About this ebook
Stopping Oil dives into the story of how deep-sea oil exploration became politicized in Aotearoa New Zealand, how community groups mobilized against it, and the backlash that followed. It is also a story of activists exercising an ethic of care and responsibility, and how that solidarity was masked and silenced by the neoliberal state.
As Aotearoa New Zealand began to pursue deep-sea oil as part of its development agenda, a powerful climate justice campaign emerged, comprising a range of autonomous 'Oil Free' groups around the country, NGOs like Greenpeace, and iwi and hapū (Māori tribal groups). As their influence increased, the state employed different tactics to silence them, starting with media representations designed to delegitimize, followed by securitization and surveillance that controlled their activities, and finally targeted state-sanctioned violence and dehumanization.
By highlighting geographies of hope for radical progressive change, the authors focus on the many examples of the campaign where solidarity and political responsibility shone through the repression, leading us towards a brighter future for climate justice across the globe.
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About the author
Sophie Bond is a geographer who teaches and researches in environmental politics and geographies of justice. Her research involves collaborating with local authorities and grassroots groups on climate justice, climate change adaptation and community engagement. Through teaching, she seeks to inspire students to work towards creating a sustainable and hopeful future.
Amanda Thomas is a geographer lecturing in environmental studies at Victoria University of Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand. She is interested in environmental justice and the geographies of being a white New Zealander.
Dr Gradon Diprose is a geographer working as an environmental social science researcher at Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research. His research explores human nature relationships, climate resilient urban infrastructure, and how communities come together around shared concerns to sustain their livelihoods and wellbeing.
