# Tony Hayward: A Yacht During the Oil Crisis - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2010/09/bp-oil-tony-hayward-yacht-or-electric-car/ - Published: 2010-09-27T17:19:53-04:00 - Author: greenlivingguy ## Give Hayward an Electric Car—Not a Yacht Back in 2010, while the Gulf of Mexico was still reeling from the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, former CEO Tony Hayward was spotted relaxing on his yacht. The timing couldn’t have been worse. The world watched in disbelief as oil gushed into the ocean, devastating ecosystems, wrecking fisheries, and staining BP’s reputation. Yet Tony Hayward appeared more concerned about leisure than leadership. ![Digital protest style sign that reads give tony hayward an electric carnot a yacht with context below referencing the 2010 bp oil spill and haywards controversial yachting trip](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/D0EA6022- 390A-4AD1-90D9-AB30897A1AF3.png?resize=267%2C400&quality=50&ssl=1 "D0EA6022-390A- 4AD1-90D9-AB30897A1AF3 - The Green Living Guy") After the Deepwater Horizon disaster activists called for Tony Hayward to ditch his yacht and drive an electric car instead ## BP Oil CEO Tony Hayward: The Petition That Sparked a Movement In response, environmental advocates launched a tongue-in-cheek petition: give Tony Hayward an electric car—preferably one with solar panels. The idea? If he wanted to cruise around, let it be in something that doesn’t destroy marine life or the planet. The campaign was more than satire. It was a direct callout. A demand for [accountability](https://greenlivingguy.com/2013/10/new-nrdc-report-finds-progress-on-promises-made-at-rio20-plus-calls-for-more-accountability/). A push to remind oil executives that public outrage doesn’t vanish once the cameras stop rolling. Instead of million-dollar bonuses and luxury toys, why not give executives a taste of sustainable living? ### Why BP Oil Spill from Tony Hayward Still Matters Although [more than a decade has passed](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/07/bps-shift-from-renewables-to-fossil-fuels/), the message still holds up. Oil companies continue to rake in record profits while communities bear the brunt of climate change. Sea levels are rising. Wildfires are intensifying. Yet many fossil fuel leaders still refuse to change direction. This is where symbolic action matters. Signing a petition to “gift” Tony Hayward an electric vehicle might seem small. But it’s also a statement: the world expects more than apologies. We expect action. ## How to Get Involved Against BP Oil Tony Hayward While the original petition may be archived, the spirit of the movement lives on. You can: 1. Advocate for clean energy in your community 2. Support climate legislation and green job programs 3. Pressure automakers and oil companies to go electric 4. Invest in or switch to clean transportation options yourself Even satire has power—especially when paired with activism. ### BP Oil Tony Hayward sees your Symbolic Actions. It Can Spark Real Change. Some may say a petition like this is just a stunt. But history shows that satire and symbolism can fuel public pressure—and public pressure drives results. From [oil spills](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/04/go-las-brisas-ixtapa-for-earth-day/) to climate protests, symbolic actions help shape the narrative and hold corporations accountable. By targeting someone like Tony Hayward, activists weren’t just poking fun—they were reframing the conversation. They redirected public anger into a constructive message: we deserve leadership that invests in solutions, not yachts. Even now, more than a decade later, this campaign reminds us how powerful public opinion can be. Whether it’s pushing oil execs to drive electric cars or demanding climate action from policymakers, change starts with a bold, visible message. And sometimes, that message begins with a petition and a bit of humor. ### Conclusion: BP Oil Tony Hayward Needs an EV Tony Hayward became a symbol of what not to do in a crisis. His story reminds us that leadership without responsibility is just PR. So, whether it’s a petition, a protest, or a policy vote, we have a voice. And it’s time we use it to steer the future toward cleaner, safer, electric-powered solutions. ### Source BBC News – “BP boss Tony Hayward ’to leave with £1m payout’” This article details Tony Hayward’s controversial exit from BP, including his severance package and the public outrage surrounding his handling of the Deepwater Horizon disaster. The Guardian – “BP chief executive Tony Hayward’s yacht outing stokes anger” This story covers Hayward’s infamous yachting trip in June 2010, which occurred while millions of barrels of oil were spilling into the Gulf of Mexico—triggering global backlash. [NRDC](https://www.nrdc.org/stories/gulf-oil-spill) – “The Gulf Oil Spill: Effects on Marine Life” The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) outlines the long-term environmental consequences of the Deepwater Horizon disaster on Gulf ecosystems, wildlife, and [water quality](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/01/how-renewable-energy-benefits-water-quality/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641? s=300&d=monsterid&r=g) greenlivingguy The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author, Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke # Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow. [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [ ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/)