2005 archive

Information archived from the December 3rd demonstration.

Cycling from Thames Barrier

Cycle Protest
Assemble up to 9.30am for departure by 9.50am latest.
Greenwich 10.30am
London Bridge 11.30am

The Start: the Thames Barrier (left of Southgate House, Thames Barrier)
We need to leave soon after 9.30am so try to arrive by 9am to allow time to affix placards, etc
Trains to Charlton run from London Bridge and Charing Cross. The 8.30am from London Bridge (8.22am from Charing Cross) reaches Charlton at 8.44am.
The Barrier is also 20 mins ride from North Woolwich Rail station (north of the river on the North London Line) via the Woolwich Foot Tunnel (which states no cycling). It’s probably best to then go by road

If joining the ride at Greenwich, be by the phone boxes by the Church of St Alphege in Greenwich Church Street at 10.30am.

If joining the ride at London Bridge, ‘Number 2’ London Bridge (south side of the bridge) might be a good place to join. The ride should arrive at 11.30am approx.
Lincoln’s Inn Fields, 12.15 approx.

The bike ride is approximately 8½ miles long and will take about 2½ hours. It is fairly flat.

*NEW INFO* The end: The intention is to provide sufficient space in front of the embassy for all participants of the march, but there will be barriers to be in place along the northern side of Grosvenor Square that can be used for padlocking cycles to.

For more information about the ride, call Simon (who is navigating) on 07986 904748 or see attached Cycle Protest document.

Press Releases

Press Releases from Campaign or associated campaign groups

2005/11/18 - Christians Join International Day of Climate Protest

CTBI Communications
Anne van Staveren 020 7654 7220 mobile 07939 139 881
anne.van.staveren@ctbi.org.uk
www.ctbi.org.uk/news/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Notice to NEWS DESKS 18 November 2005

Summit urged: shape up to climate change

Christians Join International Day of Climate Protest

On Saturday 3 December, Christians from all denominations will gather at Hinde Street Methodist Church in London to pray for international action to prevent disastrous global climate change. The service forms part of an International Day of Climate Protest to mark United Nations Climate Talks.

Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, which brings together Churches of Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Anglican, Reformed and Pentecostal traditions, is supporting the ecumenical service through Operation Noah, the church-led climate change campaign.

World leaders will meet in Montreal from 29 November to 9 December to begin the process of agreeing a gameplan for averting dangerous climate change after the Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012.

The ecumenical service in London will be organized by Christian Ecology Link. There will be speakers from Tearfund, and the Religious Society of Friends, together with Ruth Jarman, representing Operation Noah. They will be joined by others from churches, aid agencies, and development and environmental groups.

Demonstrations will take place in other major European cities, including Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dublin, as well as in America, Canada, and the Global South. Thousands are expected to march in London. Christians will form part of an interfaith section of people whose religious beliefs have inspired them to bear witness. The rally culminates outside the US Embassy at 2.30pm, where Christian leaders are among those offered a platform. The service will follow at nearby Hinde Street (West London Mission) from 4pm to 5pm.

Revd Dr David Pickering, Moderator of Operation Noah, said, “We will be making life very hard for future generations if Montreal fails to agree a way forward on long term action on climate change. The Kyoto Protocol must be followed up with far bigger cuts in our carbon emissions. Binding targets are the only way to stop catastrophic climate changes kicking in. Not only that, we want Montreal to recognize that within a safe global carbon budget every country, everyone, rich or poor, is entitled to a fair share of the economic benefits which responsible use of fossil fuels can bring.”

“A strong and united Christian presence at the International Day of Climate Protest in London would demonstrate that Christians are committed to taking concerted action to safeguard the life on Earth, both now and for future generations," he added.

Organizers are encouraging people to travel to the event by foot, bicycle or public transport.

-Ends –

For further information:
For further details on Operation Noah
Revd Dr David Pickering, Moderator of Operation Noah 0113 269 7002
Paul Bodenham, Co-ordinator of Operation Noah 01949 861516
Anne van Staveren Communications Officer, CTBI 020 7654 7220 or 07939 139 881

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Churches Together in Britain and Ireland is the umbrella body for all the major Christian Churches in Britain and Ireland and brings together Roman Catholic, Protestant, Anglican, Orthodox, Reformed, and Pentecostal traditions. It liaises with ecumenical bodies in Britain and Ireland as well as ecumenical organizations at European and world levels. Its work includes Church Life, Church and Society, Mission, Inter Faith Relations, International Affairs and Racial Justice. It provides a forum for joint decision-making and enables the Churches to take action together. See www.ctbi.org.uk
2. Weblinks

Operation Noah: www.christian-ecology.org.uk/noah
Christian Ecology Link: www.christian-ecology.org.uk
Climate March on 3 December in London: www.campaigncc.org 020 7549 0395

For details of the 11th session of the Conference of Parties to the UN’s Framework Convention on Climate Change, taking place from 29 November to 9 December in Montreal, see www.unfccc.int Email secretariat@unfccc.int

2005/11/20 - Snorkel Muslims highlight Bangladesh Climate Threat

THE LONDON ISLAMIC NETWORK FOR THE ENVIRONMENT (LINE)

PRESS RELEASE

SNORKEL MUSLIMS HIGHLIGHT BANGLADESH CLIMATE THREAT

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sunday 20th November 2005

CONTACT: Muzammal Hussain (Group contact for LINE): 0845 456 3960;

To mark the start of Islam Awareness Week tomorrow, Muslims from the 'London Islamic Network for the Environment', (LINE), highlighted the threat facing Bangladesh from sea level rise due to climatic change by wearing snorkel masks and flippers, whilst holding a banner stating "Get Serious on Climate". The stunt took place at midday today in Brick Lane, the heart of the London Bangladeshi community.

By wearing snorkel gear, the LINE campaigners drew attention to the fact that higher global temperatures are causing sea levels to rise, posing a threat to millions of people, especially in Bangladesh. LINE is thus urging everyone, governments, community groups and individuals to play their part in meeting the climate challenge.

The event took place the day before the launch of Islam Awareness Week to point to the fact that positive environmental action is integral to Islamic teachings, and also to encourage fellow Islamic organisations to give the issue of climate change the seriousness it truly deserves.

The group also drew attention to major climate change demonstration on Saturday 3rd December at Lincoln's Inn Fields in London. This is expected to be the biggest climate demonstration ever to take place in the UK and the campaigners were handing out information about the march to passers by.

Group Contact for LINE, Muzammal Hussain said:

"Given the massive threat posed by climate change, we believe it's vital for the environmental message of Islam to rise to the forefront of what is called 'Islam Awareness Week'. With more frequent floods and intense hurricanes not only do the early signs of climatic change already seem to be with us, but the situation will get much worse. Unless urgent action is taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, up to twenty percent of Bangladesh could permanently disappear under the waves, flooding fifteen million people from their homes."

LINE member, Mumtaz said:

"We had alot of fun whilst raising awareness on an otherwise neglected issue. We look forward to a diverse presence on Saturday December 3rd. So be there, be fair!"

(ENDS)

Contact: Muzammal Hussain (Group contact for LINE): 0845 456 3960;

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

1) Islam Awareness week 2005 is the 11th year of Islam Awareness Week. It begins on Monday 21st November and ends on Sunday 27 th November. During the week, Muslim communities throughout the UK organise a range of activities and events: See http://www.iaw.org.uk

2) LINE (The London Islamic Network for the Environment) is an Islamic environmental group open to people of all faiths and beliefs. It was set up in 2004.

3) According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which comprises of more than 2, 000 independent scientists from different countries, given a sea-level rise of 1 metre, 20.7% of Bangladesh could be exposed, leading to the displacement of 14.8 million people.

4) Saturday 3rd November is a day of international climate demonstrations. It is the Saturday midway between the first MOP (first 'Meeting of Parties' to the Kyoto Protocol) climate talks in Montreal, which take place from 28th November to 9 th December. Climate demonstrations will be taking place on the same day in major cities around the world. See http://www.campaigncc.org

photo http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LINEnotices/

2005/12/01 - International Day of Climate Protest (London)

Campaign against Climate Change
02075490395 07903316331
Press enquiries 3rd December: 07962 932 987

Press Release
For Immediate Release

Thousands will demand action on climate in London demo as demonstrators around the world protest US obstructionism at Montreal Climate Talks on Saturday December 3rd

Michael Meacher MP, Norman baker MP, Caroline Lucas MEP and George Monbiot to speak.

The London Climate March on Saturday December 3rd will be many times bigger than any demonstration on the issue so far, and will be part of the first truly global protest on climate change as demonstrations and events around the world take place in more than thirty countries (see www.globalclimatecampaign.org ). A minimum of 15, 000 are expected at the centrepiece event in Montreal itself, but protestors demanding urgent action on climate change will be taking to the streets in cities across the world from New York to Helsinki, from Capetown to Moscow, and from Seoul to Sydney – as well as in London, Edinburgh, Belfast and Dublin in the British isles.

The International Day of Climate Protest has been initiated by the Campaign against Climate Change in the UK in order to demand that Australia and the US ratify Kyoto and that world leaders move as rapidly as possible to an effective and equitable international emissions reductions treaty. Campaign against Climate Change is part of the Stop Climate Chaos coalition.

In the UK around 30 Public Meetings on climate change have been held around the country and about 30 coaches booked at the last count. The London Climate March will assemble at 12 noon in Lincoln’s Inn Fields, to march past the ExxonMobil London offices, the Australian Embassy, and Downing Street, to finish with a rally and speeches at the US embassy from around 3 pm to 4 pm. The London protest has acquired an extra urgency in the light of Tony Blair’s apparent signalling of a Bush-ward shift on climate policy so that organisers have rerouted the march past Downing street where a letter will be handed in, demanding that the British government reaffirm its commitment to an international climate treaty with firm legally binding targets on emissions reductions.

There will also be a Cycle Protest that assembles at the Thames Barrier (South side) at 9.30 am to go via Greenwich and London Bridge to join the main demonstration as it assembles in Lincoln’s Inn fields.

Other speakers will include Peter Bunyard, Science Editor for the Ecologist, Fazlun Khalid from the Islamic Foundation for Ecology and the Environmental Sciences, Ruth Jarman from Christian Ecology Link, Nick Rau, climate campaigner from Friends of the Earth and Benedict Southworth, Director of the World Development Movement.

There will be a meeting with Professor Tariq Ramadan, to discuss the issues raised by the march at the London Muslim Centre (near the East London Mosque) at 6.45 on the evening before the march (Friday 2nd) and a Christian ecumenical service “Prayers for the Planet” at Hinde Street Methodist church, London W1, after the march at 4.00 pm.

Michael Meacher MP says “After a good record on climate change, there is now a disturbing shift in British government policy that is a seriously retrograde step and will undermine that record. After Kyoto ends in 2012, any regime which contains no targets or time scales will play straight into the hands of President Bush and would wreck the entire global effort to stop and reverse global warming.”

Norman Baker MP says “It is absolutely appropriate to use this International Day of Action on the 3rd December to bring home the strong feelings of the British public about the need to take action on climate change, and our dismay at the totally unacceptable response of the Bush administration. As far as I’m concerned George W Bush is the Environment’s Public Enemy Number one”

Caroline Lucas MEP says "Climate change is the greatest threat facing us. World leaders meeting in Montreal next week must agree to adopt tough binding targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions - with the richest nations making the fastest cuts. I hope many thousands will take part in the climate march to let Tony Blair know that it's not just his own advisers that are worried about his failure to act meaningfully on climate change - it's the electorate with the power to turf Labour out of office too."

George Monbiot says “Climate Change is the biggest issue humanity has ever faced and we need to see a turnout which reflects this. Please drop everything else you are doing and come – nothing is more important”

Notes.
1/ Speakers are available for interviews – please ring one of the contact numbers below.
2/ Details of the London March are at www.campaigncc.org
3/ Details of the International Day of Climate Protest, and demonstrations and events around the world , are at
www.globalclimatecampaign.org
4/ The Campaign against Climate Change has been organising the biggest street demonstrations on climate change in the UK for the last 5 years. Honorary President is George Monbiot, Honorary Vice-Presidents Michael Meacher MP, Norman Baker MP and Caroline Lucas MEP. Campaign against Climate Change is part of the Stop Climate Chaos coalition.

Contacts:
Mobile number for Press Enquiries on the day : 07962 932987
Phil Thornhill, Coordinator, Campaign against Climate Change 02075490395, 07903316331, phil edw campaigncc.org
John Ackers 02076907263, 07940887952, john.ackers xyg campaigncc.org
Nathalie Koerfer, 07770874363 nathaliekoerfer yte hotmail.co.uk

Speeches at the Climate Marches on Dec 3 in London and Edinburgh

Speeches to the Climate March, London and Edinburgh, 3rd December 2005.

Introduction by Duncan Law

I think it is interesting to read these speeches now that Montreal has ended with Kyoto intact and a continuing commitment to binding targets even if they are as yet woefully inadequate.

The US refused to negotiate beyond Kyoto, left in a huff and had to come back when the process did not collapse without them. That does not mean they will not continue to sabotage. But mayors representing 40 million Americans have effectively signed up to the Kyoto targets if not the ongoing process. Meanwhile the world has shown strength being prepared to exclude the US on this important issue. But this is the 11th Climate Talks and they still are only really agreeing to talk more!

Notice the discrepancy even among the speakers on what has to be achieved: Meacher - 25% by 2025; Caroline Lucas - not 60% [by 2050 – the governments target] but 80-90%’; George Monbiot - 90% by 2030 to keep carbon concentrations down below 430 ppm to avoid unstoppable climate chaos.

Monbiot is right. We have to come below the per capita sustainable level of 1.3 tonnes CO2 each very soon to prevent warming (which lags behind changes in emissions) going beyond the trigger or tipping points that take us over the edge of the climate change cliff. We don’t yet know where the edge of that cliff is so precaution is of the essence. The other principles which he brings out is the urgency and the need for the cuts to be sufficient. Going off the Climate Cliff at 45 degrees is still fatal. And he emphasised the responsibility of every one of us to achieve these cuts. Much of this was new news to many and he was listened to in almost palpable science. Read his speech if you read none of the others - or listen to it on podcast at http://www.xan.co.uk/volume_37.php

Michael Meacher, MP and ex Labour environment minister (in London)
Former environment minister Michael Meacher said "I certainly think government will be watching this very carefully. And I think it will have an increasing impact on public opinion. I'd like to think we may be doing our little bit to add to the cacophony around the world in our anger at President Bush still distancing himself from what the rest of us throughout the world believe is absolutely necessary."
Mr Meacher earlier told BBC Radio 4's Today programme further reductions in greenhouse gas emissions - widely thought to contribute to rising temperatures - are vital - We need now to aim for more. That is what climate change is telling us. We need to say minus 25% by 2025. I do think it's important that we don't kowtow to US demands to scrap Kyoto. Because whatever concession we make to the Bush administration we will get nothing in return, just like we got nothing in return over Iraq.
He said the Bush administration "will never sign up to any meaningful agreement on reducing greenhouse gas emissions". He continued to say how it was more important to sign up developing countries such as China and India to climate change protocols, and that industrialised countries need to be seen to make cuts so other countries would follow.

Caroline Lucas, MEP, Green Party (In London)

"we are gathered here outside the US Embassy because George Bush's refusal to act on climate change makes him guilty of crimes against humanity. If George Bush is guilty, lets not forget that our own prime minister Tony Blair is a vary active accomplice in that crime as well. and so we've got a message for Tony Blair, and our message is very clear : climate change is a far greater threat than international terrorism; climate change is itself a weapon of mass destruction".

"Because to make cuts in green house gas emissions, not of 60% but of the 80 or 90 % that we need, we'll need nothing short of a revolution of our economies, our planning system our transport system, the way in which we produce and consume; but watch my lips Tony Blair, that does not mean Nuclear Power. "

"Those who campaigned about the war in Iraq will find something strangely familiar about the tactics being used to persuade us that Nuclear is necessary; first we have the contrived panic, over energy crisis and gas supply; that's followed by a series of Downing Street’s anonymous briefings; and now the Energy Review, this dodgy dossier, full of misleading statements and lies designed to give Blair the pretext he needs to implement a policy on nuclear that he has already decided upon … and so our message for Tony Blair is simple; its uneconomic, it's unsafe, its unpopular, and its unnecessary. If nuclear power is the answer, it must have been a very stupid question!"

Caroline Lucas, can also be seen speaking on a web tv site called www.bigpicture.tv.

Ruth Jarman, Christian Ecology Link

copyright Ruth Jarman 2005

I am a trustee of Christian Ecology Link and I am a mother.

My son and I have a message for Tony Blair. Tony, you're into targets! Targets for the health service, targets for crime, targets for schools. Tony, the only target that I care about, the only target that my children will ultimately care about, the only target that your children will ultimately care about is a target on CO2 emissions that will ensure the viability of life on this planet for them and their children.

We've all heard what you've said about climate change – that it is a major threat. But then you also say that we have to face political realities. Well, let the laws of the universe bow to your political realities! Let physics and chemistry just modify their laws in obedience to your god of economic growth. Let polar bears learn to love living in zoos while we sacrifice their habitat on the altar of unfettered consumption.

Stop and think about it, Tony, believe it or not, economic growth is not god. We have bowed to this idol for long enough. Now is the time to look at how our beautiful world works and have the humility to fit into it, rather than pushing it beyond its limits in an attempt to satisfy our toddler attitude that we want it all now. We need you, Tony, to help the human race grow up!

And it is possible. Studies have shown that we can cut our UK emissions by 60%. We can do it without waiting around for new technology. And we can do it without nuclear power. All we need from you is serious, and I mean serious, investment in renewables and energy efficiency and the vision, leadership and courage to break our culture's addiction to energy.

At Montreal, Tony, we need you to negotiate a binding treaty that contracts our global emissions to a safe level and converges all countries to equal per-capita emissions. Go for that safe binding target, go for it as if your children's lives depend on it.

And I've also got a message for President Bush. I too call myself a Christian. But the God I worship is more important to me than the economy. The Jesus I follow came down to this earth to redeem the whole of creation, to demonstrate its preciousness. How can you think it's OK to destroy the earth? And the Jesus I follow calls me to love my neighbour as myself, where that neighbour is of another race, from another country, fallen on harder times than myself. President Bush, your neighbour is a child in Bangladesh, losing his land and home to sea-level rise. And you, as an average American will have contributed 100 times as much CO2 than he to the cause of that sea-level rise. This is injustice on a huge scale. And the Bible I've got talks a lot about justice.

The Bishop of London, Richard Chartres says:
"The effects of climate change are already being felt by the poor and vulnerable throughout the world. Anyone who believes that a bias to the poor is close to the heart of the Christian gospel , must be involved in the effort to slow the pace of climate change."

President Bush, we are asking you to protect life on this wonderful Earth by agreeing a binding international target for the emission of carbon dioxide based on the practical and ethical principles of contraction and convergence.

George Monbiot, Journalist (in London):
(first the published draft and following, the speech as transcribed – also listenable at http://www.xan.co.uk/volume_37.php)

The Struggle Against Ourselves

I want to take a moment to remind you of where we have come from.

For the first three million years of human history, we lived according to circumstance. Our lives were ruled by the happenstances of ecology. We existed, as all animals do, in fear of hunger, predation, weather and disease.

For the following few thousand years, after we had grasped the rudiments of agriculture and crop storage, we enjoyed greater food security, and soon destroyed most of our non-human predators. But the sword, the axe and the spear ruled our lives. The primary struggle was for land. We needed it not just to grow our crops but also to provide our sources of energy - grazing for our horses and bullocks, wood for our fires.

Then we discovered fossil fuels, and everything changed. No longer were we constrained by the need to live on ambient energy; we could support ourselves by means of the sunlight stored over the preceding 350 million years. The new sources of energy permitted the economy to grow - to grow sufficiently to absorb some of the people expelled by the previous era's land disputes. Fossil fuels allowed both industry and cities to expand, which permitted the workers to organise and to force the despots to loosen their grip on power.

Fossil fuels helped us fight wars of a horror never contemplated before, but they also reduced the need for war. For the first time in human history, indeed for the first time in biological history, there was a surplus of available energy. We could keep body and soul together without having to fight someone else for the energy we needed. Agricultural productivity rose around 10 or 20 fold. Economic productivity rose 100 fold. Most of us could live as no one had ever lived before.

And everything you see around you results from that. We have been able to assemble here from all corners of the country because of fossil fuels. We have not been charged and cut down by the yeomanry - or not yet at any rate - because of fossil fuels. Our freedoms, our comforts, our prosperity are all the result of fossil fuels.

Ours are the most fortunate generations that have ever lived. Ours are the most fortunate generations that ever will. We inhabit the brief historical interlude between ecological constraint and ecological catastrophe.

I don't have to remind you of the two forces which are converging on our lives. We are faced with an impending shortage of the source of energy, which is hardest to replace - liquid fossil fuels. And we are faced with the environmental consequences of the fossil fuel burning which has permitted us to be standing here now. The structure, the complexity, the diversity of our lives, everything we know, everything that we have taken for granted, that looked solid and non-negotiable, suddenly looks contingent. All this is a great tottering pile balanced on a ball, a ball that is about to start rolling downhill.

I hear people talking about the carbon cuts they would like to see. I am not interested in what people would like to see. I am interested in what the science says. And the science is clear. We need not a 20% cut by 2020; not a 60% cut by 2050, but a 90% cut by 2030. Only then do we stand a good chance of keeping carbon concentrations in the atmosphere below 430 parts per million, which means that only then do we stand a good chance of preventing some of the threatened positive feedbacks.

If we let it get beyond that point there is nothing we can do. The biosphere takes over as the primary source of carbon. It is out of our hands.

The notion that we can achieve this by replacing fossil fuels with ambient energy is a fantasy. It is true that we have untapped sources of energy in wind, waves, tides and sunlight, but it is neither so concentrated nor so consistent that we can plug it in and carry on as before.

A cut like this requires massive reductions in our energy use. There are some techno-fixes available, but they are unlikely to take us more than halfway there. If carbon emissions are to be capped at 10%, energy use will have to be capped at under 50%. The only fair means of doing this is national rationing accompanied by global contraction and convergence.

And we find ourselves in an extraordinary position. This is the first mass political movement to demand less, not more - the first to take to the streets in pursuit of austerity - the first to demand that our luxuries, even our comforts, are curtailed.

These are the greatest political challenges any movement has faced.

But we are rising to it. We are rising. But let no one tell you it will be easy. If it were just a matter of slagging off George Bush, we would have won by now. But we must struggle not only against him, not only against our own government, not only against each other, but also against ourselves. The struggle against climate change is a struggle against much of what we have become. It is a struggle against some of our most fundamental urges.

We cannot call on others to stop flying if we still fly. We cannot ask the government to force us to change if we are not ready to change.

The greatest fight of our lives will be fought not just out there, but also in here.

[the speech as actually delivered]

I’d like to start by reminding us of where we’ve come from.

For the first three million years of human history we were entirely dependent on the whims of the environment. Like all other animal species we lived in fear, almost constant fear of starvation, of predation, of weather, of disease. For the following few thousand years when we had discovered the rudiments of agriculture and of crop storage, our global field security began to increase somewhat, began to improve. We disposed of most of our predators. But we were ruled by the sword, the axe and the spear. Our conflicts were fought mostly over land, over land not just because that’s where our food came from - and food was almost always short or threatening to be short – but also because that’s where our energy came from - that’s where our horses and bullocks grazed which we used for traction – that’s where our fuel grew in the form of wood or crop wastes.

And then we discovered fossil fuels. And when we discovered fossil fuels everything changed. Suddenly there was a surplus. Suddenly the economy could start growing as it had never grown before. Suddenly the people who had been expelled from the land during the previous era’s disputes and conflicts could find employment in the growing cities and the growing industries. Having done so they were able to mobilise against power for the first time. They were able to force the despots who had ruled their lives to loosen their grip on power. And though fossil fuels also ushered in an era of warfare of a horror that had never been contemplated before they made the need for war less pressing than it was before because for the first time in human history, indeed the first time in biological history we had a ‘net surplus of energy’. That does not occur in nature. It had never occurred before. It is an extraordinary moment. A moment in which we live with a net surplus of energy, made possible by fossil fuels. Agricultural productivity rose because of fossil fuels by 10 or 20 times. Economic productivity rose by 100 times. And everything we see around us is a product of that. The fact that we have assembled here today is possible only because of fossil fuels. The fact that we have not been cut down by the yeomanry – or not yet at any rate – is only because of fossil fuels. Our freedom, our prosperity, our luxury, they all result from fossil fuels.

Ours are the most fortunate generations that have ever lived. Ours are also the most fortunate generations that ever will.

I don’t have to remind you of the two forces which are currently converging on our lives. The first is that the source of energy that is hardest to replace, more or less impossible to replace, - and I mean, liquid fossil fuels, - that source of energy is now running out. The second is of course that the consequences of the fossil fuel burning that has brought us here today, are now being visited on us. And everything around us, all this that seems so solid, that we took for granted, that we just lived with and expected always to live with, that was seen as non-negotiable, suddenly looks contingent. All this begins to look like a great tottering pile, balanced on a ball - a ball that’s about to start rolling down hill.

Now we’ve heard something about the sort of cuts that people would like to see. I’m not interested in the cuts people would like to see. I’m interested in the cuts that science tell us are necessary. And those cuts do not equate to 20% of our current carbon use by 2020, they do not equate to 60% of our current carbon use by 2050.

No-one will thank me for saying this but the science is now unequivocal. We need a 90% cut by 2030. That is the only way we have of preventing this whole thing, this whole edifice balanced on a ball from crashing down around us. And the reason for this is clear. If we do not cut carbon by 90% by 2030 then carbon emissions in the atmosphere reach 430 parts per million and that is the point at which, unequivocally, most of the world’s ecosystems go into positive feedback. The biosphere becomes a net source of carbon dioxide. And then the game is out of our hands. It’s got nothing to do with us any more because there is nothing we can do to stop it. The ecosystems upon which we have relied to absorb carbon dioxide – they start producing it.

We have 25 years, ladies and gentlemen and not just to act a little bit. We have 25 years to cut carbon emission throughout our economies, the developed world economies by 90%. Now there are some people who believe this can be done by replacing the fossil fuels on which this great tottering pile has been built by ambient sources of energy. And that I’m afraid is in the realm of science fiction. Yes, there’s plenty out there – there’s plenty of wave and wind and sunlight which we’re not tapping. But every year we use the stored sunlight from 400 years of accumulation, every year 400 years worth of sunlight. And we simply cannot plug in our contingent ambient energy which exists at any one time, into the current grid into our current energy use patterns and expect live to carry on as it has carried on before. The only way the sorts of cuts I’m talking about can be brought about is by a massive cut in the amount of energy that we use.

Yes, there are some techno-fixes; there are probably sufficient techno-fixes to allow us, if we are to have a 90% cut in carbon, to get away with a 50% cut in energy, but a 50% cut in energy that is one hell of a decline., We are talking not just about changing the fact that we can fly off to Seville for thirty nine quid for a weekend, we are talking about changing the very basis on which you and I and all of us live.

If this problem can be solved by slagging off George Bush we’d have solved it by now. And of course we have to solve it partly by slagging off George Bush. But the problem does not stop with him. The problem does not stop with the US. The problem does not stop with out own government. The problem does not stop with those other people who are flying and driving and leaving their windows open while their heating is on. The problem also stops with every one of us.

We are confronting something which no mass political movement has ever even attempted to confront before. In the past all the mass movements which have assembled - because of fossil fuels, that have been allowed to exist in the democratic space created by fossil fuels - have called for more. People riot for more. People have not rioted for Austerity. Never in human history have people rioted for Austerity. Uniquely we have gathered here with the help of our ‘more’ to call for less. We, unlike any mass political movements which have gone before us are calling for less of the things which have allowed the extraordinary outpouring of wealth and luxury that all of us have enjoyed. And we are calling for that not just from our governments – not just from each other - but also, extraordinarily, from ourselves. We recognise that that cut requires rationing – there is no other way in which it can possibly be done. Otherwise all that will happen is that the rich carry on using their fantastic, profligate, quantities of fossil fuel while the poor are left with none. There has to be rationing and distribution within our own economies, and there has to be rationing and distribution around the world. We need global Contraction and Convergence.

So we are not only calling for something that nobody has ever called for before, we are calling for something that is incredibly hard to achieve because it requires a mass global mobilisation which then requires mobilisation from virtually everyone who is politically capable, who has the political space to act, on earth. So while we’re engaged in something big today, we’re going to have to be engaged in something a heck of a lot bigger tomorrow. And when I say tomorrow I don’t mean 2050, I mean tomorrow.

But this fight, this unique historical fight at this unique historical moment, an interlude between ecological constraint and ecological catastophe, this interlude in which the most fortunate generation, ever, lived requires an extraordinary effort of confronting everything.

I just want to leave you with this one thought. We are not just fighting against George Bush – but we are fighting against George Bush; we are not just fighting against the US – but we are fighting against the US; we are not just fighting against Tony Blair – but we are fighting against Tony Blair; but the biggest fight of all in which we are engaged is not a fight against George Bush, or Tony Blair or anyone else. It is a fight against what we have become; it is fight against our own inherent tendencies to desire and consume and grab more and more and more. The biggest fight of our lives, ladies and gentlemen, the biggest fight of our lives is not out there – it is in here.

Mark Ballard, MSP (In Edinburgh)
Green MSP Mark Ballard, who addressed the protesters, said: "The eyes of future generations are on Montreal. Across the world, more than 30 protests will make sure that our leaders know that we are watching them too … Tony Blair has caved in to the US approach of abandoning targets on reducing emissions in favour of complacency."

The MARCH Useful Information

Assembling at 12 noon

The assembly point is Lincoln's Inn Fields map

The rally is at the US embassy map

The rally should end by 4.30pm.

Weather

If recent weather is anything to go by it could be wet on Dec 3rd. Please dig out raincoats.

The nearest tube station is Holborn (Central, Picadilly). Chancery Lane, Temple and Covent Garden are all under a mile away.

Coach drop off and pickup points

The suggested drop off point is Kingsway alongside Lincoln's Inn Fields map

If you are on a coach that's running late, sending us a text on 0790 331 6 331 is useful.

The suggested coach parking and pick up point is the Hyde Park side of Hyde Park Lane. There should be plenty of space in Park Lane. map

We don't know about the cost of parking, please comment if you know.

Refreshments

The Brixton Tea Party are going to be selling

Onion Soup and a Roll
Tea and hot ginger.

at Lincoln's Inn fields and the end at the US embassy. They expect to be very busy.

There are no stops for food or drink along route so bring some water and snacks along with you.

Kids

If you are bringing children along to the demo with you, we would recommend that you write your mobile number in big letters on their arm, then if they get lost the stewards can locate you easily.

Altered Route

The route of the demo has been altered so we can now march down Whitehall and past Downing Street to deliver our message to Tony Blair. A PDF file containing the route is attached below. Due to the recent change in law however no amplified noise or stopping is permitted at this part of the route. The Campaign against Climate Change asks that you comply with this law.

Rosie

020 7549 0395
0790 331 6 331
Campaign against Climate Change

AttachmentSize
Climate March route.pdf246.97 KB

Transport to London

Get to the demo! ** ARCHIVE INFORMATION ONLY ***

This is the coach/transport info in brief :
for more 'local info' about Campaign against Climate Change around the country go >>>>>>>>> here

There are coaches and minibuses running from around the country. Get on board and make sure this is the biggest protest ever against climate change. Below are the details of transport we know about. If you know any more, tell us by emailing info[at]campaigncc.org

Suggested drop off and pickup points are here.

Bangor :
Minibus Contact: Gerry Wolff www.mng.org.uk/green_house or 01248 712962 . Leaves 6.00 am.

Barnsley :
People are travelling with the Sheffield coach (see below) Contact: Henry Rajch henry.rajch[at]btinternet.com, 01226 292613 Student contact: Dave Gibson d.gibson[at]barnsley.ac.uk

Barnstaple :
Coach departs 6.30am from the main square. Pick up in Tiverton en route Tickets £15 Contact: Ivan 07770 782979 or Ricky 01271 371732

Brighton :
Coaches from Brighton leave 9.30 am. from Poole Valley Coach Staion. Tickets are available for £10 (£9 if 4 or more purchased; student discount £ 3.50)each from Brighton Peace and Environment Centre, 39-41 Surrey Street,Brighton (opposite Brighton Station), telephone 01273 766610.
Contact: Miriam Rose on mmr22@sussex.ac.uk or Andy Player andyplayer[at]gmail.com.

Birmingham
TUC Coach: 8 am Sutton Coldfield Bus Terminus 8.15 am St. Barnabas Church, High St, Erdington

8.30 am Handsworth College Soho Road
8.45 am Carrs Lane Church City Centre
Tickets: £12 waged, £6 unwaged Asylum seekers £1 Contact: BTUC 0121 643 8668 or Stuart 07775 942841, anne@stir60.freeserve.co.uk

Bradford
We have a 53 seat coach from Bradford, leaving at 7am from outside the Richmond Building on Great Horton Road (just up from the Bradford College Old Building). Tickets are £12 (£8 unwaged) from myself or the Bradford University Students' Union. Contact Brian abcollier [at] tiscali.co.uk climatechangebradford

Bristol :
Coach departs Bristol Anchor Road at around 8.30
Contact: Mark 07792 923379 / 01179147009 or sparkymarky50[at]yahoo.com or Jo Weston jw3534[at]bris.ac.uk
Tickets are on sale at La Ruca on Gloucester Road and Circle books in Bedminster. Coaches are running on biodiesel !!!!

Canterbury/Kent :
A contingent of people are going up together from Canterbury to London on the 3rd December and are being joined by others on the train. To confirm which train so you can join up, ring Geoff Meaden on 01227 456806.

Cardiff :
Coaches 8am from Museum Steps Cardiff.
Tickets cost £16 waged / £8 unwaged Contact: Adam Johannes cardiff_troopsout[at]hotmail.com Cardiff Campaign Against Climate Change: cardiffccc[at]hotmail.co.uk or 07940 108146

Cheltenham/ Gloucestershire :
Coach departs Royal Well Bus station at 8:30 am
Tickets £10.00 Contact Cathy Green cathyclimatechange[at]yahoo.co.uk

Coventry - see 'Warwick'

Derby:
Derby Council House at 8.30 am. Tickets are £11.00 for the waged and £5 for unwaged.Tickets can be obtained from Sound Bites 01332 291369.

Doncaster :
Coach leaves 7am Waterdale, outside Ward Bros. (opp. Doncaster College)
Tickets £5/unwaged £10/low-waged and £20/waged Contact: Ted Rozensfields: 07931 884871 or 01302 563705 (after 6pm & w/ends) ted.e.e.e[at]blueyonder.co.uk

Exeter:
Coach departs 7:30am Belgrave Rd.
Tickets £20/£10. Contact Maurice Spurway: 07801 136937

Hull
Coach organised by Hull University Green Socialist Students Society and other campaign supporters at the University and in Hull will leave Ferensway (outside Debenhams) in central Hull at 6.30am. Tickets must be booked in advance. Prices are £20 and £16 for students/unwaged (subject to availability) and can be obtained via Hull University Students' Union Vice President Liz Bennett (tel. 01482 466259 e-mail e.bennett[at]hull.ac.uk) or via Steve Radford (tel 0796 388 3799 e-mail heysa[at]bigfoot.com).Seats are obviously limited so please do not delay in booking yours.

Leamington - see 'Warwick'

Leicester :
Coach departs Leicester 8am

Liverpool :
Coach departs 6:30am Hardman Street, Philharmonic Hall end, near the Picket.
Tickets £10/unwaged £20/waged. Tickets available from News From Nowhere on Bold Street, or contact:
Martin Owen, martin[at]football.com Mobile: 0774 086 4181

Greater Manchester :
Departs 6.45am Chorlton Street coach station. There is a possibility of a pick up in Denton (near Stockport) at 6.15am. Leaving London for the return trip 5 o'clock. To reserve a place phone Ewa on 0161 881 1070 or 07932 190 322 or email ewa.silverlode@ntlworld.com. Price £10 unwaged, £15 waged, £20 solidarity. Please consider paying the solidarity price, (we need to sell a £20 ticket for each £10 ticket in order to break even). Try to encourage your friends and networks to come. Leaflets with bus and other details available from Ewa, phone or email me.

Norwich :
For a group leaving early Saturday morning contact c.keene@uea.ac.uk

Nottingham :
Has a coach, details to follow

Oxford :
Coach departs St Giles at 9.30am.
Tickets from Uhuru Foods, Cowley Road; Inner Bookshop, Magdalen Street; Quakers Shop, St Giles. £5/£10. Contact Dave: dog207[at]lycos.com.

Plymouth :
Coach departs Plymouth Bretonside bus station 7am.
Tickets £25/£13 Contact: Tony on 07803 620390 or tstaunton[at]aol.com

Portsmouth,:
Coach departs 9.30am from Sutton Bridge, Fratton
Tickets £12 / £10 Contact John Molyneux 07801 290411

Reading :
Coach departs 9.30am from central Reading
Tickets £7.50 / £5 Available through Greenpeace, Rising Tide, Green Party and FOE and The World Shop at RISC. Contact: berkshireclimatemovement[at]yahoo.co.uk 0118 9722148

Scarborough :
A coach to the demo will leave Scarborough at 6.am. £20 waged, £10 unwaged. To book ring Rachel on 01723 377942 (evenings). Also it will pick up in York.

Sheffield :
Coach departs 8am Pond Street, next to Sheffield interchange & Penny Black
Tickets: £20 waged / £5 low waged / £10 unwaged. university coach £10 Contact Rebecca Bryson rebeccabryson[at]hotmail.com 07870 565011

Southampton :
Coach departs 9:30am Southampton Cenotaph.
Tickets are £10/£5 - phone 07985 982288 Contact: Chris Bluemel, chrisbluemel[at]yahoo.co.uk

Stratford :
Minibus departs 8.45am Stratford-upon-Avon train station. Contact Andy awrinsam[at]yahoo.co.uk.

Swansea :
Coaches depart 7.00am Central Library
£16 / £10 (Swansea University students £5) Contact Fred 01792 526405

Swindon/Wiltshire
A bus is being organised by Swindon Climate Change Network from outside Swindon College. Waged £12, unwaged £8. To book your place please call Jenni Miles on 01793 325879

Warwick/Leamington/Coventry :
Coach departs 9am Warwick University Campus
Tickets around £10. Ring Warwick University Students Union 02476 572794

York :
See Scarborough.

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