Today the oil and gas industry called on the British government to provide long-term financial support in order to prop up their failing operations in the North Sea. Anna Vickerstaff UK climate campaigner at 350.org responds:
“Right now the British government and financial institutions should be supporting the most vulnerable people in society – not one of the richest and most destructive industries on the planet.
We cannot repeat the mistakes of the financial crash in 2008 and bailout corporations that are maximising their profits while driving climate breakdown. The oil and gas industry has profited from knowingly destroying the climate for decades and plays a part in worsening economic injustice across the globe. Instead of bailouts, they need to be held accountable for the damage they have caused.
In this time of crisis, we need to demonstrate solidarity with those who are most impacted by the virus – frontline workers, people concerned about how they are going to pay their bills, and all those left in a precarious position as a result of a decade of harsh austerity cuts.”