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Dutch minister Kamp: Protect the island of Terschelling from mining activities
W B.
started this petition to
Dutch minister Kamp
NB: Please do not sign if you have already signed the Dutch petition on the gasTvrijTerschelling website!
The Wadden Sea area is a unique, unbroken ecosystem of intertidal sand and mudflats spanning the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark. The region is of critical importance to the survival of several protected bird species, some of which are currently under threat of extinction. In addition, it is home to numerous plant and animal species, including marine mammals such as the harbour seal, grey seal and harbour porpoise. Reflecting the significance of this area as a natural habitat and conservation zone, the Wadden Sea was placed on the Unesco World Heritage list in 2009[1].
The island of Terschelling is located in the Dutch Wadden Sea Conservation Area. Large parts of the nature on this island are protected by law. For example, following the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, De Boschplaat, a European nature reserve located on the island, was accorded the status of Wetland of International Importance[2]. In addition, the vast majority of the island falls under the European nature protection regulations of the Natura 2000 network, which is the cornerstone of European Union (EU) policy for protection and regeneration of biodiversity[3].
This unique area is now under serious threat from polluting gas exploration activities.
Tulip Oil, a small Dutch oil and gas exploration firm, has applied for a licence to extract gas from a small natural gas field located just North of the coast of Terschelling. In order to explore and process this gas, the company intends to build an industrial plant on the island covering 2 to 3 hectares.
The exploration and subsequent processing of natural gas will require the use of chemicals, produce significant CO2 waste, and probably result in severe pollution of the soil as well as cause noise pollution, stench, the use of bright lights, heavy transport requiring new infrastructure and destruction of the environment. Tulip Oil has confirmed it is likely that fracking techniques would need to be employed in order to successfully extract the gas. Fracking is a well stimulation technique that is known to be harmful and potentially hazardous, with a particularly negative impact on the quality of groundwater[4]. Located underneath Terschelling is a large natural source of drinking water that would likely be contaminated in the process.
The projected production levels would provide an amount of gas only sufficient to provide the Netherlands with approximately 50 days’ worth of gas usage!
If we cut down our gas consumption by finding other sources of energy we won't need this gas field. In addition, the gas in question contains a relatively high 15 per cent of CO2. By contrast, regulations governing the use of gas pipes have stipulated a maximum allowable CO2 level of 2 per cent. At present, there are no clear answers to the question of how to capture and release the excess CO2 in a manner that is both safe and acceptable. Tulip Oil has stated it will either release the CO2 into the atmosphere, or experiment with techniques to pump the CO2 back into the soil. Both solutions are highly polluting.
Finally, recent history in the Dutch province of Groningen has demonstrated that environmental safety cannot be guaranteed where gas drilling activities in the Netherlands are concerned. In Groningen, successive earthquakes triggered by years of gas drilling activities have caused both widespread physical damage to buildings, including homes and churches of unique historical importance.
Tulip Oil has estimated its activities on the island will take 23 years. Irreversible damage to this World Heritage reserve is a real concern.
The consequences of these mining activities on Terschelling are unforeseeable.
As an international nature reserve, Terschelling is a vulnerable part of the Netherlands that has been granted its protected status for good reason. Hitherto protected flora and fauna would come under great pressure if the aforementioned activities were licensed.
Tulip Oil was founded in 2010 and is yet to demonstrate a strong track record of successful and safe gas exploration. As BP’s Deepwater Horizon accident in 2010 has demonstrated, even the largest, most well resourced global corporation can struggle to cope when things go wrong. Therefore, it is appropriate to question the ability of a small and relatively young firm like Tulip Oil to manage potential unintended consequences, and compensate the losses if these risks were to materialise.
Prompt action is required to stop this potential disaster!
A ministerial decision on the question whether Tulip Oil should be granted a licence is expected by the middle of 2015.The Dutch Government has pursued contradictory policies in the Wadden Sea Conservation Area for years. As early as 1980, the area was designated by the then Government as an international nature zone, implying its primary function should be to facilitate nature, rather than human usage[5]. Unfortunately, in reality these objectives have fallen by the wayside as, increasingly, large scale industrial activities are conducted in the area. That is particularly the case where the exploration of natural resources is concerned. As a result, contrary to previous government decrees and European directives, big business prevails and nature loses out.
There is a solution...
It is well known that fossil fuels and natural resources have a limited lifespan, and that durable energy sources are the way of the future. Rather than risk the permanent destruction of an internationally acclaimed nature reserve to explore a small and finite amount of gas, we believe the Minister should set a positive and future proof example by focusing his attention on the development of alternative sources of energy instead. Valuable knowledge on this subject is available at Dutch universities. The Netherlands could demonstrate great leadership if it were able to take steps to develop an integral vision for renewable energy, society and the economy. A vision that focuses on sustainable development and prevents further pollution from mining activities.
By signing this petition, you can let the Netherlands know that the world is watching.
[1] www.waddensea-worldheritage.org/wadden-sea-world-heritage
[2] www.ramsar.org/wetland/netherlands
[3] www.natura2000.nl and natura2000.eea.europa.eu
[4] The method of fracking is explained at several websites, a.o. at www.bbc.com/news/uk-14432401
[5] www.waddenzee.nl/Derde_Nota_Waddenzee.1263.0.html
The Wadden Sea area is a unique, unbroken ecosystem of intertidal sand and mudflats spanning the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark. The region is of critical importance to the survival of several protected bird species, some of which are currently under threat of extinction. In addition, it is home to numerous plant and animal species, including marine mammals such as the harbour seal, grey seal and harbour porpoise. Reflecting the significance of this area as a natural habitat and conservation zone, the Wadden Sea was placed on the Unesco World Heritage list in 2009[1].
The island of Terschelling is located in the Dutch Wadden Sea Conservation Area. Large parts of the nature on this island are protected by law. For example, following the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, De Boschplaat, a European nature reserve located on the island, was accorded the status of Wetland of International Importance[2]. In addition, the vast majority of the island falls under the European nature protection regulations of the Natura 2000 network, which is the cornerstone of European Union (EU) policy for protection and regeneration of biodiversity[3].
This unique area is now under serious threat from polluting gas exploration activities.
Tulip Oil, a small Dutch oil and gas exploration firm, has applied for a licence to extract gas from a small natural gas field located just North of the coast of Terschelling. In order to explore and process this gas, the company intends to build an industrial plant on the island covering 2 to 3 hectares.
The exploration and subsequent processing of natural gas will require the use of chemicals, produce significant CO2 waste, and probably result in severe pollution of the soil as well as cause noise pollution, stench, the use of bright lights, heavy transport requiring new infrastructure and destruction of the environment. Tulip Oil has confirmed it is likely that fracking techniques would need to be employed in order to successfully extract the gas. Fracking is a well stimulation technique that is known to be harmful and potentially hazardous, with a particularly negative impact on the quality of groundwater[4]. Located underneath Terschelling is a large natural source of drinking water that would likely be contaminated in the process.
The projected production levels would provide an amount of gas only sufficient to provide the Netherlands with approximately 50 days’ worth of gas usage!
If we cut down our gas consumption by finding other sources of energy we won't need this gas field. In addition, the gas in question contains a relatively high 15 per cent of CO2. By contrast, regulations governing the use of gas pipes have stipulated a maximum allowable CO2 level of 2 per cent. At present, there are no clear answers to the question of how to capture and release the excess CO2 in a manner that is both safe and acceptable. Tulip Oil has stated it will either release the CO2 into the atmosphere, or experiment with techniques to pump the CO2 back into the soil. Both solutions are highly polluting.
Finally, recent history in the Dutch province of Groningen has demonstrated that environmental safety cannot be guaranteed where gas drilling activities in the Netherlands are concerned. In Groningen, successive earthquakes triggered by years of gas drilling activities have caused both widespread physical damage to buildings, including homes and churches of unique historical importance.
Tulip Oil has estimated its activities on the island will take 23 years. Irreversible damage to this World Heritage reserve is a real concern.
The consequences of these mining activities on Terschelling are unforeseeable.
As an international nature reserve, Terschelling is a vulnerable part of the Netherlands that has been granted its protected status for good reason. Hitherto protected flora and fauna would come under great pressure if the aforementioned activities were licensed.
Tulip Oil was founded in 2010 and is yet to demonstrate a strong track record of successful and safe gas exploration. As BP’s Deepwater Horizon accident in 2010 has demonstrated, even the largest, most well resourced global corporation can struggle to cope when things go wrong. Therefore, it is appropriate to question the ability of a small and relatively young firm like Tulip Oil to manage potential unintended consequences, and compensate the losses if these risks were to materialise.
Prompt action is required to stop this potential disaster!
A ministerial decision on the question whether Tulip Oil should be granted a licence is expected by the middle of 2015.The Dutch Government has pursued contradictory policies in the Wadden Sea Conservation Area for years. As early as 1980, the area was designated by the then Government as an international nature zone, implying its primary function should be to facilitate nature, rather than human usage[5]. Unfortunately, in reality these objectives have fallen by the wayside as, increasingly, large scale industrial activities are conducted in the area. That is particularly the case where the exploration of natural resources is concerned. As a result, contrary to previous government decrees and European directives, big business prevails and nature loses out.
There is a solution...
It is well known that fossil fuels and natural resources have a limited lifespan, and that durable energy sources are the way of the future. Rather than risk the permanent destruction of an internationally acclaimed nature reserve to explore a small and finite amount of gas, we believe the Minister should set a positive and future proof example by focusing his attention on the development of alternative sources of energy instead. Valuable knowledge on this subject is available at Dutch universities. The Netherlands could demonstrate great leadership if it were able to take steps to develop an integral vision for renewable energy, society and the economy. A vision that focuses on sustainable development and prevents further pollution from mining activities.
By signing this petition, you can let the Netherlands know that the world is watching.
[1] www.waddensea-worldheritage.org/wadden-sea-world-heritage
[2] www.ramsar.org/wetland/netherlands
[3] www.natura2000.nl and natura2000.eea.europa.eu
[4] The method of fracking is explained at several websites, a.o. at www.bbc.com/news/uk-14432401
[5] www.waddenzee.nl/Derde_Nota_Waddenzee.1263.0.html
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