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Pugh Tells Shell to Frack Off (Nicely)

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On Friday 25 March 2011, Cape Town Environmentalist and “human polar bear” Lewis Pugh took on the oil companies, including Dutch oil giant Shell, over their plan to prospect for shale gas in the Karoo using a controversial drilling method called hydraulic fracturing (fracking).

See the video of Lewis Pugh’s speech below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvcvzTKEFd8

Some sound bites from Pugh’s speech:

  • Enshrined in our constitution is the right to a healthy environment
  • Let us not dishonour those men and women who fought, and died, for those rights
  • Let us not allow corporate greed to disrespect our constitution
  • Let us not allow them to desecrate our environment
  • Never ever did I think that there would be a debate in this arid country about what was more important – gas or water?
  • We can survive without gas, we cannot live without water.
  • Wherever you damage the environment you have conflict.
  • Our children’s future is at stake.
  • Why should we trust Shell?
  • Africa is to Shell what the Gulf of Mexico was to BP.
  • Shell have a shocking record in Africa.
  • Shell have spilled more than 9 million barrels of crude oil into the Niger Delta – TWICE the amount spilled in the Gulf of Mexico.
  • Shell were found guilty of bribing Nigerian officials and paid an admission of guilt fine in America of $48 million.
  • Shell stands accused of being complicit in the execution of Nigerian environmental campaigner, Ken Saro-Wiwa and EIGHT other activists. If you [Shell] were innocent why did you pay $15 million to the widows and children to settle the case out of court?
  • We cannot drill our way out of an energy crisis.
  • We must invest in renewable energy and we must not delay.
  • We are tired of corporate tyranny.
  • Shell we do not want our Karoo to be another Niger Delta.
  • Do not underestimate us.
  • Let this be a call to arms, to everybody across South Africa who is sitting in the shadow of Goliath, stand up and demand these fundamental rights promised to you in our constitution. Use your voices, Tweet, Blog, Petition, rally the weight of your neighbours and of people in power. Let us speak from every hilltop, let us not go quietly into a bleak future.
  • [Shell] have lit a fire in our bellies which no man and no woman can extinguish.
  • I have no doubt whatsoever that in the end GOOD with triumph over EVIL.

See the entire address HERE.

Fax your concerns to these government decision makers:

  • Department of Mineral Resources – Minister Susan Shabangu: 012 444 3145
  • Department of Water and Environmental Affairs – Ms Bomo Edna Molewa: 012 464 1500

Faxing is preferred as it is registered.

If you cannot fax then an e-mail can be directed to:

  • Department of Mineral Resources – Minister Susan Shabangu: kholofelo.madisha@dmr.gov.za
  • Department of Water and Environmental Affairs – Ms Bomo Edna Molewa: monica.zabo@dmr.gov.za

Editors Notes: I only have this to say; “If Shell can be ‘accusedof being complicit in executios’ what hope do we have of them ever dealing in an honourable fashion with the citizens of Port Elizabeth’s concerns over the Tank Farm. All of a sudden those concerns pale into insignificance!”

Lewis Gordon Pugh’s Number One Bestseller, Achieving the Impossible, from Kalahari.

Thanks for the link, Andrew.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.