Petrol pumps have run dry across the Midlands and South East of England as supporters of the Just Stop Oil coalition continue to disrupt supplies from critical oil terminals
The Just Stop Oil actions began on 1st April, coinciding with loss of the energy price cap which saw household energy bills rise by 54% overnight resulting in millions being plunged into poverty.[1]
There is increasing evidence that this is having a knock on effect on oil supplies to petrol stations, with reports of fuel shortages in across the southern England and Wales including Oxford, Kent, Norfolk, Essex, Dorset and Gwynedd.[2]
Just Stop Oil is demanding that the government stop all new oil and gas projects in the UK. The actions, which have affected 11 critical oil terminals across the 4 days, have included roadblocks, tanker surfing and people tunnelling underneath access roads to prevent oil trucks leaving sites. [3]
Kenny Alexander, an ex oil and gas worker from Grangemouth Scotland, said:
“I worked in the oil and gas industry for thirty five years, I have witnessed first hand the damage that burning fossil fuels has done. There is billions of pounds worth of oil flowing through my community, yet it all belongs to a few private companies, who are literally stealing our children’s future. They are making billions in profits while local people see massive hikes in fuel costs and their cost of living.
The government just needs to get a grip and make the no-brainer changes necessary to reduce our reliance on oil and gas – insulation, renewables and free public transport.”
Miranda Whelehan, a student from Brighton said:
“I have studied what our consumption of oil is doing to countries across the world. Those who burn the least oil or have contributed the least to this fossil-fuel addicted society, are now paying the highest price as their homes are washed and burnt away. The same thing is happening in the UK. Ordinary people are being forced to pay for our government’s love affair with oil, while those responsible get tax-cuts and have ‘more money than they know what to do with’.
The Just Stop Oil Coalition is calling on all of those whose futures are being destroyed, who are facing poverty and who are outraged at the prospect of continuing our dependence on fossil fuels to step up and take action, join our daily zoom calls at 7pm. It’s 2022 and the time to stand by has passed.
ENDS
Press contact: 07762 987334
Email: [email protected]
High quality photos and video footage available here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Dgcuv5vJjzfdSrdpX6HJEaayoidc08xy?usp=sharing
Website: https://juststopoil.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JustStopOil/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/just.stopoil/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JustStop_Oil
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-t4U1Azf8AOkCBJILSNBmw
Notes to Editors
[1] CNN, Energy prices: UK bills rise by record 54%, https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/energy-prices-uk-bills-rise-by-record-54/ar-AAVKvRL
[3] Fuel shortages reported by Twitter users
April 4th
Colchester
April 3rd
Norwich
Kidlington
Tolgate:
Bangor:
Wolverhampton:
Watford:
Eastbourne:
Saffron Walden
Nottinghamshire
[3] About Just Stop Oil
Just Stop Oil is a coalition of groups working together to demand that the government immediately halt all future licensing and consents for the exploration, development and production of fossil fuels in the UK.
We must urgently end our reliance on fossil fuels to avoid irreversible changes in the earth’s climate system. We cannot continue to burn fossil fuels in the belief that future developments in carbon capture and storage and other so-called “unicorn technologies” will allow us to suck vast quantities of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
The UK must begin this process immediately. It starts by calling a halt to any further fossil fuel projects on the UK Continental Shelf. That would give us eight years of fossil fuel production left in which to rapidly transition to a zero carbon economy.
Everyone knows we have to engage in massive changes. Just Stop Oil is a coalition of groups demanding the no-brainer things be done immediately – actions that will reduce the demand for fossil fuel energy dramatically such as insulating our homes, rethinking how we travel, getting on with renewable energy and making sure no-one is left behind.
We either come together as humanity or we die. Youth know which they choose. They have already chosen. They are in the streets to demand a future. We are all in the streets to make sure they get it. It’s as basic as that.
Further information about Just Stop Oil and our demands here: https://www.juststopoil.org