Announcing Oilwatch Conference and Retreat
The historical context of colonialism and extractivism has profoundly shaped global energy systems. These practices have led to environmental degradation, social inequalities, and economic dependencies. As the world confronts the urgent challenges of climate change and energy transition, there is a pressing need to move beyond these paradigms towards more equitable and sustainable frameworks. Energy democracy offers a pathway to achieve this, emphasizing the democratization of just energy transition, community empowerment, and ecological sustainability.
Colonial powers have exploited natural resources in their colonies, spanning from Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia and created economic systems based on extractivism. This pattern of intensive extraction of natural resources with minimal regard for local ecosystems or communities, lead to long-term socio-economic and environmental consequences. Current energy landscapes in many countries continue to grapple with the legacies of colonialism and extractivism.
Fossil fuel dependence, centralized energy systems, and inequitable access to energy resources persist, exacerbating social and environmental injustices. The global shift towards renewable energy presents both an opportunity and a challenge. While it offers the potential to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate change, there is a risk that new forms of extractivism (e.g., mining for rare earth minerals) could replicate old patterns of inequality and environmental harm. Oilwatch views democratizing and decolonizing energy frameworks as keys to achieving equitable and socialized access to energy, prioritization the needs of the people and the integrity of the planet.
As Oilwatch gathers for its conference and retreat from 19th to 24th August in Durban, South Africa, it will interrogate the various theories and false solutions being promoted to meet the current wave of energy hunger in the world. Transitioning beyond colonialism and extractivism towards energy democracy is not only a moral and ecological imperative but also an opportunity to build more resilient and equitable societies.
As the world drifts towards extreme climatic conditions, Oilwatch demands an urgent transition from fossil fuels dependency and a rejection of the claims that the petroleum civilization is inescapable.
The convening will be an opportunity to learn from our struggles and enhance synergies to co-create the pathways to a future that promotes life and halts fossil driven dispossession, impoverishment and accumulation.