The world is filled with challenge and controversy, and Druids are inspired through their practice to acknowledge this in their relationships with the landscape they inhabit. In modern times the challenges can include addressing our own impact on the living landscape around us; identifying where we are harming both our planetary wellbeing and our own future. Choices are made, and remade, and time and again we make our individual journey through life.
One of the immediate challenges in the UK – amongst so many – is the fracking industry; how it is operating and how it being supported and indeed resisted. The Druid Network has been asked for its stance on onshore mining using hydraulic fracturing, generally known as “fracking”, and for assistance in fighting against those involved in such operations on mainland Britain.
The Druid Network is a charity in England and Wales (1138265) with aims to inform, inspire and facilitate Druidry as a religion. Its Constitution identifies Druidry as the crafting of “reverential, sacred and honourable relationship between the people and the land”. It is therefore entirely pertinent for The Druid Network to have an opinion, expressed through its trustees, on matters which to clearly connect people to the land.
We all consume resources, and yet not all resources should be consumed. The point at which we could no longer safely plunder our planet for fossil fuel came and went long ago, and scientists tell us we are increasingly moving toward uncontrollable climate chaos. At the same time, renewable fuels are providing more and more of our energy needs. The argument would seem clear, that we cannot afford (in both cash and sustainability terms) to suck out every last drop of fossil fuel, nor build ourselves through nuclear generation into a dead end of unending radioactive waste. Accepting all the arguments as to the manufacture of renewable generation, TDN is pro renewable and anti-fossil fuel.
On a relatively small and densely populated island our water resources are beyond precious. Without water the human body begins to fail within three days. About one third of our drinking water comes from sources beneath the ground, with the remainder coming from reservoirs, lakes and rivers. Fracking is inevitably close to and in some cases immediately adjacent the water sources we need for life.
Examples overseas offer us insight into how resilient the industry is against contamination from products and byproducts of fracking. We can expect the UK fracking industry to be no different. On a purely pragmatic basis then, we are not without concerns as to the ethics of endangering a vital resource, the loss of which would be calamitous to both human and non-human alike. Accepting that our problems begin with our legion number, TDN is concerned about the risk to water resources and stands against the fracking industry.
The information we can reliably source about the Druids of the past reflect a truth that they were peaceful intercessors between opposing sides, whether the examples be from Roman reportage or the more recent history of the Universal Bond and the defence of the Senoussi. Druids stand amidst the battle to bring order. TDN identifies itself in its Constitution with such issues as protecting the natural environment, promoting ethical standards of behaviour, promoting peace and engaging in peaceful and responsible political campaigning that aligns with the aforementioned aims. Individual Druids are of course able to identify their own path through the ethical arguments, and many are involved both physically and magically (through groups such as The Warrior’s Call). TDN expresses it’s concerns vocally and clearly but is not associated with violent protest.
Notwithstanding the vehemence of opinions held on both sides, TDN is also concerned at the use of civilian police as site support to a corporate entity. In any other venue, site security would normally be a company matter not involving the public purse. Druids well remember the police action of 1985 at Stonehenge, and note resonances in video footage of that time with the more recent Preston New Road fracking construction site.
Recently, geological academics and scientific experts have expressed doubt that fracking will produce a commercially viable fuel source (even ignoring the climate chaos issues implicit in any accelerated fossil fuel extraction). Scotland has banned fracking within it’s territories citing harm to carbon reduction strategies and unjustifiable environmental damage. English Local Authorities have banned fracking in their localities but have had appeals by the fracking industry upheld by central government. Localism is as much a central tenet of Druidry as it should be in law. TDN applauds the action by the Scottish legislature and calls for a national debate and referendum.
In avoiding references in this article to god or gods or any pantheon structure or lack thereof, TDN remains inclusive of the many ways in which Druids seek connection to their land, the spirits and continuities of heritage. The deep spiritual connection of Druids to their landscape, its heritage and individual ancestry are each expressed uniquely by each individual. The commonality of dismay at what fracking can mean to the future of our landscape is what TDN is voicing here.
On behalf of the Membership of The Druid Network The Trustees of TDN
© The Druid Network 2017ce
TDN statement on Fracking Final, 31st October 2017ce