In western Canada, we have a petroleum co-operative. It takes the tradename "Co-op," which is used by many co-operatives across Canada. While they share the same tradename, they are often not legally connected.

This co-op has a refinery in Regina, Saskatchewan. It buys oil from producers in south Saskatchewan, turns it into gasoline and diesel and a few other things. It has built a distribution network that spans western Canada. There is at least 200 fuel retail outlets.

The customers own this co-op. I get about 5% of my purchase back as a cash dividend.

When someone starts complaining about petroleum companies for making too much profit or environmental degradation or whatever, I encourage them to join the Co-op. In this way, their purchases are going towards something more beneficial for society, not dividends paid to rich people and pension funds.

But most complainers do not take my suggestion. They will prefer to buy gas on the lowest price or the marketing gimmick. They have a chance to vote with their dollars, but they don't. But they sure like complaining about oil companies.

I realize this co-op is not the best solution for fighting climate change. But its members are kind of thinking in the right way.

In my town of 15,000 people, there are at least eight retail fuel station, with the co-op being one of them. We can estimate the co-op sells about 12% of the gasoline in this town. But what if it sold 30 or 40%?

We need more co-operative businesses.