New oil drilling permits in the UK have sparked a backlash from environmentalists, according to the Guardian.
what's happening?
The British government has just given major oil companies the right to drill for dirty fuel in 24 new areas of the North Sea. the goal? The UK government says it will “benefit” the economy by extending the life of aging oil and gas basins.
Seventeen oil companies, including Shell and BP, have been granted licenses to drill in the central North Sea, northern North Sea and western Shetland Islands. And drilling could start before 2030, according to the North Sea Transition Authority.
Why is a drilling permit important?
The UK signed a pledge to phase out polluting fuels at the UN COP28 climate change talks in December. But now they are encouraging more drilling and sacrificing climate leadership for what environmentalists call “a pipe dream.”
Greenpeace UK says the government knows the polluting fuel industry is causing the climate crisis. “But instead of cracking down on oil and gas giants like Shell, they are giving the green light to a new drilling frenzy,” campaigner Philip Evans told the Guardian.
These approvals are unlikely to do much to secure the UK's energy supplies or lower prices. Most of the oil is exported to refineries in Europe. Meanwhile, climate experts have made it clear that any action that releases pollutants must stop if we are to limit the rise in global temperatures.
Bob Ward of the Grantham Institute said the move was “totally irresponsible” and undermined the UK's reputation and investor confidence in clean energy.
He said: “This suggests that the UK government has not acted in good faith on its COP28 commitments.”
What should I do about drilling licenses?
So what can concerned citizens do? Environmentalists recommend:
1. Contact your agent to express your opposition to new oil drilling. Ask for support for clean energy instead. The more vocal voters are, the harder it will be to ignore them.
2. Vote with your wallet. Choose banks and investment funds that don't finance dirty fuel. We support companies that lead in renewable energy and efficiency.
3. Cut your own impact on carbon dioxide. If possible, walk, bike, or take transit. Gradually switch from gas appliances to electric appliances. Even small changes add up.
4. Stay engaged and spread the word. Follow environmental organizations to track policy developments. Share articles about the need for a faster transition to clean energy. Together, we can increase public pressure for climate action.
Experts say that if enough efforts are put together, the UK can be put on a more sustainable path. The future is worth fighting for.
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