My journey to Copenhagen
Each border I successfully cross, the right to move freely feels more and more fragile. This feeling, familiar to many crossing lands around the globe, is new to me. It heightens at the sight of the policeman's gun, at the thought of my vacant passport gaze scanned and delivered to desks across Europe via Interpol or whatever else they choose to do with my 2D face and the map of my movements.
Surviving winter in Copenhagen
Someone told me the temperature can drop to -10C in Copenhagen which is probably outside most people's experience and certainly outside their comfort zone. Googling for weather statistics for Denmark however, reveals that that -10C figure looks very much the exception and around freezing point seems to be the norm there for December. Copenhagen is on the same lattitude as central Scotland though so it may feel distinctly nippy there for us soft southerners. Since the British are notoriously crap at dressing for cold conditions and since I've ventured onto a few cold mountains in my time, I've necessarily learned a bit about staying warm in such conditions which I'm thinking may be useful to pass on to those going to Copenhagen. I could just suggest everyone goes to a good outdoor shop and buys loads of high tech survival stuff but since many activists are on low incomes this advice wouldn't go down very well so here's various cheapo options.
Direct action against climate change
As politicians meet for more climate talks in Barcelona, they continue to be fixated on measures like carbon trading that will only exacerbate the climate crisis. Fortunately the last year in the UK and worldwide has shown that direct action against carbon-intensive projects can deliver results.
26/10/09: A Day to Remember in the Fight Against Coal
We defeated E.On’s plans to build the first coal-fired power station in over 30 years, which is definitely something to be proud of. But, as this week’s actions have shown, the fight against coal is far from over and concerned individuals are showing no sign in slowing down their activities.
Swoop update: Injured police officer - Statement from Climate Camp
As the Swoop unfolded today, one issue the media has drawn increasing attention to has been the number of injuries sustained by protesters and police. In particular the media has focused on one police officer who sustained head injuries and was airlifted to hospital. The following is a statement that has been issued by the Camp for Climate Action media team.
The Latest Scoop on the Swoop: Update @ 13.30
About 30 minutes ago a group of around 40 people pulled down fences on the East side of the power station, near to the coal pile and people started pouring through towards the coal.
Follow all the (direct) action live online
Activism is not just about taking action. It's also about explaining to people what the action is about and and engaging in debate. What better way to help explain today's Swoop on Ratcliffe-on-Soar than through a mash-up of Google maps, satellite imagery, photos, videos and live updates from activists.
Climate Camp Swoops On E.on Two Days Early
Just days before the Great Climate Swoop, the Camp for Climate Action has upped the ante in its bitter battle with energy giant e.on, by publicly occupying it flagship public relations YouTube channel, Talking Energy.
Response to The Sunday Times article
The Sunday Times article on Climate Camp (30/8/09) reported someone at the camp responding to a passerby who shouted “Get a job”, saying, “actually we’re not dirty gypsies we just believe in a sustainable future for the planet.”
Action updates from Climate Camps around the world...
As Climate Campers across the UK are digging out their D-Locks and working on their fence jumping techniques (careful- it’s electric don’t you know!) the International Group thought it’d be time to update everyone on what’s going on in countries around the world right now.
Latest from the Vestas blockade
Vestas workers and supporters continue to blockade Britain’s only wind-turbine blade factory on the Isle of Wight. They have been doing since the workers’ 18 day occupation ended last month. Management, security and the police are stepping up their efforts to harass and undermine the workers and activists who are blocking the path between the plant and the jetty onto the river Medina. There is still millions of pounds worth of equipment and blades inside the factory which can only be transported out by barge. This represents the last real industrial leverage in the struggle, the last opportunity to really hurt Vestas in an attempt to force them, or the government to negotiate. This is a statement issued earlier this week;
The Great Climate Swoop is coming to... Ratcliffe
So after last minute voting at Climate Camp in London, Ratcliffe-on-soar coal power station (owned by that nice company e.on) was chosen.
Flashmob at London City Airport
We were 60 activists from Climate Camp, and we were occupying the main entrance to London City Airport alongside activists from the local Fight the Flights campaign group. Looking back, I was amazed at how quickly an effective action can be put together.
Our cleaning spree against the government’s dirty investments
At 11am today we converged on the Treasury in our cleaning overalls, feather dusters and scrubbing brushes - to clean up the Treasury’s act over their climate change-inducing investments. On this “anti-bank” holiday we dropped a banner highlighting that ‘Climate Change doesn’t take holidays’ - most of the bankers and officials may have had the day off but we were there to press home that time is running out in the fight against climate change.