Out of the Blue – Care or Cadres
Hot on the heels of the Cop26 negotiations, where South Africa secured loans from the global north to aid it in its yet-to-be-properly-considered Just Transition, there is now a second announcement this week of intention for offshore oil&gas seismic surveys to be conducted on the east coast of South Africa.
Shell’s and CGG Services SAS’s announcements (https://oceansnotoil.org/2021/11/04/shell-to-blast-the-wild-coast-during-whale-migration-season/ ; https://oceansnotoil.org/2021/11/05/seismic-survey-between-pe-and-plett-please-comment/) came out of the blue, because their application clearances were secured in 2014, when the legislation imposing Environmental Impact Assessments(EIAs) for seismic surveys fell out of our law due to enabling amendments made by government’s One Environmental Plan for offshore Operation Phakisa. The rationalisations of environmental laws between the minerals and energy departments and the environmental one has a consequence of a big omission of care and precaution when dealing with seismic surveys. It also meant the lubrication of entry for Big Oil onto our coastline, since EIAs take time, money and require input from affected communities. Easy pickings for the likes of Shell, unless it faces an injunction from concerned parties.
Public pressure from concerned citizens and NGOs has since placed seismics back into legislation that insists on public participation and environmental reports to guide the process. Without public participation however Shell answers to whom when fish stocks are affected and whales start washing up? What local knowledge and heritage gets treated with impunity and disregard without engagement with those who know these living oceans?
At a time when our seas are drastically compromised can we afford to allow harms done in the name of chasing fossil fuels? These fuels will take years to get out of the seabed and accumulate more harms doing so on our beautiful coastline. What will our planet be like by the time this fuel goes to market? The latest tender processes for renewables have shown them to be far cheaper for the end user than hydrocarbons1, and to employ more people. Surely it’s a no brainer – its time for our minister of the environment, Barbara Creecy, to step in and put her mandate to protect our oceans for present and future generations before cadre enrichment. The alternative is more injunctions, appeals and time in court as more and more youth and NGOs say, “Enough!”
- Planting, S. 2021. Best plan to keep the lights on: Solar and wind power officially cheaper than coal, Nov 4, Daily Maverick. Available at<https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-11-04-best-plan-to-keep-the-lights-on-solar-and-wind-power-officially-cheaper-than-coal/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Business%20Maverick%20Friday%2005%20November%20StraussCo&utm_content=Business%20Maverick%20Friday%2005%20November%20StraussCo+CID_58c0e3e236cd68b0d780a50ad8201383&utm_source=TouchBasePro&utm_term=Best%20plan%20to%20keep%20the%20lights%20on%20Solar%20and%20wind%20power%20officially%20cheaper%20than%20coal>
Oceans Not Oil 
This should be seen as high treason against the people. The ignorance to change for the better is astounding. The technologie for a brighter future is here. Don’t be fossils all your life.
LikeLike
https://oceansnotoil.org/2021/11/08/how-to-voice-objection-against-shell-and-cgg/
LikeLike
howzit Raymond ?
LikeLike
Stop the blasting
LikeLike
https://oceansnotoil.org/2021/11/08/how-to-voice-objection-against-shell-and-cgg/
LikeLike
I’m totally against this! Is there any petition to be signed?
LikeLike
https://oceansnotoil.org/2021/11/08/how-to-voice-objection-against-shell-and-cgg/
LikeLike
We cant let that drilling happen big no
LikeLike
Thanks Peter – please sign the petition
https://www.change.org/p/shearwater-geoservices-and-stop-shell-blasting-the-wild-coast/psf/promote_or_share
And also register as an Interested and Affected Party
LikeLike
Oceans are the only places that heals and gives humans a peace, So, please no to oil in the oceans because we as humans we are going to suffer and ecosystem. Everybody must protect the environment.
LikeLike
This is not a good idea for our coastline also the environment.
I don’t appreciate the act due to that the Comunities were never involed and if needs be keep ur jobs then distroying our natural environment.
LikeLike
Allowing Exploration for oil and gas in the Wild Coast is tantamount to human rights abuse. If oil is discovered in our coastline it will lead to oil pollution which will make ut impossible for coastal communities to continue fishing. They may no loncer collect mussels. This amount disregard for the people’s constitutional right to a hralthy environment. NO TO OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION IN THE WILD COAST. Seismic waves pause a danger to marine life. Oil will also increase our carbon emissions as a country. Given the dangers and impact we already face from climate change this planned activity is a big NO. We know what shell had done in many other areas. TO HELL WITH SHELL IN OUR COASTLINE!!!
LikeLike
Thanks Sinegugu – please share : https://oceansnotoil.org/2021/11/08/how-to-voice-objection-against-shell-and-cgg/
LikeLike
Please add my name to objections and resistance to the inevitable and irreversible destruction which shell will wreak on our coastline at the expense of our biodiversity tourism and people. This for their profit only
LikeLike
Paul hi, Thanks for your support. We prefer that you make your own objection -becuase if we make one submission it is viewed as just that – 1 submission. Rather we prefer all supporters to register and make their own submission. That way the process takes longer and the amount of protest registers on the public record. please see https://oceansnotoil.org/2021/11/08/how-to-voice-objection-against-shell-and-cgg/
LikeLike
NO NO NO !!!! Its all about money, and don’t give a damn about anything on this planet…. This wil be devastated for the environment and ocean…
LikeLike
Oil using is out.6
LikeLike