Archived press release

Call on UK Government to Stop Funding Oil Destruction

14 October 2004

"Where oil reigns, life is hell" - Oronto Douglas, Friends of the Earth Nigeria

Tony Blair and other G8 leaders must urgently act to stop supporting oil multinationals plundering Nigeria for oil, a leading Nigerian environmentalist said today (Thursday), as he arrived in London for the European Social Forum (ESF) [1].

Oronto Douglas, an environmental and human rights lawyer in the Niger Delta, made the call at the launch of Infernal Combustion, Friends of the Earth's multi-media project commissioned for the European Social Forum, which recreates the environment endured by thousands of people in the Niger Delta whose lives are dominated by gas flaring from oil extraction [2].

Friends of the Earth is highlighting the damage caused by gas flaring in Nigeria as one of the devastating impacts of the oil industry, which is causing environmental destruction, social conflict and fuelling climate change.

But despite its damaging impacts, the oil industry receives public funding from the UK Government to support new pipelines and operations via publicly-funded financial bodies, such as the World Bank and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Friends of the Earth is urging people attending the ESF to join their call to Tony Blair and the world leaders attending the G8 summit in Britain next year to stop subsidising our addiction to oil [2].

Oronto Douglas, deputy director of Friends of the Earth Nigeria, said:

"The current conflict in Nigeria is yet another example of how oil is damaging my country. Oil has polluted the lives of generations in the Niger Delta, our farmland has been lost and our water courses spoiled. The UK Government must recognise it is complicit in this destruction as it supports the oil economy and allows oil companies to operate regardless of their devastating impacts."

Friends of the Earth spokesperson Hannah Griffiths said:

"Oil is one of many unifying issues for people coming to the ESF. Our addiction to oil fuels war, climate change and destruction. Infernal Combustion highlights the reality of life in Nigeria where corporate profits trample over people's health and the environment."

Thousands of people from across Europe are expected to attend ESF to join in creative discussions and hear internationally renowned speakers on a diverse range of current issues. The Forum, taking place for the first time in London, brings together individuals, grassroots organisations and political movements from across Europe to address issues they face, such as environmental destruction, global trade, democracy, racism and corporate power. Representatives from Friends of the Earth International will be speaking at a number of events.

Oronto Douglas will be at the launch of Infernal Combustion and will also speak at the plenary on Oil Addiction - energy politics, corporate power and global climate change on Friday 15^th October, 9am. He will be available for interview at a press conference on Friday 15^th October at 12.10pm at the European Social Forum (Great Hall 10, Alexandra Palace) [4].

Notes

[1] The European Social Forum takes place in London from Thursday 14^th to Sunday 17^th October. The ESF is an open international event organised along democratic principles by all participating organisations. A range of European social movements and civil society organisations will debate ways of making "another world possible" and alternatives to the "process of globalisation commanded by the large multinational corporations and by the governments and international institutions at the service of those corporations' interests".

Further details can be found at: www.fse-esf.org

[2] Friends of the Earth launch Infernal Combustion on Thursday 14^th October, from 11.30am to 12.30pm, on Malet Street, London (outside University of London Union). Oronto Douglas - environmental and human rights lawyer and deputy director of Friends of the Earth Nigeria will be available for interview at the launch.

[3] Friends of the Earth will be asking people attending the European Social Forum (ESF) to send a postcard to Tony Blair as the host of the G8 summit in Britain next year, calling on the G8 to stop subsidising our addiction to oil.

[4] Friends of the Earth will host a joint press conference with War on Want and WDM on Friday 15^th October at 12.10pm. Speakers are Oronto Douglas, Walden Bello, Rudolph Amenga-Etego and Berenice Celeyta. Further information from the press office at Friends of the Earth.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust