Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin has claimed that Green Party plans to run down the North Sea oil and gas would “destroy” lives in the north-east. Ms Martin claimed the oil downturn had left North Sea workers suicidal as she spoke of the importance of the industry to her constituents. The SNP MSP defended the industry at Holyrood, arguing that the region relied “hugely” on the sector. Her defence came as parliament voted on a Green motion that a policy of maximum extraction of oil and gas was “incompatible” with addressing the “climate emergency”. MSPs rejected the motion after a fiery debate that saw north and north-east politicians stand up for the oil and gas industry. Ms Martin said: “I don’t think it is hyperbole to say that if you turn of the taps of the oil and gas industry, you potentially destroy the north-east economy and many jobs with it. Challenged on her remarks by the Green MSP Andy Wightman, Ms Martin stressed the impact that the global oil crisis has had in her area.
Press & Journal 28th March 2019 read more »
A technology that removes carbon dioxide from the air has received significant backing from major fossil fuel companies. British Columbia-based Carbon Engineering has shown that it can extract CO2 in a cost-effective way. It has now been boosted by $68m in new investment from Chevron, Occidental and coal giant BHP. But climate campaigners are worried that the technology will be used to extract even more oil. The quest for technology for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) from the air received significant scientific endorsement last year with the publication of the IPCC report on keeping the rise in global temperatures to 1.5C this century. In their “summary for policymakers”, the scientists stated that: “All pathways that limit global warming to 1.5C with limited or no overshoot project the use of CDR …over the 21st century.”
BBC 3rd April 2019 read more »
Chemicals giant Ineos has lost a landmark legal battle against anti-fracking campaigners that overturns a “draconian” injunction against shale gas protests. In a major blow to the company, owned by Britain’s wealthiest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the Court of Appeal ruled that its injunction against shale protests in public areas was “unlawful”. The ruling also raised concerns that such injunctions contravene the right to free speech and the right to protest.
Telegraph 3rd April 2019 read more »
Guardian 3rd April 2019 read more »
The charity running the Edinburgh international science festival is to ban sponsorship from oil companies including Shell and Total after protests by climate campaigners. Edinburgh Science said on Wednesday it realised its commitment to educating people on climate change was substantially compromised by accepting money from fossil fuel companies. The charity said the oil industry “is not moving fast enough” to cut greenhouse gas emissions, adding that “climate change is without doubt an urgent threat of unprecedented magnitude”. Edinburgh Science has taken money from Total and Exxon to pay for its “Generation Science” tours of Scottish schools, promoting science as a career in classrooms, as well as from Shell and the Scottish Oil Club. Climate activists had warned Edinburgh Science it faced protests during this year’s festival, which starts this weekend. Protesters believe the festival does not do enough to educate visitors about the threats posed by climate change.
Guardian 3rd April 2019 read more »
