Peter Craven - Jetty Fitter

Jetty fitter Peter Craven is a walking, talking example of Shell’s sustainable development philosophy that economic growth needs to be balanced with environmental care and equitable social development. He happily gives up his spare time to participate in conservation projects and encourages others to do the same. Needless to say, the choice between getting involved with Earthwatch field research or Shell Coastal Volunteers presented something of a dilemma for this keen environmentalist. In the end, there was only one option: choose booth!

So in January 2002, after successfully applying for a Shell Earthwatch Fellowship, Peter travelled deep into the forests of New South Wales to help Earthwatch scientists investigate the reason for declining frog populations. Since identifying a fungus as the possible cause, the Earthwatch team has been trying to develop a clearer picture of how the fungus got there and why it spread.

"If my involvement can help solve some of these questions, then I will have achieved something worthwhile", says Peter, recounting how he and other volunteers chased and microchipped frogs late into the night.

Nine months after Earthwatch, Peter donned his Shell Coastal Volunteers’ cap and flew to the Northern Territory, where he and other volunteers spent five days working on a coastal protection project for Darwin City Council. "We constructed fencing from Vestey’s Beach to East Point just near Fannie Bay to prevent people from walking on the sand dunes to the beach," says Peter.

Working to protect Australia’s coastline might seem daunting, but already hundreds of significant locations have been cleaned up or rehabilitated through the Shell Coastal Volunteers program. "The other volunteers were astounded and impressed that Shell would sponsor something like this," recalls Peter. Their reactions have cast him and other likeminded Shell employees as roving ‘ambassadors’ for Shell’s sustainable development commitment.

These environmental excursions are by no means holidays in the great outdoors. While Shell pays for flights to conservation sites, all employees are expected to put in a solid five day’s work. But the lessons learnt more than outweigh the hard work says Peter. "You can’t keep taking from the environment; you have to put something back," is his key message to colleagues and friends.

Peter has since written an article about his experiences and spoken publicly about the value of environmental projects. He has also made a presentation to primary school students about vanishing frog populations.

Voluntarily participating in conservation activities twice in one year shows a level of commitment more usually associated with environmental groups. However, as Peter points out, working at an oil refinery does not stop you living your values and caring about the environment. If anything, it makes you more committed to doing the right thing.

• Shell Coastal Volunteers was launched in 2001 to mark Shell’s centenary in Australia
• By the end of 2002, volunteers, including Shell employees, had planted 20,000 trees, grasses and shrubs and revegetated and weeded an area equivalent to thirteen Melbourne Cricket Grounds
• In 2003, more Shell employees will add to the over 70 who have already contributed their time and effort as a Shell Coastal Volunteer
• Further post project monitoring during 2003 will occur as we reach our target of 300 coastal rehabilitation projects undertaken in three years