Over the weekend, Capetonians rallied together in protest against Shell and CGG’s Seismic Surveys, which are set to begin in December. From Durban to Cape Town, locals are angry, writes Cape {town} Etc’s Robyn Simpson. Our oceans are on the line and citizens aren’t willing to sit back and watch the blasting unfold.
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The project will, for five-months, drag up to 48 air guns methodically through 6 011km² of ocean surface, firing extremely loud shock wave emissions that penetrate through 3km of water and 40km into the Earth’s crust below the seabed.
There are concerns that this will cause irreversible damage to a region of South Africa renowned for its pristine coastline. Adding salt to the wound: the project is scheduled to take place during peak whale migration season.
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) has come under fire with South Africans putting on pressure on Minister Barbara Creecy for a response.
According to the Daily Dispatch newspaper, Creecy said “Go to court. I’m not involved.”
Though this was not the response locals were looking for, this is a matter which extends beyond Creecy and the DFFE.
In 2013, an application for exploration rights was approved by the then Minister responsible for the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy. Chief Director of Communications Albi Modise said that the decision still remains valid and binding until reviewed in a court of law.
Why the exploration?
South Africa has (yet again) been subjected to loadshedding this year, so it’s clear that we need some kind of resource to keep our lights on. And Shell is on the hunt for oil and gas deposits.
In President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address in February of 2019, he announced and commended the discovery of the Brulpadda gas condensate off the southern coast of South Africa.
This was one of the largest hydrocarbon finds of 2019, with Ramaphosa calling it a “game-changer for the country.”
South Africa relies on coal for 93% of its energy needs. Coal is the worst emitter of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide, so a move towards natural gas could be considered a step in the right direction. But at what cost? 6 011km² of ocean surface.
As for job creation, the project is scheduled to last five months. It’s a temporary solution.
It is here that I question President Ramaphosa’s problem solving.
Advocates for a Global Green New deal have argued that a transition towards a decarbonised economy has the potential to create millions of new jobs. Fun fact: South Africa has one of the highest potentials for solar power in the world.
South Africa’s Council for GeoSciences (CGS) stated that “With increased interest in identifying new mineral resources and promoting environmental stewardship of South Africa’s Blue Economy comes the realisation that in many ways the ocean environment represents a ‘last frontier’.’’
A ‘Blue Economy’ is a strategy to support sustainable, long-term growth by utilising ocean-related sectors and activities. South Africa committed to this 2014, less than a year after finalising the application for exploration rights which will see Shell begin its Seismic Surveys in less than a month.
This so-called ‘Blue Economy’ claims that exploiting the ocean “represents a ‘last frontier’.”
However, the government seems to have failed to take its own research into account. In a report, it says that most areas in South Africa average more than 2 500 hours of sunshine per year, and average solar-radiation levels range between 4.5 and 6.5kWh/m2 in one day.
“The use of solar energy is the most readily accessible resource in South Africa. It lends itself to a number of potential uses and the country’s solar-equipment industry is developing.”
Perhaps it is time for South Africa to reimagine how it pursues the Blue Economy initiative.
Meanwhile, Capetonians awaited the arrival of the Amazon Warrior, a 130-metre seismic blasting vessel hired by oil giant Shell, to arrive at Cape Town Harbour on Sunday.
A peaceful protest march was scheduled by local community organisation Oceaneers and the turn out was massive. Friends, families, children and even dogs got stuck in. “Hell no, Shell must go” could be heard from the V&A Waterfront all the way to Kalk Bay and beyond. And if you couldn’t hear them, you could see them.
Read also: Protest to take place in Cape Town against Shell blasting the Wild Coast
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The most recent pushback from locals is a boycott against filling-up vehicles at Shell garages.
Oceans Not Oil, another community-based organisation, says that “protests are planned and will continue through the week and along the entirety of the eastern seaboard. Please keep close to our FB and social media sites for events listed.”
A petition started by Change.org has reached over 163 000 signatures.
Read also:
DFFE not involved in Shell’s imminent seismic testing off the Wild Coast
Picture: nicbothma