ACTIVE PROJECTS

Socio-ecological conflicts

PAST PROJECTS

Enkrateia

The core focus of this project revolves around the conflict of fracking. Fracking, also known as "hydraulic fracturing", is a highly invasive technique used to extract hydrocarbons (gas or oil) found in unconventional reservoirs, such as in the pores and fissures of sedimentary rocks. To extract these resources, several deep wells must be drilled over a large area, and then water mixed with other chemicals is injected to fracture the rock, releasing the hydrocarbons for extraction.

Among the main threats that characterize this technique are:

The contamination of aquifers , not being able to recover 100% of the chemical substances injected.

The overexploitation of aquifers , because it is a technique that needs a lot of water.

Traffic and noise from the heavy industry that carries out the works.

The impact on the landscape due to the construction of wells.

The development of small earthquakes , caused by the loading or extraction of water in the presence of nearby faults or fractures.

This type of system also involves a high energy and economic cost , but it has started to be implemented because the easy-to-extract (and cheaper) oil reserves have declined. Consequently, techniques such as fracking, which require more investment, have become profitable. At this point, the question arises as to which energy model is desired, bearing in mind that geological resources are limited. This is why different environmental organizations are calling for this type of extraction system to be stopped and for alternatives that are more respectful of the environment to be explored.

Background:

The CST's need to participate in a project addressing the fight against fracking emerged from a local territorial conflict when, in 2012, the Generalitat of Catalonia granted an exploration permit for hydrocarbon extraction to the multinational Teredo Oils in the Riudaura area (La Garrotxa). The possibility of exploiting gas in this area had been explored as early as 1960 but was dismissed due to low profitability. On this new occasion, thanks to the popular pressure from the residents of Riudaura, the concession was halted. In this context, the CST also supported the cause by producing the documentary "Riudaura: The Voices Against Fracking," directed by Marc Planagumà, which premiered in 2018.

The project:

It was created in 2014, in joint coordination between the CST and Alba Sud (tourism research center from critical perspectives). The Enkrateia project was planned for a total of 4 years (2015-2019) , although only the first phase of 2015 was developed .

The project aims to rethink a new culture of the territory, different from the capitalist logic of natural resource extraction . In this sense, we want to take into account the limits of the planet and that is why it is crucial to create or develop an energy model that overcomes the extractivist paradigm, with no place for practices such as fracking, and that promotes clean and renewable energies.

The project is called "Enkrateia" , because it is a Greek word that means self-control or temperance , and which, transferred in this context, refers to self-control over the exploitation of the planet's natural resources.

The main purpose of the project is to support the network of platforms and collectives that have stood up against fracking throughout Europe and to be able to group them under a European Fracking Observatory in order to raise proposals and put pressure on the European Parliament to curb the use of this technique throughout the territory. The Enkrateia project is conceived as a space to exchange ideas and experiences and thus consolidate an energy transition.

Therefore, its specific objectives are:

The creation of the European Fracking Observatory.

The research and monitoring of technologies that are invasive in the territory (opencast mines, marine prospecting, etc.) with the drafting of annual reports that collect all the information.

To spread scientific culture among groups against fracking , in order to promote deeper knowledge about this technique and make their opposition strategy more efficient.

Study and publish the socio-economic and environmental consequences of non-conventional energy development.

Raise collective demands on the need to reflect on the current energy model and its democratization in the European Parliament.

Organization of the III Conference of the Euro-Mediterranean network of social movements and entities against the abusive exploitation of fossil fuels:

One of the main activities carried out during the project is the organization of the III Conference of the Euro-Mediterranean network of social movements and entities against the abusive exploitation of fossil fuels: the use of politics and science to combat TTIP and Fracking.

It took place on March 8th and 9th, 2015, between Barcelona and Riudaura, the latter, as an example of the fight against fracking.

The TTIP (Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership) , also known as the Transatlantic Free Trade Area (TAFTA) or Transatlantic Free Trade Area, is a proposal for a Free Trade Treaty (FTA) between the European Union and the United States. A treaty of this nature would equate American and European regulations and weaken the European precautionary principle regarding practices that may have a severe environmental impact. Such a treaty seeks to open a wider market with fewer restrictions between the US and Europe, such as with the import of genetically modified organisms or the exploitation of hydrocarbons with fracking.

During the years 2013-2015 the debate on the creation or not of TTIP was on the agenda of the public agenda , which led to the creation of a multitude of platforms against it. It is also in this context that the III Conference is organized by the Enkrateia project.

The objectives of the Conference include:

Consolidate the Euro-Mediterranean network.

Discuss the relationship between experts and scientists and anti-fracking and anti-TTIP popular movements , which can help move towards a new idea of territory based on models of energy exploitation.

Foster interaction between the network and parliamentary groups.

Main activities carried out by the project:

8th and 9th March 2015: Organization of the III Conference of the Euro-Mediterranean network of social movements and entities against the abusive exploitation of fossil fuels.