Spotted on the Underground at Kings Cross Station; two adverts promoting DVD’s by Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson with large stickers stuck on declaring ‘This causes climate change’.
Spotted on the Underground at Kings Cross Station; two adverts promoting DVD’s by Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson with large stickers stuck on declaring ‘This causes climate change’.
A previous post here outlined the threat to the Woodhead Railway Tunnel by the multinational energy corporation, National Grid.
A previous post here outlined the threat to the Woodhead Railway Tunnel by the multinational energy corporation, National Grid.
A new campaign has organised a meeting for those who wish to become involved in the fight against these proposals. It is to be held at Bradbury Community House (Market Street, Glossop, Derbyshire, SK13 8AR) on Tuesday 18th December, commencing at 7.00 p.m.
The purpose of the meeting is primarily to hear more information about the situation and to debate and formulate ideas and action to keep the Woodhead Tunnel open for what it was built for – trains and not cables that facilitate unsustainable – and rising – energy consumption.
The campaign has a website www.savethewoodheadtunnel.blogspot.com and an email address savethewoodheadtunnel@gmail.com.
What Better Time? is a free news sheet from the Scottish Climate Activist Network. Issue one is out now, get em while they’re hot (actually after the demo on Saturday they’re a bit wet and soggy).
What Better Time? is a free news sheet from the Scottish Climate Activist Network. Issue one is out now, get em while they’re hot (actually after the demo on Saturday they’re a bit wet and soggy).
This monthly news sheet aims to inform people across Scotland, and further, from a wide range of back-grounds about a fight to save the planet (yes, that old chestnut). As I am sure you are aware human induced climate change is imminent, and every person on the planet has to do something about it. The Scottish Climate Activist Network brings together activists and concerned individuals from across Scotland so we can support each other in our work to stop climate change through protest and direct action along with building sustainable alternatives.
It is available in hard copy in all good social centres and hippy hang-outs or online.
Email: whatbettertime [at] riseup.net
Website: whatbettertime.livejournal.com
CheadleHighStreet Against Climate Change say ‘A planet is not just for Xmas’
Activists from CheadleHighStreet Against Climate Change have commenced their campaign for a sustainable Xmas. National research has indicated that people through holiday eating, travel, Christmas lights, and gift giving produce on average 650 kg of CO2 emissions per individual. This is 5.5% of the yearly carbon footprint of the UK.
CheadleHighStreet Against Climate Change say ‘A planet is not just for Xmas’
Activists from CheadleHighStreet Against Climate Change have commenced their campaign for a sustainable Xmas. National research has indicated that people through holiday eating, travel, Christmas lights, and gift giving produce on average 650 kg of CO2 emissions per individual. This is 5.5% of the yearly carbon footprint of the UK.
The average person during the Holidays produces 26 kg of CO2 from Christmas food, 96 kg of CO2 from Christmas Car travel, 218 kg of CO2 from extravagant lighting displays, 310 kg of CO2 on Christmas Shopping.
CACC members recieved a good response from shoppers of all nationalities with their leaflets ‘ A planet is not just for Xmas’. Shoppers were urged to buy locally grown conifers in pots rather than imported Scandanavian trees and to use solar powered lights . An exchange has been set up for recycled presents and those wanting an alternative to farm produced cruelty have been offered soya textured protein in exchange for the Xmas turkey.
A ‘Xmas free space ‘ will be opened for those suffering stress at Xmas and those who worship other religions or who are aetheists and pagans.There will also be a Boxing Day bike protest against traffic congestion
Rising Tide International is calling for a day of action against the fossil fuel industry on April 1st 2008…
Rising Tide International is calling for a day of action against the fossil fuel industry on April 1st 2008…
FOSSIL FOOLS DAY!
Roll up, roll up! The climate circus is in town. Climate change threatens our very survival, but the fools at the head of the fossil fuel empire continue to plunder the earth, with governments the willing court jesters at their side.
They would have us believe that we can escape climate change with techno-fixes, market mechanisms and offset schemes – all technocratic acrobatics that distract us from the truth: the only real solution to climate change is to keep fossil fuels in the ground.
For over a century the fossil fuel industry has been fooling with our lives. From extraction to combustion they have poisoned our air, polluted our water and ruined our climate. On April 1st, 2008, we’re going to turn the tables and show them who the real fools are.
Find a local fossil fool – the coal-mining clown, the offset contortionist, the aviator tripping on the high wire, the supermarket food mile freak show, the oily strong man, or any other fool that deserves your attention – and join with thousands around the world in taking one step closer to dismantling the fossil fuel industry.
On Fossil Fools Day, bring the spirit of carnival and mischief to the fight for climate justice.
www.fossilfoolsday.org
www.risingtide.org.uk
(More info and resources coming soon… for now, put the date in your diary, spread the call-out above far and wide, and start scheming!)
For people interested in something a little more direct than the big climate demo in London tomorrow…
Tonight, all Flight Centre branches in Manchester city centre have been superglued closed, in time for Saturday trading and to coincide with the climate march in London tomorrow. They were pasted with notices saying: “Closed – we want your kids to have a planet”
For people interested in something a little more direct than the big climate demo in London tomorrow…
Tonight, all Flight Centre branches in Manchester city centre have been superglued closed, in time for Saturday trading and to coincide with the climate march in London tomorrow. They were pasted with notices saying: “Closed – we want your kids to have a planet”
The UK’s only Hummer dealership, Bauer Millett, was also locked shut with a D-lock.
Stickers have also started appearing all over Manchester with “The Tide is Rising” and a blue line…see earlier post about a banner drop, http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/17886
Earth First!
7.12.2007
Women have this morning blockaded the Department for Transport preventing staff from getting to work and carrying out their policies which are catapulting us towards dangerous run-away climate change. This action comes in response to the Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly confirming the government’s intentions to build a third runway and a sixth terminal at Heathrow and co-incides with the opening of their first ‘consultation’ exhibition.
7.12.2007
Women have this morning blockaded the Department for Transport preventing staff from getting to work and carrying out their policies which are catapulting us towards dangerous run-away climate change. This action comes in response to the Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly confirming the government’s intentions to build a third runway and a sixth terminal at Heathrow and co-incides with the opening of their first ‘consultation’ exhibition.
This protest is part of a growing direct action movement against climate change inspired by the Camp for Climate Action (1). On Wednesday over 30 climate activists including the columnist George Monbiot invaded and occupied Britain’s biggest ever open-cast coal mine at Ffos-y-fran in South Wales. On 28th November, protesters from climate action group Plane Stupid disrupted the proceedings of the Transport Select Committee who were hearing evidence from BAA boss, Steven Nelson and Aviation Minister, Jim Fitzpatrick in protest at the Heathrow expansion plans. This weekend thousands of people will march on the streets of London to protest about climate change. This protest is a call to all to stand up and take action against the governments and corporations who are fueling climate chaos.
Why the DfT?
Transport is the fastest growing source of climate change gases in the UK, now accounting for 26% of emissions (2). In a time when we desperately need to reduce emissions, the DfT plans to build more roads and more airports encouraging us to drive and fly more. The DfT was targetted during the Camp for Climate Action in August, and women have returned today to re-emphasise the role of our government in dangerous transport expansion plans. Groups will continue to return to the DfT until the government reviews its policies.
Why women?
Women have acted today in solidarity with the residents of Sipson, especially the women who continue to campaign to protect their homes, despite bullying and pressure from BAA, and the women all over the world who fight everyday to survive in the face of increasing climate chaos.
NO 3rd runway at Heathrow
Aviation is already the fastest growing source of UK carbon dioxide emissions (3), and these emissions are released high in the atmosphere meaning we feel their effects immediately. Heathrow is already the busiest airport in the world. Building a third runway will lead to even more flights and more pollution. Oxford University recently concluded that it will be impossible to meet the government’s own target for a 60 per cent carbon reduction by 2050 without curbing aviation growth (4)
NO M1 Widening
The DfT is building a £5 billion 115 mile long expansion of the M1 with an increase of 186,092 tonnes of CO2 every year (5). Is this taking climate change seriously? We call for a scrapping of the current and proposed schemes up and down the length of the M1.
NO green wash
We call for a reduction in transport, and reject dangerous green wash such as ‘biofuels’ and carbon offsetting. We cannot continue with relentless growth on a finite planet. We all need to reduce consumption, and our carbon emissions. (6)
Jane Wilson, on the protest says, “The government does not like to admit it , but we cannot sustain our current levels of consumption or the growth economy and stop climate change. Its time to stop tinkering at the edges and wake up to the reality of the threat & take serious and drastic action. We have to create a society that is less dependent on energy, and that is more locally self-sufficient.”
Notes for Editors:
1 The Camp for Climate Action 2007 (www.climatecamp.org.uk) was a large protest and educational event at Heathrow this year, highlighting the link between the aviation industry and climate change.
2 The Campaign for Better Transport (www.bettertransport.org.uk)
3 Campaign for Better Transport
4 Campaign for Better Transport
5 Biofuelwatch (www.biofuelwatch.org.uk)
==========================
Update and outcome
In the end: Having shut the DFT for over two hours, eight women who were locked or glued to the doors of the DFT were arrested, held all day in Belgravia Police Station and then released on bail.
They are all charged with offences under SOCPA (serious organised crime and police act). At least one more was summoned to appear under SOCPA, although not arrested.
Total amount of women involved was around twenty. They’re all ace and of course this is only the beginning of women pitching in to stop climate chaos on their own terms.
—
One of these women, having been released on bail for SOCPA, was rearrested at the Dec 8 March in London, for being in the SOCPA zone!!
She was held until Monday 10th when the court saw her and threw out the bail-breach on the grounds that she should never had had such bail conditions.
Another example of the MET endearing themselves to us then.
Last Friday’s Critical Mass in Glasgow was marred and cut short slightly by an assault on one of the riders. Not overburdened with festive spirit, a middle-aged woman leant out of a car (reg. no X754…) and pulled the cyclist off his bike.
Last Friday’s Critical Mass in Glasgow was marred and cut short slightly by an assault on one of the riders. Not overburdened with festive spirit, a middle-aged woman leant out of a car (reg. no X754…) and pulled the cyclist off his bike.
After gathering as usual, defying rain and the invasion of George Square by a St andrews day icerink and a million Saltires, 20 cyclists went for their regular ride around. About 0 minutes into the event the atmosphere turned nasty while heading up St Vincent Street.
After attempting to drive in between the Massers, always a dangerous and counter-productive thing to do, the silver car nearly hit a rider. after that and a short conversation, the car’s passenger, a middle-aged blonde woman in a red jacket grabbed the cyclist by the shoulder, jerked him off of his bike.
The car with a registration number beginning X754 and ending in either LGG or a similar sounding combination of letters, then sped off up the hill. a rider caught up at the next set of traffic lights (always happens) but was unable to get a clear photograph of the violent criminal and her accomplice, who turned right up Pitt Street and got away.
Critical Massers regrouped to catch breath on the pavement, then most of them continued to ride for another 20 minutes or so. Including the assaulted cyclist, not seriously hurt but slightly shaken and, given the police’s inaction over a previous assault, unlikely to bother pressing charges. From Argyle Street, past the most polluted site in the city, over the river and back over the footbridge to the pub for a warming and well-earned drink.
“Motorist breaks law with impunity.” It’s hardly a news story, as you can see from this photograph of a completely different car on the same road. Two people in the car, wet road, lengthy stopping distance, yet it’s the driver who’s talking on the mobile phone. Another idiot endangering my life and my friends’ lives while slowly poisoning the air we all share. Where’s the choice in lifestyle choice there?
While the assault might cause Critical Massers to think more deeply about tactics, there’s no doubt that more than ever it’s a vital part of the battle for quality of life in Glasgow.
Meets at George Square, 5:30pm for a 6:00pm departure on the last Friday of every month.
Join a colourful critical mass of people and peddlers of all shapes and sizes and let our cycling circus upstage and reveal Bristol’s climate criminals.
Roll up Roll Up:
Calling all : bicycle tricksters, bike powered gizmos, jugglers, banner makers, poets, storytellers, mobile musicians, performers.
Join a colourful critical mass of people and peddlers of all shapes and sizes and let our cycling circus upstage and reveal Bristol’s climate criminals.
Roll up Roll Up:
Calling all : bicycle tricksters, bike powered gizmos, jugglers, banner makers, poets, storytellers, mobile musicians, performers.
Lets bring the reality and causes of climate change to our streets..
Meet: College Green, 1pm
8th December
International day of action on climate change
We want to take creative action on climate chaos! We invite you to join us on our Cycle Circus where together we will reveal the climate criminals with their confidence tricks and green wash.
Our first stage will be The Royal Bank of Scotland where last month saw 30 actions in the UK on this biggest investor of oil and gas projects, they haven’t gone away and nor have we.
The next stage is up to us all. Talk, share ideas, plan ,prepare, turn up, transform!
Climate change is the biggest issue of our time effecting everyone and most of all the poor. We can take back control together, create the world we want to live in and have fun along the way! Lets take the stage of those who green wash our streets and our minds to make us think its all better. Picture this, people taking to the streets because enough is enough, no more exploitation! Our planet’s on the brink of ecological crisis and we won’t let corporations get away with our world.
Lets halt the infrastructure of more fossil fuel projects locking us into a future of climate chaos and that offer big buck high tech non-solutions.
Bristol Rising Tide is an open group making collective action dedicated to tackling the root causes of climate chaos and creating climate justice. We want to invite people to join this international day of action on climate change.
National Grid, the UK based Utilities Corporation, are about to put beyond use the Woodhead Tunnel, and thereby a trans-pennine railway line alternative to the car/road nightmare.
In recent weeks, the Department of Transport have signalled their intention to expand the road network and hold back rail alternatives. The Woodhead line between Sheffield and Manchester and the Modern Woodhead Tunnel (built in 1954) were closed in 1981, leading to an increasingly disastrous road traffic situation in the North West of England and particularly the adjoining area of Longdendale.
National Grid, the UK based Utilities Corporation, are about to put beyond use the Woodhead Tunnel, and thereby a trans-pennine railway line alternative to the car/road nightmare.
In recent weeks, the Department of Transport have signalled their intention to expand the road network and hold back rail alternatives. The Woodhead line between Sheffield and Manchester and the Modern Woodhead Tunnel (built in 1954) were closed in 1981, leading to an increasingly disastrous road traffic situation in the North West of England and particularly the adjoining area of Longdendale.
Whilst National and local government have pushed for a destructive Bypass to the A628 trunk road, Woodhead remains shut and alternatives shut out. But the owners of the Tunnel, National Grid, are moving to close it for good and destroy any hope of future alternatives to the car monster. They plan to relocate electricity cables from the previous Victorian tunnels to the modern one, starting in February 2008.
There’s precious little in terms of action being taken against this act of wilful vandalism by the State and local campaigners are desparate for any help they can get. A walk/bike ride is planned for December 8th, to coincide with the national climate march, but ideas for action are welcome. For more info (article to be posted soon), see http://nomottrambypass.blogspot.com/ or contact stuffyourbypass@gmail.com
