Activists in Slovakia protested against the construction of a gas LNG terminal on the Danube
Activists in Slovakia protested against the construction of a gas LNG terminal on the Danube
Bratislava, Slovakia, 14 July 2021 - More than 60 activists and concerned residents in kayaks have drawn attention to the construction of a new fossil fuel infrastructure, the proposed gas terminal in Bratislava, which is conflicting with efforts to solve the climate crisis. The kayak protest was accompanied by a bike ride organized by Cyklokuchyňa and the Concerned Mothers. Families with chldren also took part in the bike rides to emphasize the costs of the climate crisis that will affect our children and the young generation. The organizations are calling for a halt to the construction of the LNG terminal as well as any other fossil infrastructure, a rapid decline in the use of all fossil fuels and systemic solutions to the climate crisis.
According to Greenpeace, the proposed liquefied gas (LNG) terminal is undermining climate goals because, instead of reducing the use of fossil fuels, it will tie us to them for decades to come. According to the organization, the main argument of the LNG terminal's proponents - reducing greenhouse gas emissions - is misleading, as using LNG as a fuel for ships, taking into account its whole life cycle, does not reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional fuels and may even increase them. In addition, the proposed terminal close to the center, residential areas and the Slovnaft refinery also poses a safety risk, as LNG is a highly flammable substance.
"Every day brings us new evidence of a worsening climate crisis, whether it is record-breaking warm, large-scale droughts or devastating fires. We really don't have time for fake solutions. We need a shift away from fossil fuels and not LNG terminals, which tie us to their use for decades. It is unacceptable to use public funds for fossil gas infrastructure. Gas is one of the causes of the climate crisis and not its solution, ”said Katarína Juríková, Director of Greenpeace Slovakia.
Gas is a fossil fuel that is as climate-harmful as coal. It is made up of 80% methane, a greenhouse gas that has up to 84 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide (CO2). Methane escapes from the extraction and transport of fossil gas and its concentration in the atmosphere is rapidly increasing despite the fact that according to the latest UN study is to achieve climate targets crucial to reduce methane emissions.