SUPPORTERS of Just Stop Oil have disrupted oil supplies from a Scottish oil terminal in support of their demand that the UK Government end new oil and gas projects in the UK.
At approximately 4am 20 Just Stop Oil supporters blockaded the entrance to the Nustar Clydebank oil terminal in Glasgow, climbing on top of tankers and locking on at the entrance.
Others entered the terminal and a further 12 protesters sat on pipes and silos to halt operations.
This is the first such action in Scotland since the Just Stop Oil coalition began blocking the UK’s oil supply on April 1st, which has resulted in over 1,200 arrests and numerous court appearances.
The action comes as the Government’s recent energy strategy failed to outline how it will ensure no one is left behind during the transition to a zero-carbon economy.
The strategy also failed to provide a route to widespread insulation which would protect the people of Scotland from cold homes in the face of increasing fossil fuel costs.
The rationale of Just Stop Oil’s demands is backed up by the United Nations and the International Energy Agency.
Meanwhile, the Government is pushing forward with new oil and gas fields including Jackdaw and Cambo and plans a new Autumn licensing round.
Maximising economic extraction while also claiming to have a zero-carbon strategy is leaving the country at the mercy of rising energy costs and is “moral and economic madness” according to Just Stop Oil.
Eilidh, 20, a supporter of Just Stop Oil from West Lothian said: “62% of Europe’s oil comes from the North Sea and Scotland doesn’t own a single drop of it.
“People in Scotland are currently suffering from fuel poverty whilst the billionaire oil CEO’s get richer and richer. Oil is already having and will continue to cause disastrous impacts for Scotland.”
A recent report outlined how the majority of the workers in North Sea oil would welcome the ability to move from oil and gas employment to well-paid jobs.
The Governments energy strategy was also lacking a plan on how this would be achieved.
Neil Rothnie, 69, a retired offshore oil and gas worker from Glasgow said: “North Sea oil and gas does not offer energy security.
“The North Sea oil and gas industry has one priority and it is not the climate crisis.
“It’s not the future of North Sea oil and gas workers. And it’s certainly not whether the poor can stay warm.
“If the government was serious about a just transition we would be seeing it here in Scotland. Where are the turbine factories in Scotland?
“Where are the yards building platforms for offshore wind? Where are the projects to properly insulate our houses? When will we get free public transport?”
The Just Stop Oil Coalition is calling on all of those who wish to end fossil fuel dependency to take up action and join their daily zoom calls.
