‘Companies like Shell are making enormous profits at the expense of people’s lives’-Havering Climate Campaigner joins protest.

Havering Climate Campaigner and Quaker Ruth Kettle-Frisby today writes in the Havering Daily.

On May 23rd 2023, my 3 year old daughter and I left Romford Station at 7am and travelled to ExCel London to join a prayer vigil organised by Christian Climate Action, before joining the protest outside during Shell’s AGM.

We are Quakers, so we value equality and justice; peace; truth and integrity; and simplicity and sustainability. My 3 year old primarily values feeling safe, kindness, having a fun time, learning new things, singing and large ice creams, so we both got a lot out of the morning!

Through greed-driven neo-colonialist greenwashing practices, fossil fuel companies like Shell are making enormous profits at the expense of people’s lives. Shell’s wilful destruction of the planet for profit is already having truly devastating impacts on people who live in the Global South; their natural resources continue to be extracted, and they experience continued loss and damage to their homes, natural environments, their physical and mental health, and their lives.  People of colour, especially women, girls and disabled people are forced to live their lives at the sharp end of injustice. 

We know that this is just the beginning and that things will get worse for the next generation – for our children and grandchildren – and beyond. While I hear those who are uncomfortable with even nonviolent action, amidst a polycrisis (the climate crisis, the cost of living crisis, food shortages, pollution, inflation, ongoing pandemics, and war), we can’t sit back and do nothing. It’s time for faith in action for many of us of faith, and I believe people of all faiths and none have something valuable to share.

As Quakers, we believe that responses to the climate crisis ‘must be rooted in justice’ (https://www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-events/news/quakers-join-international-action-for-a-loss-and-damage-fund), and the amalgam of overlapping, connected crises that we all face is characterised by injustice.  As such, it’s vital for us to support our friends both globally and locally, leaving nobody behind. 

As summer marches towards us, our friends and neighbours so close to home in Wennington and Rainham live with constant anxiety and stress at the thought of more wildfires and worsening air pollution. When Havering residents who live in Rainham and Wennington continue to unfairly suffer the most for, speaking (or indeed singing!) truth to power is crucial. 

The day was full of energy, spirit, and truth-telling. We will keep going, keep listening, keep making connections, because at the heart of disruption shines the light of love, justice and friendship.

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