More than 200 British musicians have signed an open letter urging new UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham to reject development of the Rosebank oil field off the UK’s North Atlantic coast. The letter, coordinated by EarthPercent and Uplift, lands as the government weighs approval of the project.
Signatories include Massive Attack, three members of Radiohead, The Cure’s Robert Smith, Imogen Heap and EarthPercent founder Brian Eno. The oil and gas industry has lobbied for approval of Rosebank.
Artists link touring to climate stability
“As artists, we have become starkly aware of the fact that our livelihoods often depend upon the reliability of safe weather conditions and stable energy costs for live events,” the letter states. “The widespread disruption of music events across Europe and Wembley’s rule-changes for Harry Styles’ shows could be just the beginning. Our continued dependence on oil and gas has strengthened heatwaves and made us vulnerable to volatile energy costs, but it is a dependence that we can end.”
Emissions warning and treaty pledge
The letter says Rosebank’s climate pollution would be equivalent to almost 70 percent of UK annual emissions if approved. It also points to Burnham’s record as mayor of Greater Manchester, where he stood alongside Massive Attack to sign the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.
“We ask that you continue this commitment to no new oil and gas as Prime Minister, and resist lobbying and mis/disinformation of oil and gas companies who are seeking Rosebank’s approval solely for their own benefit,” the letter continues. “If you approve new oil and gas drilling as our new Prime Minister, while the impacts of the climate crisis are already hurting us all, this is what you will be remembered for…”
