As many turn their focus to
Balcombe, West Sussex where energy company/drillers Cuadrilla are currently
facing local opposition to their plans to 'frack' for oil or gas, it is clear that this is not going to
go quietly away. The media are playing on the fact that it is not only the
villagers of Balcombe that are trying to stop Cuadrilla - but that they are
joined by protest groups and individuals from elsewhere in the country; the media portray this as a bad thing
(I see it as a support and giving-a-damn thing).
It made me think about how it must be to be from Balcombe
- what would I want if I was them?
As we have had Cuadrilla here in Lancashire for a while and
they have ignored every form of legal objection, continued to flog propoganda
in our press and schools, confused/misled/fantasised most of our
Councillors/MPs into cheerleaders and paid NO attention to our pleas... we feel
small, powerless and at risk; I think we would be rejoicing if others from
ANYWHERE came and helped us protect our community from this dangerous industry
with its appalling safety record and history of harm in its wake.
For the villagers of beautiful Balcombe, the choice ahead
seems to be:
- accept that Cuadrilla aren't listening and have the power
to wrap our law enforcement around their vehicles – ensuring that they WILL
drill
OR
- accept that when/if other groups and individuals come to
help stop Cuadrilla – that there may be people, actions and interactions that
are not only unfamiliar - but maybe so far away from ‘normal’ that it can be
worrying.
AND... while I was thinking about all this it also became
clearer that because the risk of harm is to our shared, vital resources: air,
water and agriculture – that maybe it is impossible to define this community
defence by geography.
The unconventional energy business (fracking shale, coal
seam gas etc) has made it clear that more than 65% of our country is up for
grabs – so this is actually OUR stand, not just Balcombe’s.
The villagers,
understandably – wish none of this was their reality (we do too) but it is and
this is a crucial time because every time they drill, they pass through our
precious land and aquifers and the potential for harm begins (even before they
begin ‘fracking’).
Last weekend I went to Balcombe and met some amazing people from the village and elsewhere - each with a shared purpose and huge determination - regardless of their differences in origin or status (ie: first time protester or active on issues over a long time period); returning tomorrow.
WE the people of this country, of these counties at risk; WE the people who
depend now and always will (as will our children and theirs) on safe water and
air... have said NO to shale gas extraction (fracking) on countless petitions,
to numerous officials, time after time and WE have acted lawfully to be heard.
WE who are bullied by abused laws that wrap OUR law-enforcers around corporate trucks delivering drilling
bits and other dangerous sh*t to our precious places of residence and dependence.
Again it is WE who are forced to do this public protest, act
of self-defence – because it is OUR OWN government that is pushing this
dangerous business into our communities and inflicting it on our lives.
Tonight Bianca Jagger tweeted she would go to stand in support with Balcombe; after reading a tweet from Ray Beckerman
that lead to an excellent article in CommonDreams about the Great Gas Gala. She turned up and warmly shared the welcome and commitment - then shared the images and news to
those who follow her. Ian R Crane too was on
site and filming for those who follow him... as were the wonderful individuals
who contribute to the Occupy News Networkand Reel News - each has a role and each is a
conduit for the information network that is vital to ensuring an informed
public.
The intention of the energy companies for our country is a hugely important
matter that leads to the heart of most other hugely important matters – the impact
and control of lobbyists over our ‘democratic’ system of government; an impact
that gives greater voice to industry than it does to WE the people.
Whenever we hold public meetings and people are given unbiased information about shale gas extraction (fracking), they question the risk and so we focus heavily on getting the videos, studies and expert, industry voices out. Now though the danger grows ever nearer and we are having to block the roads, lock the gates and try our best to get this stopped before more harm is done. We each would wish to be heard and heeded by lawful means - but when laws are being abused by those with the power to do so (who have a vested interest)... how lawful can we remain?
I don’t know how we ultimately solve this – I do though feel that we can
ONLY succeed – together as WE, the people.
It is infuriating, misleading, propagandist and downright wrong that the media define those of us who are questioning the process of shale gas extraction (fracking) and other unconventional energy practices - by their own limited views.
Giving a damn about the health, safety and well-being of our communities does NOT mean we are ‘ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS UP IN ARMS’ or ‘ENVIRONMENTALISTS OBJECTING’...
...we are PEOPLE who are objecting.
People who gather into groups to share concerns and attempt to protect our communities. The large, long-established, well-known groups focus on environmental effects as part of the bigger global picture but most in the communities due to be 'fracked' - are simply everyday human beings trying to find out if the water and air we rely on for life will stay safe; whether the roads where we live will be jammed full of heavy diesel spewing vehicles carrying undiluted chemicals; whether our local farmers will still be able to produce safe food for our markets if the agricultural land is harmed; whether our current industries and jobs may be affected by this new industry; whether the industrialisation of our land is what is best for our communities.
The topic of unconventional energy and shale gas extraction (fracking) specifically is being made to move on from ‘IS IT ACTUALLY SAFE, worthwhile and beneficial for the humans (rather than the industry and those invested in it)?’ TO how much they will get in TAX BREAKS to incentivise and encourage this dirty business - as well as how much communities will be paid and who in those communities will GET THE CASH.
We (the humans who are deeply worried about our lives and those of our families and future generations) are gathering for a 'community conversation' tomorrow - if you can be here, we would warmly welcome your input x
Accepting the award, Julie Daniels of RAFF said: “This award
is for all the groups and amazing individuals who have worked tirelessly to
confront this threat to our communities. The industries seeking to extract
unconventional sources of energy here are finding more and more people who know
the truth and do not believe the propaganda; we are a growing force to be
reckoned with.”
Presenting the award, Andy
Atkins, Executive Director of Friends of the Earth said: "We're
delighted to recognise Residents Against Fylde Fracking for their outstanding
campaigning against dirty shale gas.
"They have inspired communities across the UK with
their creativity and commitment, and show what can be achieved when a group of
ordinary people come together to protect their community.
"They deserve to win not just this award but the bigger
battle against fracking."
Tina Rothery of RAFF added: "Of course the true prize
comes when we stop shale gas and other unconventional energy extraction here in
the UK and beyond but for now, this award presents an exceptional opportunity
to access the resources and support of Friends of the Earth who have groups
throughout the UK and the world. Their support and solidarity is
priceless."
Gathering on the Green
News of the award comes in time for the second ‘Gathering on the Green’ that takes place on Saturday 20 July at 2pm. The first gathering was
in 2012 when local group opposing shale gas extraction arranged to meet at the Lytham
Windmill during the Open Golf.
This year the groups are asking for local residents to join
them for a community conversation about the risks posed by the shale gas
industry.
Tina Rothery of RAFF said: “In addition to the local
campaigning groups, representatives from national groups Friends of the Earth
and Greenpeace will also be joining us to show support and contribute to this
important conversation.The recent
report by the Advertising Standards Agency that reprimanded Cuadrilla for
misleading and exaggerating their claims about the safety of ‘fracking’, show
that we need honesty and residents need access to that. We’re hoping that
everyone with concerns will come along.”
...it is a victim of abuse and WE must come to the rescue
Currently, daily and for the longest time - bullies, liars
and thieves have sent sharp-suited, slick-talking Lobbyists into the place
where our laws are made. These Lobbyists buy, cheat, manipulate, blackmail and
bribe their agenda in – masquerading as democracy.
THIS isn’t democracy – our democratic SYSTEM of government has
been beaten out of shape - to serve the powerful, the wealthy and the greedy;
it is now so broken and so ugly that only the worst, can function within it.
Those lower-down the heirachy who claim to represent us are mere mouthpieces,
part of the charade; feeble MPs, too weak, too threatened, too ambitious or too
corrupted to do the job we trusted them with. They are NOT speaking out about the abuse and
are therefore facilitating it with their compliance. Gutless and worse than
ineffective; they serve as the phoney face of this fiction.
The system though is JUST a structure - NOT an ideology, NOT
set in stone and NOT (yet) out of reach. It just requires fixing or redesigning
so that it reflects the honesty, fairness and justice we should be demanding of
OUR democratic system of government.
WE are the many and the bad are the few
Up until the internet came along, those holding office and wielding power had the loudest voices through
control of media; now though, we connect, we broadcast, we get informed and are buoyed by the
realisation that so very many share our discoveries and dismay...as well as our hopes.
We KNOW that trusting politicians is a stupid thing to do, we KNOW each
government (all parties) will break their election promises, we KNOW that there
is a revolving door that sees politicians end up with great roles in the
private sector after complying with Lobbyists throughout their terms, we KNOW
our academic institutions are having their research bought, tampered with and
paid for by those industries with a vested interest in the outcomes and we KNOW
we are lied to daily... so, WTF?
I often hear: “You know there’s nothing you can do to change
it don’t you?”
THIS is the saddest thing because it reflects complete submission
to a system we KNOW to be lying to us; an acceptance that the abuse can
continue and that we WILL be passing this on to the next generation.
I also (more and more frequently) hear: “You know all we
need is for the others to join us – then we CAN change this.”
THIS is the
source of my optimism and certainty that our individual humanity (when combined) is the home
of the solution.
We are divided, fragmented and encouraged to turn on each other by applying labels and making assumptions and judgements we really have no right to make - but I KNOW when we come together with a shared need to solve a problem, a unique connectivity brings about unique solutions.
It IS time for each of us to be the honourable people we are at our core – time
to get a whole lot louder and the only way to do that is to become an *activist.
(*Activist = someone who acts on their concerns).
You can be the activist YOU choose to be... alone, in secret, in public, with others or at a mass demonstration. Recently I have
seen noble individuals, standing alone with simple signs in simple acts of
protest at appropriate locations; I have seen little knitted droplets shaped to represent
water, hanging from trees in a town threatened by big energy; I have camped in the mud with 300 others because it was worth it for the opportunity to share
plans, resources, humour and determination; I have been amongst a mass of Anonymous-masked others taking to the streets because they ARE our streets and I have sat in
deep conversation with a ‘Knitting Nanna’ from Australia who travelled across
the world to help inspire and charge those facing a shared fight with a hugely
powerful industry.
Deciding to do something about the wrongs you see is an individual
choice
~ but a universal obligation
Remember that scene in that movie where the angry newsman
finally loses his ability to put up with the masquerade any longer and screams: “I’m
mad as hell and I’m not gonna take it!” I had this surge within me in October2011 – my own, personal ‘enough-is-bloody-enough’ moment brought on by bailouts
and cutbacks that were so absurd - I felt it a huge insult to ask us to swallow
it.
Because our government isn’t OURS, it can watch the suffering of those facing
ATOS assessments that de-humanise them beyond comprehension – all under the guise
of weeding out the tiny, tiny fraction that are not legit; it can steal away OUR NHS that we and our parents and their parents paid for dutifully, imagining
it would be our legacy, that the taxes and NI contributions might ensure it; it
can turn a blind eye to the desperate needs within our communities for
investment in the things that matter like respectful, dignified care for our
elders, a more generous teacher-to-pupil ratio for our young and a way of
meeting our energy needs that doesn’t sacrifice our health and well-being.
Today... is a good day to become the activist you choose to be
