Camp for Climate Action
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Camp for Climate Action was a campaign gathering which took place in an area dubbed Megawatt Valley [1], next to Drax power station near Selby and Leeds in North Yorkshire UK, between August 26 and September 4, 2006.
The aim of the camp was to take action against the causes of climate change and to develop ways to create a carbon-neutral society, i.e. one which does not release greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere. The camp acted as a base for direct action against major carbon emitters such as Drax. It ran on broadly anarchist principles - free to attend, supported by donations and with input from everyone in the community for the day-to-day operation of the camp.
Contents |
[edit] Demonstrating sustainability
The Camp for Climate Action was intended to be an example of what a sustainable society might be like. Power for lighting, radios, mobile phones, sound equipment and laptop computers was supplied by solar panels and a wind turbine. There was a strong emphasis on the use of bicycles and public transport, including a Bicycology tour [2] from London via Lancaster. Biodiesel from recycled cooking oil was available for other vehicles. There was even a pedal-powered laundry and sound system. Much of the material used to created structures for the camp was reclaimed waste from building sites which would otherwise have been sent landfill. Composting, including compost toilets, comprehensive recycling and grey water systems were used to keep the amount waste to a minimum.
Claiming that 'livestock is a major threat to environment' [3] all food was vegan, mostly organic and locally sourced to minimise food miles, provided by communal neighbourhood kitchens, many associated with the Social Centres Network, co-ordinated by the Sumac Centre and Veggies Catering Campaign.
Over one hundred and sixty workshops ran throughout the camp, sharing practical skills on living sustainably, on subjects such as the science of climate change, environmental justice and the effects of climate change on people in the global South, corporate 'climate criminals', direct action, childrens' workshops, and many more.
[edit] Police Attention
The camp was heavily attended by the police, who carried out Section 60 searches of people entering and leaving the camp. At times the entrance was blockaded by police vans. Police patrols had been allowed on the site, but by Wednesday peaceful protesters blocked their entry. The colourful march to Drax, attended by banner-wavers, dancers and children, was heavily police-escorted.
[edit] Drax Protest
The camp was on a squatted site, situated close to several large power stations including Drax, a coal-fired power station which is the largest single emitter of carbon dioxide in the UK [4].
On August 31, 2006, up to 600 people attended a protest called Reclaim Power converging on Drax and attempting to shut it down. There was an impressive 'kids march' to Drax Power Station, with a a giant ostrich puppet, made by the The Mischief Makers. Two protesters climbed a lighting pylon at the edge of the Drax site and four others broke through the fence [5]. At least 3,000 police officers, from 12 forces from as far afield as Hampshire and London, were reported to have been drafted in for the duration of the protest. Thirty-eight protesters were arrested. The police reported that work at the power plant was not disrupted, though eye witnesses reported having locked-on to various machinery inside the power station, thus stopping work. No coal went into Drax that day, with the railway line in being blocked off. [6]
Other protests arising from the camp included a protest against a nuclear power station in Hartlepool, Teesside. [7].
[edit] Continuing Campaign
The Camp for Climate Action was organized over a period of almost a year though a series of monthly meetings, held in Manchester, Nottingham, Oxford, Leeds, Bristol, London, and Talamn (near Glasgow). Anyone was welcome to attend planning meeting and to join one of the working groups. There were no 'leaders' and meetings used consensus decision making. The camp was run entirely by volunteers and was funded by private donations.
It was felt by many that the Camp marked a turning point in grass-roots campaigning against the causes of climate change [8]. The network forged at the Camp continues to work on campaigns to highlight and tackle the causes of Climate Change, participating in actions drawing attention to (for example) road building [9] and the climate effects of cheap air travel [10].
Regional and national meetings continue [11], working towards another Camp to be held for one week from August 14, 2007.
[edit] External links
[edit] See also
Environmental_direct_action_in_the_United_Kingdom
[edit] References
- ^ [1] Climate activists gather in Megawatt Valley. Yorkshire Post, UK - August 28 2006]]
- ^ Bicycology website visited January 24, 2007
- ^ [2] Livestock a major threat to environment. United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization - November 29, 2006
- ^ [3] Power station protesters arrested. BBC News, North Yorkshire - September 1, 2006
- ^ [4] In the shadow of Drax, not so much a fight as a festival. The Guardian - September 1, 2006
- ^ [5] The Battle of Drax: 38 held as protest fails to close plant. The Independent - September 1, 2006
- ^ [6] Energy protesters blockade nuclear power station. The Guardian - August 30, 2006
- ^ [7] Green goes mainstream. The Guardian - September 1, 2006
- ^ [8] No Widening M1 Network
- ^ [9] Plane Stupid
- ^ [10] Veggies Diary.
