Climate Chaos – Page 145

Earth First! summer gathering – Wednesday 18th July until Sunday 22nd July 2007 – location & programme announced

What is the Earth First! Summer Gathering?

* Are you fed up with bare-faced lies from politicians, big business and the media?
* Have you had enough of a world where corporate profit comes before life and dignity?
* Do you want to see an end to mindless consumption>
* Then this Gathering is for you! Read on…

What is the Earth First! Summer Gathering?

The Earth First! Summer Gathering is the place where people involved in radical ecological direct action – or those who want to be involved – get together for five days of time and space to talk, walk, share skills, learn, play, rant, find out what’s going on, find out what’s next, live outside, strategise, hang out, incite, laugh and conspire.

The gathering is also a practical example of non-hierarchical low-impact living in action.

We are a diverse community with a wide range of approaches to our action, so there should be plenty to interest and inspire everyone whether you have been active for years or are completely new to it all.

More info at earthfirstgathering.org.uk

Climate Activist Glues Herself To The Front Door Of Leeds Bradford Airport

18th May: A woman climate activist blocked the entrance to Leeds/Bradford Airport today, by supergluing herself in front of the revolving door. The protest was against government’s failure to curb the growth in air travel, in spite of the fact that it is the fastest growing source of CO2 emissions from the United Kingdom.

The activist handed the following statement to members of the public and airport staff:-

“This is a peaceful act of civil disobedience. It is my intention to disrupt the normal working of this airport because it is an environmental hazard. In so doing, I am standing up for the poorest of the world’s people, and for future generations, who will bear the brunt of climate chaos, caused by the affluent lifestyles and fossil fuel addiction of the rich.

The planned threefold increase in air flights is environmental lunacy. If runaway climate change is to be averted, global carbon emissions need to peak this decade, and decline rapidly thereafter. There is no way that this can be achieved without halting the explosion in air travel. Leeds/Bradford Airport is planning to expand to 8million flights a year, and if the public authorities refuse to curb this environmental menace, then responsible local citizens must act.

I AM SUPERGLUED IN POSITION PLEASE DO NOT HURT ME BY ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE ME!

I am not a terrorist. The real terrorists are the people who are destroying the planet for profit.”

The activist was in position for about an hour, giving her plenty of opportunity to educate those going in and out of the airport. The police again showed a remarkable tolerance for the crimes of Leeds Bradford airport by arresting the activist and stopping her from performng this vital public service. What are they like?

www.climatecamp.org.uk

Activists Occupy Downtown West Palm Beach Billboard protesting Florida Power and Light

West Palm Beach, May 14 – This morning local activists from Project Awareness and Everglades Earth First! hung banners and locked themselves to a downtown rooftop billboard to call for a sustainable future for western Palm Beach County. They oppose FPL’s proposed West County Energy Center, citing its contribution to global warming, Everglades pollution, and overdevelopment; and the Callery-Judge “Town Development,” which would jumpstart urban sprawl in the Loxahatchee area. Their messages highlight the enormous water consumption cllowances already approved for each project, and promote public participation in two forums ñ tomorrow’s 2pm county commission meeting and the FPL’s Shareholders meeting to take place at FPL’s Juno Beach headquarters on May 25.

Their colorful banners showed an alligator chomping a power plant and read:

“Got Water? They would: FPL’s West County Plant ->18 million gallons a Day;

“Callery-Judge Town -> 5 million gallons a day. Keep it Rural, Keep it Wild. No new FPL Plant”

For over a year environmental groups have been fighting the West County Energy Center (WCEC), a natural gas plant that FPL hopes to construct 1000 feet away from the Arthur R. Marshall National Wildlife Refuge in Loxahatchee. As the alternative to fossil fuel plans, activists are promoting energy efficiency & renewable energy, which FPL claims is impractical, despite the American Council for Energy Efficiency’s recent report on the potential for efficiency and renewable sources to meet Florida’s energy demands.

“When it comes to renewable energy, the science has been there for years,” says local activist & physicist Lynne Purvis. “Why does FPL continue to use old, dirty technologies? The answer can only be greed.”

The current drought and water shortages spawn further concerns about FPL’s proposed WCEC water requirements of 18 million gallons a day and the unknown water consumption of the hundreds of thousands of units of development enabled by the project, including Callery-Judge’s 5 million gallons a day.

“These projects are direct threats to Everglades Restoration,” declared Everglades Earth First! member Peter Shultz. “What we need is conservation, not more construction.”

Dublin Shell to Sea – Bringing it all Back Home

Day of Action – They deserve it and you deserve better

On the 18th of May Dublin Shell to Sea is going to escalate its campaign against Shell’s command centre – Corrib house on Leeson Street with another day of action starting at 7.30 am sharp. This attempt to shut down Shell’s HQ, like our last day of action (http://www.indymedia.ie/article/82200), is being called to highlight the incredible theft of our natural resources that totals 51 billion euros in the Corrib field alone. This is only possible with your help; we encourage everyone to come along.

Fuel Poverty – A National Scandal
Ireland is currently facing a crisis. Our health service verges on the brink of collapse as our nurses are forced to strike for decent working conditions. Our politicians have told us they can’t give in, in fear we all might ask for decent conditions.

We have been constantly reminded in the election campaign about how much we owe our politicians. We are told the Celtic Tiger has brought untold riches and this country is now awash with money. This is true to a certain extent. More money has been generated and emigration has stopped. But still all is far from perfect in this country. Money has been wasted and the greatest giveaway is happening as we speak. 51 billion euros of our natural gas reserves is being given to Shell, Marathon and Statoil (for more info on deal see http://www.publicinquiry.ie/reports.php). Whilst these figures are often too big to contemplate, it is sometimes easier to look at who is being directly affected. As usual it is those who need help most who will be affected worst.

Unbelievably, each winter, up to 3,000 people die prematurely every year from fuel poverty (‘The Potential Health Benefits of Improving Household Energy Efficiency’ Clinch and Healy 2000 and Help The Aged., source: http://www.eirigi.org/campaigns/naturalresources/fuel_p…y.htm). This is our parents and grandparents who are dying. What is our politicians’ response to this? Instead of trying to solve the problem they gave away the one thing that could alleviate the problem – natural gas. Above all else natural gas could have ensured that three thousand people lived out their lives, but they chose to give it away instead (http://www.publicinquiry.ie/reports.php).

Royal Dutch Shell A.G.M. in The Hague
Whilst our politicians are to blame they are not the only ones. Shell, Statoil and Marathon are the thieves in this situation and are making away with enormous amounts of our resources. This week one of the thieves, Shell, will celebrate their grotesque profits at their A. G.M. in Holland. It’s quite telling that the only place that Shell’s board of directors can be held to account (if you are rich) is in a conference hall in The Hague. We the rightful beneficiaries of the natural gas deposits off our west coast won’t have a say.

The new beneficiaries are people like the Queen of Holland (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Beatrice) Lord Kerr of Kinlochard (also director of Rio Tinto, Jeroen van der Veer, Linda Cook, Andy Pyle and Terry Nolan (for other members of Shell’s board of directors see (http://www.search.shell.com/cgi-bin/rsearch.cgi). Throughout this week Royal Dutch Shell will wine and dine the global elite and divide out 51 billion euros of our money.
At this meeting the rest of Shell’s shareholders will get the chance to see how their investments are doing and decide what to do with €51 billion they stole from you and Shell’s executives this year will no doubt have a nice cigar and champagne at your expense.

These men and women with their suits and briefcases will sit smug in The Hague with their caviar in the knowledge that they have ripped off a country that needs its resources badly – Our health service verges on the brink of collapse as our nurses are forced to strike for a decent wage, our elderly now live in fear of Winter as up to 3000 people die each year from fuel poverty and pensions are being privatised.

What you can do?
But all is not doom and gloom, on Friday the 18th just as Shell’s Irish elite arrive back having given away our resources to the global rich. Dublin Shell to Sea plans to greet these people by shutting down their Irish nerve centre and headquarters – Corrib House. This is the building where all decisions are taken, where they hatched the plans to steal our resources and target the Mayo communities in their relentless pursuit of profit. So come and join us in protesting against these criminals and blockade their offices on Friday the 18th of May – they deserve it and you deserve better!

New cars smashed while on transportation by train

Since the G8 in Gleneagles 2005 there has been sabotage on 3 different dates, with estimated damage about £200,000 plus,bristol indymedia has been spared the postings for legal reasons.

EAST KENT EARTH FIRST!

This report announces the formation of a new campaigning and action group to be called EAST KENT EARTH FIRST!

The group is based in Canterbury, but already has support from people in the Medway Towns, Sittingbourne, Herne Bay and Thanet as well as Canterbury. Most of the people involved have a background in the Animal Rights movement and recognise the need to broaden out into Eco Action and related issues. Be it GM crops, Airport expansion, unnecessary development, or diverse other issues we shall seek to educate, inform and protest, notwithstanding the current clampdown on reasonable protest. There will shortly be a website up and running, but in the meantime anyone interested in being involved should

This report announces the formation of a new campaigning and action group to be called EAST KENT EARTH FIRST!

Plane Stupid Callout for Local Groups

Plane Stupid (www.planestupid.com) is calling out for local Plane Stupid groups to form to fight the fastest growing cause of climate change (aviation) in your area. Plane Stupid thinks that local groups taking action in their area but within a wider network of Plane Stupid activists is the best way to fight the unsustainable growth of the aviation industry. If you would like to set up a group in your area all you need is a few enthusiastic members committed to using direct action to fight climate change.

The 2003 Aviation White Paper outlines plans for between double and triple the current number of passenger flights. This involves massive airport expansion all over Britain at rate equivalent to the building of a new Heathrow every 5 years. The UK’s top climatologists predict that aviation’s emissions alone are predicted to exceed the government’s target for the country’s entire output of greenhouse gases in 2050 by around 134%. (Tyndall Centre for Climate
ChangeResearch)

Plane Stupid has become one of the direct action groups of the emerging grassroots climate movement in Britain. Our dramatic impact has come by means of a series of high-profile direct actions and a near obsessive focus on clear, basic demands that people understand: the scrapping of airport expansion plans, a tax on aircraft fuel and
plane tickets, and an end to unnecessary and unsustainable short haul flights.

Since we formed in less than 18 months ago; we have disrupted the world’s largest international aviation industry conference in Central London; grounded planes through the occupation of a taxiway at the short-haul East Midlands Airport; blocked the entrance to BAA’s headquarters at Heathrow twice; staged a roof-top protest at easyJet’s corporate headquarters in London, temporarily shut down tens of travel agents across the UK and helped angry Heathrow residents disrupt the transport minister’s speech. We also inspired and oversaw Britain’s first national day of action against short haul flights, which saw local groups hold demonstrations at six regional airports and outside Flight Centre travel agents in cities across the UK.

Government and industry’s profiteering from creating catastrophic climate change will go unchecked unless YOU do something today! Join us by setting up a local group with some like minded people in your area to help us scrap airport expansion, get aviation fuel and tickets taxed and ending short haul flights.

Contact info@planestupid.com or call 07948 219 493 for advice on setting up a local group or for someone to come and speak in your area about Plane Stupid. Also on the 12th and 13th of May we will be at the Campaign against Climate Change conference in London (http://www.campaigncc.org/) where you can come and speak to us.

www.planestupid.com
info@planestupid.com

Norwich Rising Tide – First Action

6.05.2007
NRT Spoof action – ‘Build the NDR: Concrete is Freedom!’ Posing as members of the fictional Coalition for Roads And Progress (C.R.A.P), and brandishing placards bearing slogans such as ‘Re-tarmac the streets!’, ‘Oil is Good for the Planet’ and ‘The NDR – an industrial paradise’ we held a series of mock press conferences outside the Forum in Norwich city centre.

On a fine Saturday morning in May, 15 activists headed into Norwich city centre to hold a roving protest against the proposed Northern Distributor Road (NDR). Posing as members of the fictional Coalition for Roads And Progress (C.R.A.P), we held a series of mock press conferences outside the Forum, where the County Council are holding an exhibition about plans for the NDR.

Standing in front of a banner reading ‘Build the NDR: Concrete is Freedom’, and surrounded by a crowd of supporters waving placards bearing slogans such as ‘Spend More Time in Your Car!’ and ‘Who Needs Green Space or Peace and Quiet?’, the press conference heard from C.R.A.P members about their reasons for supporting the NDR.

Dr. Seymour Rhodes presented new medical research about the health benefits of air pollution and the risks of excessive walking or cycling. Mr. I. Sellmore, the developer on the panel, blew away the myth that the NDR will ease traffic congestion, instead insisting that it will replace the peaceful villages in North Norwich with a new industrial paradise. Councillor Theresa Gone reassured audience members that the £100 million cost of the road would not go over budget, challenging them to name any large infrastructure projects around the country that had not come in on time and on budget.

At the close of the press conference, which came with much applause from the crowd that had assembled, the coalition members stepped out of character and began distributing leaflets to passers-by and talking with them about the NDR project.

After an hour outside the Forum, we moved locations to the market square, where the press conference was repeated for the bustling Saturday morning shopping crowd.

‘It was fun to watch, and really inspiring to see people communicating such an important message in such a creative way,’ said one of the audience members.

Today’s protest was intended to be a light-hearted way of pointing out some major concerns we and many others have about the proposed NDR. The pitfalls of the project have become so great as to border on the ridiculous, and we thought we could play on this as a fun and unusual way to engage passers by.

See below for the leaflet handed out on the day, which explains both C.R.A.P.’s comically pro-road position and our own concerns about the NDR.

It was a fun way to spend a Saturday morning, and a successful and inspiring first outing for the new Norwich Rising Tide group. Watch this space (and www.risingtide.org.uk/norwich) for more actions against the NDR and other local climate criminals!

norwich@risingtide.org.uk
http://www.risingtide.org.uk/norwich

Spoof Placards

Here’s a full list of the spoof placards that Coalition for Roads And Progress (C.R.A.P) members were brandishing yesterday: –

NDR – an Urban Industrial Paradise
Re-tarmac the Streets
Oil is Good for the Planet!
Escape Flooding … by Car
Wimpey say bring on the NDR
Urban is Joy!
Reward Fat Cats
Who needs Green Space or Peace and Quiet?
Concrete is Freedom
More Concrete, More Pollution
Hoorah for the NDR – Spend more time in your Car
Tescos Loves the NDR
Car Fumes are Cheaper than Cigarettes
More Concrete, Fewer Trees
The NDR – You know it Makes Sense!
More Concrete, Less Greenery
May Gurney has our Best Interests at Heart
Growth is Happiness
Support Your Local Shareholder
Walking is a Waste of Time!

Gloucester pipeline action group

May 6, 2007
There has been an action group formed in Gloucester to raise awareness about the pipeline and to protest against the pipeline. We meet up around once month and also stage direct actions, put on benefit gigs and have info stalls in Gloucester and at local events. Please send an email to fightthepipe@hotmail.co.uk for more information or contact us through our myspace http://www.myspace.com/fightingthepipe

We would love to hear from anyone whether you just want email updates on what we are doing, put up a few posters and give leaflets to friends or get involved with direct actions.

Together we can make a difference!

Plane Stupid mark ten years of Blair – BAA HQ blocked

2.05.2007 Green activists today marked the tenth anniversary of Tony Blair coming to power by visiting his best friends in industry to highlight the revolving door between Labour and the aviation industry and his failure to tackle climate change. (1) A team of protestors from climate action group, Plane Stupid, (2) are blocking the ‘revolving door’ to BAA’s Heathrow HQ to oppose government and industry plans for airport expansion.

The activists have chained up the front doors to the offices and have dumped copies of the science of climate change, reports from the UN and from the Tyndall Centre, into the reception area. The activists have pledged not to allow the staff out until they’ve read the science. Other campaigners have unfurled a banner outside the building stating, “Read the science. www.planestupid.com”

Campaigner for Plane Stupid, Leo Murray, explained:

“In years to come, Blair will be remembered for systematically approving climate-wrecking projects like airport expansion. But it might not have happened if it weren’t for the fact that the revolving door between Labour and BAA just hasn’t stopped spinning.” (3) (4)

He added:

“We can’t believe that if BAA had read the science, they’d still be pushing ahead with their climate-crazy plans for airport expansion. With Blair preparing to leave office, UN climate scientists gathering in Bangkok, and the hottest April on record, it’s time BAA used their enormous influence to tell Blair to ditch expansion plans or leave with a legacy of failing on climate change.”

This Friday’s IPCC report on mitigation of climate emissions, a draft copy of which has been obtained by Plane Stupid, confirms, “Land use planning and transport demand management can make a significant contribution.”

Plane Stupid are one of the groups behind the advertisements in today’s national newspapers headlined, “Vote for climate change.” (5)

Notes for Editors:

(1) The BAA/Labour revolving door:
– In advance of the government’s 2003 aviation white paper which paved the way for their expansion programme, BAA was the main supporter of lobby group, “Freedom to fly.” This group is thought to be the brain child of Steve Hardwick, Director of Public Affairs at BAA who took time out to work on the Labour election campaigns of 1997 and 2001.
– “Freedom to fly” was directed by John Prescott’s former personal political advisor from 1999-2001, Joe Irvin. When, after a year, Joe Irvin resigned, he was replaced by Dan Hodges. Hodges is the son of Glenda Jackson MP, who happens to have been Labour’s first aviation minister.
– Joe Irvin has this week been appointed as one of Gordon Brown’s top advisors (4)
– BAA’s “Freedom to Fly” was chaired by Labour peer, Brenda Dean.
– The government appointed AviaSolutions to assess the responses to its consultation on expansion. AviaSolutions is run by former high-flyers from BAA, Seamus Healey, Paul Eden and his wife, Liz. Also on the company’s board was Lyne Meredith, who previously worked as BAA’s director of planning and environment.
– BAA hosts from its West London offices, “Future Heathrow,” an industry lobby group chaired by Labour peer, Lord Soley. Launched personally by then-transport secretary, Alistair Darling, it was established to ensure that the third runway and sixth terminal is built.

(2) Plane Stupid is Britain’s first national direct action group against the unsustainable aviation growth. www.planestupid.com

(3) For more details and sources on the revolving door between BAA and Labour: http://www.turnuptheheat.org/?page_id=24

(4) http://news.independent.co.uk/people/pandora/article2483864.ece and http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2007180865,00.html

(5) For more on the ads, including the press release, see www.spurt-aviation.com

For interviews/info:

press@planestupid.com
www.planestupid.com

– ENDS –

At 5.30pm – four people were arrrested for aggravated trespass after BAA refused to read the science.