Anti-frackers vow to carry on
‘So for us as Quakers, the spiritual imperative remains the same: to stand together in defence of life on Earth.'
Anti-fracking campaigners, including Friends, are gathering to discuss resistance to the government’s plans to reverse the ban on fracking.
Clíodhna Mulhern, a member of No Faith in Fracking – a multifaith initiative started by Quakers in the north west of England – told the Friend that ‘local community activists have already gathered to talk about the change in government policy and are ready to resume their action at the fracking site. Local people have the additional fears of contaminated water, pollution and earth tremors to face; they are sure to be vocal again. And with the greatly-increased levels of awareness nationally about the dangers of climate breakdown, I expect we would see many new people join us all at the gates of Cuadrilla.’
No Faith In Fracking attracted Quakers across the country to join in their witness. Clíodhna Mulhern anticipates that, should the need arise, the ‘formidable’ campaign will again attract many people. ‘Our government famously has pledged itself to “net zero” carbon by 2050 and in the same breath is issuing licences for oil wells and lifting the ban on fracking – even when they know this will do little or nothing to ease our energy crisis. The government’s position is full of inconsistency and danger.
‘So for us as Quakers, the spiritual imperative remains the same: to stand together in defence of life on Earth. Some of us feel a bit weary, we are certainly dismayed but we can do no other. If and when the time comes, Friends active in No Faith in Fracking are resolved to return to those gates with our silent worship, our vigils, our walking meditations and more. And we are confident we will be joined in a spirited way by other faith groups as we were in the past.’
Craig Steeland, who was actively involved in the Quaker resistance to fracking some years ago at Chester and Ellesmere Port, said: ‘It is heartbreaking to find that our apparent success in stopping the local drilling plans has been so easily overturned… Fracking is a risky, short-term, desperate attempt to cling on to an outdated, carbon intensive energy source at a time when we need to redouble our efforts to make use of cheaper, cleaner, renewable energy… Local campaigners will resume our opposition to any further plans that may be developed by energy companies for drilling test wells on the outskirts of Chester and Ellesmere Port. This is especially the case when the original planned wells were to be drilled within a few kilometres of six primary and secondary schools in the area.’
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