BP - don't wipe out reindeer this Christmas!
People & Planet groups protest across UK at oil giant's decision to go into destructive tar sands project
Mari Jones, Edinburgh P&P, protesting against dirty tar sands
Embattled oil company BP is under fire once again, this time for giving the green light to “Sunrise” - its first oil extraction project in the controversial Canadian Tar Sands.
The project, which is estimated to contain 3 billion barrels of oil, was put on hold several times due to financial doubts and public concern, but was given the go-ahead last week. In response, People & Planet groups held protests at the weekend in several UK cities.
The tar sands have been dubbed ‘the most destructive project in the world’. BP and its partner Husky Energy face opposition from local First Nations concerned about the impact of the project on their health, water supply, food and traditions. There is also significant opposition to the project from UK environmentalists, climate activists, artists and shareholders.
Many of this weekend’s protests were organised by People & Planet student groups. They included:
A protest outside a BP petrol station in Edinburgh with a banner saying “BP - Wiping out reindeer this Christmas”, in reference to the woodland caribou who live near the Sunrise project and are already close to extinction due to the tar sands industry. The students wore reindeer antlers and asked BP customers to sign a petition to save the caribou upon which First Nations depend. See pictures
A reindeer-themed die-in blocking the entrance to a petrol station in Norwich, organised by the UEA People & Planet group.
An oily-themed demo in York at a local BP garage.
An awareness-raising event in central Newcastle.
Mari Jones from Edinburgh People & Planet group took part in the protests:
“We are outraged that BP has decided to ignore First Nations, shareholders and environmentalists, and go into the tar sands. The Sunrise project could spell the end of the local woodland caribou herd, not to mention the impact on the climate of 3 billion barrels of oil. It’s time the people of Britain started holding this out-of-control company to account.”
Jess Worth, from the UK Tar Sands Network, added:
“The backlash starts here. If we burn the oil in the Tar Sands we have little chance of preventing runaway climate catastrophe. BP knows this, but it doesn’t care. The same blatant disregard for public health and safety it displayed in the Gulf of Mexico is now being imposed on the entire planet, with the help of UK Government tax breaks and UK citizens’ pension funds. These protests are the first of many.”
