In a bold act of protest, five activists have disrupted the flow of tar sands oil from Alberta, Canada, by shutting down five pipelines across the United States. This action, carried out in solidarity with the International Days of Prayer and Action for Standing Rock, saw activists manually closing safety valves to halt the transportation of tar sands oil. Their message is clear: urgent and decisive action is needed to transition away from fossil fuels to prevent catastrophic climate change.
With the consensus of 192 nations that global temperatures must not exceed a 1.5°C increase above baseline to avoid climate catastrophe, these activists assert that achieving this goal requires a complete ban on new fossil fuel extractions and an immediate cessation of oil sands and coal use. Frustrated by the lack of effective political leadership or legal mechanisms to address this crisis, they believe it is their duty to take direct action to halt the extraction and burning of fossil fuels.
Ken Ward from Corbett, OR, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that existing strategies only lead to ruin and that shutting down the most immediate threats, such as oil sands fuels and coal, is imperative.
Emily Johnston of Seattle, WA, expressed her willingness to risk imprisonment, stating that the potential loss of the world’s beauty outweighs any personal sacrifice.
Annette Klapstein from Bainbridge Island, WA, highlighted the deep love for all life on Earth as her motivation, emphasizing the need to replace current economic and political systems with more sustainable and equitable alternatives.
Michael Foster of Seattle, WA, stressed the importance of awakening people to the reality of climate change and the necessity of halting fossil fuel extraction.
Leonard Higgins from Eugene, OR, underscored the moral imperative of nonviolent direct action in the face of government and corporate negligence towards climate change.
These activists have taken a stand against the status quo, driven by a sense of urgency and love for the planet and its inhabitants. Their actions serve as a powerful reminder of the need for immediate and meaningful action to address the climate crisis.