One activist was successful in preventing the ship from raising
its anchor to berth at the refinery by attaching himself to the
anchor chain. Greenpeace wants to tell the world: “Don’t Buy
ExxonMobil.”
The shale oil that was carried on the ship was produced at the
Stuart Project, an experimental plant adjacent to Australia’s
famous Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. The Stuart Project
has had discussions with companies all over the world for
investments so that it can expand its shale oil project. A Canadian
mining company, Suncor, pulled out of the project in 2001 citing
concerns about its environmental impacts and financial viability.
Three years behind schedule, $100 million over budget and plagued
by technical problems, ExxonMobil is the only company that will buy
the shale oil.
“Once again ExxonMobil’s actions speak for itself as the number
one global warming villain,” said Melanie Duchin, Greenpeace
Climate Campaigner. “The company has done more than any other oil
company to sabotage government action on global warming and keep
the United States and the world addicted to dirty fossil fuels.
Investing in shale oil – a fossil fuel that produces even more
global warming pollution than oil – is par for ExxonMobil’s course
given the company’s track record on global warming.”
This protest is the latest in an escalating worldwide campaign
against ExxonMobil. ExxonMobil routinely gives political
contributions to elected officials who oppose action on global
warming and spends millions on efforts to secure government
subsidies for dirty energy. A Deutsche Bank Report on ExxonMobil
warned the company of Greenpeace’s campaign stating “…being
handed a reputation as environmental enemy number one has to be
considered a brand risk.”
“ExxonMobil has done more than any other oil company to keep the
U.S. addicted to oil,” continued Duchin. “People have the right to
know that when they buy ExxonMobil, they are supporting the number
one global warming villain. If we are going to stop global warming,
we must stop ExxonMobil from polluting the planet and investing in
dirty energy sources like shale oil.”
The eight arrested activists, six
climbers and two boat drivers, have been charged with trespass. Two
Greenpeace inflatables being used as safety boats were also taken
by the police during the protest.
