Action Reports – Page 187

Scarborough Climate Action Network opens community resource centre.

After being inspired into action by the fight against global climate chaos, the Scarborough Climate Action group have opened “Green Planet”, a community resource centre for education, information and participation on the east coast of Yorkshire.

They aim to provide a central point for people in the local area to

They aim to provide a central point for people in the local area to find out how they can make positive changes to their environment, as well as providing an autonomous space for people to use the internet, meet like-minded people and get directly involved with the newly burgeoning Scarborough activist networks.

The Scarborough Climate Action Network, formerly Scarborough Against Climate Change was set up in the aftermath of last years Kingsnorth Climate Camp. A group of local activists who attended the camp were inspired to consider ways in which they could make more of an impact in their local area at a grassroots level. In a model of how small, local groups can make a difference in their communities through collective organisation and cooperation, the Green Planet resource centre is now open to the community.

Having organised campaigns in the town centre of Scarborough against the use of coal and to promote the urgent need to cut carbon emissions, it seemed clear from the positive yet misinformed response of the community that a focal point was needed to raise awareness of the issues amongst the people of the east coast area. The need for an autonomous social space in the town was identified as the best way to get this message across and so the group set about making this happen.

The collectives newsletter, being published and distributed widely in the local area, clearly sets out their core aims:

To raise awareness locally, of the serious threat of human induced climate change, which is already affecting people worldwide.
To encourage local people to make environmentally friendly lifestyle changes
To encourage local and national government to take more effective action to combat climate change

With the proceeds of fundraising and a £3500 grant from Artists Project Earth (APE), they managed to obtain a property in Hanover Road, behind the Stephen Joseph Theatre in the town centre. A team of volunteers began the task of turning the venue into an inclusive, open space in which to achieve their objectives.

Paint, wood and other materials were collected from skips and bins in the local area and put to reuse as desks, shelves and displays for campaign literature and calls to action. A computer that was donated by a member of the collective is being liberated by open source software and connected to the internet for anyone in the community to use. A small kitchen has also been set up to provide drinks for visitors, in the hope that people will stop by regularly to get information and ideas for action.

The literature available in the centre covers a wide range of issues, from climate activism to NO2ID. The collective is also preparing a list of books which promote positive environmental change to order at the local library so as to be accessible to the whole community. The main hope is that the people of Scarborough will turn to the space as inspiration to make positive changes to their lives, be it using alternative technology, reducing their power consumption, changing their diet or any combination of the many alternatives that are needed to halt the current slide towards climate catastrophe.

The centre will also function as a place where people from the local area can get involved in the Leeds/Bradford IMC and will be hosting a skillshare soon on media activism and electronic security. A range of other skillshares, film nights, action-based events and talks will also take place, both at the centre and at the local University. These will be advertised locally and in the events section of LBIMC.

Anyone is welcome to join the group and a call has been made for people to help with the day to day operation of the centre, with volunteers needed to provide good environmental advice to the community on a rota basis in order to make the resource reliably available.

Anyone in the area with an interest is encouraged to get in touch by email at scarboroughccc@hotmail.co.uk or simply drop by the centre for a friendly chat.

Links to local news coverage of the group:
Climate Group Heading to Camp | We must burn less coal | Setting the right climate

Related Indymedia coverage:
Climate Camp 08 | Swindon Climate Action Network | Mass action at Drax

Another 3 people from the Lappersfort Forest arrested

Around midnight on 21st April three people from the Lappersfort forest occupation in Brugge, Belgium were arrested.

They were on their way back to the forest on foot when they were sprung on by at least 6 pigs dressed in black & a police dog who were waiting on ambush. At the moment all we know is they are accused of damaging/vandalising a road being constructed through the forest.

Around midnight on 21st April three people from the Lappersfort forest occupation in Brugge, Belgium were arrested.

The road construction began in sept.08 and was met with large protest from the local community, as part of the Lappersfort forest by the canal was to be destroyed to make way for its construction. Activists managed to occupy the threatened trees on the first night of construction (sept. 2nd) despite a police cordon of some 250 piggies, and delayed work for some hours. Since then, throughout the 7 months of the occupation the construction company, police & media have accused the occupiers of sabotage against their pumps and cranes, without any proof or charges.

The arrests are part of an ongoing sequence of repression. Less than 2 weeks ago two people were finally released from Brugge prison after spending 10 days in the cell based on false charges and fabricated stories from the Brugge cops. On the day of the latest 3 arrests, undercover and uniformed piggies had been seen around the forest and talking with the construction workers, and the nature of the arrest shows that the cops here in Brugge are simply trying to find any excuse, real or not, to arrest as many people as possible.
We don’t know yet exactly what their charges are, or when the 3 people will be released, but they are already in custody for more than 12 hours, which means they are arrested juridically and will have to see a judge in the Brugge courthouse sometime tomorrow.

lappersfort occupiers – lappersfort@gmail.com

JNC Squats Resist Double Eviction

The two occupied social centres operating under the Justice Not Crisis banner discovered on Monday that they were both to be evicted on the same day – Tuesday 21 April. This was not to be, thanks to a spirited resistance from the squatters and supporters. To successfully defend one squat can be considered fortunate; to defend two in one morning begins to seem miraculous. It just goes to show that the powers that be are far from infallible, and that solid peaceful direct action can bring major benefits for the community. The squats however remain on high eviction alert, and request all supporters to mobilise. Come down, even if for an hour, and help keep these facilities open for workers, for the environment and for the community.
Notice of a Tuesday eviction for the Social Justice Centre at 318 Pershore Road was given some days in advance. This was however thrown into doubt after the legal owners, Warwickshire Cricket Club, suddenly found themselves without a promised loan of £20 million from Birmingham’s council leaders [see: http://www.birminghampost.net/news/west-midlands-news/2009/04/17/council-s-20m-funding-offer-for-edgbaston-cricket-ground-blocked-65233-23404529] and speculation was rife that they may wish to open negotiations with the squatters to rent the building after losing such major finance. The Centre houses several homeless people, many were rough sleepers, and successfully managed, with others, by a person who was formerly sleeping rough on Brummie streets. It also houses part of the Birmingham People’s Library, a long running initiative given new life by the squat, as well as providing a venue for various social and cultural activities including advice for benefit claimants.
The squatted former Beechwood Hotel and conservation area at 201 Bristol Road, meanwhile, lost its legal defence against a possession order by the private owners, Manor Coast Ltd (Proprietor: Mr Kang) in the High Court on April 17th. This squat, as well as providing a similar facility to the Social Justice Centre, also has a conscious ecological focus. This is because the extensive grounds form part of a nature conservation area, which seems irrelevant to the owners and former managers. Mr Kang himself was convicted of illegally removing trees within it; there has also been dumping and burning of toxic waste on site. Suspicion is rife that Mr Kang is using a strategy familiar to landowners who find themselves saddled with inconvenient regulations in the public good – deliberate running down of the land so that it will lose its protected status. The owners will then be free to ‘develop’ the site in the interests of Capital and big business while destroying these important facilities. The occupiers are keen to turn this situation around and restore the grounds to proper ecological management, and are working with local stakeholders to this end. In the meantime, practical steps taken include the planting of a vegetable plot. There is a permaculture day planned for this Saturday 25th April during which further practical steps are to be taken as well as sharing skills in these areas, and all are welcome.
On Monday notice was received that both squats were to be evicted the following morning. The decision made to defend these buildings, supporters were mobilised and defences put in place. Bailiffs turned up first at 318 Pershore Road, at 9am and, after an hour or so of faff, moved people away from the front door and proceeded to break down the door and barricade, ignoring the lone squatter on the roof. Police in attendance confirmed that he was not causing a breach of the peace, even preventing him from coming down from the roof on health and safety grounds. It soon became apparent that without removing him, the Cricket Club had not legally taken possession of the building and after leaving the building was reoccupied by the squatters.
At Bristol Road, the same bailiffs attended at 11am with Mr Kang and a locksmith, and police. Here they were faced with up to eight people on the roof, and more inside the building. After 90 minutes of more faff, police left followed swiftly by bailiffs. Last to leave was the locksmith who had not even got out of his vehicle throughout.
After this somewhat unexpected double victory, the occupiers while jubilant remain on high eviction alert and request all supporters to come down to help defend the building from further attacks. It is a beautiful building and grounds and well worth keeping open. Meanwhile, the occupiers continue their request to negotiate some civil arrangement with the legal owners so that the work can continue.
Justice Not Crisis commented:
“This is a major victory for homeless people, residents and land conservation and we are obviously delighted with the result. We are also concerned that despite our requests we have had no communication with either WCCC or Mr Kang regarding our wish to rent the property and manage them properly paying rent to the respective owners. We will continue to attempt negotiations and hope to resolve the matter without causing the owners any more costs in instructing bailiffs.”

See indymedia for forthcoming video of this event.

Calais No Border Camp 23-29 June

The Calais No Border camp is an exciting joint venture between French activists and migrant support groups and the UK No Borders Network.

The Calais No Border camp is an exciting joint venture between French activists and migrant support groups and the UK No Borders Network.

It aims to highlight the realities of the situation in Calais and Northern France; to build links with the migrant communities; to help build links between migrants support groups; and lastly, but not least, to challenge the authorities on the ground, to protest against increased repression of migrants and local activists alike.

Why Calais?
For centuries European imperial powers have exploited the land, resources and people of the majority world to become wealthy and powerful, leaving war, environmental destruction and massive inequality in their wake. Those who attempt the journey to the UK are challenging this injustice by their movement.

At the end of this journey they face another humanitarian crisis – caused by the increasingly repressive British and EU immigration policies. This makes the Calais border an important focal point for the struggle between those who would see an end to all migration into the EU and those trying to break down the barriers between peoples and the borders that prevent the freedom of movement for all all but the privileged few.

Building a movement against borders:
This camp is not just about Calais: we are calling for the freedom of movement for all, an end to borders and to all migration controls. We need to build a radical transnational movement to challenge these repressive policies that serve to divide us into citizens and non-citizens, into the documented and the undocumented.

The Calais camp is a place to strengthen this movement and we need your help to make it happen. We call on all groups and individuals that want to show transnational solidarity to join us in Calais. If you want to get involved in helping to organise the camp, support us with fundraising and publicity, host an event on Calais and No Borders or offer practical
skills and support please get in touch (details below).

No one is illegal! Freedom of Movement for all!

For more information and to get involved see:
http://london.noborders.org.uk/calais2009
http://noborders.org.uk
or contact calais@riseup.net
More info coming soon!

Skyr Thrown in the Heavy Industry Parties’ Election Offices

April 20 2009

April 20 2009
Today, green ’skyr’ (traditional Icelandic dairy product) was thrown at the election offices of three political parties, which are responsible for the invasion of the aluminium industry into Iceland. Skyr throwing is the Icelandic equivalent of pie throwing and has become a tradition in the environmental struggle; the last similar action took place only one and a half month ago.

At 11:00 this morning, people rushed into an office of Samfylkingin (the Social Democratic Alliance) in Hafnarfjörður, and threw the green liquid over the party’s propaganda, furniture and the floor. At a similar time Framsóknarflokkurinn (right wing) was targeted in Kópavogur. The windows of the election office were completely covered in green liquid, as well as advertisement signs outside the building.

Two hours later, green ’skyr’ was thrown inside an office of Sjálfstæðisflokkurinn (right wing conservatives) close to the center of Reykjavík. The whole office was covered; furniture, floors and propaganda.

Skyr Why these targets?
The targets are all understandable, since these three parties share the responsibility for the environmental and economical crisis Iceland is now facing.

Rio Tinto-Alcan operates an aluminium smelter in Hafnarfjörður and has wanted to enlarge it for several years. In a local referendum the majority of Hafnarfjörður inhabitants voted against the enlargement. But since then, RT-Alcan and the city council, lead by Samfylkingin, have tried to force the enlargement through, e.g. by claiming that the referendum’s issue was not the enlargement of the smelter, but only city planning. In continuation they have suggested that the smelter will be enlarged in the opposite direction; on a landfill in the sea. The energy needed for the increased production is supposed to come from Þjórsá and Tungnaá Rivers in the south of Iceland, where there is fierce local opposition to further dams.

Sjálfstæðisflokkurinn was in government for 17 years, until angry Icelanders rushed onto the streets of Reykjavík last January, protested and in the end toppled the government. During these years, Sjálfstæðisflokkurinn invited the aluminium industry to Iceland, promising “minimal environmental red tape” and cheap energy. To fulfill the party’s master plan, every major glacial river in Iceland would have to be dammed, as well as every active geothermal zone.

SkyrFramsóknarflokkurinn formed the other half of the first corrupt heavy industry coalition, holding the ministries of environment and industry. Now, when in parliamentary opposition, the party speaks and behaves like it had nothing to do with the economic collapse last fall. One of its main aims for the upcoming elections is (just like Sjálfstæðisflokkurinn) the continuation of the aluminium industry’s invasion.

Not for the first time
This is the second time in a short time period when green skyr is thrown in Iceland. Early in March this year, three people attacked the energy companies, while their representatives took part in green-washing days inside the University of Iceland. Read more about it here.

Cleaning June 14th 2005, green skyr was thrown in an international aluminium conference in Reykjavík. This was one of the first Saving Iceland actions as well as one of the first direct actions taken against the government’s heavy industry policy. Read more here.

The tradition of throwing skyr as a protest originates from a militant atheist action that took place in Reykjavík, 1970, when one individual, carpenter Helgi Hóseason, threw ’skyr’ over the Icelandic bishop, president, the entire government and members of parliament. For years he had fought for the right to be de-baptized, but was repeatedly refused. Hence he took action.

Sizewell Camp and Demo – 25/26th April (& solidarity call-out for anti-nuke actions on Chernobyl Day)

No to New Nuclear Power – Yes to Decentralised Energy!

If you do not think nuclear power is the answer to climate chaos come and join us in the 2 day demo and camp this weekend.

Where – Sizewell A and B, Suffolk UK.
When – 25th April
Time -12 noon

No to New Nuclear Power – Yes to Decentralised Energy!

If you do not think nuclear power is the answer to climate chaos come and join us in the 2 day demo and camp this weekend.

Where – Sizewell A and B, Suffolk UK.
When – 25th April
Time -12 noon

Speakers include- Pete Wilkinson Co-founder of Greenpeace UK, CORWM etc (tbc), Peter Lanyon and Charles Barnet, Shut Down Sizewell Group, Mell Harrison, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and Sizewell Blockaders, Rupert Read Green Party European candidate.

Bring a banner, friends, music, colour, costume, cakes and tea.

There will also be a camp on the beach over night so that we can hold a vigil
on the morning of 26th April, Chernobyl Day, to remember all those who are still
being affected by the 1986 disaster.

Bring a tent, water and a sunshade

More info contact 08453370282 or mellcndeast@cnduk.org.

Hope to see you there
more info and local (to sizewell) transport contact Mell 08453370282

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PRESS RELEASE (and UPDATE-
Update- Since the press release below all 5 activists have had their bail conditions removed from 9am on the 25th April to 2pm on the 26th April. So will be able to attend..)

Sizewell Nuclear Power Stations-‘3 times a nuisance!’

The government has announced that Sizewell is one of the sites nominated for a new nuclear power station, Sizewell activists head to court and a demonstration against new build at Sizewell is planned. What a week!

Tomorrow (Friday 17th, 10 am) the group calling themselves the ‘Sizewell Blockaders’ Rebecca Dale 33 from Bungay, Mell Harrison 37 from Geldeston, Nicola Stikles 39 from Saxmundham, Irene Willis 60 from Essex and Pete Lux 44 from Beccles, are again appearing at Lowestoft magistrates court for taking direct action against the what they say are ‘unlawful activities’ at the nuclear power stations at Sizewell in Suffolk. The group are hoping to have restrictions on their right to protest lifted so that they can attend the two-day demonstration and camp planned for 25th and 26th April. The reason for the planned demonstration is two fold- one to commemorate all those who died and are still affected by the radioactive fallout from the disaster at Chernobyl and two- because the government has announced that sizewell has been nominated as a site for not one, but two new nuclear reactors.
Local campaigners are concerned about this choice. Mell Harrison , who works for Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and lives in Suffolk said, “The flood risks of the sizewell coast are clear, the maps given with the site nominations show just how high risk it is. 10 years of waste are in a fuel pond at the site now- it seems very irresponsible to build here,” she continued “ everyone knows the risks involved with nuclear power but we are being told it is a necessary evil to bridge the energy gap- this is not true. Models such as the Borough of Woking show just how decentralisation of energy supplies can work, not just at delivering energy but cutting CO2 emissions too’
Woking Borough has a population of 100,000 and has the largest domestic combined photovoltaic/ combined heat and power (CHP) in the UK and is home to the UK’s first small –scale combined heat and power/heat fired chiller system. Woking borough council have developed these projects, with Allan Jones at the forefront, through its public/private joint energy service company- Thamesway Energy Ltd, again the first of its kind in the UK .The council is now recognised as the most energy efficient local authority in the UK having achieved-
1. Over 80% CO2 cuts
2. 51% reduction in energy consumption
3. 44% reduction water consumption

At the demonstration the campaigners hope to highlight the Woking model as an alternative to nuclear power but they will need to wait and see if they are allowed within 100m of the site before this can happen. Only tomorrow will tell.

More Info.

Woking – www.ideascentre.co.uk/download/file?ref=68
Sizewell new build nomination, including flood map- http://www.nuclearpowersiting.decc.gov.uk/nomination/sizewell
Sizewell Blockaders
http://www.easterncnduk.org/News/size200807.php

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Call for actions on 26 April – the day of Chernobyl, against the construction of new nuclear power station in Belarus

A call out for common actions against the construction of a new nuclear power station in Belarus. 26 April the day of Chernobyl nuclear accident.
Present-day Belarus is a post soviet country, on which territory a regime, police state in form and neoliberal in essence, fortified its position. For already 14 years the country is run by one and the same person Alexander Lukashenko, a populist at the beginning of his governing and openly pursuing antisocial reforms now.
The freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly is not about our country. These basic values as well as the political opposition are suppressed. Peaceful gatherings dispersions, political trials, preventive detentions all this has become a norm of political practice in Belarus.
A few years ago the ruling top started to consider another venturesome project the construction of a nuclear power station (NPS). Lukashenko took a decision regardless of the public wishes and common sense. The decision was made with the active support of the international nuclear lobby. The construction is to be undertaken by a Russian corporation Rosatom. It is to be held in a seismically active zone, in a dozen kilometers away from Lake Naroch the largest lake in Belarus, which is ecologically unique for our country and is a tourists and holiday-makers attraction. On the construction will be spent $4 billion, which otherwise could be outlaid for alternative energy means development.
But the above-listed points pale before the fact that Belarus shared 70% of radioactive contamination after Chernobyl nuclear accident. But the government and the president are absolutely not concerned about that. They want to create a delayed-action bomb in the country, where one third of the territory is unfit for farming and berries/mushrooms gathering.
We, Antinuclear resistance, an anarchy group, come out against nuclear power engineering on the whole and against the NPS construction specifically in Belarus. A part of political forces in Belarus, including opposition, supported the NPS construction. Unlike them we do not believe in NPS safety irrespective of the political regime, within which it is functioning and being constructed. Our activity is based upon non-authoritarian principles, we do not cooperate with any political parties on a regular base, but with ecological organizations and grassroots initiatives.
On 26 April, the anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear accident, an annual demonstration Charnobylski Shlah (The Chernobyl Path) takes place in commemoration of the accident and the people who fell the immediate and lingering victims of it. Starting with the year of 1996 anarchists take part in the demo with ecological and antinuclear slogans. But nowadays the demonstration, instead of just mourning and commemorative event, is gaining a protest mood: in the country, where dozens of thousands people have died as a result of the nuclear accident aftermaths and hundreds of thousands have acquired accident-caused illnesses or become handicapped, a new NPS is to be constructed! And that is done according to the common regulations of an authoritarian police state not asking the peoples opinion, but just confronting them with the fact.
On 26 April we will again take a most active part in the Charnobylski Shlah (The Chernobyl Path), well try to pass along to everyone our clear antinuclear position, will inform as many people as possible of the approaching danger. But now it is not enough! As an instrument of struggle against the state lawlessness we rely on the international support. We urge environmentalists and antiauthoritarians of the world to carry out solidarity actions on 26 April 2009. We call for a decentralized day of action of any form, which could help people learn something about our problem and stop the impudent authority and their sponsors from IAEA.
If you already take actions on 26 April on your local problems concerning nuclear power engineering, please put on your list the demand for abolition of the NSP construction in Belarus. You are also welcome to participate in The Chernobyl Path in Minsk and other actions in Belarus.
Together we will be able to stand up for the right for life on a clean and ecologically safe planet!
If you have any intention to make solidarity actions with the Belarussian antinuclear movement or participate in the demonstration in Belarus please contact us:
antiatombel@riseup.net
Spread out the call out through any accessible for you information channels

CALL OUT: Resist the bailiffs at Justice Not Crisis Birmingham squat

At 0900 hours on Tuesday 21st April 2009 bailiffs will attempt to evict members of Justice Not Crisis from 310, 312, 314 and 318 Pershore Road, followed immediately after at 11AM, an attempted eviction at the Beechwood Hotel, Bristol Road.

We intend to resist evictions at all five properties and will stage a roof-top demonstration at the Beechwood Hotel. We require as much support and assistance as possible, and a briefing will take place at the Beechwood Hotel at 0800 hours on Tuesday 21st April. Press and media have already indicated they will be attending the Beechwood to cover our resistance of the bailiffs’ eviction.

Anyone wishing to join us this evening/night for our barbecue and drink is welcome. Rooms will be available for anybody wishing to stay. Further information can be obtained on 07874180014

Updates to the days events will appear on our website throughout the day Tuesday 21st April.

Recent actions at Tara, Eire

planned action went ahead on monday 20.4.09 at the ardsallagh bridge project at the boyne… protestors entered site immediatly stopping all work but this did not last for long as within only five minutes the guards and nine jeeps from M3 workers had arrived on site. it was a total set up. perhaps this is proof of phone monitoring. protestors retreated to the public road where a blockade situation quickly unfolded. this stand off lasted well in excess of an hour as M3 workers had gardai investigate some ‘bent steel’ all activists were questioned all names were taken, meanwhile M3 workers continue to block public road infuriating locals. after all was said and done the guards escorted us back to the hill and waited in the carpark at maguires eating the tara special…

enjoy the video

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Fancy dress digger-diving, 25.3.09 – video

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Action 3.3.09 video

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action 12.2.09
THE NEXT DAY OF ACTION for Tara, this wednesday 18th feb. Meeting tuesday night
at Vigil Farm, for actions early and all day wednesday.
Come prepared – bring sleeping bag, torch, waterproof warm clothes, cameras,
banners, costumes, musical instruments etc etc

*All welcome, please tell literally everyone. Protests cannot continue
unless we have the numbers to support us.
*
If you cannot make it on wednesday but would like to help out, we need help
with:
Press releases
Banner making materials
Cameras
Food
Anything else you thing that could be helpful!
Tara is calling, the days are getting longer and warmer. Protesting is
great craic, it’s never to late for TARA
——–

Video of dangerous digger-diving action, 29.1.09

Protests continue…see youtube for more past actions…

Blue NG offices in Bath occupied by 13 members of Action Against Agrofuels (AAA)

AAA occupied Blue NG offices on Friday 17th, Via Campesina Day, in solidarity with millions of peasant land-workers demonstrating globally against agrofuels.

AAA occupied Blue NG offices on Friday 17th, Via Campesina Day, in solidarity with millions of peasant land-workers demonstrating globally against agrofuels. Blue NG are committing a crime against humanity and the planet by using misinformation* to win support for the new market of agrofuel power stations, when virtually all agrofuels have been shown to cause ecosystem destruction, accelerated climate change & food poverty.

* For more on Blue-NG misinformation see…
http://sites.google.com/site/foodnotfuelorg/Home/facts-on-biofuels/biofuels-for-electricity/BlueNGinconsistenciesApril2009.doc?attredirects=0

On 17th April 2009 13 climate and social justice activists occupied the head office of Blue NG, the company which is planning to build the UK’s first biofuel power plants. Banners were hung from the building and activists demanded that the company stops investing in biofuels.

BlueNG initially plans eight power plants which would run on virgin vegetable oil. Campaigners warn that those power plants will significantly boost the UK’s imports of palm oil, which is linked to deforestation and the displacement of rural communities, including indigenous peoples. Blue NG speaks about using rapeseed oil but has failed to rule out using palm oil. In Germany, 1.3 billion kWh of energy are produced from palm oil burning because this is the cheapest vegetable oil and German providers have found it impossible to afford rapeseed oil.

STATEMENT:

We are here to demand that you stop investing in agrofuels. We need truly renewable energy but calling pesticide-sprayed monocultures for biofuels renewable is obscene.

Already, small farmers and indigenous peoples are being evicted, far more people are going hungry and ever more forests and other diverse ecosystems are being destroyed in order to grow fuel for our cars. While hundreds of civil society groups and institutions, including he European Environment Agency, our Environmental Audit Committee, the UN Rapporteur for the Right of Food and even the OECD were against Europe’s biofuel targets for transport, your company was drawing up plans to further push up an already completely unsustainable demand for biofuels.

Soon after scientists published studies which unequivocally show that today’s agrofuels are disaster for the climate and that using land for agrofuels means less ecosystems and less food, you published your plans to build the first vegetable oil power plant in Beckton. It so happens that, in Beckton, asthma levels are already exceptionally high, almost certainly due to air pollution.

You then made false and misleading claims to garner political support for those destructive plans. Many people liked what you said about combining geo-pressure and combined heat and power, yet your two published planning applications involve neither – as for CHP, you don’t even plan to supply heat to properties or industry. But even if those claims had not been false, the energy will still come from one of the most destructive and climate-damaging types of fuel.

You continue to make false statements about the fuel you will use. You tell media reporters you have a sustainable sourcing agreement – yet the party you claim to have that agreement with knows nothing about it. Just this month, you published claims that you could power your plants from half a million hectares of set aside land in the UK and that this would be climate-friendly. This is absurd – as anybody in the industry must know, most of that set aside land has already been ploughed up in what even Defra fears is a disaster for our biodiversity. And far from being climate-friendly, rapeseed oil is grown with so many fertilisers that it’s up to 70% worse for the climate than fossil fuel oil.

Your biomass policy boasts that you will minimise indirect impacts. Not surprisingly, you haven’t told anybody just how you plan to do that – after all nobody else has come up with any credible ideas for this either. Except for one study which makes it clear that the only way that could be done was by making sure less food was grown and more people went hungry. Is this what you mean when you say “If we are going to be successful in our fight against climate change in the context of an economic downturn and rising energy and food prices, we have to make some hard choices.”? Though the only success this project might bring is profits, no other benefits.

And finally, the reason we are here on this particular day is that we wish to support the International Day of Action called by Via Campesina, in memory of landless farmers killed in Brazil on the same day in 1996. Via Campesina and many other groups rightly demand policies which support food sovereignty, not monocultures to grow fuel for Europe, and rights and support for small farmers and for biodiverse, organic farming which truly helps to counter climate change. Biofuel companies like Blue NG are undermining our hopes for an agriculture system which can feed people, reduce climate change, safeguard biodiversity and support communities’ rights and livelihoods. Your choices are your responsibility and we demand that you stop all support for agrofuels. We will not stop campaigning until you stop your support for agrofuels.

Gloucestershire Airport is held to ransom

April 11, 2009
Gloucestershire Airport was plunged into darkness as environmental campaigners stole lights in protest against a new green policy.

Campaigners from Plane Stupid say they are holding a set of hi-tech solar powered lights to ransom until the airport becomes more eco-friendly.

April 11, 2009
Gloucestershire Airport was plunged into darkness as environmental campaigners stole lights in protest against a new green policy.

Campaigners from Plane Stupid say they are holding a set of hi-tech solar powered lights to ransom until the airport becomes more eco-friendly.

Kevin Lister from the protest group said: “We have stolen the photovoltaic lights from the sign at the airport.

“These lights highlight the stupidity of the council’s position with the airport.

“The idea that fitting eco-friendly lights at the airport can offset the huge environmental damage that the planes will cause is an insult to those of us that care.”

The campaigners sprang into action after Gloucester City Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Management committee agreed to recommend the airport’s green policy to cabinet at a meeting on Thursday.

In a ransom note sent by email to local councillors and airport head of operations Darren Lewington, Kevin apologised for holding the environmentally-friendly lights hostage, and stated his terms.

The statement said: “We will hand them (the lights) back once the targets in the green management plan are set in accordance with the latest science, which demands that we immediately move to a zero-carbon economy, and when there is a categorical agreement that if the airport breaches the limits, operations will cease for the measurement period.”

Mr Lewington said: “First of all, I would like to say the airport is very pleased that both the Gloucester and Cheltenham committees have endorsed the policy, and I hope their cabinets will follow suit.

“It’s disappointing that Kevin has taken this particular action. This is theft and criminal damage, and those are the plain facts for Plane Stupid.

“The green policy is very much a working document and it’s not appropriate at this stage to include the demands that Kevin has made.

“It’s early days and the document will evolve, but this stunt is, in my personal opinion, a bit inappropriate.”

Gloucester City Council leader Paul James responded to Kevin’s actions, branding them “irresponsible.”

He said: “We can’t condone breaking the law, which is what this is.

“I do have respect for people who want to make sure the airport is environmentally friendly, but this isn’t the best way to go about it.

“The best thing for him to do would be to work with us and co-operate, rather than showing a contempt for democracy.”

Campaigners from Plane Stupid say they are holding a set of hi-tech solar powered lights to ransom until the airport becomes more eco-friendly.