Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Introduction:
Challenging oil
Contents
Introduction & contents
Page
2
The case for an oil-free future
The oil economy generates The economy of the
conflict and destruction at The case for an oil-free future 3 20th century was built
every stage of its cycle. on oil. For some, oil
Oil and conflict 4
It seizes land, pollutes rivers brought unprecedented
and rides roughshod over Repressive regimes 6 wealth and power. For
those who stand in its way. others it brought
Oil and development: The Midas touch in reverse 8
It will fight wars and repression and new
undermine international law The oil industry – a boon or burden for its workers? 10 forms of economic
to secure new supplies. colonialism.
Climate change – the biggest threat 12
It fuels the climate change
which threatens all our Oil corporations 13 Few oil-producing countries
futures with increasing freak have used their wealth
How much oil is left? 14 wisely. In many of them, oil
weather, and blinds us to its
impacts. This booklet brings Map – world oil 2004 16 has been a curse. It has
together the info and hijacked their economies
contacts to break the cycle State support for oil 18 and stifled small-scale Oil spill, Niger Delta, Nigeria. Photo: Adrian Arbib www.arbib.org
of oil addiction. The energy Friends in high places 19 sustainable development. It
for a sustainable future is in has created small, corrupt Maintaining a continued This is a short-term strategy
your hands. International financial institutions – key players 20 elites and provided them supply of oil has become a which only makes us more
with the means to repress major objective of UK and dependent on the oil-
This booklet was written by Jo unlocking global oil
those who try to challenge US foreign policy, leading us producing nations.
Hamilton, Lorne Stockman, Mark
Corporate capture of universities 22 their wealth and power. into new conflicts and new
Brown, George Marshall, Greg Oil is a finite resource - this
ethical compromises. And
Muttitt, and Nick Rau, designed by Solutions 24 Above all, oil has centralised is an indisputable fact. An
Stig and edited by Mark Lynas.
our continued use of oil is
power. The world we now energy transition away from
Towards an oil-free future 26 bringing a new and ever
inhabit has not just been oil is not just an option, at
greater threat. The burning
What you can do 27 shaped by oil, it has been some point it is an
of fossil fuels is the main
shaped by the needs and inevitability. Renewable
UK and global resistance to big oil 29 cause of the rapid and
desires of the small number energy is also the route to
dangerous changes in
Further info and websites 31 of people who control it. our independence and self-
weather patterns being
determination. It breaks the
Now, as we enter the 21st experienced all around the
www.risingtide.org.uk power of those who control
Whilst it is the product of ongoing Image credits for covers: century, we can see that our globe. If we burn the world's
collaborations between Rising Tide, the oil reserves and gives
remaining reserves of oil, we
Platform Platform Research and Friends of the
Earth EWNI, who are jointly calling for
Front cover main photo: George Osodi
SUV Rescue: London Rising Tide
continued dependency on oil
threatens the future of all of will induce a catastrophic
new hope to those who do
not, for even the poorest
Research Ltd. an end to public subsidies for fossil ESSO Tripod: Hugh Warwick us, rich and poor alike. As and permanent shift in our
fuel expansion, the opinions country is rich in sources of
One less car: Pinka Punka Pixies supplies fall ever further global climate.
www.carbonweb.org contained within do not necessarily natural power.
reflect the views of all contributors. Black smoke: George Osodi behind demand, the world
Measures to reduce oil-
Printed by Oxford GreenPrint on 100% ESSO spoof logo: www.stopesso.org faces economic crisis. It is time to embrace an oil-
recycled paper, using soya ink and
derived greenhouse gas
No public money pipe-line banner: Western countries are free future and to break
renewable energy. Covers printed on Friends of the Earth emissions are largely based
75% recycled paper (25% mill broke) scrambling to secure their away from this cycle of
Corporate logos and other images are around substituting oil with
by Seacourt, Oxford, on a waterless access to the last reserves. dependency.
www.foe.co.uk press. www.Oxfordgreenprint.com from various websites. gas.
2 w w w. n o n e w o i l . o r g October 2004 3
Beyond oil: the oil curse and solutions for an oil-free future Oil and conflict
4 w w w. n o n e w o i l . o r g October 2004 5
Beyond oil: the oil curse and solutions for an oil-free future Repressive regimes
regimes
tortured earlier this
year, following his of Iraq is the current
efforts to advise
landowners affected
occupation of the
by the BTC pipeline. United States.' -
Now the office has Howard Zinn, US
It is no coincidence that most been attacked
and windows historian, August
of the world's oil lies in thirty
smashed. 2003
countries which are also www.baku.org
governed by repressive
regimes.
For big international actors Secondly, huge oil revenues It is hardly surprising that Since then he has been
such as the US and UK, it is also provide governments Al-Qaeda has little trouble accused of massive
the stability of the oil- with the opportunity to recruiting Saudi youth when corruption and the murder
exporting country - not its develop a repressive security 40 per cent of the and torture of political
political nature - that is of apparatus that further population is under 15 years Banner drop for Jump start Ford campaign. opponents. While most of
paramount importance. isolates them from the old and 30 per cent are the population lives in abject
6 w w w. n o n e w o i l . o r g October 2004 7
Beyond oil: the oil curse and solutions for an oil-free future The Midas touch in reverse
four times more rapidly than schools where no lesson has becomes the option of choice
petroleum-rich countries ever been taught,” the report to fuel an end to poverty.”15
between 1970 and 199311. Crude oil in a drinking water well, Kpor, Ogoni, Nigeria, July 2004
reveals14.
Photo: Tim Nunn / SDN
8 w w w. n o n e w o i l . o r g October 2004 9
Beyond oil: the oil curse and solutions for an oil-free future The oil industr y - a boon or a burden for its workers?
10 w w w. n o n e w o i l . o r g October 2004 11
Beyond oil: the oil curse and solutions for an oil-free future Climate change: the biggest threat... Oil corporations
speeds up the planet's rose and rainfall and climate protection - the Carbon Caspian. and merging them to 27 Mboe/d = million barrels of oil
Logic'. http://archive.greenpeace.org/ become TNK-BP in a US$7
hydrological cycle. plummeted24. equivalent per day. This is an industry
climate/science/reports/fossil.pdf standard for amalgamating oil and gas
billion deal. production figures
12 w w w. n o n e w o i l . o r g October 2004 13
Beyond oil: the oil curse and solutions for an oil-free future How much oil is left?
14 w w w. n o n e w o i l . o r g October 2004 15
p 16 & 17 of
Beyond oil
the oil curse & solutions
for an oil-free future
Beyond oil: the oil curse and solutions for an oil-free future State support for oil... Friends in high places
high places
The UK government Top managers of BP and Shell have
identifies 'energy always been close to senior members of
security' as one of its the UK government. In fact, the two
key foreign policy companies are so thoroughly enmeshed
strategic priorities. in the British state that it is less a case
Behind this official phrase
of looking for connections than trying
lies a hidden agenda: to
to see any separation.
support the penetration of
UK oil companies into as Safer suppliers Underwriting deals They have no need for crude BP's trump card has
many exporting countries as The Foreign and The Export Credit Guarantee methods of influence such to be Blair's teenage
possible, encourage oil- Commonwealth Office is Department has provided as party donations or brown friend and former
exporting governments to actively promoting an energy around £500 million of envelopes. Instead, there is a personal secretary
open up their markets, and security policy primarily export guarantees to the oil revolving door for staff and Anji Hunter, who
prop up authoritarian aimed at decreasing reliance and gas sector per year in strong personal ties - became BP's Head of
regimes in the interests of on Middle East oil and the last three years. This is particularly between BP and Communications in
keeping the oil flowing. securing oil and gas flows about 14 per cent of its the Blair regime today. 2001 after working
Here are some other ways from Africa, Russia, the overall business. The British with Tony Blair The Shell tower, London
Much of the relationship is
the British government uses Caspian and Central Asia. It Embassy in Libya hired a almost continuously since
informal - government and
taxpayers' money to support identifies key partners in Shell employee in its his first election to Eileen Buttle, a Shell non-
corporate elites move in the
the private sector UK oil government as: DTI, DEFRA, commercial section in 2001- Parliament in 1983. During executive director since
same circles. Tony Blair and
industry. DfID, the Treasury, MOD, 2; in 2004, on the same day her time with Blair, Hunter 1998, has seats on a number
BP head John Browne are
Tax breaks Devolved Administrations Blair shook hands with has variously been described of influential panels and
personal friends35. Browne
and the Department for Gadaffi, Shell announced an as “the gatekeeper”, “the committees, including being
The UK has one of the was invited to put his name
Transport. exploration deal in the comfort blanket” and “the a UK member of the
world's most generous tax forward for appointment to
country. most influential non-elected European Environment
regimes for its oil and gas Embassy assistance the House of Lords and was
person in Downing Street”36. Agency's Scientific
fields in the North Sea, and British embassies in key oil- Conditional aid among the first 15 'Life
Committee and Deputy
has developed and drained producing countries work The government has used Peers' to be appointed under Shell also benefits greatly
Chairman of Imperial
these fields at an extremely closely with companies to international development the new system in April from connections in high
College's Council.
fast rate. In comparison, help them secure contracts aid to support the interests 2001. Nick Butler, Head of places. Shamed Chairman
Norway - a country with and improve their local of BP and Shell. DfID in Policy at BP, is a close friend Phillip Watts was replaced
35 See eg Financial Times, 1/8/02
similar oil and gas resources reputation. For example, the particular helps oil-rich of Jonathan Powell, Blair's by Lord Oxburgh, former 'Oiling the political engine'
to the UK - demands twice British Ambassador to countries set up regulatory Chief of Staff, and of Peter Chief Scientific Advisor to 36 The iVillage top 20 - Anji Hunter.
the tax take. This represents Indonesia, Richard Gozney, and taxation regimes which Mandelson. He has stood in the Ministry of Defence and See: www.ivillage.co.uk/newspol/
polpeople/top20/articles/0,,162333
a massive hidden subsidy to visited BP's massive gas favour investment by foreign the past as a Labour an active member of the
_183350-2,00.html
UK North Sea operators. project in Tangguh, West oil companies. candidate. House of Lords.
Papua, in 2001, and assured
local residents that BP would
do a good job.
18 w w w. n o n e w o i l . o r g October 2004 19
Beyond oil: the oil curse and solutions for an oil-free future International Financial Institutions
NOT
- 46 sub- projects much less EIB - European Investment Bank majority of the EIR
energy security
Saharan African politically risky and recommendations.
and big EBRD - European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
countries are encourages the flow of
corporations and JBIC - Japan Bank for International Cooperation
AT WAR
jointly further private money, 37 EIR civil society views
nothing to do with ECGD - UK Export Credit Guarantee Department
represented by effectively subsidising the www.eireview.info/
benefiting local EXIM - US Export-Import bank
just two World deal.
people. but my savings, taxes Bank officials.
and pension all help to
22 w w w. n o n e w o i l . o r g October 2004 23
Beyond oil: the oil curse and solutions for an oil-free future Solutions
24 w w w. n o n e w o i l . o r g October 2004 25
Beyond oil: the oil curse and solutions for an oil-free future Towards an oil-free future... What you can do
26 w w w. n o n e w o i l . o r g October 2004 27
Beyond oil: the oil curse and solutions for an oil-free future UK and global resistance to big oil
Political opportunities
In 2005 the UK will host the
There are growing alliances
of climate, development and
social justice groups making
or the Dissent network:
www.dissent.org.uk to find
out ways of getting involved
UK and global resistance to big oil
G8, have presidency of the LRT has zoned in on
links and mobilising around in G8 campaigning. Resistance to big
EU, and hold elections. cultural institutions
these issues for the oil is found all
Climate change and Africa such as the Tate
G8 and beyond. over the world
are key issues for the Britain, the Natural
Contact the G8 wherever it is
upcoming G8 - an ideal time History Museum and
climate action group: extracted,
to expose the hypocrisy of the Royal Opera
g8climatechange transported or
continued support for oil House. In exchange
@yahoo.co.uk refined.
while claiming to be tackling for cash
poverty. It comes in many sponsorship, these
forms and has institutions give BP
28 w w w. n o n e w o i l . o r g October 2004 29
Beyond oil: the oil curse and solutions for an oil-free future Further info and websites
BP's Baku Tbilisi Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline root causes of climate change. It focuses local
Oilwatch: www.oilwatch.org.ec/ -
Southern-based network of resistance
- a huge oil pipeline from Azerbaijan to campaigning on oil, war and climate change, to Big Oil.
Turkey - is being built largely to help runs campaigns, and supports local and Degrees of Capture: Universities, New Internationalist Issues:
Rising Tide: www.risingtide.org.uk -
national action on these issues. It produces the oil industry and climate Mired in crude (335); The Big
satisfy the West's "need" for secure change, 2003. Corporate Watch, Switch (357); Pipeline Cowboys
grassroots action on root causes of
materials and a monthly email news-sheet, climate change.
access to non-Middle Eastern oil. runs talks and workshops, and supports local Platform, NEF. For copies call: (361). www.newint.org Or call:
01865 791 391. 01858 438 896 for back issues. Friends of the Earth: www.foe.co.uk -
initiatives and action. Contact: Rising Tide - campaigns on climate, energy and
A big pipeline needs a big campaign and 16b Cherwell St, Oxford, OX4 3EN phone:
www.corporatewatch.org.uk/ Sustainable Energy for poverty corporate regulation.
pages/degrees_of_capture.htm
alliances were formed with NGOs, unions, 01865 241 097 reduction: an action plan, 2002.
Greenpeace: www.greenpeace.org.uk -
Fuelling Poverty: Oil, war and ITDG / GPI. www.itdg.org/
affected communities overseas and the UK campaigns & sign up for green
Kurdish community. The coalition focused PLATFORM corruption, Christian Aid, 2003.
Tel: 020 7620 4444.
?id=energy_action_plan electricity.
...is an interdisciplinary organisation working Behind the Shine: the other Shell People & Planet:
attention on the corporations, banks and www.christian-aid.org.uk/ report, 2003. FoE. www.shellfacts
on issues of environmental and social justice. indepth/0305cawreport/ www.peopleandplanet.org - key UK
government departments behind the project It specialises in research and analysis into oil .com/pdfs/shellreport_behind student campaign organisation.
fuellingpoverty.htm theshine.pdf
with regular protests at all their offices. Public corporations, and together with its sister Baku-Ceyhan Campaign:
Behind the Mask: The real face
organisation Platform Research, it develops www.baku.org.uk - ongoing
awareness grew through meetings, website and of corporate social responsibility, monitoring and campaigning.
new and creative strategies for long-term
postcard campaigns. Christian Aid, 2004. Books:
change. It is currently focused on the BTC www.christian-aid.org/ Stop Esso: www.stopesso.com &
pipeline, on Shell in Nigeria, on oil indepth/0401csr/csr_behind www.theyrule.net - the campaign and
Fact-finding missions met affected developments in Iraq and on the Sakhalin High Tide: News from a Exxon's tentacles.
themask.pdf Warming World, 2004. Mark
communities along the pipeline route; project in Russia's Far East, as well as exposing www.yes2wind.com
Exxon's climate footprint; Lynas www.marklynas.org
whistleblowers got in touch to highlight the connections between oil corporations and Failing the Challenge: the other Airport Pledge:
the British government. Contact: Platform - 7 Stormy Weather: 101 Solutions www.airportpledge.org.uk - new
construction problems; project documentation shell report, 2003, and more to Global Climate Change, 2001.
Horselydown Lane, London, SE1 2LN phone: reports. www.foe.co.uk/ coalition campaigning against airport
was scoured to identify failures to live up to Guy Dauncey & Patrick Mazza. expansion.
020 7403 3738 pubsinfo/pubscat/reports.html
promises. Although all deals were eventually #web How we can save the planet, Rainforest Action Network:
signed, campaigning against the pipeline Friends of the Earth Conflict, corruption and climate
2004. Mayer Hillman with Tina www.ran.org
...lobbies government, MPs and industry for Fawcett. Project Underground: www.moles.org
delayed the financing for many months. It change, June 2003.
increased support for renewables, tougher www.foe.co.uk/resource/briefings Paying for the Piper: Capital Global Community Monitor:
created a powerful opposition to the use of emission limits on big polluters, and joined-up /conflict_climate_change.pdf and labour in Britain's offshore www.gcmonitor.org
public money for similar future projects. The policy across government to meet our climate oil industry, 1997. Charles
Some Common Concerns: Woolfson, John Foster & Matthias
OILC: www.oilc.org - the offshore
ongoing campaign is working to hold those targets. FOE also works to promote better Imagining BP's Azerbaijan- union (UK North Sea).
regulation of corporations, and make them Beck, pub Mansell.
Georgia-Turkey pipelines system. ExxonMobil Solidarity:
institutions accountable for their decisions, responsible for protection of environment and Platform et al. www.baku.org.uk/ www.exxonmobil-solidarity.org -
and to support communities along the route people. some_common_concerns.htm connecting worker struggles
Key oil websites: internationally.
through the construction period. For further FOE encourages people power through easy The Price of Power: Poverty,
info see www.baku.org.uk. actions targeting key decision makers, and a climate change, the coming ICEM: www.icem.org - international
www.carbonweb.org - excellent confederation of energy-workers'
network of over 200 local groups campaign at energy crisis and the renewable
info on the oil corporations. unions.
a local level. revolution, New Economics
Foundation, 2004. www.nonewoil.org - this Colombia Solidarity Campaign:
FOE has been working closely with 'fenceline' www.neweconomics.org/gen/ booklet, campaigning info, www.colombiasolidarity.org.uk/
communities living near polluting Shell z_sys_publicationdetail. transcripts of talks and events. bpcampaign.html
refineries, pipelines and oil wells around the aspx?pid=182 www.petropulse.com - the Amazon Watch:
world. By attending the company's annual The Energy Tug of War: The impact of oil on everyday life - www.amazonwatch.org
general meetings, and through the production Winners and Losers of World articles, news, links. West Papua/ Indonesia: www.eco-
of an 'alternative' company annual report, Bank Fossil Fuel Finance, 2004; www.corporatewatch.org - see action.org/ssp/ & www.jatam.org
these affected people are given a voice to tell The World Bank and Fossil briefings on Halliburton and Environmental Rights Action:
their story to shareholders, press and public. Fuels: At the Crossroads; Crude Bechtel. www.eraction.org
Vision. SEEN. www.seen.org
FOE is actively campaigning on the BTC www.petropolitics.org - for Niger Delta Women for Justice:
pipeline, and Shell's Sakhalin 2 oil and gas Petropolitics conference briefing weblinks on petropolitics. www.ndwj.kabissa.org
project.Contact FoE EWNI 26-28 Underwood St, book, 2004. www.fpif.org/papers
/03petropol/ www.warprofiteers.com - Burma: www.burmacampaign.org.uk
London, N1 7JQ, phone: 020 7940 1555 profiling companies profiting in
Iraq.
30 w w w. n o n e w o i l . o r g October 2004 31