Intend emailing this letter to the Graaff-Reinet Advertiser tonight (26/1) for publication on Thurs (29/1). Anyone in this group who wants to be a signatory to the letter, please indicate CLEARLY in the comments section by saying: Supported by JOHN SMITH (Cape Town) or some such. LETTER TO THE EDITOR (Graaff-Reinet ADVERTISER) It was with great shock and dismay that we, the undersigned, took note of an article published in the Mail & Guardian on 23 January 2015 and titled: THE HUNT FOR KAROO SHALE GAS BEGINS: The government plans to grant oil companies licences to begin exploring the Karoo for gas from as early as July this year. It seems truly unbelievable that – despite considerable national and international pressure to PREVENT fracking in the Karoo – the South African government is carrying on with this suicidal project anyway. It has been made abudantly clear in the past that Karoo residents are NOT in principle opposed to exploring potential shale gas reserves here, but that the PROCESS OF FRACKING to do so, will have CATASTROPHIC consequences on this unique part of the world and its inhabitants as our beautiful Karoo is unfortunately also water-scarce and prone to droughts. Many ordinary residents of the Greater Karoo are aware of several groups who are actively involved in attempts to prevent this disaster from taking place. Our question to ALL concerned in preventing the destruction of the Karoo is: How are we going to CO-ORDINATE our continued opposition to this short-sighted and irresponsible decision by the South African government to continue with a plan which is sure to destroy our land and its people? Our request to anti-fracking groups is: Please KEEP US INFORMED of how we can remain involved in your plans via this newspaper as well. Not everybody in the Karoo has internet or belongs to Facebook. It is clear that a great effort will be required to stand together to prevent the destruction of the Karoo. Those of us who live here in the Karoo and have nowhere else to go to are ready to take up this challenge, with the support of like-minded individuals from all over the world. In the meantime, if you want to make a difference, heres what you can do right now. Thank you Julienne du Toit of karoospace.co.za for these helpful suggestions: 1. Register as an interested and affected party (IAP) for Falcon and Bundu. (And soon, Shell) 2. Comment. Dont be emotional because that will simply be dismissed. 3. Contribute to the legal battle via TKAG. They have a very easy contribution system where you can donate a monthly amount. Even R100 a month makes a difference. 4. Make your voice heard at any fracking or anti-fracking meeting. 5. Do not think you cant make a difference. You can! Local Government municipalities will be making decisions on zoning areas for exploration, but they also want your vote next year. Make your wishes clear.
Posted on: Mon, 26 Jan 2015 12:13:14 +0000
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