3 April 2009

3 April 2009

"Climate Emergency" Iceberg Demo

On the day of protests for fossil, (or financial, depending on how you look at it) fool’s day, we decided to bring a purely climate message to the Excel centre, where the G20 summit was held this week, and decided on melting ice caps as the clearest indication of climate change to highlight the message. The result? One large iceberg-shaped block of ice (melting throughout the day), placards urging the G20 to act faster than the melting ice, white-clad protesters and some interesting human ice-cap posing!

3 April 2009

"Climate Emergency" Iceberg Demo

On the day of protests for fossil, (or financial, depending on how you look at it) fool’s day, we decided to bring a purely climate message to the Excel centre, where the G20 summit was held this week, and decided on melting ice caps as the clearest indication of climate change to highlight the message. The result? One large iceberg-shaped block of ice (melting throughout the day), placards urging the G20 to act faster than the melting ice, white-clad protesters and some interesting human ice-cap posing!

Phil, CCC national co-ordinator, is quoted in the Independent and the Telegraph: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/hundreds-of-protesters-set-up-climate-camp-1659508.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financetopics/g20-summit/5090319/G20-summit-Green-movement-labels-G20-a-missed-opportunity-to-tackle-global-warming.html

Put People First march

Amid the 35,000 diverse marchers in London last Saturday calling for the G20 to take action on ‘jobs, justice and climate’, the Campaign against Climate Change ‘Climate Emergency’ placards were an ever-visible presence.  Meanwhile CCC members were spreading the word about action for Copenhagen 2009, with thousands of these brand new flyers: http://sites/www.campaigncc.org/resources.shtml

If you would like any flyers to distribute, get in touch with the office: info@campaigncc.org, 020 7833 9311

Actions and dates for your diary

April - June 2009. PCS Union and the Climate Outreach & Information Network are hosting a series of five free workshops on climate change for trade unionists.  Book early to avoid disappointment http://coinet.org.uk/

Make sure you’re registered to vote for the European Parliament elections on 4 June.

The European Union have always played a big part in the climate negotiations, traditionally pushing for stronger global commitments on reducing carbon emissions.  But in Poznan last year, they showed that their stance was weakening, and we need to make sure they up their game before the critical UN climate talks in Copenhagen in December.  Unfortunately there are some indications that this round of voting could see the election of more far-right representatives, for whom the climate has not traditionally been a priority, so every vote counts.  Please put this date in your diary and encourage everyone you know to vote!

You can make sure you’re registered to vote here http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/

Climate change in the news – UK

A report from WWF shows that global recovery plans set aside only a tiny fraction for the transition to a low-carbon economy, and the UK ’s package is likely to have a negative climate effect because it includes £500 million investment in roads. http://www.wwf.org.uk/news_feed.cfm?2925/G20-must-ensure-green-shoots-really-are-green

Lord Stern has spoken out against Kingsnorth, saying that there should be no new coal-fired power stations until carbon capture and storage is proved to work. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/stern-kingsnorth-should-be-shelved-1658035.html

A government document warns that airport group BAA cannot lodge a planning application for the Heathrow third runway before the next general election. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/mar/28/heathrow-third-runway-prospects

Greenpeace reveals the Department for Transport’s ‘risk register’ for the third runway. http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/blog/climate/risky-business-20090327

The plan for a new runway and terminal at Stansted will be delayed for several years and may be abandoned, after the Competition Commission decided to force BAA to sell the airport. http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/transport/article5941738.ece

A report by the Tyndall Centre, commissioned by Friends of the Earth, says the UK must adopt at least 42% cuts in carbon emissions by 2020, with cuts made in the UK , not by offsetting emissions.

http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/climate/news/tyndall_report_19448.html

Climate change in the news – International

In the end, the G20 summit saw little action on climate change. http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUK123874766864._CH_.2420

Another G20 summit on climate change is apparently likely to take place this summer alongside the annual G8 gathering of world leaders on the island of La Maddalena off Sardinia . http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/leaders-to-meet-in-summer-for-special-climate-change-talks-1656630.html

Meanwhile in Bonn , the first of a series of three sessions is taking place aiming at producing a draft document to succeed the Kyoto Protocol. http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/mar2009/2009-03-30-01.asp

Climate legislation unveiled Tuesday in the US House of Representatives calls for 20 percent cuts in emissions by 2020, 42 percent by 2030 and 83 percent by 2050. http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hzrLrPhTIFuT0Rzg1d0yYD34cOtw

On 28 March, during ‘Earth hour’, cities around the world switched lights off on major landmarks. http://earthhour.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/earth_hour_news/