Climate Chaos – Page 154

The Bristol Alliance Against Urban 4x4s celebrated its launch on Saturday

30.01.2007

Campaigners gathered on College Green, after spending the morning issuing over 1,000 mock parking tickets to 4x4s in areas of central Bristol including Redland, Clifton and Broadmead. The paper tickets, which are placed harmlessly under the windscreen wipers of parked vehicles, are titled ‘Poor Vehicle Choice’ and challenge the need to own and drive a 4×4 vehicle in town.
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The dependent media were interested in the launch of the campaign. HTV shot a TV news item. Members of the group were interviewed by BBC Radio Bristol / GWR and Star. Stories appeared in the Bristol Evening Post and BBC Online. The Alliance aims to use peaceful and humorous means to raise awareness of the problems associated with 4×4 usage in cities like Bristol, led by concerns over road safety, road space and climate change. Although 4x4s are marketed as being safer than smaller cars – and many drivers buy them on this assumption – a series of expert reports warns this is not the case. Euro-NCAP crash tests and accident figures show that the greater weight and height of 4x4s increases the risk of rollover and makes them more dangerous in accidents with smaller vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. The British Medical Journal has run articles calling for ‘health warnings’ on 4x4s due to their increased injury risk, and a recent study in the US found the likelihood of a pedestrian fatality is nearly doubled in the event of a collision with a large 4×4 compared with a passenger car. There is also evidence that 4x4s pose extra dangers to the drivers of other cars – the Transport Research Laboratory has found that in a crash, the person driving a smaller car is 12 times more likely to be killed than the person in the 4×4. 4x4s also produce far more carbon dioxide – the main gas associated with climate change – per kilometre than smaller cars. A large 4×4 such as the Range Rover Discovery 4.4 produces 354g CO2/km – more than three times that of a Ford Fiesta, Peugeot 206 or Renault Clio (diesel models). TV presenter David Attenborough has said that driving a 4×4 is “morally wrong” and the energy minister Malcolm Wicks has criticised the “crass irresponsibility” of those who drive large 4x4s around the suburbs. The Alliance has received offers of help from over 100 Bristol residents so far, and sent out over 3,000 spoof parking tickets for distribution. On Monday we received a huge number of email orders for spoof parking tickets from concerned Bristol residents. Many new members have joined and are enthusiastic to start local groups in Redland and Bishopton. They plan to stage humorous direct actions against the 4x4s in Bristol that endanger the lives of people and the future of the planet. Thanks to everyone who helped organise our successful launch and came to College Green on Saturday and thanks to Claire for the inspiration.

bristol4x4alliance at yahoo.co.uk for more information on how you can be part of this campaign.

Foe of the 4×4
e-mail: bristol4x4alliance at yahoo dot co dot uk
Homepage: http://www.stopurban4x4s.org.uk/

Protests at Irish embassy in London against Shell’s hell in north west Ireland

30.01.2007

At midday today, while a samba band played below, a man who wished to be known as “G” climed the Irish embassy. This was in protest over the Irish governments collusioin with Shell’s activities in North West Ireland where they are constructing a pipeline and refinery. Many campaigners claim this pipeline and refinery pose as serious environmental risk. While there have been widespread protests in Ireland itself many claim that the government of Ireland has given Shell suspiciously favourable business terms on the deal. “G” was arrested for on suspicion of criminal damage though there was no damage visible from ground level. For further details see the corporate watch website.

30.01.2007

301007_Irish_Embassy_Shell_Hell – video/x-ms-wmv 5.4M

Press Release

Today, supporters for the Anti-Shell Campaign took their protest to the Irish Embassy. The action was to target the Irish State; Shell; Statoil and Marathon who are attempting to construct a dangerous and experimental onshore raw gas pipeline and refinery in County Mayo; a beautiful remote part of North West Ireland.

There is massive opposition to this proposed pipeline by the local community, Ireland and internationally. A campaign of direct action against this plan has been ongoing since 2005.

The action at the Embassy today is to demonstrate that this polluting project will not just affect the area in which it is to be built, but will contribute to the ongoing organised destruction of the planet by Shell. The action is in solidarity with the people directly affected by this unprecedented raw gas pipeline, which has been condemned as posing an unacceptable risk to health and safety.

The Irish State actively encourages the Shell led consortium – Norwegian owned Statoil and U.S. owned Marathon – by facilitating stages of the construction project, including the changing of laws to allow the project go ahead. These companies are tax exempt, thus there is no financial benefit to the Irish people. Shell are also deploying hundreds of police, who daily intimidate people and use violence to deter them, especially at recent demonstrations.

The action at the Embassy today is to show the concern which many people share about the corruption and complicity of the Irish Dáil, using its power to sell out the interests of the Irish people, putting personal profit before public interest, safety and health.

New Rising Tide Group Starting Up in Norwich

Tired of watching politicians and corporations screw up the planet? Think that endless economic growth is at the heart of the climate crisis? Uninspired by sending £3 to Charity X, but not sure where to put your energy? Want to help build just, sustainable solutions here and now? Then come to the first meeting of Norwich Rising Tide!

Norwich Rising Tide – Taking Action to Stop the Fossil-Fuelled Madness!

Be part of a national network committed to taking creative direct action against the root causes of climate change, and promoting local, community-run solutions to our energy needs. For five years, Rising Tide groups around the country have taken action to prevent airport expansion, end oil company sponsorship of the arts, stop construction of dodgy BP and Shell pipelines, start construction of urban community gardens and much, much more – see www.risingtide.org.uk.

We all know it’s time to act, so come along to kick-start an energetic new group that can help bring about the radical change that’s needed.

First Meeting:
When – Tuesday 27th February, 7.30 – 9.30pm
Where – The Greenhouse, 42-46 Bethel Street, Norwich, NR2

More Info –
www.risingtide.org.uk/norwich
07961 917535

Be part of a Rising Tide for Climate Action!

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

Some Jan Critical Mass reports – London, Leeds, Manchester (& I Bike Mcr festival)

You never know what the police are going to do next on the London ride. They clamp down on some things and relax on others from one month to the next and from one part of the ride to another. ‘Shambolic’ is perhaps the word that best describes their behaviour. They seem at times to behave more like Anarchists than the riders. You would think with their radios they could at least arrive at some sort of a consensus. In addition to our usual police overkill the Forward Intelligence Team were also in attendance at the South Bank, poking their cameras in people’s faces. All this just because of a bike ride!

This time the cops decided to get tough with riders without lights and those who go through red lights and also with sound systems in the SOCPA zone. Did you know, it is OK for someone with a car to play their sound system in the vicinity or Parliament but not for a cyclist with a sound system? How discriminatory is that? Anyway, the cops allowed an extra long ‘bikes high’ stop in Oxford Circus but no stop whatsoever in Picadilly Circus. Those riders who were pulled for going through red lights are now facing a £30 fine, despite the fact that some cops were actually ushering other riders through red lights!

One of the highlights of the ride was storming through the Aldwych underpass, something the police normally prevent. We had a fun time with Brian Haw in Parliament Square, he led the “More bikes less cars!” chants on his megaphone and seemed in a very good spirits. The ride split up after that at around 9pm, going off in all directions and leaving our yellow coated retinue behind, chin-wagging among themselves.
http://www.criticalmasslondon.org.uk

Quicktime video version – video/mp4 8.3M
Windows video version – video/x-ms-wmv 8.6M

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45 people rode around Leeds for just under an hour last night, with no police interventions. The largest ride for some years, its hoped that this is the beginning of reversal in the downward trend of recent times.

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critical mass manchester last friday and the next one..

Critical Mass on Friday was absolutely amazing. We stood around chatting outside the library for ages just chillin and socialising and meeting the many newcomers to the mass. People making the I Bike MCR did some filming for part of the film and someone taking photos for the bicycle exhibition in March.

Then the 40 or so of us took to the streets, riding around the city centre and down past the station right down Grosvenor street and onto oxford road where masses of students waiting for some gig cheered us as we rode by the union. We rode through Rusholme and then up to Withington and back , hardly any negativity at all instead we were greeted with cheers and friendly beeps and waves from car drivers and pedestrians… woooo!
After the ride we all went for a nice cold beer..mmm

Join us on Friday 23rd Feb for the next one, which will end at the rampant lion on upper brook st/anson rd where we will have our very own celebrate critical mass party with bands and dj’s playing reggae, ska and punk..

email us at: mcrcriticalmass@yahoo.co.uk
be our myspace friend: http://www.myspace.com/mcrcriticalmass
see our website: http://velorution.x21.org.uk

Manchester I bike Mcr festival:

From 30th March to 20th April the I Bike MCR festival takes place in
Manchester. It is a grassroots festival organised by cyclists for cyclists
with diverse events that will entice any cyclist. From Bicycle Polo
classes and matches to Alleycat racing to a Bicycle Art Exhibition,
there’s something for everyone.

Those involved in organising the event are cyclists from different walks
of life including cycling instructors, daily commuters, bicycle
messengers, Critical Mass advocacy group members and bicycle mechanics.

Timetable

Friday 30th March
6pm Critical Mass bike ride, meet at Central Library to celebrate the
bicycle over car culture.

8pm Exhibition Opening at The Basement, 24 Lever St. The opening event
will be one to remember and will feature the premier screening of new
Manchester bicycle film “I bike MCR”. We shall also be showing other
bicycle films and having a roller race (an indoor bicycle race- on
rollers) with lots of prizes to be won! Local acoustic bands will be
performing including the amazing Cooper Jones and Dr Butler’s Hatstand
Medicine Band

Saturday 31st March
1pm Platt Fields Park Bicycle Polo class. Oxford bicycle polo team are
coming to teach us how to play the sport. Please email to reserve a place.
(they return 2 weeks later to play a match: Manchester vs Oxford)

Sunday 1st April
2pm Central Library April Fools Day Bicycle Treasure Hunt. A fun treasure
hunt around our city.

Wednesday 4th April
Moonlight Pub Ride Start 7pm Sandbar, Grosvenor St (off Oxford Road/opp.
All Saints Park. A night ride out and around the outskirts of Manchester
stopping off at some lovely pubs for a drink on the way.

Friday 13th April
Hell Of The North West Alleycat
Fixies and roadragers ride the alleycat for a fast race round our city. £5
entry, amazing prizes to be won. with some donated by the wonderous Twin
Six and Keirin Culture
Email to register

Alleykitten
Shoppers, bmx’s and silly bikes ride alleykitten for a random race full of
games and nonsense round our city centre. £5 entry, amazing prizes to be
won. Email to register

Saturday 14th April
1pm Platt Fields Park Bicycle Polo Match: Manchester vs Oxford.

For more information see the website: www.ibikemcr.org.uk or email
info@ibikemcr.org.uk

Protests continue at Trebanos

26.01.2007

At 2.00 pm today a group of campaigners against the controversial LNG pipeline forced work to stop yet again on the construction site in Trebanos.

26.01.2007

At 2.00 pm today a group of campaigners against the controversial LNG pipeline forced work to stop yet again on the construction site in Trebanos.

Campaigners occupied a footpath running through the site. They argued that the footpath had been closed illegally because the required seven days notification had not been given. Even local residents had not been informed of the closure.

Initially, the police tried to stop protestors gaining access to the footpath, however, they had to admit that they were uncertain of the legality of the path closure.

Prior to today’s action, work on the construction site had been stopped for three weeks by campaigners occupying the footpath. Resistance to the pipeline is growing, with protest sites and actions against the pipeline increasing daily. The latest direct action site is a tree camp in Brecon occupying the route of the pipeline.

Come to Wales and be on the frontline of Britain’s eco-defence!

Contact Rachael (Trebanos): 01792 830417
Brecon Tree Camp: 07903152822

Hell at Shell petrol Stations: London blockade

Report 1 – On the evening of the 24th January two Shell petrol stations in north London were blockaded by activists who are concerned over Shell’s aggressive business practices and poor human rights record.

For more details of Shells record see:

www.shelltosea.com
www.shellfacts.com
www.corporatewatch.com
www.artnotoil.org.uk

The non-violent actions took place at Shell stations on Holloway Road and Upper Street in north London. No arrests were made. However some motorist became aggressive, made threats and insulted blockaders. The police did not over react and one officer made the comment “suppose we can look this up on the usual website can we?” Here it is officers.

After the last action at the station on Holloway Road one very friendly black cab driver congratulated blockaders and asked for publicity cards to hand out to his passangers. Thank for your support mate.

240107_Shell_Hell_WMV – video/x-ms-wmv 18M

Report 2 – On 24th January London Rising Tide once again helped their friends at Rhythms of Resistance Samba Band and others keep Shell aware that the campaign to prevent the damaging high pressure gas pipeline and refinery near Rossport in County Mayo, Ireland is still rolling.

…and rolling is what it was, with even a bit of rocking. We tried the new tactic with measured success of short spells at a series of North London Shell garages blockading the entrance and exits with band, banners and bandanas (there was also mention of bananas when it came to irate drivers).

Holloway Road was the first stop where having set up and told the gas guzzlers on the forecourt that we were not blocking them in, one of them decided to drive at us from behind. Having stepped back just in time, banging the window as it surged past, the driver got out of her 4 x 4 (funny that, it always seems to be) and violently threatened to do unspeakable things to us as individuals from about 2 inches away. More fossil fuelled driver lunacy followed and we decided to get rolling to the next garage when pushing came to pull us away as plod were summoned.

On arriving at the familiar territory of the Shell Upper Street garage we kitted up and lasted a bit longer, even turning away petrol thirsty black cab drivers, before more violence threatening behaviour from people blockaded out. The thin line of Samba resisted and held out as we turned away the ubiquitous Islington SUVs. The usual support from the Fire Brigade was good for keeping up our spirits.

After that it was back to Holloway Rd with less abuse but more plod and we retired to the pub when they called for back-up since the final whistle of the Spurs v Arsenal game was about to be blown along with plod’s patience.

On reflection over out stout we agreed it was desperately sad that such anger of particularly 4 x 4 drivers only had the unhealthy outlet of threatening us. Especially when Shell’s statuspheric disregard of the planet’s atmosphere and the atmosphere of living in Mayo, Ogoniland or Sakhalin seemed a better place to vent their frustration.

Gaspipe protest in Trebanos comes to an end

25.01.2007

Today the footpath in Trebanos has been closed, despite residents recieving next to no notification. Legally National Grid had the right to close the footpath tomorrow (friday 26th) but noticing a reduction in numbers the footpath was sealed off today.

25.01.2007

Despite having the equipment to properly resist an eviction the activists decided that they’d “made their point and it was time to move on”. Well actually there was no need to risk arrest when we have another 115 miles of pipe to protest against.

The protest continues, here in Trebanos, Cilfrew, at the new tree-site in Brecon, and everywhere else along route, where local people are suddenly becoming radicalised and small actions are popping up all over the place.

Radley lakes – eviction imminent – update 29th jan

Urgent call for help in Oxfordshire, where activists are occupying and intend to defend a squatted lakeside property in order to prevent the infilling of Radley Lakes with toxic ash from the burning of cheap imported coal at the nearby NPower owned Didcot power station.

Radley Lakes squat
Urgent call for help in Oxfordshire, where activists are occupying and intend to defend a squatted lakeside property in order to prevent the infilling of Radley Lakes with toxic ash from the burning of cheap imported coal at the nearby NPower owned Didcot power station.

The lakes are unusual in their clarity and the area contains local and national rare and threatened species, with 115 species of birds recorded and over1000 trees surrounding the lake which will be felled. However this has been ignored by power company RWE npower, and has been rail-roaded through by Oxfordshire County Council.

The lake contains several protected species, including a possible sighting of otters, and despite a report paid for by local people confirming all this the local government bigwigs have given permission for N Power to fill the lake with flyash from Didcot power station, killing everything in the process. They have already been allowed to do this to 3 other lakes in the immediate vicinity. The local county ecologist has dismissed the report, despite a long term campaign and evidence from another ecologist proving the lake is a wildlife haven. The whole thing stinks.

Please, please if you are free this week, (or even better, right now), get down there, lock on, and make sure they have a fight on their hands. The baliffs are due any minute and more people are desperately needed.

Get off the train at Oxford, then catch train to Radley, takes about 10 mins, then another 10/15 minute walk. For more info call the site mobile on: 07772055384.

TAT NEEDED!
PolyProp, air horns/ rape alarms, cement, aggregate, etc, BOATS (dingy/inflatables etc – lakeworthy!) bedding & PEOPLE! – even if you can just spare a day to help out with building defences is is much needed and appreciated.
Thanks

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24.01.2007 – Npower have been granted immediate possesion of Sandles, the squatted field centre at Radley lakes. A call out to anyone to come down and bring cake and lock on tubes!
Call the site mobile 0777 2055 384
www.saveradleylakes.org.uk for more info on the npower plans to destroy this beautiful area

Welsh pipeline protest – New tree camp set up near Brecon

22.01.2007

Following support from local people in Brecon at the weekend, a new protest camp has been set up right in the middle of the phase two route of National Grids controversial pipeline.

22.01.2007

Following support from local people in Brecon at the weekend, a new protest camp has been set up right in the middle of the phase two route of National Grids controversial pipeline.

The protest camp is up in the trees in ancient woodland 4 miles west of Brecon on the A40 close to Bettws Penpont church.It is located at Ordnance Survey national grid reference SN9728728525.
The ancient woodland is scheduled for decimation by National Grid to clear a path for the 48″ high pressure gas pipeline. The protesters aim to stop the destruction of yet more ancient woodland by National Grid and it’s contractors.

There are over 15 people on site at the moment and they are requesting any donations. Please send supplies of all sorts, food, water, warm clothes and bedding, camping and cooking gear, wood, rope, nails, etc etc etc. They would also like any people interested to join them and show solidarity in this battle to save our environment.
Map link

Stories about recent stalls & samba in Clydach Indoor Market and Brecon

Critical Masses This Friday (& others)

This is the first critical mass of 2007. Lets start as we mean to go on and make it a big one!

We cycle round the city to celebrate the bicycle:
It’s for anyone that rides a bike;
Its a celebration of getting round the city without polluting it;

This is the first critical mass of 2007. Lets start as we mean to go on and make it a big one!

We cycle round the city to celebrate the bicycle:
It’s for anyone that rides a bike;
Its a celebration of getting round the city without polluting it;
Its about every journey being an adventure instead of just sitting on a boring bus or in a stressful car;
Its about cyclists riding together to demand more respect from other road users;
Its a way to meet other cyclistas;
At roughly the same time on Friday hundreds of cities around the world do the same thing…all get together for critical mass. its beautiful to know that as you ride with your mates through your own city that all around the world thousands of people are doing the same thing…

Rides in the UK this Friday include:
* Brighton – Gather 18:00 at the Level (BN2 3FX)
* Cambridge – Maybe gather 18:30 Cambridge Market Square
* Leeds (This month’s callout) – Gather 17:30-18:00 Millenium Square
* London – Gather 18:30 Waterloo Bridge, by the National Film Theatre
* Manchester (videos of previous rides) – Gather 18:00 Central Library
* Nottingham – Gather 17:30 Savoy cinema on Derby Road in Lenton
* Oxford – Gather 17:45-18:00 Cornmarket end of Broad Street outside The Oxford Story
* Reading – Gather 17:30, Reading Town Hall

Please leave a comment if your ride has been left off (or is incorrect).
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York Critical Mass

In order not to clash with other rides in the vicinity, York Critical Mass is on the first Friday of every month meaning that the next ride is next Friday on 2nd February. Assemble at 5pm outside Costcutters at the University or 5:30pm outside York Minster. See you there!

Birmingham Critical Mass: Friday, February 2nd

Brum’s critical mass is also on the first friday of the month, Friday 2nd February.
We meet up at Pigeon Park (St. Philip’s Cathedral) at 5:30pm and set off at 6pm.
The rides are getting more popular and more creative. There’s now a mobile soundsystem and for winter critical mass’ riders bring along fairy lights to illuminate the ride.
Subscribe to the list below if you want to get more involved!
http://lists.riseup.net/www/info/brumcriticalmass

Glasgow CM

This Friday at 5:30, George Square.
http://www.citystrolls.com/strolls/pages/critical.htm
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For list of UK rides & links, see also http://criticalmass.wikia.com/wiki/List_of_Critical_Mass_rides#United_Kingdom