The Greenpeace Challenge.

Taking on the oil industry
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Jesse Firempong, Greenpeace Canada Unsubscribe
Nov 24, 2019, 1:28 PM (2 days ago)

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Nelson,

As Venice floods and wildfires rage in Australia and California, the realities of the climate crisis are growing starker every day.

Challenging the industries responsible is a global effort. That’s why I wanted to share some of the ways that Greenpeace is working alongside local communities in multiple countries to achieve a world beyond oil.

Here’s a whirlwind tour of some of the places Greenpeace supporters are taking action for a transition from oil to clean energy:

Investigating fossil fuel companies in the Philippines

In September, Greenpeace activists and representatives from climate-impacted communities blockaded a Shell refinery in Batangas City. Filipinos have also successfully petitioned the Philippines’ Commission on Human Rights to launch a landmark investigation into 47 major fossil fuel producers’ responsibility for climate-related human rights abuses following 2013’s Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), which claimed the lives of more than 6,300 people and affected millions more. The results of the investigation are expected any time in the coming months.

Campaigning for a Green New Deal in the US

In the US, Greenpeace is campaigning for a Green New Deal, which includes a just transition to renewable energy, creating millions of green jobs and halting any major oil, gas, and coal expansion projects. Taking action alongside grassroots groups, Greenpeace has opposed new pipelines, blocked the largest fossil fuel thoroughfare in the country, and stood up against unjust, anti-protest laws pushed forward by oil companies. These kinds of laws not only intend to silence voices, they disproportionately affect Black, Brown, Indigenous, trans, and queer people.

Defending the Great Australian Bight

Greenpeace is campaigning to defend the Great Australian Bight, an area off Australia’s southern coast where Norwegian company Equinor has set sights on drilling for oil. The Bight is a breeding ground for endangered southern right whales and contains the Great Southern Reef, 85% of whose animals can’t be found anywhere else in the world. Equinor's latest drilling plan was rejected by the government in November but the company has a chance to resubmit it. Hundreds of thousands of people have written to Australia’s government and to Equinor to say the project will never get their blessing to drill in this treasured oceanscape.

Standing up for the Amazon Reef in Brazil and French Guiana

When an incredible reef was discovered at the mouth of the Amazon River between Brazil and French Guiana, it was clear to us that it had to be protected. French company Total was interested in drilling for oil, but after two million people took action Brazil’s government denied Total’s license. Even after this historic win, another oil company (BP) wants to open up a new oil frontier in the region. Greenpeace is campaigning to protect the reef from oil development.

Challenging the car industry in Germany

In Frankfurt, at the International Motor Show in September, Greenpeace worked with other environmental and sustainable transport groups to organize a massive protest against the internal combustion engine. About 25,000 people participated (including 18,000 on bikes!), highlighting the role of the car industry in driving the climate emergency — and calling for renewable-powered public transport, walking and cycling infrastructure.

Supporting Indigenous communities in Russia

In Russia, Greenpeace is supporting Indigenous communities opposed to the impact of oil development on their livelihoods and culture. The majority of the Nenets and Khanty people in Siberia were not properly consulted when Russian oil company Surgutneftegas made plans to drill in the wetlands of the village of Numto, where many among the reindeer-herding Indigenous communities oppose the project.

Scaling oil company headquarters in New Zealand

Although the New Zealand government banned new offshore oil and gas exploration permits in 2018, they did not revoke permits that were released before the ban. Austrian oil giant OMV still holds 17 permits that, if exploited, would be catastrophic for the climate and risk disastrous oil spills in New Zealand’s pristine waters. This past summer, after Greenpeace activists staged a 10 hour climb on the OMV headquarters in Wellington, over 100 people handed in a petition to OMV.

Upholding the rights of future generations in Norway

The Norwegian government is taking advantage of the melting ice caused by climate change to open up a new oil frontier in the Arctic. The Norwegian Constitution that says that the State shall ensure for everyone, including future generations, the right to a safe and healthy environment. That is why Greenpeace and Nature and Youth brought a case against the Norwegian Government. Oil is Norway’s biggest export, and it is burned all over the world. This makes Norway the 7th biggest exporter of emissions on the planet.

Occupying oil rigs in the UK

We’re in the midst of a climate emergency, but oil company BP intends to drill for 30 million barrels of new oil off the coast of Scotland. That why’s this summer Greenpeace climbers prevented BP’s rig from leaving the Scottish coast for five days. This was followed by a further stand off in the North Sea between the rig and the Greenpeace ship, Arctic Sunrise, which prevented the rig from reaching the drill site.

What can you do here in Canada?

Here in Canada, Greenpeace is working with frontline Indigenous communities to stop the Trans Mountain tar sands pipeline and tanker project. Three First Nations, Coldwater, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh, are taking this battle to court. They’re asking you to support their legal challenge with a donation as they defend their drinking water, sacred sites, and coastal waters. They go to court in December and could halt this destructive pipeline and tanker project with their courageous action.

All funds donated to their Pull Together legal challenge fund before December 3rd will be matched by a group of generous funders up to $50,000. Please make a donation today in support by visiting Pull Together and have your gift doubled.

Taking on one of the world’s most powerful industries is no small task, but when millions of us come together, to stand for what we believe is possible, it sends a powerful message to decision makers.

We are the generation that ends the age of oil.

Jesse

Communications Officer, Greenpeace Canada

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