Breaking free: Keeping fossil fuel in the ground

Ogoniland occupies an area of about 1,000 square kilometres of the Rivers Landscape. It has the third largest mangrove system in the world. That ecosystem has been irreparably polluted by incessant oil spills.

Ibeno boasts of the largest fishing settlements on the Nigerian coastline. Located in Akwa Ibom state on the east side of the famous Kwa Ibo River, it has one the longest sand beaches in sub Saharan Africa which attracts both national and international tourists. In 2010 there was an oil leakage contaminating this pristine shoreline; Also in 2014 another spill was recorded which further polluted the coast, poising aquatic life thus disrupting fishing activities and economic life of the people.

Globally, there are records of human activities especially in the extractive industry which have caused severe damages to the environment and rendered inhabitants impoverished. The Deepwater Horizon of 2010 is a glaring example. Gas flaring, fracking, mining, oil drilling, dredging and quarrying have proven to impact humans, animals and habitats negatively. Coal mining and oil drilling are the dirtiest form of energy contributing immensely to climate change. The greenhouse gases released by burning this energy are warming the planet resulting in widespread drought, flooding and massive population displacement caused by rising sea level. There is an international consensus to embrace a new pathway to a clean and efficient energy system.

The Break Free campaign underlines the urgent need to end the use of petrochemicals, coal and carbon emitting substances in our daily activities especially for energy purposes. Governments can stop this energy usage by adopting renewable energy mix and making policies that will hasten the transition to renewable energy before 2030.

Break Free Campaign is an awareness programme to draw attention to fossil fuel and climate change around the world. Various organizations and civil society groups are synergizing to drum support for energy transition following the COP 21 Paris Agreement. Climate Tracker which is comprised of a group of environment activists and writers has been able to create significant impact by spreading the Break Free message across thirty three countries in nine different languages.

Strategically, the action targets key fossil fuel producing countries, communities and infrastructure, putting pressure on decision-makers to keep fossil fuel in the ground and offering renewable energy as a cleaner alternative in order to protect the planet from further damages.

Now that the oil prices have continued to plummet, it should be the best period to diversity revenue generation and energy production in tandem with Sustainable Development Goals.

“Break Free from fossil fuel campaign is a two-week global wave of accelerated action to keep coal, oil and gas in the ground.” Actions are happening in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Indonesia, Nigeria, New Zealand, Philipines, South Africa, Turkey, UK and U.S

In Nigeria, actions are taking place in Oloibiri, Ogoni and Ibeno all in Niger Delta. The area has witnessed environmental and social damage even at the peak of oil boom. Despite being the source of the country’s huge revenue, the region is largely underdeveloped and tainted. What will happen when oil finally dries up or become less valuable?

Nigeria might be the largest oil and gas producer in Africa making it the “biggest economy”. Nigeria is also the largest oil polluter in world with the destruction of natural creeks, swamps, mangroves and waterways in the Niger Delta. Oloibiri, Ibeno and Ogoni are thus symbolic in the quest to break free from oil calamities. More significantly the Ogoni campaign will reincarnate the same struggle by Ken Saro-Wiwa who passionately campaigned against oil pollution in Nigeria’s Delta region forcing one of the world’s biggest oil companies to leave the zone in order to end incessant and reckless spill outs.

According to UNEP the Ogoni cleanup is the biggest in the world. It requires about $1billion for the initial five years for the remediation to have any meaningful impact. The clean up could take up to 30years to restore the land and water to its near natural state.

We are still grappling with the destructive impact of oil and the Nigeria government is proposing to build coal-powered plants to generate electricity. No doubt, coal is worst pollutant followed by oil and natural gas. If we are witnessing such challenges from oil then how can we survive dirty coal? India and China are litmus papers of what may happen.

To prevent similar man-made catastrophes around the country and across the globe, the way forward is to keep coal, oil and gas in the ground and pursue a consistent transition towards 100% renewable energy. The earth is the only planet we have, let us ensure total break from fossil fuel to save it.

Emeka Ulor