By NEIL HARTNELL
Tribune Business Editor
nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
Environmental activists yesterday renewed arguments that a permanent ban on oil drilling in Bahamian waters “really makes sense now” as they urged the Davis administration to act.
Principals of then Our Islands, Our Future coalition, in a January 12, 2022, letter to Prime Minister Philip Davis QC, asserted that “this is the time to get out” of exploratory oil drilling given rising climate change concerns and the fact that the former Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC) possesses no active licences.
“This is our time to act now, and with a sense of urgency as we have no legal obligation that would prevent us from doing so,” said Casuarina McKinney-Lambert, the Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF) head, and Rashema Ingraham of Waterkeepers Bahamas.
“This is clearly not the time to get into this business, this is the time to get out, and progress towards stronger blue and green economies for The Bahamas and a sustainable future. For the first time since 2007 there are no active oil drilling licences in The Bahamas. Please help lead this by banning fossil fuel exploration and drilling in The Bahamas.”
Asked by this newspaper how confident activists were that the Government will move in this direction, Mrs McKinney-Lambert replied: “A permanent ban on oil drilling really makes sense at this point in time given that the exploration licences have been expired for more than six months.
“I feel confident that we are moving in the right direction. It’s the right thing to do to safeguard Bahamian lives and livelihoods.” Upon his return from the global climate summit in Glasgow, the Prime Minister indicated that while he might allow exploratory drilling he would not permit actual oil production/extraction but instead seek to use this as leverage to obtain carbon credit compensation.
“We wish to reiterate our recent expression to you, dated 18 October, 2021, of our vigorous opposition to oil drilling in Bahamian waters and strongly urge that we move together to impose a permanent ban on fossil fuels exploration anywhere in our maritime borders,” Ms McKinney-Lambert and Ms Ingraham added.
“As we have all learned of and experienced the damaging impacts of global warming to coastal nations like The Bahamas, we must all agree that such oil development activity would only exacerbate our current climate crisis.
“The permanent ban will move The Bahamas away from filling the dual roles of climate victims and of a fossil fuel colony for investors, and allow us to build up and grow stronger blue and green economies.”
Ms McKinney-Lambert also reiterated calls for the Government to publish key details regarding BPC’s (now Challenger Energy Group) first Perseverance One exploratory well, including the licence agreement, as well as provide an update on the status of its licence renewal bid.
Comments
ColumbusPillow 2 years, 9 months ago
No county in the world can survive economically unless it has access to cheap and reliable energy. Wind and solar are not options!
What climate change? What sea level rise? Who is kidding who?
ColumbusPillow 2 years, 9 months ago
As a whole, there has been no global warming over the last 20 years!
Pauljenkins 2 years, 9 months ago
I love how the sheep Bieber the lies.
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Pauljenkins 2 years, 9 months ago
Electric car wiring insulation, tyres, Sears, bumpers, Solvents Diesel fuel Motor Oil Bearing Grease Ink Floor Wax Ballpoint Pens Football Cleats Upholstery Sweaters Boats Insecticides Bicycle Tires Sports Car Bodies Nail Polish Fishing lures Dresses Tires Golf Bags Perfumes Cassettes Dishwasher parts Tool Boxes Shoe Polish Motorcycle Helmet Caulking Petroleum Jelly Transparent Tape CD Player Faucet Washers Antiseptics Clothesline Curtains Food Preservatives Basketballs Soap Vitamin Capsules Antihistamines Purses Shoes Dashboards Cortisone Deodorant Shoelace Aglets Putty Dyes Panty Hose Refrigerant Percolators Life Jackets Rubbing Alcohol Linings Skis TV Cabinets Shag Rugs Electrician’s Tape Tool Racks Car Battery Cases Epoxy Paint Mops Slacks Insect Repellent Oil Filters Umbrellas Yarn Fertilizers Hair Coloring Roofing Toilet Seats Fishing Rods Lipstick Denture Adhesive Linoleum Ice Cube Trays Synthetic Rubber Speakers Plastic Wood Electric Blankets Glycerin Tennis Rackets Rubber Cement Fishing Boots Dice Nylon Rope Candles Trash Bags House Paint Water Pipes Hand Lotion Roller Skates Surf Boards Shampoo Wheels Paint Rollers Shower Curtains Guitar Strings Luggage Aspirin Safety Glasses Antifreeze Football Helmets Awnings Eyeglasses Clothes Toothbrushes Ice Chests Footballs Combs CD’s & DVD’s Paint Brushes Detergents Vaporizers Balloons Sun Glasses Tents Heart Valves Crayons Parachutes Telephones Enamel Pillows Dishes Cameras Anesthetics Artificial Turf Artificial limbs Bandages Dentures Model Cars Folding Doors Hair Curlers Cold cream Movie film Soft Contact lenses Drinking Cups Fan Belts Car Enamel Shaving Cream Ammonia Refrigerators Golf Balls Toothpaste
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