http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/790/t/9288/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=27209

Shell: Stop Gas Flaring Now!

 On May 26, oil giant Shell will face a groundbreaking trial in U.S. federal court for complicity in human rights abuses. Shell faces a number of serious charges, including conspiring with a Nigerian military dictatorship to bring about the execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight fellow activists who led a mass movement against Shell's environmental devastation of their homeland in the oil-rich Niger Delta.

One of the abuses these activists died struggling to end was "gas flaring"—burning off gas released by oil extraction—which sends plumes of toxic smoke into the air.

Gas flaring endangers human health, harms local ecosystems, emits large amounts of greenhouse gases, wastes vast quantities of natural gas, and is against Nigerian law.

Shell's CEO, Jeroen van der Veer, will retire this summer. He has the opportunity to choose the legacy he'll leave behind—one of environmental devastation and broken promises, or one of leadership and progress in this case by ending Shell's gas flaring. With the trial looming, we have a powerful opportunity to help Van der Veer make the right choice.

http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/790/t/9288/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=27209

You are no doubt aware of the devastating impact gas flaring has on the health of Nigerian people and their land, as well as the harmful impact it is having on our climate.

Flaring in the Delta region causes respiratory illnesses, blindness, cancer and birth defects amongst local people. The toxic compounds in the gas have entered streams and fields, endangering the fishing and farming people rely on for their subsistence and livelihood. But the impact does not end in Nigeria. Gas flaring has caused more greenhouse gas emissions than all other sources in sub-Saharan Africa combined, thereby worsening climate change, which has damaging consequences for us all.

This atrocious practice must end. Shell has promised to stop gas flaring countless times. These broken promises aggravate the communities that continue to suffer the effects of 24-hour flaring and show a flagrant disregard for our climate that belies your professed concern.

The Wiwa v. Shell trial beginning in May has once again put a spotlight on your business in Nigeria. People across the planet will remember how Ken Saro-Wiwa and members of the movement he led fought to end gas flaring. This message is a sign of my commitment to continue their struggle.

You have said that you will soon step down as CEO of Royal Dutch Shell. As you do, I believe you have a choice of what kind of legacy you will leave behind; one of broken promises or one of leadership on this issue in doing the right thing by ending gas flaring.

I urge you to take this opportunity to end the injustice of Shell's gas flaring in Nigeria once and for all.

Sincerely,

http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/790/t/9288/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=27209