Art Not Oil

 Climate activists splatter oil across photo exhibition in outrage at Shell greenwash tactics
Today at the Shell-sponsored Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition
at the Natural History Museum, 20 activists inspired by the Camp for
Climate Action (1), smeared oil over the photographs. This was an act of
outrage at Shell’s painfully transparent attempts to greenwash its
reputation via cultural sponsorship.

Shell's sponsorship of the Natural History Museum is deeply ironic, since
it devastates wildlife and the environment around the world through the
extraction and production of ever more oil and gas.

Today's action comes hard on the heels of the release of Shell's 2006
financial figures, documenting the 13 billions of pounds made at the
expense of people and the planet. Shell’s activities extracting oil
result in major ecological and social impacts. Trading 3.6 million
barrels of crude oil equivalent a day, the company is also a major
contributor to climate change, which has been predicted to wipe out a
quarter of all species on the planet by 2050, and to devastate the poorest
regions of the planet (2). The extent of the threat was highlighted on
Friday with the release of the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change fourth report.

For all these reasons, the climate camp activists are calling on the
Natural History Museum to end its oily sponsorship deal with Shell.

As the black oil-like liquid has been spread over the glass covering the
photographs, the activists have not damaged the work itself. As Dan Baker
said, “This is not an attack on the work of the photographers. Shell does
not deserve to have its name associated with their beautiful images.” A
banner reading “Make Nature History Museum - sponsored by Shell” was also
unfurled.

Activist Daisy Williams said, “This action sheds light on the ugly stain
that covers this exhibition as a result of the Museum's collusion with
Shell. We're here to make sure everyone knows about this despicable
greenwash sponsorship deal. With more public pressure, we can kick Shell
out of the Natural History Museum!”

For high resolution photos of today’s action, visit this image site:
https://www.theimagefile.com/?skin=2903&ppwd=ks8551dt&Action=ˍVC&id=59798

For interviews call: 07913 299 852

ENDS

Notes for Editors

1 – The Camp for Climate Action was held outside Drax coal-fired power
station in Selby last August 2006. This will be followed by another camp
in 2007 14th-21st Aug, location to be announced. See
www.climatecamp.org.uk

2 - For more information about Shell’s greenwash and climate crimes around
the world see: www.shellfacts.com, www.shelloiledwildlife.org.uk and
www.artnotoil.org.uk/gallery/v/Shell

#######-

Activists deface Shell exhibition
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6328049.stm

The exhibition was closed for the rest of the day
Environmental activists have defaced a photo exhibition sponsored by oil giant Shell at the Natural History Museum.
Protesters smeared oil-like liquid on the entries in a wildlife photography competition in the central hall of the west London museum.

Camp for Climate Action said their aim was to highlight Shell's "attempts to greenwash its reputation".

The museum said it was pleased to work with Shell saying the firm was taking environmental protection seriously.

The exhibition was closed for cleaning after Saturday's afternoon attack but was expected to re-open on Sunday.

Protective glass

Camp for Climate Action is calling on the museum to end its sponsorship arrangements with Shell.

"This is not an attack on the work of the photographers," said activist Dan Baker.

"Shell does not deserve to have its name associated with their beautiful images."

A museum spokesman said no permanent damage had been done to the photographs which are behind a protective glass.

She said: "We fully acknowledge working with an energy company raises difficult questions about the need to balance energy use with the conservation of our natural habitat.

"We are pleased to accept Shell's sponsorship because we believe that Shell is taking a reputable scientific approach to addressing the balance between energy needs and environmental protection.

"We believe that oil companies must be included in any meaningful dialogue about the energy issues facing us all."

Shell has so far made no comment.