The big problem is oil
by Paul Morozzo, climate campaigner
The disaster in the Gulf of Mexico has exposed three things about the oil industry to the rest of the world. First, the explosion was the result of poor regulation and BP taking safety short cuts to increase profits. Second, that BP has lied continually about the amount of oil spewing from the ocean floor. Estimates have risen from 1000 barrels a day to 100,000 barrels a day as BP downplayed the leak and tried to keep the real figures secret. This has materially undermined efforts to stop the leak. Finally, the disaster exposes the reality of the big oil companies - as easy-to-get oil becomes harder to source, the deep ocean, the Arctic and crucially the tar sands of Canada are the only places left for the companies to go.
Last week two Greenpeace activists took to the stage of the World National Oil Companies Congress, and interrupted the BP representative in the midst of saying "As you'll recognise the last two months have been extremely difficult for BP" One activist held a banner saying 'Go Beyond Petroleum' while another read out a speech (until she was stopped) that called for an early end to the oil age.
Meanwhile activists around the country have been out on the streets asking people to look behind the logo. When they do they find another BP environmental disaster zone - the tar sands of Canada. But Canada's tar sands are not an accident, it's the latest example of BP pursuing ever-more marginal oil sources. The challenge now is to communicate the big problem - our addiction to oil and the companies that tie us into it while trying to stop real world examples such as BP's Sunrise tar sands project in Canada.
Campaign in action: protests at BP garages
In May and June Greenpeace active supporters were at festivals and on the streets asking the public to send messages to BP. We've collected 4,300 cards from these activities and have been drip-feeding them through to BP employees in small packages - to directors, managers, unit heads, kitchen staff, cleaning services, car fleet managers etc at various BP buildings around the UK. We are pretty confident they are aware of our campaign!
This month there will be protests with No Tar Sands placards at BP garages around the UK during a weekend of action on July 10th and 11th and a series of direct communication events at BP HQ in London for three weeks from July 12th. We really do need your help for these events, so get active - contact your local network coordinator to find out how to join in.
Glastonbury is over till next year, but the summer festivals continue. Next big event is TinthePark in Kinross July 9th - 11th where a team of Scottish volunteers will be campaigning on disarmament to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior. There are many other festivals such as the Godiva Festival in Coventry or the Fresh Air Festival in Thirsk, North Yorkshire where Greenpeace activists will campaign - contact your local network coordinator to offer help.
Introductory training for new activists
Greenpeace organises regular introductory training sessions in street campaigning. Next event is in Northampton on July 31st. Please contact Ellie for details.
Nonviolent direct action training
If you are interested in taking direct action with Greenpeace you need to attend a one day NVDA training course. To attend one of these training events you need to get in contact with and be recommended by your local network coordinator. Confirmed training days will run in London on July 10th, Canterbury on August 7th and Bristol on October 16th.
Greenpeace is developing a new lobbying network, and even if you are not involved with a local network you can help us in this way. Lobbying training events are planned for Birmingham on August 21st and Edinburgh and Bristol later in the year. If lobbying your MP is something you would like to do on a regular basis, then please email us.
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