by Aaron Gray-Block
Speaking from within the headquarters of oil major Shell on Friday, the words of Greenpeace Netherlands executive director Sylvia Borren were clear: “My first move as the new CEO of Shell is simple and effective: no drilling for oil in the pristine Arctic.”
With that, Borren had announced a new corporate strategy for Shell.
Borren, symbolically ‘replacing’ Shell chief executive Peter Voser at the helm of the company, said Shell would end its destructive oil drilling and instead invest its billions of dollars in profits into renewable energy.
It requires Shell, which plans to start drilling for oil in the Alaskan Arctic this summer, to realize that climate change and the melting of the Arctic sea ice is not a business opportunity, but rather, a stark warning of a possible future.
The unfortunate reality at the moment is that Shell is desperate to hold on to its old business model and is putting profits above science at all costs. More than that, it is risking our future.
This is why 70 Greenpeace Netherlands activists barricaded the entrances to Shell’s headquarters today, as Borren mapped out a new, sustainable path for Shell, the world’s largest company.
Some 45 minutes later, the blockade was broken, but nine activists remained on top of Shell’s headquarters as they unfurled a banner saying: “Stop Shell, Save the Arctic.” A clear and urgent message.
Some hours later, however, police arrested the nine activists. They also detained Borren and three other activists, removing her from Voser’s office after forcing their way in with a chainsaw!
So today’s action might have ended in multiple arrests, but Greenpeace will not halt its campaign to Save the Arctic. This is a growing global movement that will only build in support. Already, more than 800,000 have pledged their support.
And by using digital media and creative direct action, Greenpeace and the wider public will continue to demonstrate how Shell, a ‘dinosaur’ oil company, is out of touch with the modern world.
Greenpeace is launching a new form of ‘open source activism’, which shares the tactics we have learned over the past 40 years with people who wish to take peaceful, direct action and produce creative content to force Shell onto the defensive both on and offline.
Toolkits containing tips on how to protest peacefully at Shell petrol stations, for example, have been sent to supporters across the world.
And together, we will Save the Arctic.
Oh yeah, you sure showed Shell. Let’s see, who is the real villain here…Shell, who is following all laws (in fact going above and beyond the letter of the law in many cases)…or Greenpeace, who continues to carry out these unlawful activities (breaking and entering for one). Looks like someone is getting desperate, and it isn’t Shell. Grow up people.
What’s wrong Greenpeace? It’s been 3 hours and my comment is still “awaiting moderation”? I thought this was an urgent issue. You should have moderators at the ready to ensure I haven’t used any vulgar language. Oh….wait a minute….you’re screening comments to make sure they are congruent with your beliefs. Silly me. These comments will never see the light of day on your website.
Well I cannot tell you how happy this makes me..I am speechless!
Mike, interesting comment, grow up. Little do you know that much of what you are enjoying today like your wages and benefits are a result of people doing the same tactics as Greenpeace to form unions back in the ’30′s. Somebody has to stand up for our rights and our environment. Just because these companies appear to be following the law doesn’t make the law right. Many of our laws are bought and paid for by these large companies. Greenpeace maybe braking the law but it is done peacefully and without injury unlike the law abiding companies who are destroying our environment that will eventually kill us all.