Enrique Rosero
Rosero is the central character in the novel, and the author depicts him as a charismatic, intelligent and courageous young man. By profession, Rosero is an engineer working for Exxon Oil Company. Rosero is not happy with the way the company pollutes the environment. The company does not follow the laid down environmental regulations. Rosero discovers that some of the company’s shareholders are politicians with great influence, which they use in cover-ups.
Rosero faces the company management to complain about its intentional negligence in destroying the environment. After the company realizes that Rosero has exposed its evils, it sacks him. According to the company, Rosero violated his employment terms when he confronted management discussing matters beyond his jurisdiction.
Steve Berman
The author describes Steve as a fearless lawyer. Many lawyers fear challenging the big oil companies because of their influence. However, Steve is courageous to point out the effects of air pollution from these companies. Steve reports these companies to environmental authorities. In addition, Steve volunteers to represent the interest of the environment in court.
Nancy Pelosi
Nancy Pelosi is the top government official who appears in television adverts advocating for environmental conservation. Pelosi calls the oil companies to follow environmental rules and avoid emitting poisonous gases into the atmosphere. However, Pelosi is only doing public relations and damage control because she already knows that her fellow powerful politicians own the big oil companies.
Lucy Molina
Lucy is an environmental activist. Lucy organizes demonstrations regularly to compel oil companies to stop emitting poisonous gases into the atmosphere. Lucy's central focus is on oil refinery companies in Denver and Colorado, which she considers the worst emitters of poisonous gases into the atmosphere. Lucy accuses these companies of the rising cases of asthma and cancer in her neighborhood.
Donald Trump
President Trump intentionally ignores the effects of air pollution from oil companies. President Trump has little influence on climate change because his political friends own the oil companies. Trump is part of the syndicate that owns the oil companies, so he can do little to control their operations.
James Black
James is a scientist at Exxon Oil Company. The role of James is to advise the company on how to reduce carbon emissions by taking proper steps laid out by the government. Ironically, Exxon Company intentionally ignores James' advice to introduce eco-friendly technology to reduce carbon emissions.
Geoff Dembicki
Geoff is the author of Petroleum Papers, and he explores the impact of oil companies on the environment. In particular, Geoff gives an account of how Exxon and other big oil companies such as Shell and Koch Brothers are operating with impunity with total disregard for environmental conservation.
