Thirty years ago, on this day, June 20th, 1995, Shell surrenders in the Battle of Brent Spar
See this from Greenpeace’s 1995 Annual Report
The amount of carbon dioxide in the air was roughly 363ppm. As of 2025 it is 430ppm, but check here for daily measures.
The broader context was that there had been a decent run of “environmental successes” (if you squint) over the previous decade, most memorably on ozone. And a “convention” on climate change (squint a LOT, ‘kay?). But the oil companies never sleep, and were looking for a cheap way of disposing of dozens/hundreds of old oil rigs. If they could get one done, then, well, the precedent is established, isn’t it?
What I think we can learn from this was that this was about the last time TNCs (transnational corporations) were under the cosh of the ENGOs (environmental non-governmental organisations) (Though I’d happily be corrected).
What happened next. The greenwashing and the lobbying kicked into higher gear. The emissions kept climbing. We are so fubarred.
What do you think? Does this pass the ‘so what?’ threshold? Have I got facts wrong? Interpretation wrong? Please do comment on this post, unless you are a denialist, obvs.
Also on this day:
June 20, 1977- “Alternative Three” – An early Climate Hoax – All Our Yesterdays
June 20, 1979 – Jimmy Carter installed solar panels on the White House – All Our Yesterdays