Actually if the majority of people would vocally and actively oppose drilling etc. government would listen - but it will take huge demonstrations (peaceful, because any other kind will just make the protesters look bad) and lots of vocal people at all levels of government to get things changed.  Go to city council, county commissioners, legislative committee, etc. meetings every chance you get and speak up.  Encourage your friends and relatives to do the same.  Enough action from enough people is the only way to defeat the oil companies.  It will take perseverance. Maybe that's what all the retired and retiring boomers need to do - take up this cause as our own and maybe we can have an impact.  It worked for the VN war (of course that was a more immediate problem as "our guys" were bweing sent to SE Asia to die) it might just work this time too.  Grannies and GrandDads against big oil - I rather like the sound of that.