Quakers urge fracking ban

Friends urge the Scottish government to ban fracking

Pendle Hill. | Photo: John Darch via Wikimedia Commons.

friends are urging the Scottish government to ban fracking and unconventional gas and oil extraction. In a response to the UK government’s public consultation, Quakers are calling for bold steps to tackle climate change by supporting renewable, efficient energy instead.

A recent representative meeting of Quakers said: ‘We have faith we can tackle climate change and build a more sustainable future, but we know this is only possible if fossil fuels remain in the ground. Fracked gas is not the low-carbon solution some suggest and is incompatible with tackling the climate crisis. It is destructive of the environment, land and communities.’

The Scottish government has a moratorium on fracking while the impacts of the industry are assessed. The public consultation is open until 31 May 2017.

Quakers around the UK are taking action on fracking. They have joined local resistance to proposed fracking developments from Sussex to North Yorkshire. On Saturday 6 May, Quakers from across the country will climb Pendle Hill, an area under threat from fracking, to protest against the industry (see ‘Witness on Pendle Hill’.) Friends and Meetings are invited to play a part by contacting decisions makers, writing to local newspapers and joining with others in their communities.

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