Statement by Wenonah Hauter, Executive Director, Food & Water Watch and Food & Water Europe
Washington, D.C. and Brussels – “Today, Scotland’s government banned fracking, acknowledging what the science shows: if we want to address climate change, we have to start with cutting fossil fuel emissions.”
“Banning fracking is a necessary step towards beating the worst effects of climate chaos, and the UK and the U.S. should follow Scotland’s example. In the U.S., we already have the means to start moving off of fracking swiftly—the Off Fossil Fuels For a Better Future Act, which would mandate a just transition to 100 percent clean renewable energy by 2035, starting with 80 percent within the next 10 years.
“Giant energy company Ineos, which invested heavily in its Scottish facility at Grangemouth, fought hard against this ban, even threatening to explore legal action against the government if it passed. But people power prevailed, and it will continue to prevail. We can’t let companies like ExxonMobil and Ineos stop the inevitable march towards clean energy. Bold and swift policy change is our only hope for addressing our climate goals. We applaud the Scottish government for doing what’s right for people and the planet.”
Contact:
Frida Kieninger: +32 (0) 2893 1045 – [email protected]