The Croatian public deserves to know the facts when it comes to expanding this dirty and dangerous practice to the Adriatic Coast, and what alternatives there are for clean energy generation. Instead of working to fully understand the implications of rushing to develop offshore oil and gas, our elected officials are being blinded by imaginary short-term profits and missing the real opportunity that wind provides. In just 10 years, offshore wind could generate more energy than could be provided by all of the economically recoverable offshore oil and gas resources. Unlike offshore drilling, offshore wind provides power directly to coastal communities where we need energy the most, without the risk of oil spills or carbon pollution. It’s time for the Croatia to use the lessons learned from more than 20 years of offshore wind development internationally and apply them to generating clean, renewable energy off our coasts.
Zeljko Serdar, Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources (CCRES).
So why are we against drilling?
ReplyDeleteBecause Croatia has the cleanest water for swimming in all of Europe. Tested and measured!. And we don’t believe their claims of the ‘highest environmental standards’, because currently they don’t exist.
Because Croatia has numerous marine protected areas, sensitive ecosystems and marine life that would be adversely impacted by oil exploration and exploitation processes.
Because 90% of the Croatian Adriatic sea is up for sale, due to government projections that it will earn $2.5 billion USD over five years. Receiving bids for only ½ the blocks, the price of a critical natural resource is now 50% off.
Because the Croatian government in it’s wisdom is threatening to destroy the $8.5 billion tourism industy, the fishing industry, and the environment for $250 million in annual revenue for 5 years. I am not an economist, but I’m pretty good with math, and this just does not add up.
Because the actions taken by the Croatian government will provide an excuse for other countries bordering the Adriatic sea to pursue the same misguided excuse for an energy policy.
Because we have children, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and neighbors who all depend on the sea in one way or another. It feeds, cools, nourishes and inspires us all in ways that can not be measured in dollars.
Climate pollution, like air and water pollution, must be considered before dirty energy projects move forward. New energy projects and leasing should be focused on clean energy, not projects that further our dependence on fossil fuels. Additionally, some places are too special to drill or mine. These areas should be permanently protected and placed off limits to dirty fuel development, including coal, oil, gas, and uranium extraction.
ReplyDeletePlease make a commitment to protect our lands and climate for generations to come by not allowing any new leasing of our public lands for extraction of dirty fuels.
Zeljko Serdar, Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources (CCRES)
Climate pollution, like air and water pollution, must be considered before dirty energy projects move forward. New energy projects and leasing should be focused on clean energy, not projects that further our dependence on fossil fuels. Additionally, some places are too special to drill or mine. These areas should be permanently protected and placed off limits to dirty fuel development, including coal, oil, gas, and uranium extraction.
ReplyDeletePlease make a commitment to protect our lands and climate for generations to come by not allowing any new leasing of our public lands for extraction of dirty fuels.
Zeljko Serdar, Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources (CCRES)