The unions, including Unison, the Public and Commercials Services Union, the actors’ union Equity and the Fire Brigades Union, are insistent that “the Labour Government must do the right thing by the planet, UK communities and workers, and stop Rosebank”.
asserted
Government → include → Rosebank
The decision on whether the development of Rosebank – the largest untapped oil field in the North Sea – can go ahead is seen by environmentalists as a key test of of the Government’s credibility on climate change.
asserted
development → go → change
A report this week for developers Adura warned that failing to develop both Rosebank, which lies north west of Shetland, and the Jackdaw gas field to the east of Aberdeen, could cost the UK economy some £10.8 billion by 2035.
uncertain
which → warn → 2035
And Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called for the Prime Minister to “stop faffing about” and approve drilling in the North Sea.
asserted
Minister → call → Sea
But Unison general secretary Andrea Egan said that the Government “needs to accept that the more fossil fuels we burn, the more extreme our weather will become”.
asserted
weather → say → ?
She added that public service workers – including those represented by Unison – are “on the frontline of extreme weather” and as such “need guarantees that the Government is serious about tackling climate change”.
asserted
Government → add → change
Ms Egan was clear: “The Prime Minister must act in the best interests of the country and reject Rosebank.”
asserted
Minister → act → Rosebank
Ed Harlow, the president of the National Education Union – another of the trade unions making the plea – meanwhile called on the Prime Minister to “listen to public sector workers who experienced what it’s like to try and teach children, care for the sick and elderly, and keep this country moving in extreme heat”.
asserted
it → make → heat
He insisted: “There is nothing ‘pragmatic’ in knowingly making these conditions worse, just so a handful of oil and gas firms can keep profiting.
“
asserted
handful → insist → firms
Approving Rosebank, after the summer we’ve had, would be outright arson.”
asserted
we → approve → summer
His comments came as Alex Heard, a teacher from Norwich, told the Prime Minister that “the climate crisis has pushed our schools to breaking point” this year.
asserted
crisis → come → point
He said: “As a science teacher, it is crystal clear that we can have no new oil and gas if we are to avoid breaching catastrophic tipping points.”
asserted
we → say → points
NHS occupational therapist Jordan Rivera said “critical” operations had had to be cancelled during heatwaves this summer, with A&E departments and ambulances also “hit with record demand”.
asserted
departments → say → demand
And Lee Hunter, regional chair for the north-west of the Fire Brigades Union, insisted the UK is “not prepared for the extremes we’re seeing”.
asserted
we → insist → extremes
Mr Hunter stated: “Whether it’s record wildfires this summer, or the increase in flooding we’re dealing with in winters, firefighters are on the frontline.
asserted
firefighters → state → frontline
This is the new normal, and we’re stretched to our limits.
asserted
we → stretch → limits
“That’s why our union is saying no to Rosebank.
asserted
union → ’ → Rosebank
It will just pour more fuel on the fire, making an already difficult job impossible.”
asserted
job → pour → fire
The intervention was welcomed by environmental campaigners, with Lang Banks, the director of WWF Scotland saying: “Trade Unions and their members play a vital role in shaping climate action in this country.
asserted
Unions → welcome → country
“And we agree with those who say that, after a summer of extreme heat and devastating wildfires, it would be irresponsible to approve new oil and gas developments that would accelerate climate change and do nothing to lower the energy bills of UK households.”
asserted
that → agree → households
A spokesperson for the UK Government’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, however, said: “We do not comment on speculation.
asserted
We → say → speculation
“The North Sea remains a vital national asset and oil and gas will continue to play an important role in our energy system for decades to come – alongside transitioning to clean power to protect jobs and tackle the climate crisis.
asserted
oil → remain → crisis
“Any decision will take into account all relevant evidence, including environmental assessments and public representations received during the consultation process.”
asserted
decision → take → process
The Aporia
