New call to ban fracking
Quakers are calling for a ban on new and intensive forms of fossil fuel extraction, including fracking for shale gas and oil, and underground coal gasification.
Meeting in London this week, Quakers said, “The UK needs to be investing in efficient and renewable energy, and reducing demand, not in additional fossil fuels. Fracked gas is not the low-carbon solution some suggest that it is and is incompatible with tackling the climate crisis. It is destructive of the environment, land and communities."
While Quakers around the country will find ways of protesting, on Saturday 6 May, many will climb Pendle Hill in Lancashire to protest against the effects of fracking, both locally and around the world. Quakers are known for worshipping in stillness and they will gather in a meeting for worship for witness.
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Fracked gas is not the low-carbon solution some suggest that it is and is incompatible with tackling the climate crisis. It is destructive of the environment, land and communities.
- Meeting for Sufferings February 2017
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Pendle Hill is at the centre of an area licensed for fracking. This is also a significant place for Quakers. In 1652, George Fox climbed the hill and had a vision of creating a great movement of people. Weeks later, at Firbank Fell in Cumbria, he preached to one thousand for three hours and, with others, he founded the Quaker Church.
Quakers are motivated by faith to cherish the Earth for future generations and to speak out against climate injustice that causes huge inequalities across the world. In 2011 they made a commitment to take action to become a low-carbon, sustainable community.
Meeting for Sufferings, Quakers' representative body, also said:
“For some years Quakers in Britain have worked to advocate for climate justice in our central work and meetings. In 2011 we committed to 'speak truth to power' on sustainability issues. We have faith that we can tackle climate change and build a more sustainable future, but we know this is only possible if fossil fuels remain underground.
“At this time we are particularly concerned about the expansion of fracking for shale gas. The UK needs to be investing in efficient and renewable energy, and reducing demand, not in additional fossil fuels. Fracked gas is not the low-carbon solution some suggest that it is and is incompatible with tackling the climate crisis. It is destructive of the environment, land and communities.
Quakers call for a ban on new and intensive forms of fossil fuel extraction, known as 'unconventional' techniques, including fracking for shale gas and oil, and underground coal gasification."