When shareholders meet for Shell’s AGM on 18 May, you can bet there will be a lot of talk about their $9.8 billion profits. Less talked about will be the human cost of their activities in the Niger Delta – such as the millions of people drinking polluted water, growing crops in polluted soil and raising children in polluted homes.
We decided to run a high-profile advertising campaign to tell shareholders the shameful truth about Shell. We asked you to share in the shaming of Shell by donating towards the cost of displaying this advert.
You didn’t let us down. By Wednesday afternoon, we’d raised enough to fund a full page ad in a prominent newspaper.
By Friday evening, thanks to 2,104 generous donors we’d reached our next target of £30,000!
UPDATE: Find out where to look for the advert on Tuesday 18 May.
This campaign has exceeded all our expectations – we can now run the ad in a smaller local paper that we know shareholders are also likely to be reading AND take it to the streets on a van outside the AGM. Shell’s shareholders simply won’t be able to miss us!
Help us to spread the word. Ask your friends and family to get involved by sharing the campaign by email or on social networks. Here’s a nifty little tool to make it super easy.
For a reminder why this work to get Shell to clean up its act is so important, read the report.
I fully endorse A.I.’s campaign against Shell, but do wish the video commentary could have been made without sarcasm.
I certainly endorse this campaign and in practical terms no longer buy fuel from Shell service stations. I will be contributing to the ad but shouldn’t the top line read “While Shell toasts…”?
Why is there no PayPal button? Make it as easy for people to donate as possible! I don’t have the time to fill out a lengthy form…
I think the sarcasm works as it just underlines the lack precaution that is taken and encourages to look behind the corporate responsibility image Shell is putting up cover up the damage it is doing to the Delta. Being bombarded with images and videos all day there has to be something which makes people listen. Using the positive words over the shocking images is a great way to get peoples attention.
I think your ad needs to equate the Mexican Gulf spillage to the amount of oil spilt EVERY YEAR in the Niger Delta ecosystem, near to people’s homes and water and food sources. USA, listen up!
Ed
We fully endorse Amnesty’s campaign.
i was angry before. now i am incandescent with rage. congratulations Amnesty, and of course i am donating.
Marina Martin
I have not bought Shell fuel for many years because of the company’s disgraceful record in the delta. The video is good, and sarcasm can be a useful tool. I think it will work. If it makes these people squirm, then it is all to the good. Good luck with the campaign.
I fully endorse the campaign and think the sarcasm is just about at the right level. I had not even been aware of the problem until reading this link. I will pass the information onto friends. I agree with the comment re PayPal … using this would make it very easy to donate and I am sure more people would contribute.
I like the visual play of the advert!
And it would be great if the video could get air time on t.v. Its’ sarcastic and ironic tone make it all the more hard hitting!
I totally support this, but agree with Johannes – why no PayPal?
You’d probably get a lot more donated if you had this!
Also, where can we see how much has been raised so far?
What happens if you don’t get the £20k?
Thanks, Kathryn
My donation is a small price to pay when so much is at stake: I wish the campaign great success!
Well done, all of you!
Chris
This is going to look a bit strange given that my name is also Ed but I’d just like to second what Ed said. What made me follow up this link and donate (something I don’t often do) was the following paragraph in the email I received:
“International headlines have recently been full of the environmental disaster unfolding in the Gulf of Mexico – with some reporting that the oil slick could become worse than the Exxon Valdez spill of 1989. What’s less well known is that this amount of oil is spilt every year in the Niger Delta – one of the ten most important wetland and coastal marine ecosystems in the world.”
By the way I also disliked the video. Sorry to whoever made it, but the tone was fairly alienating, and I expect that if anyone at Shell saw it you would be more likely to get a defensive reaction rather than a thoughtful one.
I was a lot more likely to donate before I watched the ad. I agree with the campaign and Amnesty’s aims but didn’t like the sarcasm of the ad at all.
I don’t buy fuel from Shell forecourts but I do buy from supermarkets, how do I know if they are buying fuel Shell has pumped and refined? They don’t state who their primary supplier is. How easy is it to find a gas station which uses fuel Shell have never been involved in the supply of?
Are Shell really worse environmentally/socially than Exxon? Texaco? Q8?
The Anti-apartheid movement highlighted the workings of Shell during the apartheid years in South Africa. From then, I stopped buying their oil. I’ve never gone back to their garages. Their exploitation of this African state is typical of the attitudes of Western Powers to the third world. Keep up the campaign. A lot needs to be done. There is inevitably more concentration on the guerillas in the Delta than on the cause of the problem. What’s new?
PayPal ?
We are now full throttle into the sixth major extinction of species on the planet. And Shell are doing their best to contribute to that extinction. In return they offer PR pap while they smooth the way to bigger profits. Their approach seems to be to hell with whoever suffers as long as it is not the Shell fat cats. I have contributed and I support the campaign. Well done, Amnesty.
A huge thank you to everyone who has donated so far. We’ve already raised an amazing £8000 towards the cost of the ad – that’s only since this morning!
@Kathryn – if we don’t raise enough for a full page ad, we’ll use the money for a smaller ad instead. But obviously the bigger the ad the greater the impact so do continue to spread the word!
Utterly SUPERB Video!
Visually presents the inescapable facts of the reality.
Orally states the asserted and obviously contradicted values of Shell.
If there is no dishonesty in the visual representation (and I trust the reputation of Amnesty UK) then this is irrefutable – what could be better?
How could anyone find reason to detract from this?
Just LOVED the very apropriate tone of sarcasm in the Audio.
Excellent job AIUK – I’m impressed!!
I love the irony in the video. I think it exposes nicely the ‘mismatch’ between their official (and facile) line on corporate values and the murderous reality of their projects.
I fully endorse this action. Well done Amnesty. I will definitely donate – but I too would much prefer to use paypal.
These people have to be exposed and exposed until they stop doing this.
I’m afraid the sarcastic tone detracts from the seriousness of the situation and belittles the experiences of the people living in this environment. An excellent cause to support however.
While we are boycotting shell, who should we buy our fuel off that are not committing mass human rights abuses? Not meant to be annoying but a genuine question!
Have usually avoided Shell’s products anyway for many years. Will now be vigilant and conscientiously avoid them.
How do these people sleep at nights? Glad to make a donation
its utterly shamefull ,small voices around the world can never be heard,disasters going unchecked, the people in powerfull positions arnt culpable as they should be,i for one am only one single voice in a choir of wrongfull planetry undoings,but i strive everyday to do my part,as much as it is il keep doing it,they talk about mankinds progression,pains me to see what goes on shell, bp, all those petrolium institutions have no shame… rant over…
I am another person who stopped buying Shell petrol around 30 years ago purely because of their track record on human rights, any opposition to their activities is brutally dealt with
Google the name Ken Sara Wiwa that will tell you all you need to know about shell, also they bought and supplied the weapons for the so called security force.
Am in agreement with the others regarding the method of payment – I am happy to donate but PAYPAL PLEASE! Would leave a longer comment but am a third-year student and have my finals to revise for… Keep up the good work, Mary and everyone else at Amnesty
-x-
To people wanting to boycott Shell, I think the concept of an ethical oil company is an oxymoron. There are only lesser evils.
I *did* like the sarcasm, or rather irony, of the video – it’s a valid literary device to get a point across, and it works quite well for me. For those who criticize it, go ahead and make a better one!
I am a lifelong Amnesty supporter wondering why you are singling out Shell as opposed to the other multinational oil companies operating in the Niger Delta (eg Exxon, Total, ENI, Cheron, CNOOC)? The oil companies make most of their profits from exploration not from the pump so boycotting their petrol stations does not make so much difference to their bottom line! Shell will be supplying all the Supermarkets as will all the other oil majors! The only way to boycott the oil companies is to stop buying/using petrol, electricity from oil fired stations and gas. Are any of us really able to make this sacrifice?
When I spoke to AI Netherlands a few years ago they had good communication with Shell who they told me listened and responded to their concerns. Has the situation between Shell and Amnesty International deteriorated in the last couple of years? Is this really the best way for Amnesty International to get their message accross with Shell?
I am interested to know.
I think the advertisment which will be put in the newspaper should be less styleised and more showing the reality of the situation,
PAYPAL PLEASE!!
Why is there no address on this website, to send my money? I will send it to the London address. I have long avoided having anything to do with Shell.
Certainly all the oil companies have a reputation that they would rather not admit to. Full marks for this video, the sarcasm works well for me and ties in with the appaling visions of a country which is struggling, while we merely look for the cheapest petrol which goes into our tanks without a thought.
Whether anything will influence the shareholders who surely are only interested in maximising the value of their shares and dividends payable I don’t know, but something has to be done to try.
Congratulations!
I think that we take our fuel for granted without thinking of how it gets to the pumps. You have really brought the message home to me and, even although I do not buy from Shell, I’ll do my best to ensure that my friends and family don’t either.
Where is that PayPal button????
Ethical Consumer Magazine “recommends” Murco Petrol Stations as the best of a bad bunch.
I fully endorse the A.I. campaign.
Fully support the campaign of course. Shameful. Let’s shout about it in the hope that shareholders will hear about it and be motivated to do act on this situation. Hope we get the funds for more than one ad, and that the noise around the campaign will also boost the reach of this message.
I agree with Ed Stables on all accounts.
The ad is good, but given that current media is glued in the suspense over the BP spillage, it would be too good an opportunity to miss comparing the Gulf of Mexico to the ongoing spillages in the Niger Delta.
I also agree that the video is alienating: it speaks to the converted, though the images and the written information are powerful in themselves to shock viewers.
I knew there were problems in the Niger delta, but did not know the full devastation of what is going on. I can’t believe that Shell can get away with the damage they are doing to the environment. I will donate.
I think Paypal would charge A.I. a cut of your donations?
The voiceover sounds as if it’s lifted directly from the sort of PR that Shell & others put out, only read in a slightly more sugary tone -you’ve read the same sort of guff, surely! -so I’m all for it -I’d love to see it played in the ad breaks on prime time TV during the car programmes…
I never knew that Shell committed such atrocities – it disgusts me that they do and manage to get away with it simply because they are such a large corporation. I support anything which unmasks the true identities of these companies and shows them for what they really are and am happy to donate some money to this cause. I am a Law student and this offends every principle instilled in me and I wish I could give more to help this campaign.
I was very happy to donate to this important campaine, but, like several other contributers, I would highly recomend that a PayPal option be added to the website. I hav just spent ages going through the payment process with a flu-addled brain and special screen reader software which I need to use because I am visually impared. I am absolutely sure that more people would donate if it was made easier.
Christina
Found the video very powerful, moving and incredibly sad. What an indictment of modern society that most of us have been oblivious to this environmental rape for so long. Who is protecting Shell? Hope the film provokes some reaction that may improve the situation in the Niger. Will donate of course – wish I was in a position to give much more. Sylvia.
Add my voice to those who don’t like the sarcasm in the video. Whilst I accept that satire is a powerful weapon, and it works for film-makers like Michael Moore et al, it doesn’t suit Amnesty. In fact for me, this video comes over as quite snide, which is a shame because the visual imagery is powerful. Go right for their jugular Amnesty; you don’t need to be passive aggressive. It demeans you.
i detest the voiceover and find it patronising. i agree with Sue’s comments.
Enuff said about Penpal, please focus on the ad.
I agree with the correspondent who said the ad. is too stylised – the foot in the video stepping in the gooey oil would speak volumes and be more explicit. Except that AI sent it to me, I would have disregarded an ad. with a wine glass thinking it was about units of alcohol/binge drinkinging.
Why is the Nigerian govt. not stepping in to protect its people? Could it be that it is too lucrative a business to go around upsetting the likes of Shell? If the government of the country doesn’t care, why should a foreign company like Shell care?
How much does a newspaper ad cost? And how much to run the video or similar on TV? I have no idea about such things. But which would have more influence?
L.Shep
I agree about PayPal. It’s easy to set up a donate button – just go on the PayPal website. I think Avaaz has their campaigns organised well – it’s so gratifying to signa petition and see other people signing even before you log off. I found it quite compelling viewing a few nights ago!
VIDEO IS EXCELLENT – PLEASE DON’T CHANGE!!
The way for Shell to change is for enough people to be outraged by the issues and put pressure on them – they’ve had long enough to respond to ‘gentle’ approaches!
Besides which, the video is ideal for introducing uninformed (and not particularly motivated) people to human rights abuses – eg I have found it invaluable as a ’starter’ to alert younger people to what is going on in the world. It is a clear, succinct expose of the facts which holds the interest of people who aren’t going to spend much time acquainting themselves with the subject; as such it reaches beyond the usual net of supporters and spreads the word.
A much needed tool for broadening support – thank you!
I’m sad to hear that with such issues that can be easily avoided this problem still continues. Unfortunately I can’t pay as I have no funds in my bank account! Ironic as Shell toasts their unethical profits. Cheers to Amnesty, cheers in support of curing this problem, cheers to having faith in Shell making an effort – and thus make a future for victims of industry.
Graphically…. I think the word SHELL should be in RED…
if you want to capture their attention on their way to the meeting…
thanks
Please listen to your members. Paypal is a serious requirement for busy people, the money can be sent quick and with minimal inconvenience
I have avoided Shell’s pumps since non-violent protester Ken Saro-Wiwa was hanged in 1995.
News today that President Obama pledges to pursue BP aggressively for compensation re Gulf of Mexico. No doubt there’ll be a very long wait to see whether he succeeds but at least in this case the world’s most powerful politician is on board…
Meanwhile how can Shell be held to account? Will the shareholders (mostly fund managers, presumably?) take any meaningful action?
Well done A.I. for this effort.
Hi everyone – thanks again for all your support and feedback.
Just to let everyone who has asked about it know, we WILL be introducing Paypal later on this year.
I agree with the earlier sentiment that the voicover on the video was bad judgement. It doesn’t really work because it clashes with Amnesty’s usually (justifiably) serious tone.
But, that’s just a tiny detail. I’ll buy some shares now!
Thank God,
Finally at least someone is fighting to end the suffering of these poor people.
The truth must be told and the right thing must be done.
Count me in.
I am going to donate, but as far as the video is concerned I’m afraid I’m part of the anti-sarcasm lobby. I found it so disappointing. Powerful footage indeed. And powerful words – yet expressed in a weak, ill-calculated fashion – irritating, even. The whole message is diminished by that sneering voice.
If you manage to persuade a TV company (perhaps more than one) to air the video, and I hope that you will, I suggest you dump those intrusive verbals, conveying the message via the written word instead. Just leave the non-verbal sound-effects. Think about it : on-screen silence is THE attention-grabber, so accustomed are we to being yapped at.
I think that – if possible at this stage – you could consider drawing a parallel with the current spillage situation, that is drawing world-wide media-coverage and concern.
On the other hand, we have to recognise that it is partly our responsibility as well. One doesn’t have to be a shareholder of Shell, or any other energy company that bases its viability on fossil fuel and exploits circumstances to increase profits and keep its ground in the world energy arena, to be an active part of the problem. It’s not of Shell’s doing our extreme dependency on energy that “justifies” and secretly endorses -with sealed lips, muffled ears and dodgy eyes- such a contempt for those that are weaker and the practices that spring or just come along this way of living, whether you are just a person that uses a car to get to your honest and legitimate job six days a week or the CEO of Shell. The only difference lies in the amount of responsibility and capability of altering a real, existing situation that inevitably and naturally causes certain malpractises against weaker groups of humans and their environment in a struggle to survive and prosper. But that goes for both the clerk and the CEO, countries and corporations alike since one supports the other.
As of yesterday I am 26 years old and all I can come with, understanding that there are way more than two sides on every coin made, is the Beatles singing “Let it be”. Life always finds its way to regain balance, but she ignores human lifespan for the greatest part. And it’s right there that groups of people like Amnesty International, and not only, step in and “impersonate” that part. All I can do personally is just be honest and say that I will probably forget this within the next hour cause I can understand but can’t be burdened to do something about it. In certain moods I might even go as far to say that I can’t be arsed. Maybe walk to the store down the street or close the kitchen’s light when leaving the room, and even those measures without consistency…
As all beings, we too are made to act on impulse so we might want to realise that in each case, either the impulse is not that strong in our conscience or we kinda are real twats. I reckon that It’s a good start for most of us, myself included. And truth usually lies in bettween.
Trish here, following on from my 2.46 pm message. I tried to donate, and I almost made it ; but at the final stage my screen informed me that this is an unsafe site, and that I would proceed at my own risk. So I didn’t ; and my donation has not been made. Any comments, please, from AI?
Where is the AGM taking place? Will there be a demonstration/protest?
I agree with what Bill Thomas has posted. Ken Saro Wiwa was executed on 10 November 1995. As A Shell employee at that time, I and many of my colleagues registered our disgust that Shell, who have massive influence in the area, would not stop trading with the country nor condemn the actions of the government. I no longer work for them and never will again but it is to my eternal shame that I once did. Shell is a dirty word in my family and across a wide section of my friends and acquaintances.
http://webmail.amnesty.org.uk/_act/link.php?mId=J82145554556238934746312815&tId=948003
This is a shocking example of exploitation and complete disregard for humanity and nature. I haven’t bought Shell products for many years after working for them while very young, and realising what a deceitful company it is, keeping up a front of caring about South Africa during apartheid, claiming to remove all business from that Country in protest at apartheid but merely moving its offices. I didn’t stay with them long, but seeing the way the company was run was an invaluable lesson in thinking beneath the surface. I am happy to support this campaign and the ad is excellent.
Hi – we’ve looked into the warning messages which Trish and some other supporters have mentioned. Just to reassure you that this only affected a very small minority of supporters, and have we now fixed the problem. (It was a hosting issue.)
Also, if you’re wondering why we’re targeting Shell with this action then our report, Petroleum, Pollution and Poverty in the Niger Delta, is well worth a read. You can download the pdf here (FYI – it’s 627kb):
http://www.amnesty.org.uk/uploads/documents/doc_19492.pdf
@Rufus,
And why would they mess with a government that eats from their hand and promotes/supports their interests looking away from their illegal activities for the “appropriate exchanges”?
As far as I am concerned, the bottom line of what you are saying is that Shell is doing our dirty job, exploiting unstable governments and less powerful people to get you energy, with respect to profit as well as competitive prices, in a philosophy where the end justifies the means. And since there are ten corporations waiting to step in if Shell steps out(or doing the very same, and even worse things to other countries), question to be asked is the extend to which we can understand the consequences to our lives if Shell, and any other corporation, was to abandon exploitation and follow international laws to the letter trying like a modern saint to avoid grey areas.
I am not defending them, just pointing out that one looks less guilty in prison for example. Bars and wardens being in this case our power hungry modern societies that base their prosper and supremacy on constant supply of energy among other things.
If you are not up to understand all the parameters of a problem at hand, let alone realize the extend and go to such a great length and effort as to really make the sacrifices needed to end such situations, scapegoats will always be there to take the blame for a good price.
So don’t believe and don’t promote the hype, it’s through realizing, not just understanding, that change comes. And certainly not without sacrifices and action. Since I realized that I stand guilty of enjoying certain goods and services by living alongside such corporations, each day passing I am less and less eager to raise my finger and point out who of inmates is “more” “guilty” than me. Opinions may be like assholes, but, thankfully, reality can be a real dick!
the ironic tone is ok becouse many companies use the Corporate Social Responsability speech and in fact is propaganda, then they do what they want and most of the time they are not accountable. People have to press to make them accountable
I think Mother Teresa said it best when she refused to go to an anti-war rally. She said, “Show me a Pro-Peace Rally and I’ll be there”. As we evolve as individuals so we cause our society to evolve. According to ‘Non-Violent Communication’, by Marshall B. Rosenberg, Ph.D., this communication blocks compassion. I will still contribute, because I understand the underlying premise, but this type of ad turn me off. Hope this helps. Jennifer
Sorry to protract a theme ad nauseum, but I’d like a Paypal option too. Also, why is it necessary to give my D.O.B. in order to donate? This isn’t something that other charities demand, even those using Gift Aid. I’m sure Amnesty would defend the right to privacy elsewhere, so the superfluous information-gathering seems a bit rum in this context.
perhaps JustGiving or PaPal or whatever will sponsor AI and waive their cut?
Paypal please?
So do you guys all drive to work? Have central heating at home? Buy synthetic clothing? Visit the Dr for drugs when you’re ill? If so you’re causing the problem! This is caused not by corporations but by the failure of governments; in this case the Nigerian government to police this industry.
Not long after the execution of Ken Saro Wiwa and 8 others, we were treated to an ad campaign that tried to convince us that shell was in the forefront of environmental protection – I remember an earnest but pleasant-looking fellow (30-ish, glasses, curly longish hair – you get the picture) flying over pristine rainforests, meeting with a happy band of welcoming and grateful indigenous people, voiceover telling us how shell brings a particularly clean, enviro-supportive form of progress to grateful native peoples … a real heartwarmer. And yes, I am being sarcastic – a david’s squeak pitched at the goliath of their cynicism.
My child was raised on the dictum ’shell is the blood of the ogoni people’ – granted, a simplification. There are other oil companies, other peoples. But it’s a start.
Very important campaign – and I agree with others about the need for a PayPal button!
I donated yesterday. Was just wondering what the total is now.
Best of luck Amnesty.
@Orla,
Thank you so much for your donation. We’ve now reached our original target of £20,000, but we’re hoping to keep going and make even more of an impact!
WE NEED TO HAVE A SERIOUS THINK ABOUT OUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS CARS AS PTVs (PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION VEHICLES).
When I was last involved in boycotting Shell here in Glasgow, and used another petrol supplier I was told by those monitoring what was happening at the storage tanks that there was no differentiation in the tankers taking on petrol for distribution – BP and Esso tankers filled up from there too and they distribute to the supermarkets etc.
It has taken up a lot of time to find out how to pay!
JA
I was not aware of what was happening in the Niger Delta until I read about it on the Amnesty website. I have happily contributed to this campaign as I believe it is very important.
I was wondering what newspaper the ad willl run in.
Congratulations on reaching your target.
Siobhán
Some good telling footage but perhaps the commentary should have been straight without sarcasm.
What I would like to see is a realistic spoof of a Shell public relations/greenwash video which Shell execs would actually watch before realising two-thirds of the way through that something is a little awry. The Yes Men have developed such speeches and presentations to company execs to a a fine art. See http://theyesmen.org/
A van!!
Surely a pedal-powered hoarding would be more appropriate?
Good campaign but I agree with many on here that there needs to be a PAYPAL method of donation. I did donate but I very nearly didn’t and that was simply because I needed to find my wallet to get my card details. Make it as simple as possible and get more donations!
Being not very environmentally friendly is not very good.
But behaving this way and pretending to be is way beyond acceptable!
Only too happy to donate.
Well done Amnesty
Martin B – reagrding your incredulity about the van and the need for a pedal-powered hoarding – i entirely agree!
Donation via PayPal please!!!
Coming back re the tone of the video – it’s not just sarcasm; it’s irony, and irony is important in conveying truth in all forms of art. There’s a place for it, and I really think this is the place for it in view of Shell’s shocking and profound (as an earlier comment pointed out) cynicism.
And it’s using a highly appropriate medium to convey that horrific level of cynicism as concisely as possible. It’s not too complicated for anyone; it’s as straightforward as the issue it is presenting, which is a single issue. The use of and demand for oil is another important issue, but it’s not this one – people who use and create demand for oil do not make Shell conduct their oil business in flagrant disregard of law, accepted guidelines, truth, and even their own categorical statements.
And surely it’s not aimed at Shell, but potential protesters, and it’s rare to find something suitable for passing on to people who aren’t already concerned; there’s plenty of stuff available for people who are already active – it’s good to have something to open the eyes of non-activists who we hope might get active! And it can also introduce the whole lifestyle issue to people who wouldn’t want to go there at all.
And compassion can include irony – it’s called ‘tough love’. Sometimes the best thing you can do for someone is ‘disturb’ them – oppression is bad for oppressors, too.
And if Mother Theresa did say that, that’s her and she was busy doing justice the way that she did, but hopefully no-one will conclude that Jesus (ie her inspiration) took the view that protesting against things and the use of irony have no place in fighting injustice, cause that really would be ironic, now……
Lindianna
I am so grateful for the existence of AI and all the many people in these posts who lend their support and their money to give voice to the voiceless. There is much that is not good with the world we live in, but I am encouraged and humbled by the selfless work of so many.
I wish success for the campaign – and for the noble people of Nigeria,
I’m shocked the pathetic tone detracts from the dangers of the situation and belittles the experiences of the people living in this environment. An humanitarian cause to support however. This problem not only in Nigeria is also in Bangladesh. Shell and some other company creating this problem. We have now a major arsenic problem. We need Amnesty International support.
Thanks for telling the truth about oil&gas companies.
I have just made a small contribution after battling with my bank’s (necessary) security measures. Don’t know much about the convenience of Paypal, but any ‘trouble’ I may have taken pales into nothing compared with the trouble the native people of the oil-soaked Delta region take every day of their lives just living with poisoned water supplies and that ghastly landscape. Compare again the current Gulf of Mexico disaster with this steadily ongoing one in terms of waste and devastation!
With due respect to Myfanwy Scrivener comments about her concerns about sarcasm being used in the advert, with 23 million lives (and future generations to come) at stake, I think a little sarcasm to make a point and draw peoples attention to the plight of the people of Niger, is not undue. Well done Amnesty and all those who contributed… Big Thanks
PROTECT THE HUMAN !
Is there an advert we can print ourselves to raise awareness? Not necessarily for the AGM but just generally
Just a tiny comment from an “Eats, Shoots and Leaves” fan – “Shell” is singular, it should read “TOASTS” not “TOAST”. I think it makes it more personal too !
How do I contribute please. Words of 1 syllable please.
So grateful that Amnesty is doing this work of opening our eyes – I seriously hope that the situation for the people of the Niger Delta improves soon. It’s a disgrace.
I’ll make a small donation because of the worthiness of the cause, but is this really the type of campaign that Amnesty should be involved in? It sounds far more suitable for Greenpeace etc. Shouldn’t Amnesty be concentrating on its original core mission of trying to help prisoners of conscience etc?
Its disgusting that shell are STILL causeing such massive pollution and grief for the population of the Niger Delta after all these years, and its not like they havent been named and shamed before either. Its time we put a stop to this endless destruction and misery for good, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. I also think the use of sarcasm in the ad is the perfect way to get the message across, after so many years of Shell’s disguisting behavior, i think and ad like this is long over due and the point was put across well. xoxox
The video is excellent – long over due and shows how urgently Shell really need restraining. Respect to Amnesty. Jo Langton
The video is excellent and long over due. It shows how urgent it is for shell to be restrained. Respect to Amnesty.
I am a member of Amnesty and give on a monthly basis. I am also a shareholder in Shell and have written to the CEO about Nigeria – real answer came there none. I have also told them I am going to sell my shares – answer came there none.
I agree with Reactor69 and James Bowkett:-
1) We us you and me need to cut our dependence on oil, we also need to be prepared to pay much more for it. We can not consume as we do AND object to how our consumption is satisfied.
2) We also need to get OUR politicians to act against the corruption at government level in our country and countries like Nigeria which enable this sort of criminal exploitation. Read the back pages of Private Eye – the rot starts at home and we let it happen.
As much as I know, this is criminal and Inhuman! . In these days of global warming, quest for greener society and all sort, Shell is still involved in this act of calamity to peoples environment. It is a shame. Shame to shell, Shame! You have failed.
Result Details:
Fairness to man …………………………. F9
Fairness to environment……………… F9
Response to global warming………. F9
Considerate consultation …………… F9
Proper Evacuation …………………….. F9
Fair Negotiation ………………………… F9
General Report: Advise to withdraw from the Niger Delta with immediate effect.