oil career behind and commit her energy to roles focused on confronting climate change. She now directs Business Declares, an initiative encouraging companies to confront the “polycrisis” of climate, ecological, and social emergencies, and supports Life After Oil, a network empowering former oil industry professionals to pursue similar shifts. Research from the University of Bath reveals that many workers share Cooper’s sentiments, feeling relief and freedom after stepping away from the industry despite the perceived risks. As Cooper herself reflects, “I took a risk in leaving but I found such freedom by doing so. And I’m an awful lot happier with a lot less.”
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