3.02.2007
Today at the Shell-sponsored Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at the Natural History Museum, 20 activists inspired by the Camp for Climate Action (1), smeared oil over the photographs. This was an act of outrage at Shell’s painfully transparent attempts to greenwash its reputation via cultural sponsorship.
Shell’s sponsorship of the Natural History Museum is deeply ironic, since it devastates wildlife and the environment around the world through the extraction and production of ever more oil and gas.
Today’s action comes hard on the heels of the release of Shell’s 2006 financial figures, documenting the 13 billions of pounds made at the expense of people and the planet. Shell’s activities extracting oil result in major ecological and social impacts. Trading 3.6 million barrels of crude oil equivalent a day, the company is also a major contributor to climate change, which has been predicted to wipe out a quarter of all species on the planet by 2050, and to devastate the poorest regions of the planet (2). The extent of the threat was highlighted on Friday with the release of the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change fourth report.
For all these reasons, the climate camp activists are calling on the Natural History Museum to end its oily sponsorship deal with Shell.
As the black oil-like liquid has been spread over the glass covering the photographs, the activists have not damaged the work itself. As Dan Baker said, “This is not an attack on the work of the photographers. Shell does not deserve to have its name associated with their beautiful images.” A banner reading “Make Nature History Museum – sponsored by Shell” was also unfurled.
Activist Daisy Williams said, “This action sheds light on the ugly stain that covers this exhibition as a result of the Museum’s collusion with Shell. We’re here to make sure everyone knows about this despicable greenwash sponsorship deal. With more public pressure, we can kick Shell out of the Natural History Museum!”
For high resolution photos of today’s action, visit this image site:
https://www.theimagefile.com/?skin=2903&ppwd=ks8551dt&Action=_VC&id=59798
A short video of the Shell Oil Wildlife Photograph Exhibition at the London Natural History Museum getting polluted with sticky black stuff.
NHM_Shell_painting – video/x-ms-wmv 12M
For interviews call: 07913 299 852
And also today, on the occasion of the UN International Panel on Climate Change releasing it’s latest report ->
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Well done! Ten of us held a protest outside a Shell petrol station in Aberdeen at the same time, with a large banner and placards, and we mentioned the London action in our press release, too.
aberdeen_climatechange@yahoo.co.uk
http://climatechangecampaign.blogspot.com
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On 3rd February 07 the Climate Change campaigners were joined by Rhythms of Resistance Manchester to raise awareness about global climate change issues. The event took place in the city centre. Campaigners gave out newspapers and leaflets informing people about what they could do to make a difference and highlighting detrimental government plans regarding future energy provision for the UK.
Rhythms of Resistance played drawing in spectators who were then treated to environmental street theatre. The atmosphere was positive and people seemed to engage with the issues.