Seismic blasts

 

On Friday, Nigel and I went on our first outing since Covid.

It certainly wasn’t a 'date night'.

We demonstrated as part of Coastal Rebellion where over thirty actions were taking place simultaneously in over twenty countries including Peru, South Africa and Argentina.

Oil spills are devastating coastal wildlife, and so is seismic exploration.  Shockwaves fired from an airgun, 100,000 more intense than a jet engine, are blasted towards the seabed, revealing fossil fuel deposits. The noise emitted can travel 1000’s of kilometres. They are blasted every 10 seconds 24 hours a day for up to 4 months.  Totally disorientating for sea life that rely on sound and vibration: it interferes with breeding, hunting, escaping predators, and navigating.  

We carried a model humpback whale and several large banners over (a very windy) Westminster Bridge towards the headquarters of Shell.

But although, as I say, this outing was not a date night, I did learn a lesson in husband management.

In order to mimic the frequency and intensity of the seismic blasts, it was decided to blow a vuvuzela.

But who would do the blowing?

A woman who is a teacher in everyday life assigned Nigel the task: ‘Here’s a vuvuzela.  Blow it every ten seconds.’

This job kept Nigel busy and happily occupied all afternoon.

I am in the process of ordering a vuvuzela.  Whenever Nigel seems at a loose end or low in spirits, I shall utter the magic formula:

‘Here’s a vuvuzela.  Blow it every ten seconds.’

And I’m sure he will perk up.

Although I’m not sure what the neighbours will say.

For the full impact of an unleashed vuvuzela, watch this short video.