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Everything you need to write to a BP employee

Posted by Mal Chadwick - 7th September 2017


On this page, you’ll find facts, resources and examples to help you write to a BP employee about the Amazon Reef.

Remember, these people aren’t calling the shots – but they can help protect the Reef – so polite, informative letters will be most effective here.

Key facts

How are BP threatening the Reef?

BP holds a stake in a Total-led application to drill in five ‘blocks’ near the Amazon Reef. BP also has one block of its own, for which it’s applying separately. Neither company plans to drill directly on top of the Reef, but  the companies’ own analysis says there’s up to a 30% chance of oil reaching the Reef in the event of a spill.

What’s so special about the Reef?

A unique and largely unexplored habitat, the Amazon Reef was described by National Geographic as one of the most surprising finds in modern sea research“. Despite only having studied around 5% of the Reef, scientists have found endangered species living there, and think it may also contain brand new species.

What’s the risk to the wider area?

The wider Amazon River mouth region is home to endangered manatees and turtles; the world’s longest continuous mangrove forest; and communities (some founded by people who escaped the slave trade) that depend on a healthy environment for their livelihoods. This area could also be vulnerable to an oil spill, although this hasn’t been conclusively established either way.

Why are we writing to employees?

More than a million people have signed a petition against oil drilling near the Amazon Reef, and more than 30,000 people in the UK have written to BP’s executives asking them to reconsider. The project has also been heavily criticised by dozens of scientists and a Brazilian federal prosecutor. However, BP are pushing ahead regardless, without fully addressing these concerns. We know that lots of good, conscientious people work at BP, so we’re asking for their help to keep the Amazon Reef safe. BP employees can help by discussing these issues with their colleagues, or better still, raising them formally with managers.

 


Links to share

Add a couple of these links your message so the reader can learn more.

National Geographic: ‘Surprising, vibrant reef discovered in the muddy Amazon’
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/04/220416-Amazon-coral-reef-Brazil-ocean-river-fish/

Offshore Technology Focus (an oil industry magazine): ‘A tale of two discoveries’
http://www.nridigital.com/offshore-technology-magazine/august-2017.html?wv=s%2FOffshore%2520Technology%2520Focus%2F9674566e-9d5c-545a-884b-f7ed1777ca30%2FOTF%25201708%2Fbrazil.html

The Guardian: ‘Unique coral reef at risk as oil companies plan to drill near Amazon river’
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jul/03/amazon-coral-reef-at-risk-of-damage-if-oil-spills-near-amazon-river

 


Example letter

Not sure how to word it? Use this example to guide you.

Subject: Amazon Reef – hoping you can help

Hi Dionne, I hope you’ll excuse this email out of the blue.

My name’s Malachi, and I’m writing to you about the Amazon Reef in Brazil. I know this isn’t something you work on, but as a BP employee, I’m hoping you might be able to make a difference by speaking out about it.

As you may know, BP is one of a group of companies applying to drill for oil near the mouth of the Amazon River. The proposed drilling sites are close to a unique coral reef, which was described by National Geographic as “one of the most surprising finds in modern sea research”.

This Reef, and the wider area, is home to several endangered or economically important species, while fishing communities along the coast depend on a clean environment for their livelihood.

I’m  really worried about the impact this could have on people and wildlife in the area if something goes wrong.

You can learn more about the Reef and the risks from oil drilling here: http://www.nridigital.com/offshore-technology-magazine/august-2017.html?wv=s%2FOffshore%2520Technology%2520Focus%2F9674566e-9d5c-545a-884b-f7ed1777ca30%2FOTF%25201708%2Fbrazil.html

If you’re concerned about the possible impacts of the project, I’d really appreciate it if you could talk about it with your colleagues – or even raise it through official channels within the company, if you feel able to do so.

Thanks for taking the time to read this – wishing you all the best.

Malachi

 


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