One Future in Action

Collaborating with grassroots groups in the battle against Shannon LNG

The fracking industry has been trying to build the Shannon Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) import terminal for a long time. If built, Shannon LNG would be one of the biggest fracked gas terminals in Europe and would be open for decades, locking us into climate polluting fossil fuels for a frightening period of time. LNG would be shipped in giant tankers from the US and re-gasified here in Ireland. This would fuel the US fracking industry - a huge source of climate pollution which is also having devastating impacts on the health and well being of communities living near fracked gas sites. 

Friends of the Earth has been involved in the battle against Shannon LNG for years, working with grassroots groups who have been doing heroic organising to oppose the project for over a decade. This summer local and national grassroots activists upped the ante in their fight against Shannon LNG by organising a week-long climate camp in Kerry near the site of the proposed Shannon LNG terminal, culminating in a mass trespass of the site involving 150 activists. 

In early July we invited members of One Future to join a webinar that we organised with grassroots group Not Here Not Anywhere. This webinar explored the environmental, social and economic impacts of LNG and encouraged participants to get involved in the campaign against Shannon LNG and attend the Climate Camp in Kerry where they could deepen their engagement on this issue. A spark was lit and many One Future activists got stuck in - rolling up their sleeves to take on the fracking industry and keep Ireland LNG free! 

The Climate Camp was an exciting experience for the One Future members who could make it down to Kerry. Grassroots climate justice groups and individuals from all over Ireland came together to share ideas and learnings, make plans and support local Kerry groups who have been resisting Shannon LNG for over a decade. Groups involved in the camp included camp organisers Slí Eile as well as Futureproof Clare, Communities Against the Injustices of Mining, Love Leitrim, Not Here Not Anywhere and more! Some Irish American anti-fracking campaigners also attended the camp, alongside Ray Kemble, an American man whose life and health has been damaged as a result of fracking in the US. 

Various campaigning ideas emerged from the climate camp, including an action that happened in Dublin the very next week! On 11th August climate activists joined up again outside the Dáil to support Ray Kemble to deliver a letter to Leo Varadkar asking that the Minister meet with those who have been directly affected by fracking and LNG companies. This action was taken after it was revealed that Varadkar held a meeting with Wes Edens, CEO of New Fortress Energy, the company behind Shannon LNG. Several One Future members attended in solidarity and the demonstration and letter hand-in was covered in the media.