Megan Walker: Hold Shell accountable

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Many of us are familiar with the issues surrounding oil and gas development in our region, but events in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta region have received little local media attention. Being citizens of the world (and incidentally, the citizens who happen to be creating the most demand for oil and gas), we have a responsibility to advocate for those in Nigeria who have been unable to stop one of the world’s corporate giants from ravaging their environment.

Today, Shell Oil is hosting an open house in Steamboat to discuss the “plans” it has for our community, hear our concerns and questions, and ostensibly show us what good neighbors and corporate citizens they are. Shell is not treating our global neighbors in the Niger Delta with the same level of hospitality, which raises questions about the

sincerity and credibility of today’s event.

In August 2008, a faulty Shell pipeline caused an oil spill that devastated the people and environment near the town of Bodo in the Niger Delta. Not only has Shell shirked their responsibility to clean up the area, but the scale of the incident was also grossly under-reported by the company. According to independent U.S. firm Accufacts, between 103,000 and 311,000 barrels of oil spilled during a 72-day period. Shell has only acknowledged a spill of 1,640 barrels during a one-month period.

A second Shell spill occurring in December 2008 might have been even larger than the first. Oil is still visible in the water and soil, and aerial photos show huge swaths of dead vegetation. The local agricultural and fishing industries have been decimated. Yet Shell still refuses to accept responsibility for a full clean up.

Amnesty International is calling on Shell to pay $1 billion to establish a fund to begin cleaning up the Niger Delta — a fraction of the $7.3 billion in profits it made in the first quarter of 2012 alone.

How can we trust a company guilty of committing human rights violations of this magnitude to operate with integrity in our own community? Although the people of the Niger Delta are thousands of miles away, the distance does not diminish the devastation to their lives. The reality these people are living with could easily be our own. If Shell cannot operate with integrity and accountability in the Niger Delta, then we cannot trust them to operate responsibly in Routt County. Please join us and many others across the world in calling on Shell to do what is right — to own up, pay up and clean up the Niger Delta.

Megan Walker

Steamboat Springs Amnesty International Group No. 1104

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Comments

kathy foos 12 months ago

I am concerned about every part of the world and the horrible pollution by oil company's .

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Megan Walker 12 months ago

Dear Tom,

I appreciate the fact that you are so concerned for my welfare, thank you for alerting me to the fact that the county is about to burn down around my ears. I will be sure to run out & acquire my "smoke mask" ASAP. I am glad that you are concerned with our national forests; I am as well. Perhaps instead of berating me for being concerned about human welfare and environmental devastation, you could educate me about this issue that you feel so passionately about in a civil manner. I can tell you I would be much more inclined to hear what you have to say. Yes, I would consider you a citizen of the world, every person on this earth is, no? Unfavorable feedback does not (and will not) come as a surprise to me, but your tasteless, derogatory accusation of being "anti-American" is. I have always assumed that accusation would come much later in my jounalistic career. Let's think about this for a moment; you called me anti-American for being concerned with global welfare issues? I'm sorry that you live in such a disconnected existence that you can't see the suffering of others as our own, and our own concern, no matter where they live. I'm sorry that you operate in such a narrow definition of the world, but consider something; that it is possible (gasp!) to concern oneself not only with global matters, but with local issues, to. Who do you think you are to be able to assume that I am not concerned with local issues? You have no idea the level of respect and love I have for our local community. I LOVE my community, and I AM very involved in it, and I work hard every day to contribute to it in a positive way. Not a day goes by where I am not concerned with local issues, but because I am not working by your side carrying out "fire mitigation" you somehow think you have the right to dismiss me as someone with no regard for her local community? In your eyes, it is not possible to advocate simultaneously for local & global issues? (Which is by the way, exactly what I am doing in this letter, if you read it). This assertion of yours that we all must work for one single issue, as if no diversity can exist within a community (when in reality, exactly the opposite must be true), and we must all advocate for the same thing(s) is simply un-realistic. What a ludicrous assumption. (continued in next comment).

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Megan Walker 12 months ago

(continued) Maybe rather than inserting your completely un-related agenda here, I would encourage you to submit your own letter regarding the subject of imminent destruction by forest fire that we all face. I'm sure you have perspective that the rest of us would welcome being enlightened to. I am puzzled as to why you are so offended that I should sign my name along with Amnesty International? It is not unreasonable that any person, part of an organization, and speaking on an issue as part of that organization should shy away from representing that. I am proud to be part of an organization that advocates for global human rights issues. As far as any other convoluted agenda that you eluded to, I am pretty sure that comes from your own imagination, but we are all entitled to our own opinions, and I am glad that you have yours, even if I don't agree with them. Now THAT is an American attribute I will stand by. You feel you can assume that you know where I stand from a single letter. Let’s get this straight-the ONLY thing you have the right to assume is that I am concerned with the well-being of other people, and the environment; that I believe corporations do not have the right to bull-doze the rights of people, and that they should be held accountable for their actions. Doesn’t sound too radical to me-just common sense.

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mark hartless 11 months, 4 weeks ago

I love how the left wants America to stay out of the affairs of the rest of the world... sometimes.

Especially how they want us NOT to use resources to protect and help companies like Shell produce oil.

"No wars for oil". "No blood for oil". That kind of thing. And I agree 100%

But it seems fine to this "world citizen" that we should insert ourselves into another nations business for the purpose of smacking an oil company up-side the head.

I wonder if this "world citizen" has ever considered the possibility that Nigeria's "world citizens" have made an educated CHOICE to balance energy exploitation with environmental concerns. It might astound this "world citizen" to learn that Nigerians do not subscribe to her religion and they put somewhat less value on a perfect environment and a wee bit more emphasis on things taken for granted in America... like food, clothing, basic medical care, housing. Maybe they don't have the luxury of choices Americans do.

I wonder if this "world citizen" ever considers the possibility that companies like Shell might be able to commit more resources to Nigeria and avoid and clean up more of the spills if they were not nickled and dimed to death by "world citizens" in America who insisted on absolute perfection over here.

I also wonder if this "world citizen" has considered the possibility that it could be the EXTREMELY CORRUPT GOVERNMENT of Nigeria that might be pushing oil companies to produce more and more oil "at all costs" so as to increase energy revenues which account for 80% of government revenue. EIGHTY PERCENT.

Nigeria also has huge human and industrial watse issues that have nothing to do with oil. They have not addressed those issues very well either. Where do we go to protest about those?

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jerry carlton 11 months, 4 weeks ago

Exxon was never held responsible in Alaska and BP was never held responsible in the Gulf of Mexico so good luck with Nigeria.

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kathy foos 11 months, 4 weeks ago

Oil company's neeeeed to be slapped up side of the head,money is all that they care about.They have had their own way and look how things are now and getting dirtier every day..In Erie Colorado they want to frack by the schools ,thankfully people are speaking up.Mostly mothers,they know a bad thing for children and future of our planet.I think that Nigeria pollution's are sad as when people are so poor,they cannot get clean water and at least enjoy life without cancer causing chemicals to worry about, raising their family's as best they can,same as us...........Shell ,need's to know that.......If they care about pollution's,they should conform to the EPA clean water and air rules NOW,not two years from now.Show us how you care for clean harvesting of oil for the future. It's a small world when it comes to oil company's pollution,which does not go away with time.They just do what they can get away with and do not care about anything but money,not people,, nature ,water, air or animals,and some wonder why people are forced to speak up to them,they are not listening to anyone but the expert's that they hire and our local regulation's.They must be forced in other words,that is sad.

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mark hartless 11 months, 4 weeks ago

JLC, Exxon spent $2 billion in clean-up and another $1 billion to settle criminal and civil charges.

BP set aside $20 billion for reparations and clean-up. To date only around $4 billion has been paid out because that's all the claims that have come in. In other words, after settling with every one who bothered to apply for a claim, they still have only found 1/5th as many possible claims as BP provided for. That's every hotel, every fisherman, every boat, person and piece of equipment involved in the clean-up. There is a website you can go to to apply for a claim. I was just on it.

Kathy, Your loss has so clouded your judgement that you can not think. You seem convinced that the worlds wolves are employed only in the oil business and the lambs, your protectors, are all found in various regulating bodies.

Want to actually LEARN something? The government of Nigeria is highly influenced by prebendalism, making elected officials highly interested in the production of revenue from oil at any cost.

If you, Kathy, wanted to actually LEARN something... to actually KNOW something you would look up that term: PREBENDALISM and reflect on it and how it might explain things differently than your utterly unfounded drivel.

Also Kathy, like most African nations, Nigeria's government is EXTREMELY corrupt. Since it obviously needs to be spelled out for you, Kathy, that means that those in GOVERNMENT are not lambs either. 1979 was the last Nigerian election that was not judged to be completely rigged.

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Megan Walker 11 months, 4 weeks ago

Kathy, I really admire Erie Rising-they have gotten much accomplished in an uphill battle advocating for their childrens' safety. Remarkable women indeed! I appreciate your outlook.

Mark & Tom- There is no doubt the Nigerian government is corrupt. They have murdered entire villages that rebel against the rampant destruction caused by the oil companies (not linking Shell to this particular event!) There is a very informative documentary that could brief you on the situation there, it’s called Sweet Crude. (Again, not trying to pretend it is THE source of information on the subject, just A source). Let me remind you, there is a 600 word limit on this letter-remember, it is merely a letter, not an all-encompassing dissertation. Furthermore, you clearly just want to rant & ruffle feathers, you have no meaningful purpose, you have no interest in a response or actual discussion, or in showing respect for anyone, didn't your mother teach you better?
Now, pull yourself together. Wild assumptions & accusations will get you nowhere. I welcome opposing viewpoints, a mature debate, or discussion, but I won’t tolerate this kind of unreasonable disrespect and condescension. If you would be wiling to lose the unsolicited hostility and sophomoric antics and recompose yourself, I would be open to a discussion of your concerns. Until then, I am going to leave you, your bitterness, and your absurd hang-up on a completely innocuous term to your own devices.

And to Jerry, and the 2 aforementioned,

Not pretending to have some omniscient knowledge of the thoughts and affairs of an entire region of people, are we supposed to turn a blind eye to their suffering because we can’t singlehandedly take on every injustice in the world at once? Are we to surrender to a futile and defeatist attitude and throw up our hands in despair because the numbers of injustices in the world are innumerable?

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mark hartless 11 months, 4 weeks ago

Megan, You did just about everything you accuse me of doing.

You accuse me of "wild assumptions" when, in fact, I looked into Nigeria before I spoke.

You insinuate I am ignorant of the situation when the fact is that I have seen the video "Sweet Crude" you say would "brief " me on the situation.

You admit the Nigerian government is corrupt but then, in a manner more characteristic of Kathy Foos, you ignore the ramifications of that FACT and turn right around and say it is "rampant destruction caused by the oil companies" (as if to say them and them alone), forgetting that they are opperating under that government that you admit is corrupt. And yet I am sophomoric?

In your 600 words you could not find room for one sentance about the prebendalistic nature of Nigeria and most other sub-saharan nations, probably because that would serve to take at least a small portion of the blame OFF the oil companies and put it ON government, something the left is ALWAYS loathe to do. And yet I am sophomoric?

As far as being "open to... discussion", that is what THIS is. A discussion. It's just not completely on your terms. Just because your opposition takes what you catagorize as an "unreasonable...disrespect[ful]... condescending " tone, does not in any way strengthen or lend credance to your attempted arguments. It is however, characteristic of leftists to attempt to discredit their opposition on such grounds rather than arguing the merits, or lack thereof of the subject. The old, tried and true "he is being mean and sophomoric so I am above him and therefore don't need facts" has been around a long time, Megan.

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Steve Lewis 11 months, 4 weeks ago

Megan, I agree with your points. We should see the terms by which Shell delivers its product in the U.S., and in this case those effects on the environment in Nigeria.

Don't expect too much from a blog. The redeeming element here is the reader can easily observe value given. Still, it is read by few. Explained perhaps by the attraction the above posting.

Your letter in print is 100x more effective. Thanks for a well written and well timed letter.

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mark hartless 11 months, 4 weeks ago

I wonder, what percentage of world crude oil is lost annually to spills? I wonder, what percentage do Megan and Lewi think is acceptable?

These numbers are fairly common in the construction industry, for example we always used to figure 5% waste in concrete, etc.

I wonder if the percentage of crude oil lost to oil company spills rivals, say, the amount of paint spilled by a painter, concrete lost while pouring a foundation, scrap lumber thrown into landfills after building a home, that kind of thing.

But perhaps the biggest question I have is how oil waste compares to the waste in leftists favorite entity of all... government.

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jerry carlton 11 months, 4 weeks ago

Mark I grew up in Houston, worked for Humble oil and Refining in my early years. I know what oil smells like. There is still oil on the beaches under the rocks in Alaska. Exxon should have been fined 20 billion way back then. Go to the Gulf Coast and talk to the people there and see if they feel BP treated them fairly. How much has BP paid in fines so far? They should be fined 100 billion. Corporations will never bear the weight of their follies. It is much cheaper to buy off congressmen and even presidents if necessary.

Megan I got thrown in with those two scoundrels for my little remark? Boy, you paint with a broad brush, but you saw thru me. Read the book of Revelation and you will see what is coming when your "oneworld" arrives. Are you a public school teacher, college professor or environmental lawyer?

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mark hartless 11 months, 4 weeks ago

JLC, You think me a "scoundrel"?

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jerry carlton 11 months, 3 weeks ago

Tom and Mark Read my post a little closer, I cast my self as a scoundrel with you two when I told Megan she saw thru me. Rhett Butler was the most famous scoundrel I can remember and he did ok. From all that I have read on these posts, we three agree 95% of the time. I just think Big Oil really needs to have their feet held to the fire when they pull these BIG TIME FIASCOS. Will never happen though. They along with the rest of corporate America already own Congress and the President. Rhys says the Federal Reserve pulls all the strings so maybe the Fed controls Corporate America? Wonder if Megan will come out and play anymore? Maybe Megan and Steve Lewis went to Nigeria to save the Sand Hill Cranes.

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mark hartless 11 months, 3 weeks ago

Sorry for the misunderstanding, JLC. I thought the 95% thing too. that's why I was surprised to hear you call me a scoundrel.

I don't like the relationship between government and big business either, man.

"The more power we give government to control business, the more businesses seek to control government...For years Microsoft created great wealth by hiring engineers and programmers. They employed NO lobbyists. Then government sued Microsoft, claiming anti-trust violations. Now the company spends millions on lobbying and even uses its Washington connections to attack rivals... we're better off keeping government small-and laws simple enough that businesses have little to lobby about. The smaller the government, the less the need to manipulate politicians." --John Stossel

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rhys jones 11 months, 3 weeks ago

After several closed-door meetings with Congress, Bill emerged basically unscathed from those anti-trust violations -- a little corporate rearranging, and leave Netscape alone. Shortly thereafter he released his XP operating system, Vista too. (Being a Linux guy, my Microsoft version history is spotty.) We know the Feds (government now) are monitoring all email, who is emailing whom, even if they can't decipher encrypted contents, the headers can't be encrypted, to insure delivery. Bill's software has the potential to do extensive spying on America -- bank balances, money transfers, browse histories, address books -- the imagination is the limit. With cameras on every corner, satellites that can read newspapers, devices that can listen through walls, and now this potential, Big Brother is indeed watching you.

Conspiracy theorist? You bet.

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rhys jones 11 months, 3 weeks ago

Have I mentioned the Homeland Security center I had the fortune to work on, in Glendale, AZ? Ostensibly a fire and SWAT training facility, the ground floor of the massive administration facility was already off-limits, being in use, even while we were building the parking lots, roads, driving course, firing range, and swift-water training ponds and connecting stream, complete with bridges and railroad crossings. I never got into the bottom floor, but the project superintendent told me what's there: Hundreds of screens, crews monitoring every network news broadcast from all over the world, all sources. In many cases they tell the reporters what to say on air. Some stories get buried there. Everything you see on TV has been whitewashed by Homeland Security first. We don't know what's going on anywhere, we just know what the government feeds us. I don't think that super was lying, and this just fuels my fire.

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mark hartless 11 months, 3 weeks ago

Sorry Rhys, I don't buy your line that: "we just know what the government feeds us."

If I really tought I, or you, or Scott W or Fred, or YVB, or many others, only knew what the gubbamint fed us, I'd walk off a bridge. I think there are animals in most zoo's that know more than the gubbamint...

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