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Crude Operators |
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Introduction As we go to press with this “Oil Reader”, the operations of the worlds major oil corporations and events in the oil producing areas of the world are once again making the headlines - from the missile attacks on Baghdad to the Ijaw uprising in the Niger Delta, from the Exxon - Mobil merger to the occupation of the headquarters of Shell U.K. From the Human Rights community and the Ecological movement comes the insistent call that the operations of oil multinationals need to be severly scrutinised and, in the light of Climate Change, a ban placed on further development of new areas of oil production. No New Oil! In parallel with this resurgence of interest in the ecological and social impact of Big Oil , we are publishing this reader. The main body of material comes out of Crude Operators - a gathering to understand and challenge the oil industry - which took place on 10th and 11th May 1997; whilst other sections of this publication cover the period between the gathering and January 1999. Crude Operators was a unique and inspiring event that brought together people from all quarters of the campaign against oil - Friends of Cardigan Bay to Campaign Against the Arms Trade - from all parts of the world - Iran to Nigeria to Colombia to East Timor - and from all levels of the ecological movement - Earth First! to Greenpeace to ethical investment advisors. About eighty people spent two days discussing, teaching each other about the industry, planning actions, and sharing a vast feast. Since then there have been the Climate Summits at Kyoto and Buenos Aires and the wave of media interest in the issue of CO2 emissions. In anti-oil activism too, the last few months of 1997 saw a huge burst of energy, with the ‘100 days to Kyoto’ campaign - from the “wedding” at the Oil and Gas Industry conference on 23rd/24th September to the ‘Strike Oil’ petrol station occupation from 3rd-10th December - while the first month of 1999 promises a new burst of actions. We are determined to keep the spotlight on the oil industry, for it’s our belief that oil is fundamental to many of the social and ecological problems we face. It’s at the root of human rights abuses in Iran, Colombia, Nigeria, Indonesia, ....; it’s the source of environmental destruction in the North Sea, in Alaska, in the pristine rainforests of Latin America, in our cities, in the atmosphere itself, ....; and it’s one of the key engines behind economic globalisation. Without the relative cheapness of oil as fuel for transportation, international trade and the global market would seize up. And the major oil transnationals have been at the forefront of the business lobby for more international measures to impose globalisation - such as the Multilateral Agreement on Investment. Crude Operators was precisely about illustrating the common thread of oil that links so many diverse campaigns. We hope that this booklet highlights that fact, gives some flavour of the last gathering, and builds towards another in the near future. |
| Platform ...brings together individuals from the arts and the social sciences in order to create projects that tackle issues of Democracy and Ecology. Since 1983 we have created inspirational events - such as performances, discussion forums, publications, music, videos - and practical projects - such as recycling schemes and urban renewable energy initiatives. The focus of our work is London and the Tidal Thames Valley although our local commitment is balanced by an international perpective. Our current project, 90% Crude, is concentrated on oil and transnational corporations, the role of The City in international finance and London`s future as a post-T.N.C. post-fossil fuel city. If you would like copies of our newspapers focused on oil and T.N.C.s please send a stamped addressed envelope to : PLATFORM, 7 Horselydown Lane, Bermondsey, London SE1 2LN. Tel/fax: 0171 403 3738 E-mail : platform @ gn.apc.org |