The Camp for Climate Action was just the beginning!
Open Gathering Invite, Weekend 14-15th Oct
Climate Change isn’t just going to disappear – and neither are we. The Camp for Climate Action was a turning point, but it was never going to be enough in itself. Come and take the next steps forward at the upcoming UK-wide meeting in Manchester from October 14th to 15th and be part of a newly energised movement in the fight against climate chaos. Everybody is welcome, whether you came to the Camp or not.
The venue is Manchester Environmental Resource Centre (MERCI), Bridge-5 Mill, Ancoats, Manchester. Please see the end of this email for full details.
The Camp was an amazing success but is now £4000 in debt, so please donate if you can. Go to www.climatecamp.org.uk to get details to donate.
Packed with workshops and debates, the Camp was a space to pool knowledge, ideas and inspiration to tackle the greatest threat to life on Earth. Under the shadow of 12 huge cooling towers we converged to take action on the biggest CO2 emitter in northern Europe: Drax power station.
As Drax shareholders rake in the profits, the rest of us tremble as we wake up to the effects of the 21 million tones of carbon released by Drax each year. If we carry on at this rate in the next few years we will have emitted enough C02 to cross the dreaded 2-degree temperature threshold. Predictions at this point include the Greenland ice sheet collapsing and sea levels rising, water shortages in many parts of the world, the extinction of the polar bear, and most worrying of all, runaway climate chaos.
The Climate Camp was a direct challenge to climate criminals, and on Thursday 31st August hundreds of people converged to take action on Drax. From a colourful kids demo blocking the main gates, to small teams of people locking themselves to machinery inside the fence, the intent was clear: Drax must shut now! For one day this was not business as usual. It is time to push aside the big money makers of the world and make space for a future where the needs of people and the planet come first, a future where we take collective responsibility for the effect we have on the environment. The Camp was a space to start living in sustainable ways. From a bicycle library to solar energy and locally-sourced food, the carbon footprint of the camp was minimal. It was organised through 'neighbourhood assembles' (directly democratic systems to ensure that everyone's voice was heard equally), and decisions were taken by consensus. The Manchester gathering will be organised on similar principles.
Thanks to every one who helped to make the Camp a success. It was just the beginning…together we can make the change!
For more infomation go to www.climatecamp.org.uk
Read about the Climate Camp (or add your own report) on Indymedia http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/actions/2006/climatecamp/
Rising Tide North America is calling for 2 days of action on October 3-4, 2006, to coincide with the G8 + 5 Climate Summit in Mexico City, which is set to enshrine yet more oil and gas production; http://www.risingtidenorthamerica.org/g8/
Plane Stupid is calling for a day of action against short haul flights and short haul operators of November 6th, during the UN International climate talks in Nairobi. The day of action is two days after the mass event for climate action in London on November 4th, organised by Stop Climate Chaos and the Campaign Against Climate Change. www.planestupid.com
The venue for the gathering is fully accessible. There wi
