This is Shell's dream. A few weeks ago, the Canadian government just gave it permission to drill for oil off Nova Scotia's coast — and the company doesn't need to cap an oil blowout for 21 days.

Are they kidding?
Shell will be allowed to freely spill oil into the ocean for three weeks, potentially wreaking environmental havoc on Canada's amazing marine life, major fishing grounds, coastal communities and the Sable Island National Park Reserve, the world's largest breeding colony of grey seals.

Now it's down to the offshore oil regulator -- the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board (CNSOPB) -- to decide whether to approve the application.

If our global community protests Shell's drilling Nova Scotia, we will send a signal that wherever it goes to drill and destroy, we'll be there too.

Tell the CNSOPB to refuse Shell's application to drill in Nova Scotia.

Over four years, Shell wants to drill up to seven exploratory wells, which are especially risky and prone to large spill. If a blowout did happen, it would be catastrophic for Canada's major fishing grounds and the environment.

The U.S. requires oil companies to have blowout-capping equipment on site within 24 hours. Canada is giving Shell three weeks to bring equipment in from Norway after a blowout happens 5,000 kilometres away. And worse, some of the backup safety equipment is located in South Africa, a staggering 12,000 kilometres away.

Shell is not only gambling with Nova Scotia, it is wreaking havoc all over the world. It recently got the
go ahead to drill the Arctic, putting our entire ecosystem in danger and contributing massively to climate change.

BP's Deepwater Horizon disaster taught us just how devastating a prolonged blowout can be for wildlife, habitat and livelihoods. But some believe a blowout in Shell's wells in Nova Scotia, Canada could be even worse. The oil wells would be in much deeper water and a much harsher environment. And honestly, no one trusts Shell ability to deal with it.

The SumOfUs community has stood up to Big Oil's destruction of the environment, and we've had a major impact.
Hundreds of thousands of us came together to stop Shell from drilling in the Arctic, and to demand that Chevron pay for its crimes in the Amazon. Now, let's stand together to keep Shell out of Nova Scotia.

Canada-Nova Scotia Petroleum Board: refuse Shell's application to drill in Nova Scotia!

**********

More information:

Shell gets OK to take 21 days to cap blowouts off Nova Scotia coast, CBC News, 5 August 2015

Canada Gives Shell Permission to Leave Future Offshore Well Blowout Uncapped for 21 Days, the U.S. Gives 24 Hours, DeSmog Canada, 7 August 2015

Canadian agency deciding Shell's offshore drilling includes ex-Shell official, The Guardian, 27 August 2015.