The science is clear, fossil fuels are killing us [1] and the future of all life is in the balance. [2]
As the planet heats, the Esso Petroleum Company Limited[3], a subsidiary of the Exxon Mobil Corporation[4] is expanding 97km of underground aviation fuel pipeline[5] to carry 40% more fuel[6] across the South East of the UK; carving a 20m swathe of destruction[7] across the south east from Fawley Oil refinery to Heathrow Airport. But that’s not all. Exxon can continue to use the old pipeline too enabling a potential 140% increase in capacity for at least the next 20 years.
Flying is the fastest way we can burn fossil fuels and produce greenhouse gas emissions. [8] It is unjust that a tiny number of very rich people, just 1%, are emitting half of commercial aviation’s carbon emissions[9], whilst the poorest suffer and die because of climate breakdown. [10]
We are betrayed by our government, who have approved this project as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project which dictates a "significant need" for its development, overriding all other concerns. [11] There are plans to grow air traffic 60% by 2050 [12] which is a completely unsustainable prospect against the advice of the Government’s own Climate Change Committee. [13]
We are betrayed by Exxon Mobil who knew about the overwhelming scientific consensus on man-made climate change from at least the mid-1960s, and responded by sponsoring climate science denial. [14] This has enabled them to continue fossil fuel extraction despite knowing the harm it causes to people and planet.
It has been said, “The Earth is not dying, it is being killed, and those who are killing it have names and addresses”[15]
And some of them are closer to home than you may expect.
Join our campaign to #ResistSLP #StopExxon #StopTheSLP
Let's stop the Southampton to London Pipeline. [16]
Extinction Rebellion South East UK, 10th December 2021
Update: https://xr-southeast.uk/extinction-rebellion-stops-work-on-aviation-fuel-pipeline-to-heathrow/
References:
1. The Health Argument for Climate Action
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/cop26-special-report
2. Almost 600 conservation experts have signed a letter by the wildlife charity WWF, published to coincide with UN report into loss of biodiversity https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/07/the-future-of-life-on-earth-lies-in-the-balance-a-picture-essay
3. Esso Petroleum Company Ltd
https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/00026538
Ermyn House, Ermyn Way, Leatherhead, Surrey, England, KT22 8UX
4. Exxon Mobil Corporation
Global:
https://corporate.exxonmobil.com/
UK:
https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/03897351
Ermyn House, Ermyn Way, Leatherhead, Surrey, England, KT22 8UX
5. Application for the Southampton to London Pipeline Project (Development Consent Order)
https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/wp-content/ipc/uploads/projects/EN070005/EN070005-001582-EN070005%20SLP%20-%20Secretary%20of%20State%20Decision%20Letter.pdf
6. The new pipe is wider than the existing one (15cm radius instead of 12.7cm). This seemingly small increase in size has a big impact on flow; the area across the pipe (Area = πr2) is around 40% bigger (706.8cm2 compared to506.7cm2) giving a roughly 40% increase in flow of oil.
7. Open Cut Installation
https://www.slpproject.co.uk/installation/
10. https://theecologist.org/2021/mar/03/social-inequality-and-climate-breakdown
11. Decision Letter
https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/wp-content/ipc/uploads/projects/EN070005/EN070005-001582-EN070005%20SLP%20-%20Secretary%20of%20State%20Decision%20Letter.pdf
(See 7.4)
The Overarching National Policy Statement for Energy (EN1) https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/47854/1938-overarching-nps-for-energy-en1.pdf
12.
https://www.facebook.com/GreenSkyThink/videos/256954079126522/
13. Committee on Climate Change, “The Sixth Carbon Budget – Aviation” 2020
See pages 10 & 11
14. Member of the US House of Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez questions Exxon scientist on climate crisis denial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGVW9vJ773k
15. Utah Phillips
16. SLP in your area https://jacobs.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=9a6141559fe046998d1407bf4dbbfa45