Andy D'Agorne

An interesting 'Greenspeak' this evening, discussing the concept of 'peak oil' and the relationship of oil prices to tackling climate change. Can we secure a civilised transition to a low carbon economy or will resource wars and boom and bust economics rule the day? Will rising prices simply mean that more marginal reserves become viable to extract? Meanwhile people are taking more direct action to secure a change in our energy policy:

'Leave it in the ground' are campaigning against plans already approved for a new large scale opencast coal mine in the Derbyshire countryside see
http://www.earthfirst.org.uk/leaveitintheground/

Today Climate campaigners have halted a train bound for Drax power station in North Yorkshire and are planning to occupy it -for latest info see
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/1/hi/england/north_yorkshire/7452395.stm 

Green Party principal speaker Caroline Lucas MEP has pledged the party's support for the pay claim of the Shell contract drivers, who have voted to strike from 0600 Friday until 0600 the following Tuesday. She also reiterated the Greens' policy to levy a windfall tax on oil profits to pay for investment to lower fuel bills.

Dr Lucas said:

"The drivers have our unreserved support in their pay claim. As the demand for oil outstrips supply, Shell profits have soared to £14billion a year - they can afford to pay fair wages. Instead, they choose to squeeze workers for everything they can get.

"It's about time oil corporations were held to account. They are the winners from the fuel crisis. As pensioners struggle to keep warm, workers have their wages driven down and people worldwide fall victim to deadly floods, storms and droughts, the oil bosses pat each other on the back and award themselves another bonus.

"Shell should stump up, pay their hauliers properly right now, and end this strike. Then they should expect a windfall tax on their enormous profits, gained at the expense of ordinary people. We need warm homes, proper public transport and efficient freight transfer, and the oil profiteers should be paying for it."

Well put Caroline! So if you want to support the tanker drivers, dont go to Shell petrol stations and make sure you keep your tank full up! However, I hope that when it runs out you will be volunteering to car share with colleagues and give a lift to your elderly neighbour who needs to get to hospital. The Government may urge people not to panic, but they have to think about contingency plans (or are we going to see squaddies driving tankers next??)