OIL SPILL AT THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
Climate activists splatter oil across photo exhibition in outrage at Shell
greenwash tactics

3 February 2007 - For immediate release

Today at the Shell-sponsored Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition
at the Natural History Museum, 20 activists inspired by the Camp for
Climate Action (1), smeared oil over the photographs. This was an act of
outrage at Shell's painfully transparent attempts to greenwash its
reputation via cultural sponsorship.

Shell's sponsorship of the Natural History Museum is deeply ironic, since
it devastates wildlife and the environment around the world through the
extraction and production of ever more oil and gas.

Today's action comes hard on the heels of the release of Shell's 2006
financial figures, documenting the 13 billions of pounds made at the
expense of people and the planet.  Shell's activities extracting oil
result in major ecological and social impacts.  Trading 3.6 million
barrels of crude oil equivalent a day, the company is also a major
contributor to climate change, which has been predicted to wipe out a
quarter of all species on the planet by 2050, and to devastate the poorest
regions of the planet (2). The extent of the threat was highlighted on
Friday with the release of the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change fourth report.

For all these reasons, the climate camp activists are calling on the
Natural History Museum to end its oily sponsorship deal with Shell.

As the black oil-like liquid has been spread over the glass covering the
photographs, the activists have not damaged the work itself. As Dan Baker
said, "This is not an attack on the work of the photographers. Shell does
not deserve to have its name associated with their beautiful images." A
banner reading "Make Nature History Museum - sponsored by Shell" was also
unfurled.

Activist Daisy Williams said, "This action sheds light on the ugly stain
that covers this exhibition as a result of the Museum's collusion with
Shell. We're here to make sure everyone knows about this despicable
greenwash sponsorship deal. With more public pressure, we can kick Shell
out of the Natural History Museum!"

For high resolution photos of today's action, visit this image site:
https://www.theimagefile.com/?skin=2903&ppwd=ks8551dt&Action=_VC&id=59798

For interviews call: 07913 299 852

ENDS

Notes for Editors

1 - The Camp for Climate Action was held outside Drax coal-fired power
station in Selby last August 2006. This will be followed by another camp
in 2007 14th-21st Aug, location to be announced. See
www.climatecamp.org.uk

2 - For more information about Shell's greenwash and climate crimes around
the world see: www.shellfacts.com, www.shelloiledwildlife.org.uk and
www.artnotoil.org.uk/gallery/v/Shell