Brussels – More than forty civil society organisations from all over the world sent a letter today to Members of the European Parliament encouraging them to support the Human Right to Water in the vote on the Directive on the Quality of Water for Human Consumption that will take place in the plenary in Strasbourg next week.
Marcela Olivera, coordinator of the Inter-American Network for the Defense and the Right to Water (La Red VIDA) said: “The vote at the European Parliament will have a huge impact on access to water for all in Europe, but will also contribute to shape global policies on water. The European Parliament has a great responsibility to push Europe to lead the way to implement the Human Right to Water and to show its commitment to achieve goal number 6 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.”
The signatory organisations asked members of the European Parliament to support the Alternative Compromise Amendments to article 13 of the mentioned directive that would result in a real commitment to provide access to water for all in the EU. The compromise amendments would also be a big step forward in the effort to stop plastic pollution, as they would encourage restaurants and bars in the EU to provide free tap water, encourage municipalities to install public fountains and encourage public administrations to stop selling bottled water.
Wenonah Hauter, Executive Director of Food & Water Watch added: “In addition to affirming the human right to water, members of the European Parliament can use this opportunity to move Europe closer to its goal of tackling plastic pollution from bottled water. Europe is importing US fracked gas to produce plastic, which is devastating the global environment and local communities alike. Avoiding bottled water in restaurants and public buildings like the European Parliament would be strong signal in the right direction.”
Brussels – Today, UK energy firm Cuadrilla began its first fracking operation in Preston New Road, Lancashire. Despite ongoing protests, blockades, a permanent camp, and a 2015 vote of the county council rejecting fracking in Lancashire, the government allowed the fracking firm to go ahead.
The UK’s go ahead with fracking coincides with the Global Days of Action against Gas and Fracking – the Gasdown-Frackdown, taking place around 13 October. With a growing movement, groups across the planet take action demanding a fossil free future, standing with the people of Lancashire and fracking-affected communities around the world.
“Today’s first fracking operation in the UK in over seven years illustrates the UK government is heading in the completely wrong direction on climate change, while denying the rights of affected communities,” says Wenonah Hauter, Executive Director of Food & Water Europe and Food & Water Watch. “The effects of climate change are already here. This summer’s drought had devastating results on European crop yields and threatened to lead to a UK food supply crisis. Unnatural disasters are occurring around the globe. It is deeply cynical that amidst these events we still talk about fracking in a country completely unsuitable for any form of it. The rights and health of people in Lancashire cannot be sacrificed for corporate interests.”
This summer, Cuadrilla completed its second shale gas well, ironically at the same time as a hosepipe ban was announced for parts of England due to an ongoing water shortage. “Pumping millions of litres of water underground in order to extract gas seems completely out of touch with reality and thwarts efforts necessary to keep global temperatures below 1.5 – the aim of the Paris Climate Agreement – and measures necessary to keep our planet liveable,” says Frida Kieninger, Campaigns Officer at Food & Water Europe. “It is more than unsettling to see that after all the environmental, climate, social and economic issues we have seen linked to fracking, it still plays a significant role in Europe’s energy policy.”
Even in Europe where fracking has been banned or restricted in several states, these bans often do not exclude all forms of fracking and do not block fracked gas from entering the EU, shipped in small volumes at the moment in the form of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG).
There is a growing movement of NGOs, researchers and grassroots activists protesting against these developments. Around 13 October the Gasdown-Frackdown, the Global Action Days against fracking and gas take place, where actions across the planet show a movement against fracking and gas that does not accept another generation of fossil fuel dependency.
COMMUNITIES FROM SIX CONTINENTS TAKE ACTION AGAINST GAS AND FRACKING
On and around October 13th, over 90 groups from six continents came together in a united fight against the gas, fracking and plastics/petrochemicals industry for the Global Gasdown-Frackdown Day of Action.
Over a thousand people took action across North and South America, Africa, Europe, Asia and Oceania.
On and around October 13th, communities across the world united to take action, demanding a fossil-free future and real solutions.
Quotes
Osazee Prince Edigin, from ASEC in Nigeria, says “Our connection to the global movement is to signal our government, the multinationals and their collaborators that our struggle to end gas and fracking and the need for transition to clean and renewable sources of energy is a global movement that is not peculiar to Nigeria. It will vibrate louder and stronger.”
“Having a global Gasdown-Frackdown shows we’re not alone. That other people as well are putting up a fight for what they love- be it their land, water, health or the climate. And that’s always encouraging” says a spokesperson from NoTAP Belgium, protesting against TAP a planned mega pipeline carrying gas from Azerbaijan to the EU.
One of the actions that took place was an event informing about socio-environmental impacts of fracking in Monterrey, Mexico. Teresa Garza, from Movimiento en Defensa de la Madre Tierra y de la Vida says: “I’ve seen the reaction of those who find out what fracking is and what it means. It is impossible to be indifferent. I think information is a good first step to fight against this horrid activity.”
In Brussels, several environmental NGOs met to show unity against gas. “The recently published IPCC report shows the urgency of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees and the need to phase out all fossil fuels, coal, oil and gas. We can’t afford to keep burning gas if we want to preserve a planet liveable for future generations. This action day, uniting different struggles across the world is a strong sign of resistance and hope”, says Frida Kieninger from Food & Water Europe.
COMUNIDADES DE SEIS CONTINENTES SE MOVILIZAN CONTRA EL GAS Y EL FRACKING
Alrededor del 13 octubre, más de 90 grupos de seis continentes participarán en elDía Global de Acción Gasdown-Frackdown, mostrando una lucha unida contra la industria del gas, del fracking y petroquímica.
Se están organizando más de mil personas en acciones en América del Norte, América del Sur, África, Europa, Asia y Oceanía.
El Gasdown-Frackdown conecta luchas contra el gas y el fracking a nivel internacional, subrayando el daño que hacen a la calidad del aire y del agua, a la salud de las comunidades y al clima. Entre muchos otros, hubo una acción de víctimas de lodos tóxicos originados por extracción de gas en Indonesia, una manifestación en Australia Occidental, teatro callejero en Ámsterdam, una manifestación en Nigeria, untaller vía internet (webinario) sobre los impactos en la salud causados por la extracción de gas y uncarnaval anti-fracking en el Reino Unido. Grupos de todo el mundo se han unido en una lucha internacional, exigiendo soluciones reales para nuestro clima – la gente y el clima ya no toleran una generación más de combustibles fósiles.
Alrededor del 13 de octubre, comunidades en todo el mundo se han unido para realizar acciones descentralizadas, exigiendo un futuro sin combustibles fósiles y soluciones reales.
Citas
Osazee Prince Edigin, deASEC in Nigeria, dice “Nuestra conexión con el movimiento global es una señal para nuestro gobierno, las multinacionales y sus colaboradores de que nuestra lucha para parar el gas y el fracking y la necesidad de una transición a fuentes de energía limpias y renovables es un movimiento global y no solo nigeriano. Se oye más fuerte.”
“Que ocurra un Gasdown-Frackdown global demuestra que no estamos solos en esa lucha. Nos muestra que otras personas también están luchando para cuidar lo que aman: sus tierras, su salud, o el clima. Y eso te da ánimo”, contó el portavoz de NoTAP Bélgica, grupo que protesta contra el TAP, un megagaseoducto que traerá gas desde Azerbaiyán hacia Europa.
En Bruselas varias ONG ecologistas se juntarán para demostrar su unión contra el gas. “El informe del IPCC que acaba de ser publicado subraya la emergencia que existe en limitar el calentamiento global a +1.5 grados y la necesidad de eliminar la producción y el consumo de todas las energías fósiles, el carbón, el petróleo y el gas. No podemos seguir quemando gas si queremos preservar el planeta para las generaciones futuras. Este día de acción que reúne a varias luchas alrededor del planeta es una gran señal de resistencia y de esperanza”, afirmó Frida Kieninger de Food & Water Europe.
– Selección de imágenes de acciones en las páginas siguientes – Más fotos disponibles en nuestra página de Facebook, o vía correo electrónico a: [email protected]
COMUNIDADES DE SEIS CONTINENTES SE MOVILIZAN CONTRA EL GAS Y EL FRACKING
Alrededor del 13 octubre, más de 80 grupos de seis continentes participarán en el Día Global de Acción Gasdown-Frackdown, mostrando una lucha unida contra la industria del gas, del fracking y petroquímica.
Se están organizando docenas de acciones en América del Norte, América del Sur, África, Europa, Asia y Oceanía.
El Gasdown-Frackdown conecta luchas contra el gas y el fracking a nivel internacional, incluyendo una acción de víctimas de lodos tóxicos originados por extracción de gas en Indonesia, una manifestación en Australia Occidental, teatro callejero en Ámsterdam, una manifestación en Nigeria, untaller vía internet (webinario) sobre los impactos en la salud de la extracción de gas y uncarnaval anti-fracking en Reino Unido. Se han sumado activistas de la lucha contra lacontaminación por plástico que también está ligada con los combustibles fósiles y el fracking. Exigimos soluciones reales para nuestro clima – la gente y el clima ya no aguantan una generación mas de combustibles fósiles.
Una de las acciones es un foro regional sobre los impactos socioambientales del fracking en Monterrey, Mexico. Teresa Garza del Movimiento en Defensa de la Madre Tierra y de la Vida: “He visto la reacción de quienes se enteran de lo que es y lo que implica el fracking; imposible permanecer indiferentes. Creo que la información es un primer paso para una lucha efectiva contra esa calamidad. Me alegra estar cerca de una organización seria y responsable, que trabaja en conexión con otros países propiciando la participación ciudadana en foros como este.”
“Que ocurra un Gasdown-Frackdown global demuestra que no estamos solos en esa lucha. Nos muestra que otras personas también están luchando para cuidar lo que aman: sus tierras, su salud, o el clima. Y eso te da ánimo“ contó el portavoz de NoTAP Bélgica, grupo que protesta contra el TAP, un mega gaseoducto que traerá gas desde Azerbaiyán hacia Europa.
En Bruselas varias ONG ecologistas se juntarán para demostrar unidad contra el Gas. “El informe del IPCC que acaba de ser publicado subraya la emergencia que existe en limitar el calentamiento global a +1.5 grados y la necesidad de eliminar la producción y el consumo de todas las energías fósiles, el carbón, el petróleo y el gas. No podemos seguir quemando gas si queremos preservar el planeta para las generaciones futuras. Este día de acción que reúne a varias luchas alrededor del planeta es una gran señal de resistencia y de esperanza” afirmó Frida Kieninger de Food & Water Europe.
Alrededor del 13 octubre, comunidades en todo el mundo organizarán acciones descentralizadas, exigiendo un futuro sin combustibles fósiles y soluciones reales.
COMMUNITIES FROM SIX CONTINENTS TAKE ACTION AGAINST GAS AND FRACKING
On and around October 13th, over 80 groups from six continents will stand together in a united fight against the gas, fracking and plastics/petrochemicals industry for the Global Gasdown-Frackdown Day of Action.
Dozens of actions are planned across North and South America, Africa, Europe, Asia and Oceania.
One of the actions taking place is an event informing about socio-environmental impacts of fracking in Monterrey, Mexico. Teresa Garza, from Movimiento en Defensa de la Madre Tierra y de la Vida says: “I’ve seen the reaction of those who find out what fracking is and what it means. It is impossible to be indifferent. I think information is a good first step to fight against this horrid activity. I am happy to be near a serious and responsible organization that works with networks with in countries supporting citizens participation in forums such as this.”
“Having a global Gasdown-Frackdown shows we’re not alone. That other people as well are putting up a fight for what they love- be it their land, water, health or the climate. And that’s always encouraging” says a spokesperson from NoTAP Belgium, protesting against TAP a planned mega pipeline carrying gas from Azerbaijan to the EU.
In Brussels, several environmental NGOs will meet to show unity against gas. “The recently published IPCC report shows the urgency of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees and the need to phase out all fossil fuels, coal, oil and gas. We can’t afford to keep burning gas if we want to preserve a planet liveable for future generations. This action day, uniting different struggles across the world is a strong sign of resistance and hope”, says Frida Kieninger from Food & Water Europe.
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