“We have allowed the interests of capital to outweigh the interests of human beings and our Earth.” Desmond Tutu
The rewards of fracking go to shareholders, directors and investors, many of whom will not be living South Africa. Extractive industries destroy long term sustainable jobs and create unsustainable booms and busts. Any short term gains are far outweighed by impacts and dangers that will be borne by local communities.
Watch Doreen and John’s animated tale of living in a frack-zone.
While mining activities do create at least some employment opportunities, they are not usually at the scale that is advertised, are often short term and for highly skilled individuals. There is a good chance that because of the negative impacts on the ecosystems on which we all reply, these activities can also ultimately result in job losses. Particularly, impacting rural livelihoods such as agriculture, farming, livestock production, ecotourism, community crafts projects. The uMzimvubu Catchment Restoration Project demonstrates sustainable alternatives to mining in improving rural livelihoods. See accompanying graphic here for Umzimvubu Catchment Rangeland Restoration Benefits
Landowners in fracking zones can find themselves trapped on a property that they cannot sell, re-mortgage, insure or develop.
Endangered Wildlife Trust has created simple Know Your Environmental Rights pamphlets in 6 South African languages. Download and share.
Everyone can join in to make a difference and prevent the destruction of our communities. Watch an Australian example.
South African’s do not own the minerals under their properties. Read our blog post on the subject.
Treasure the Karoo Action Group has compiled this Guideline for Property Owners
