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
For interviews call: 07913 299 852
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 For interviews call: 07913 299 852
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well done
03.02.2007 17:02
kev
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http://www.carbotnradewatch.org
Interest
05.02.2007 14:57
So, if your intention was to further alienate those who could be convinced to stand up and be heard in the fight to save the environment, well done, you've excelled yourselves once again.
James
It is NOT an attack on the pictures or artists themselves
05.02.2007 21:40
"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."
The oil can be cleaned up, nothing has been permantley damaged. If this action by a "bunch of yobs" annoys you, even if you don't like what the oil companies are doing, maybe you would like to inform us ignorant morons about how you would do an effective campaign against climate change. The way I see it, diversity is strength, and we need a lot less backbiting and slagging each other off over tactics and let people do what they think is best. When the people of power are trying hard to ensure you don't have a voice, you somtimes need to be controversial in order to get your voice heard.
Tom A