Writing on the wall for oil and gas industry

As protests against pipelines, rigs, seismic surveying and climate change spread across the world with bans, moratoriums and stricter regulations being put in place, oil and gas companies are pulling out of their permits. This week Norwegian company Statoil surrendered its Northland exploration permit, following on the heels of BP in Australia last week and Petrobras and Shell in recent months in New Zealand.

Climate Justice Taranaki spokesperson Emily Bailey said "the oil and gas boom is coming to an end. It is no longer socially acceptable to trash our planet for private profits and destructive lifestyles. Climate change has begun and if we want to avoid the biggest social, environmental and economic catastrophe in human existence then we need to stick to our agreements and massively reduce fossil fuel use for agriculture, transport and electricity."

"Alternative solutions are readily available. It just takes a mental shift and political willpower. Instead our government and councils are failing us by having no useful legislation on climate change (the ETS has increased emmissions rather than reduced them) and councils like the New Plymouth and South Taranaki District Councils are smoothing the path for more exploration even as the industry is slowly dying."

"Companies like STOS, Todd, Greymouth Petroleum and TAG Oil are still being allowed to frack in Taranaki and reinject the toxic waste into wells that contaminate soils, aquifers and contribute to earthquakes. This has to stop, immediately. Our communities and the planet deserve better from these irresponsible companies and politicians."

Climate Justice Taranaki supported the international 'Global Frackdown' yesterday (October 15th) which demanded all governments enact:

- An immediate ban without any exemptions of all types of fracking with regard to the research, exploration and exploitation of fossil energy sources.

- A halt to the import and export of “fracked” fossil fuels and a cessation of infrastructure expansion to support this trade.

- A ban on the injection of the fracking waste as a disposal method.

- A revision of the existing mining laws. The revision must focus on ensuring the highest environmental standards and the participation rights of the public.

- A commitment to make the investments necessary for a quick and just transition to a 100% renewable energy future

Climate Justice Taranaki will also be hosting a weekend of workshops and protest action next March during the planned Petroleum Summit in New Plymouth just after WOMAD. Groups from across the country including Greenpeace have already committed to being there.

ENDS

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