OnTheWight always welcomes a Letter to the Editor to share with our readers – unsurprisingly they don’t always reflect the views of this publication. If you have something you’d like to share, get in touch and of course, your considered comments are welcome below.
This from Paul Larner. Ed
Further to recent articles published by OnTheWight and local newspapers about the Exxonmobil Solent CO2 Pipeline project, in my view, it is clear that our beautiful Island is facing potential devastation of incalculable proportion.
The term Greenwashing has been attributed in many articles and this is definitely not without merit.
Unanswered questions
Thomas Cowley’s unanswered 18 out of 31 significant questions from his attendance at the first ExxonMobil residents’ consultation meeting, was quite outrageous, but I fear this is just the tip of the iceberg. I myself, like many other attendees at these events, have posed many other deeply relevant questions which again were met with avoidance or “Don’t Know” answers. It appears that their appointed teams at these events, are either deliberately instructed to avoid certain topics, or just possibly incapable of answering.
The constant claim that the disposal capacity is equivalent to the removal of 5 million cars, has no merit without clarification of factual reference.
Affecting 10% of the Island’s total surface area
As reported by Councillor Nick Stuart, earlier this month, “ExxonMobil’s preferred route has implications for about 40 square kilometres – about 10% of the Island’s total surface area.
From ExxonMobil’s own published literature, approximately 53% of this is in National Landscape (formerly known as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty).
A scar across our Island
The three-year disruption while works are completed, plus the resultant scar across our Island will have a significant negative impact for our residents, businesses and visitors. I believe the irreparable damage to habitat and environment can never be fully rectified and will be an unsightly reminder for a significant number of years.
Imposing industrial compounds will be located at each trenchless entry and exit point and a marked increase in HGV and industrial traffic will impact our fragile road infrastructure.
Tourism-based economy
The Islands’ economy is largely tourism based. This is because we have a beautiful Island. The long-term financial impact to the Island’s economy, local business owners, land owners, farmers and residents will again be incalculable.
My wife and I personally overheard ExxonMobil representatives reassuring attendees that they would receive financial compensation, however, any compensation received would be a short-term fix and would never compensate for the longer-term impact.
Impact on property values
According to the 2021 Census at the Office of National Statistics, approximately 52% of the Island’s population is either nearing or above retirement age. With the recent reduction in winter heating allowances and the overwhelming increase in the cost of living over recent years, many are facing the need to downsize or consider equity release to survive their retirement years.
The seemingly inevitable ExxonMobil project will, without doubt, impact on property values and not just in the immediately affected areas. Many financial institutions are likely to down-value or even refuse funding for the most affected properties. Whether an Islander of several generations or someone that has chosen to spend their latter years on this peaceful and beautiful Island, we cannot sit by and see what happens.
David and Goliath
Unfortunately, no matter how many newspaper articles are written or media coverage is given, plus, no matter how many names we present on petitions, we are unlikely to succeed against a giant such as ExxonMobil.
Especially if they are receiving Government support to hit carbon reduction targets. The HS2 project, petitions and objections are prime example.
It is a case of “United We Stand, Divided We Fall”. This Island has a population with a significant resource of knowledge and skills. Between us we can be heard and we can do whatever it takes to affect the outcome of this potential debacle.
Call to Action
I therefore announce a “Call to Action” for all Isle of Wight residents, land owners, businesses and external parties with a love and/or interest in the preservation of our beautiful Island.
The intention is to appoint collective legal representation and a team of expert consultants to oppose this project and to possibly identify alternative less impactful carbon reduction solutions.
Group Litigation Order
The proposal is to prepare and file a Group Litigation Order (GLO). A GLO is the UK equivalent to a US Class Action. At this stage we are looking for expressions of interest from persons who would contribute expert knowledge and skills in areas such as environmental impact, wildlife and habitat, geology knowledge, relevant scientific and engineering expertise, etc…
Funding pledges
To succeed, the action will require crowd funding. We are therefore also asking people to submit pledges of funding only at this point, (Please do not send funds yet).
Should the GLO proceed, funds would be held by an independent prominent legal practice on the Island and contributors would be kept full informed regarding expenditure decisions. Any resultant unused funds will be returned on a pro-rata basis.
Let’s fight this together.
Get in touch
Please make contact and send pledges to Paul Larner: [email protected].
