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#TellShell to Get Out of the Arctic!

by Chris Eaton

July 20, 2012

A polar bear asks for helpCall Shell and tell them to stay out of the Arctic! If you’re in the US call 1-888-907-6639 or enter your number in the form below and well patch you through to Shell.

Oh to be a fly on the wall of a Shell boardroom this week!

Activists all round the world have been taking action to #TellShell to get out of the Arctic.

Despite Greenpeace Netherlands taking over Shells headquarters, Greenpeace UK activists shutting down 78 of the companys petrol stations, Greenpeace France and Mexico occupying their offices, petrol station actions in Denmark, Finland, Hungary and the Czech Republic and Greenpeace Argentina sending 35 climbers to shut down its Buenos Aires refinery, Shell still hasnt got the message.

To win this one we are going to need your help. Thats why we are handing this over to you now: we need you to #TellShell to get out of the Arctic.

On Friday July 20, from the moment the sun rises in New Zealand to when it sets in Alaska we need you to telephone Shell to make sure they get the message that they can come no further.

If you’re in the US, simply call 1-888-907-6639. We’ll call you with instructions and then patch you through to Shell.

If you are not in the US, you can find a number to call here.

We find it works best if you are polite, but firm. Try to stay on the line for a couple of minutes. A good way to extend the time is to ask questions that do not have yes or no answers. How do you feel about? Can you explain? Can you tell me..?If you would like help with what to say, try this:

“Hello is that __? I am phoning about Shells plans to drill in the Arctic.I would like to make a formal complaint about Shell’s decision to exploit melting sea ice to drill for more oil. Can you explain why you are ignoring climate change in favour of your profit margins?”

Some follow up material for you to use:

“This place needs to be protected. Oil companies should not be drilling for oil where a spill cannot be cleaned up. Its oil that got us into this climate change mess in the first place thats why the ice is melting. This is a warning sign not a green light to continue destroying the planet.

 

“Can you tell me more about Shells plans? How much oil is down there? I’ve heard there could be about three years worth of global supply. Does your company think that’s worth the risk?

“How can Shell clean up an oil spill in the freezing arctic? Are you really telling me there will never be a spill? What about the people and the unique wildlife like polar bears and Arctic foxes that will suffer? Most scientists say that you’re only going to clean up about 5% of a spill. Is that an acceptable amount for your company

 

“Can I speak to your manager please? It is important that Shell listens to public opinion otherwise it is alienating its customers. I’d like to know that this conversation has been recorded — could you send me an email receipt of it please?

“Can someone phone me back about this?

“Thanks goodbye.”

Its over to you now together we will get Shell out of the Arctic!

By Chris Eaton

Chris is the Senior Digital Campaigns Manager at Greenpeace USA. He's passionate about building movements and connecting change makers through digital storytelling. Follow him on Twitter at @chr15_eat0n.

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