See http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/the-age-of-extreme-oil-this-used-to-be-a-forest/article2437730/.

See http://www.no-tar-sands.org/2012/04/protesters-dragged-out-of-bp-agm-after-board-avoids-uncomfortable-questions/.

http://www.no-tar-sands.org/2012/03/stop-the-moose-abuse/

 
Vigil over Canada’s tar sands lobbying unexpectedly turns into full-blown protest

http://www.no-tar-sands.org/2012/03/2528/

 
UK complicit in Canadian government’s Dirty Diplomacy

Secret government documents reveal that the UK is implicated in a major, multimillion dollar push by the Canadian government to promote tar sands internationally, and undermine key EU and US climate legislation. The revelations come in a report released by Climate Action Network [1], the day after hundreds of people gathered outside more than 20 Canadian diplomatic missions across the world to voice concern about the Canadian government’s aggressive foreign policy to further the interests of the tar sands industry.

See http://www.no-tar-sands.org/2012/03/uk-complicit-in-canadian-governments-dirty-diplomacy/.

See http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/feb/17/olympic-games-protest-bp-sponsorship.

There is more tar sands campaign news and urgent action requests at http://www.no-tar-sands.org/2012/02/olympics-slammed-over-bp-sponsorship/.

See also the photo essay on the Alberta tarsands and the impacts of tarsands exploitation on Indigenous Peoples at http://www.conversationsearth.org/index.php?temp=media&id_story=55.

See http://www.no-tar-sands.org/2012/01/calling-all-foreign-radicals/.

See http://www.no-tar-sands.org/2012/01/huge-victory-obama-kills-keystone/.

Oliver’s comments came one day before federal regulatory hearings began on whether to approve Enbridge’s Northern Gateway pipeline, which would deliver crude from Alberta’s oilsands to Kitimat, B.C., for shipment to Asia.

See http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/01/09/pol-joe-oliver-radical-groups.html.

See http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/01/us-oilsands-idUSTRE7B025I20111201

At the same time, the UK government was being lobbied by Shell and BP, which both have major tar sands projects in Alberta, and opened a new consulate in the province to “support British commercial interests”.

See http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/nov/27/canada-oil-sands-uk-backing

On the eve of the 17th UNFCCC, the world’s climate summit, the UK Tar Sands Network will serve papers to Shell UK executives on behalf of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN). ACFN plans to sue Shell for failure to meet contractual agreements made between Shell and the First Nations regarding existing tar sands projects within ACFN traditional territory and Canada’s pristine Athabasca, a UNESCO heritage site. Chief Allan Adam along with the entire council of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN) will rally outside Shell Canada corporate headquarters in downtown Calgary later today and hold a press conference.

After years of agreements with Shell Oil, the Athabasca Chipewyan people have decided to risk everything by challenging Shell’s practices and filing suit.  “We’re drawing the line, and taking a strong stand against Shell. ACFN wants no further developments until Shell is brought to justice and our broader concerns about the cumulative impacts in the region are addressed,” stated Chief Adam.

The agreements in question were meant to ensure Shell would provide a number of measures to lessen the impact of tar sands mines on ACFN. In addition to the lawsuit against Shell, ACFN also plans to oppose all future tar sands projects by Shell. “Tar sands have been widely recognized as the most destructive project on earth because of the serious impacts on treaty and aboriginal rights, ecological destruction and global green house gas emissions (GHG),” commented Suzanne Dhaliwal from the UK Tar Sands Network. “Shell is one of the largest players in the tar sands producing close to 20% of overall production and it needs to be held accountable for the mass destruction it is causing to communities and the environment.”

Shell Canada recently submitted proposals to expand its current tar sands operations which, if approved, would more then double their production. This would translate into further encroachment of open pit mines on ACFN traditional lands, and into the pristine wilderness of the Pierre River, a previously untouched area.

Chief Adam stated, “Shell has failed to meet past commitments and governments have done nothing to mitigate the issue. Current government monitoring is inadequate, and Shell cannot be trusted to monitor itself.” ACFN is rightfully concerned these projects will further impact the First Nation’s ability to exercise treaty rights in a meaningful way into the future. “We don’t want our community to become the next Niger Delta, where Shell’s unregulated actions have left communities devastated and resulted in the need for a 30-year clean-up estimated to cost $1 billion USD. The fate of our communities and our river is at stake and we are in the crosshairs of Shell’s plans to aggressively expand tar sands in our traditional territory. We ask the public to support ACFN’s efforts to stop Shell from permanently destroying our lands and community.”

An international coalition of Indigenous and environmental groups, including Keepers of the Athabasca, Greenpeace, Indigenous Environmental Network, Sierra Club Prairie, AWA, Pembina, Council of Canadians, International Indigenous Treaty Council, AFN Regional Office (NWT), Carrier Sekani Tribal Council, Dene Nation, Platform, London Mining Network, UK Tar Sands Network and People & Planet endorsed today’s action echoing the call on Shell Oil Canada and Shell Oil International to halt any further tar sand extraction in the Athabasca region until proper environmental safeguards are put into place in accordance with the treaties between Canada and First Nations government.

See http://www.no-tar-sands.org/get-the-shell-out-of-the-tar-sands/
***Photo Opportunity 11:00 am  Shell Centre, London SE1 7NA***
Eriel Deranger (Canada) – 001 780-903-6598
Suzanne Dhaliwal (UK)  – 07967758641

See http://www.no-tar-sands.org/2011/11/pipe-dreams-keystone-delayed-until-2013/.

See http://www.no-tar-sands.org/2011/11/uk-activists-surround-miniature-white-house-as-pipeline-protests-go-global/.

Protesters presented an alternative perspective to the one-sided lecture by asking difficult questions throughout.

See http://www.no-tar-sands.org/2011/10/canada-poses-as-%e2%80%9cfriendly-green-oil-giant%e2%80%9d-to-win-over-uk-universities/.

See also
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/10/20/uk-greens-oil-sands-idUKTRE79J65V20111020

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Minister+challenged+British+students+during+oilsands+tour/5581538/story.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

http://business.financialpost.com/2011/10/20/minister-challenged-by-u-k-students-during-oilsands-tour/

http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/Minister+challenged+British+students+during+oilsands+tour/5581538/story.html

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/europe/Greens-hijack-Canadian-oil-sands-European-speech/articleshow/10432315.cms

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/business/Protesters+hijack+oilsands+talk/5584756/story.html

and Oil sands imports could be banned under EU directive, http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/oct/04/oil-sands-imports-eu-ban

The campaigners stripped down to Union Jack boxers and maple leaf underwear and covered each other with oil while kissing and groping in a provocative ‘oil orgy’.

See http://www.no-tar-sands.org/category/latestupdates/.

Carine Nadal of the Gaia Foundation offers some reflections on the trial.

Ecocide could become a 5th crime against peace on a par with genocide of humans.  It would be a universal crime which could be tried anywhere, and one of strict liability.  Intention to cause damage would be irrelevant, Ecocide is a crime of consequence – the fact of causing extensive damage would be enough.  Ecocide would also impose superior responsibility – so directors of companies would be held accountable.

Polly is calling on the United Nations to adopt this proposal as early as 2012.  What is needed is an amendment to the Rome Statute by a 2/3rd majority (86 States).  For more information see http://www.thisisecocide.com

The Hamilton group and other organisations organised this inspiring and mobilising event. For more information about the event see: http://www.thehamiltongroup.org.uk/common/ecocide.asp

Thanks Polly, Simon and all involved for this important contribution towards Thomas Berry’s call to transform our laws (and governance systems) from human to Earth-centred, for the health and integrity of the whole Earth Community.

The trial revealed the following:

Urgent need for a crime of Ecocide  to hold accountable companies destroying Earth

If companies engage in potentially damaging activities, then the responsibility and onus is on them to prevent damage.  Where damage does occur companies should do all they can to mitigate and redress the harm done to all species.  Polly argues that a crime of Ecocide would bring about a  shift in consciousness.  Polly sees the potential for companies to change and do good for the public benefit.  The trial did highlight the importance of how we define Ecocide and how companies could get round it by showing a lack of evidence that they caused the damage.  Thanks to the mock trial, Polly will be re-drafting the proposed Ecocide crime to tighten any loopholes.

A  precautionary  approach is needed

If scientific evidence that damage will occur is lacking, this should mean we take preventative action, rather than going ahead with potentially damaging activities.  An emerging challenge is fracking e.g. in Nigeria.  Nnimmo Bassey (Head of Friends of the Earth International and winner of the 2010 Right Livelihood Award) and others are campaigning for ‘leaving oil in the soil, coal in the hole and tar sands in the land’.   (On 26th September, Nnimmo gave a talk at the Gaia Foundation Learning Centre about ‘Justice for the Earth Community: Defending the Rights of Nature and holding Corporations to Account’, and shared stories of oil spills in Nigeria and the Gulf of Mexico.  A transcript and podcast of the Gaia evening will be available soon.)

Lawyers and legal system need to become eco-literate

The limitations of the current legal system were clear.  Law tends to take a narrow, reductionist snap-shot rather than a holistic, interconnected and long-term approach.  Law requires proof of causation – evidence that the person caused the damage. For example the defence argued that the charge of Ecocide in this instance would be the death of birds landing on the toxic Tar Sands ‘ponds’ – not the death of birds and other species caused by the leaching of the toxic water into surrounding ecosystems or the wider destruction of their forest habitat to make way for Tar Sands development .  There is no account of the interconnectedness of life or future generations.

To ensure justice for the whole Earth Community – lawyers should learn how our Earth functions and become eco-literate in reading Earth’s laws, limits and processes.  Ecology is not/rarely an option in legal education.  In the meantime, there should be more dialogues and collaboration between eco-literate communities, Gaia scientists and resilience practitioners so that legal arguments are based on reality and laws of the Earth.

Urgent need to recognise the rights of Nature

Earth has no/ a small voice in the court room.  Currently there are few representatives or guardians of Earth to voice the interests of Earth in court.  Decisions affecting the Earth Community are made remotely in a court room, miles away from the destruction.  it also became clear that recognising a crime of Ecocide is not enough. If a company director were not found guilty of Ecocide and destruction of ecosystems then potentially there would be no justice for Earth and her communities.  We also need to recognise the inherent rights of Nature, enforceable by communities and guardians in court e.g. Ecuadorian Constitution.  The crime of Ecocide and rights of Nature are complementary.

Sign the petition to call on your Government to endorse the Universal Declaration of Rights of Mother Earth.
http://www.rightsofmotherearth.com/ We need 1 million signatures by Rio +20, June 2012.

We are all complicit in consuming oil, which has devastating impacts

The defence argued that the company director was being used as a ‘scapegoat’ for the sins of society.  There was recognition during the event that we are all complicit in depending on oil for food and most activities.  We have a responsibility to stop consumption and shift towards less destructive forms of energy.  Michael Mansfield QC (lawyer for the prosecution) highlighted that ‘we are all trustees of the planet’ ‘We need to say I played my part and responsibility.’

There is a growing social movement for justice for the Earth Community

As Gandhi said we need to be the change we want to see in the world.  There are inspiring and positive actions around the world e.g. practices of the African Biodiversity Network (http://www.africanbiodiversity.org) and Community Ecological Global Alliances.  We need to unite in solidarity and advocate for the rights of Nature and uphold our responsibilities of trusteeship to the present and future generations of the whole Earth Community.

You can also join the Global Alliance for Rights of Nature.
http://therightsofnature.org/  There are almost 1000 signatures from around the world.  Do sign up!  Especially to the working groups e.g. ancestral wisdom.

See the six-minute ‘trailer’ video at http://www.thehamiltongroup.org.uk/common/ecocide.asp