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TAKE ACTION!
Shell Oil states that its mission is to operate responsibly in resource-rich and politically sensitive regions.
The corporation claims that it seeks to “bring long-term benefits” to these regions and to “safeguard human rights.”
Yet, Shell’s policies and actions have brought crippling environmental destruction and social destabilization to Nigeria’s Niger Delta, worsening an already violent and dangerous situation for Niger Delta women and their communities.
Similarly, ChevronTexaco promises to “respect the law, support universal human rights, protect the environment, and benefit the communities where we work.”
However, its actions in the Niger Delta do not uphold these principles.
There is a great divide between Shell Oil’s and ChevronTexaco’s words and actions, and an even greater double standard in how these corporations operate in the first and third worlds.
It is morally imperative, and crucial to building a safe, sustainable world, that Shell Oil and ChevronTexaco treat developing communities like that in the Niger Delta with the same respect they would treat communities in the U.S.
It’s critical to let these companies know that you are aware of, and concerned about, their damaging presence in Nigeria.
To demand that Shell Oil and ChevronTexaco live up to their promise to promote sustainability and justice, you can contact them in the following ways:
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To contact Shell Oil:
-Write a letter to Shell CEO Jan Van der Veer:
Shell Headquarters Address
Royal Dutch Shell plc
Carel van Bylandtlaan 16
2596 HR DEN HAAG
Postbus 162
2501 AN DEN HAAG
-Complete the “Tell Shell” email response form:
http://www.shell.com/home/form/nigeria/tellshell/form_tellshell_1705_1023.xml
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Sample letter to Shell Oil
"Dear Mr. Van der Veer,
Shell Oil aims to “help meet global energy demand in economically, environmentally and socially responsible ways.”* But Shell’s presence in the Niger Delta has brought environmental devastation and social inequity that grievously undermine and contradict these goals.
I call on you to fulfill Shell’s promise to treat oil-rich communities in developing countries in an ethical manner. In the Niger Delta, this means:
1. Upholding the environmental integrity of rivers, wetlands, forests and mangroves so that fishing and farming can sustain local residents, and both human and animal inhabitants do not suffer negative health effects from oil drilling and gas flares.
2. Refraining from the use of, or complicity with, violent military intimidation that suppresses those who peacefully seek to obtain fundamental necessities.
Shell has acknowledged its responsibility to be a good neighbor to the communities throughout the world where its oil is drilled. As a concerned consumer, I insist that this responsibility be discharged in good faith.
Sincerely,
Me."
* From Shell's website http://www.shell.com/
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To contact Chevron, you can:
-Write a letter to CEO David O’Reilly at headquarters:
6001 Bollinger Canyon Rd.
San Ramon, CA 94583
-Email Chevron at comment@chevron.com
-Write or email the Board of Directors:
Lead Director or Non-Employee Directors
c/o Office of the Corporate Secretary
Chevron Corporation
6001 Bollinger Canyon Road
San Ramon, CA 94583
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Sample letter to ChevronTexaco
"Dear Mr. O’Reilly,
I call on you to insist that ChevronTexaco uphold the basic rights of women and communities in the Niger Delta. These rights include: a safe, healthy environ-ment that supports fishing and farming, work opportunities, and freedom from violence.
I urge you to discontinue ChevronTexaco’s complicity with the violent military suppression of women who seek these fundamental necessities.
Instead of undermining the health and welfare of families in the Niger Delta, I ask that ChevronTexaco fulfill its promise to “respect the law, support universal human rights, protect the environment, and benefit the communities where we work.”* That’s the Chevron way.
Sincerely,
Me"
* From Chevron’s website, “The Chevron Way”
http://www.chevron.com/about/chevronway/
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