Fifty people gathered in Craignish Village Hall on Monday to watch The Oil Machine, a film directed by Emma Davie, an Ardfern resident, and consider that question.
The film looks at the fossil fuel industry and how it is embedded physically, financially and politically in our society.
In it, we hear from young climate activists, economists, ex-oil and gas workers, climate scientists and more about the different institutions and systems that keep the fossil fuel industry going.
Climate science is clear we can’t afford to develop any new oil and gas fields if we want to stay within safe climate limits.
The UK Government bills itself as a climate leader and has set a target for ‘Net Zero’ emissions by 2050.
Yet, at the same time, they are giving out more than 100 new licences to fossil fuel companies to drill for more oil and gas in the North Sea.
The fields being licensed now won’t extract any oil or gas for up to 20 years, long after we need to have stopped extraction completely and too late to help with any issues of energy security.
The fossil fuel industry is also supported by a taxation system which incentivises new
developments with public subsidies, rather than directing this money towards a transition to a renewable energy system that would make energy more accessible and more affordable for everyone.
With fossil fuel companies making record profits while millions are pushed into fuel
poverty by skyrocketing energy bills this winter, it’s never been clearer our current energy system is not fit for purpose.
After the film, Time for Change hosted a question and answer session and discussion with Emma Davie, the film’s director, and Freya Aitchison, co-founder of Time for Change and an oil and gas campaigner at Friends of the Earth Scotland.
Both highlighted the importance of making the workings of the fossil fuel industry and its supporters visible to the public, as the importance of public opinion to fossil fuel companies cannot be underestimated.
Freya gave examples of instances where fossil fuel companies like Shell and Equinor have been forced to pull out of projects because public opinion was against them, showing that people power can win against these huge corporations.
Emma also emphasised the importance of taking funding away from the fossil fuel industry, which is talked about a lot in the film.
Many banks and pension funds invest heavily in fossil fuels, often without the knowledge of the people whose money is being invested.
You can find out whether your money is being invested in fossil fuels by going to the Make My Money Matter website. Divesting from oil and gas is one of the most impactful things an individual can do to fight climate change.
Time for Change will be hosting other screenings of this film across Argyll in the new year.
Keep an eye on our mailing list for updates. You can sign up by going to our website at www.timeforchangeargyllandbute.org.