Postcards from Home

As I write this, 2023 is drawing to a close and it will, doubtlessly, prove to be the hottest global year on record.  Only a few days ago the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) failed, yet again, to call for even a "phase out" of fossil fuels, never mind the rapid end to their burning which is needed in order to avert ever worsening climate chaos.  This project won't change anything but it feels like an appropriate response.
This work was created as my contribution to a collaborative project organised by the specialist landscape group of the Royal Photographic Society.  The brief of the project was to create three postcards featuring several images each, all taken close to home.  Also required was a fourth, reverse side card, explaining the approach taken to the brief.  

Esso, Greasby.  4.8km / 3.0 miles from home.

ExxonMobil, the parent company of Esso, is guilty of spreading misinformation as to the harmful effects of fossil fuel burning.  It knew of climate change as long ago as 1977 and subsequently spent over $30million funding so-called "think tanks" that promote climate change denial. 
Source: Scientific American, October 2015

Images taken in August, October and December

BP, Moreton.  4.7km / 2.9 miles from home.

Despite making $28billion profits in 2022, BP is scaling back its environmental "commitments" whilst increasing its future investments in oil and gas.
Source: Washing Post, 7 February 2023

Images taken at 06:58, 13:31 and 18:28

Shell, Upton.  5.9km / 3.7 miles from home.

Shell continues to invest millions of dollars every year in oil and gas exploration whilst trying to claim environmental credentials for itself.  In June 2023 it had adverts banned by the Advertising Standards Authority for misleading claims about the company's "green" offers and plans whilst failing to mention its far more significant climate wrecking activities.
Source: Financial Times, 7 June 2023  

Images taken in sunny, cloudy and rainy weather.

"We are on a fast track to climate disaster:  Major cities under water. Unprecedented heatwaves. Terrifying storms.
Widespread water shortages. The extinction of a million species of plants and animals.  
This is not fiction or exaggeration.
It is what science tells us will result from our current energy policies. 
We are on a pathway to global warming of more than double the 1.5-degree limit agreed in Paris. 
Some government and business leaders are saying one thing – but doing another. 
Simply put, they are lying."
António Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations
4 April 2022
NOTES
2. "$103million every day"
     The Guardian, 11 May 2022
3. Rankings of world's largest oil companies
    Wikipedia (accessed 14/12/23)
4. Statement by António Guterres
    4 April 2022
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