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Esso fuels Climate Chaos
January 3rd, 2013Climate Rush visits Peter Lilley
December 15th, 2012
Armed with placards declaring our love for the Climate Act, climate crime scene tape, and a dozen delicious fairy cakes decorated with an ‘I ♥ the Climate Act’ theme, we set off to visit Peter Lilley MP’s constituency office yesterday afternoon. We wanted to speak to Peter Lilley and his constituents about climate change and challenge this oil-loving MP’s skulduggery in attempting to weaken the 2008 Climate Act, uncovered in the recent Energygate Scandal.
As newly appointed member of the Energy and Climate Change Committee, Lilley was recorded by an undercover Greenpeace investigation talking of getting the government “off the hook” from the obligations of climate legislation. He is a vocal climate sceptic and has received more than $400 000 in oil company share options from Tethys Petroleum.
The Climate Act is the UK’s ground breaking law to reduce carbon emissions. If the targets cease to be legally-binding, the government can simply continue to ignore them.
We spoke to one of Peter Lilley’s constituents, Richard Wise, before out visit to Peter. Richard told us that, “I am appalled that anyone would consider trying to weaken the hard fought for Climate Act. I bet Tethys Petroleum think they are getting good value for money! His vested interests make him an entirely inappropriate choice for the Energy and Climate Change Committee, and his outdated climate position means that the view of a tiny minority is getting more than its fair share of influence.”
We couldn’t agree with Richard more!
We arrived at Peter’s advice surgery and chatted over cake with others who were waiting to see their MP. before being invited into a meeting with Peter too. In our meeting with Peter he told us that climate change is simply not true because the earth has not warmed up, that low lying islands will not go under water as a result of climate change, and that cutting carbon emissions is just too expensive.
So here are some easy facts for the especially challenged:
1. Global temperatures are rising
The ten warmest years have occurred in the past twelve years and global surface temperatures continue to rise.
Here is a chart showing global temperatures from the NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS)
2. Sea levels are rising.
Global sea level rose about 17 centimetres (6.7 inches) in the last century. The rate in the last decade, however, is nearly double that of the last century.
3. The Arctic really is melting.
4. Climate Change is very expensive
Climate change could cost more than a trillion dollars a year globally.
So let’s keep on challenging carbon-loving politicians, stopping oil money in politics, celebrating low-carbon champions and working towards a sustainable future.
SWAT bulletin – 7th December 2012
December 7th, 2012SWAT bulletin – 7th December 2012
1. Osborne: 30 New Gas powered stations
2. UK UNCUT actions, Saturday 8th December
3. Climate Rush Charity pot lids at Lush stores
1. Osborne: Still dashing for gas
It was announced this week that our dear friend Gideon George will approve 30 new gas powered stations to be built in the UK. This is disastrous in terms of reaching our climate targets. We cannot hope to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2030 (which we desperately need) with this roll out of stations. Gas is not a renewable source of energy, by any stretch, and is an energy intensive process. Osborne is only pursuing it because of vested interests in addition to short term objectives. For us, it means the game is on – we will not let you frack with our future!
2. UK UNCUT actions, all over the UK, This Saturday
This Saturday the bombastic UK UNCUT are coordinating actions all over the UK holding Starbucks to account for not paying their taxes. From a climate change perspective if corporations like Starbucks paid their taxes our national economic situation would be greatly improved, making arguments against investing in renewables much more flimsy. Confirmed spots in London are Brixton, Angel, Baker St, Camden Lock, Regent St, Euston, Greenwich, Barnet, Stratford, Upper St Islington.
3. Climate Rush Charity pot lids at Lush stores
Just in case you missed it – a little bit of Climate Rush history has happened – you can now hold a small piece of sweet smelling Climate Rush in your hand! A wonderful morsel of memorabilia that we can keep forever; in the office we have been eyeing them up for Xmas gifts for friends and family. Get to the shops now to make sure get your mitts on one (or more!) before they disappear on December 17th.
We would love to invite you along to our next friendly meeting on 13th December at 7pm No.31 Carnaby Street (confusingly on Foubert’s Place) or sign up to our newsletter (by visiting our home page – www.climaterush.co.uk).
As always, we would to hear from you! We are always looking for dreamers, bakers, action plotters, artists, bloggers and tweeters. You can get in touch by emailing us at info@climaterush.co.uk
Thank You!
Climate Rush
SWAT bulletin – 28th November 2012
December 7th, 2012SWAT bulletin – 28th November
1. Energy Bill published TODAY
2. Celebration of Emily Davison and Climate Rush meeting
3. “Get Fracktious”, London, 1st December
4. Big Rig Revolt, all over the UK, 1st December
5. Inconvenient Truth 2, out now!
6. Climate Rush Charity pot lids at Lush stores
1. Energy Bill – published TODAY
As was to be expected with the government’s new Energy Bill there is a lot of confusion – both in the way the media is portraying the figures to the public as well as, for green campaigners, what the bill will do in tangible terms for a comprehensive move to renewable energy sources.
One thing which is clear is that the target of decarbonising the economy by 2030 has been swept to one side. The emphasis is on the need to supply our own energy within the UK, but rather than renewable energy, the bill seems to indicate the solution is to be found in gas. This is of course deeply worrying, as Shale Gas and Synthetic Coal Gas are obtained through hugely environmentally damaging processes which have big carbon footprints attached to boot!
It is vital to remember the Climate Act targets in all of this, the targets are one way of ensuring that some action to prevent climate change will happen. With misinformation being bandied about people are being turned off the notion of a carbon neutral economy. Never give up!
2. Celebration of Emily Davison and Climate Rush meeting, Tonight
Today at 6:30pm there is a launch meeting for the memorial of suffragette Emily Davison, in Firebox Cafe, WC1H 8BZ. Speakers will include Dr Helen Pankhurst -granddaughter of Sylvia Pankhurst and international development and women’s rights campaigner, Christine Blower – General Secretary National Union of Teachers, Katherine Connelly, campaign co-ordinator Peter Barratt – great-grandson of Leicester suffragette Alice Hawkins. So it will be amazing event! After being thoroughly inspired, we will be having our meeting channelling the bravery of our heroines to devise bold and beautiful action!
3. “Get Fracktious”, London, 1st December
This Saturday the great folks at Campaign against Climate Change are hosting “Get Fracktious” as part of the National Climate March this year. The event will be focused on extreme forms of energy – Shale gas and Tar Sands – with the building a “fracking rig” outside parliament and Grosvenor Square “Keystone Pipeline” between the Canadian High Commission and the US embassy. They will be boldly demanding that President Obama ends his silence on climate change.
4. Big Rig Revolt, everywhere, 1st December
Frack Off! and Frack Off London are calling out in solidarity with “Get Fracktious” a nationwide resistance to extreme energy. Encouraging local groups that are resisting extreme energy in their regions to build their own “rig” in prominent places to highlight the issue; so far there will be “rigs” in Bath, Brighton, Lancashire, Swansea, St Annes, and Huddersfield.
5. Inconvenient Truth 2, out now!
The documentary film maker Jack Guest’s film the Inconvenient Truth 2 is now being shown on TV and in independent film screenings. The documentary is a sequel to United States Vice President Al Gore’s 2006 documentary of the same name; the film includes the solutions to the climate crisis that we face. Brilliantly inspiring, it clearly shows that the situation we are in has a huge potential to be an opportunity – as the solutions already exist and with them are massive job opportunities as well as chances to enrich our lives rather than restrict them.
6. Climate Rush Charity pot lids at Lush stores
Just in case you missed it – a little bit of Climate Rush history has happened – you can now hold a small piece of sweet smelling Climate Rush in your hand! A wonderful morsel of memorabilia that we can keep forever; in the office we have been eyeing them up for Xmas gifts for friends and family. Get to the shops now to make sure get your mitts on one (or more!) before they disappear on December 17th.
If you want to get involved (and why wouldn’t you?) come along to a friendly meeting, email us to find out when and where, join our SWAT Bulletin by emailing info@climaterush.co.uk or sign up to our newsletter. As always you can contact us, we will always be looking for dreamers, bakers, action plotters, artists, bloggers and tweeters. We look forward to hearing from you!
Thank You!
Climate Rush
#nodashforgas Telling Osborne Gas is Not The Answer
November 21st, 2012This morning Climate Rushers went out to Westminster so spread balloons and a message: Osborne Don’t Dash For Gas
The balloons used were biodegradable, like the last action we did at the Conservative Party Conference in October.
Fantastically, the green movement has been re-energized over the issue of gas within this country and abroad. With energy costs escalating, as they were bound to do with fossil fuels becoming increasingly costly to extract, the reality of fuel poverty is hitting home and hard.
This makes the link between our energy choices and our changing climate more and more clear. Brilliant acts of bravery are being committed by activists from a variety of different environmental groups, such as No Dash For Gas, Frack Off! Campaign against Climate Change, REAF, RAFF, Frack Off London and many others, unifying us again.
New forms of gas are emerging onto the energy scene; with Shale Gas, coal bed methane and underground coal gasification licenses being bought all over the UK.
They are not an answer to the energy crisis.
They fail to contribute to reducing our carbon emissions, nor are they as abundant as drilling companies claim, so we as consumers will never see the benefit of cheaper energy. Rather, they are a stopgap delaying the inevitable decision about how we effectively roll out sustainable and renewable energy which will benefit us all.
Now’s the time and we have the power.
The issue of energy affects us all, just like climate change, but unlike climate change the reality of fuel poverty is more keenly felt within the UK. A broader base of activists’ voices are being heard in the anti-gas / pro-renewable camp, with more demographics being incensed at the government’s choices about the nation’s energy sources.
Although the World Leaders are silent on climate change, a unified voice is resounding with calm authority stating we will not sit by and let poor choices about future be made for us; we have alternatives and we have to implement them now before it’s too late.
If you want to join the chorus (and why wouldn’t you?) come along to a friendly meeting, email us to find out when and where, join our SWAT Bulletin by emailing info@climaterush.co.uk or sign up to our newsletter. As always you can contact us, we will always be looking for dreamers, bakers, action plotters, artists, bloggers and tweeters. We look forward to hearing from you!
Extreme Weather: Climate Change in Action?
November 1st, 2012The devastation we’ve seen on the news on the East coast of America is a frightening glimpse of the human impacts of extreme weather events linked to climate change. These events are expected to increase in severity and frequency if we fail to stop emitting dangerous levels of greenhouse gasses into the environment. It’s a really scary snapshot of what our future could look like.
Extreme weather has always occurred due to variability, however, now scientists can work out how much of these events are caused by man made climate change. For example, man made climate change increased the probability of the 2003 European heat wave by over 200% and the Texas 2011 drought was 20 times more likely to happen because of our emissions.
Man made climate change stacks the deck against us, enhancing existing extreme natural events. This is particularly significant with hurricanes, as hurricanes are formed through the heat exchange from the oceans to the atmosphere – meaning that the hotter the oceans are the more likely hurricanes are to form. Climate change is raising oceans’ temperatures and this extra warming brings with it risks of hurricanes occurring more frequently. Not only that, but hurricanes may emerge in parts of the world where they have never existed in recorded history.1
2011 and 2012 have been weather record breaking years. In July this year the USA had its warmest month on record (part of the warmest year in record), the UK had the heaviest rainfall in history (between April & June 2012) as well as its highest ever maximum temperatures in October and November in 100 years, in 2011. Also in July 2012, China had the highest level of rainfall in Beijing in a 14 hour period and June 2012 was the 328th consecutive month with a global temperature above the Twentieth Century average.
Despite the 1°C rise in global temperature in last 100 years, the UK has seen some of its coldest winters which has lead to confusion and misunderstanding about climate change and extreme weather events.
This is because the UK has such complex weather systems which have a myriad of variables that create the UK’s climate. However, even our freezing winters are attributed to weather chaos linked to climate change. The Arctic is melting due to our increased greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) which are raising the planet’s temperature, the Arctic when it melts releases more heat into the atmosphere causing jetstreams to move – specifically dragging the cold air from Siberia over Europe. So in the short term, Europe’s temperatures appear to be lower but in fact they are still being raised like the rest of the world.
Some of the first impacts of extreme weather are felt in food prices, as changes in weather patterns mean uncertainty for farmers and in the majority of cases leads to crop failure.
There are two tiers to impacts on food prices: the first being natural variations on prices that happen over a long period of time and the second from crop losses from frequent and extreme weather events. According to Oxfam’s report, even when considering just the long term changes the average price of staple foods, eg maize, may more than double in the next 20 years “compared with 2010 trends”. So when adding the effects of extreme weather it will only secure the rise in prices.
If there was a drought in 2030 in South East Asia and Indonesia, the price of rice is set to triple – meaning that if you could only afford a bowl of rice a day before you would only be able to eat one every three days. This means starvation.
Climate adaptation is possible and many countries are putting systems in place to defend areas that are vulnerable to extreme weather. Such as Rotterdam in Holland, where they have built underground bunkers to pump excess water from flooding – big enough to hold 10 million litres of water! The best thing about it is, that it cost €11 million. Which may sound like a lot but think about how much the Olympics cost or Boris’s proposed airport (£50 million)! The best defence, however, is always mitigation.
We need to act now.
These events will only become more frequent and if we don’t act we will be complicit in the deaths of millions of people, some of whom we have already sentenced to death through inaction.
There is time and we can do it. We need to get our government to listen to scientists and the IPCC whilst taking into consideration climate change when addressing all issues. We need to support renewable projects, community owned energy and get out on the streets to make our voices heard. We will not let this continue, we will stand with those millions of people who are most vulnerable to climate change and we will fight for a future that works for us all.
1 Horizion: Global Weirding, BBC Two http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01f893x
A Future That Works – #ClimateBloc at the Trade Union March
October 19th, 2012
Join us tomorrow to come together with lots of fantastic environmental groups that all campaign in a variety of bold and brilliant ways to form one fierce and beautiful marching force AKA The Climate Bloc for A Future That Works.
Join us at 11am outside St Paul’s Cathedral
We will be marching alongside many brave eco-activist groups including Biofuelwatch, Campaign against Climate Change, Climate Justice Collective, Frack Off, Friends of the Earth, Fuel Poverty Action, Greener Jobs Alliance, Kick Nuclear, London Mining Network, London Rising Tide, Occupy London Energy Equity & Environment Working Group, and Occupy Oil
These fellow activists, who are also frightened by climate change, have signed a statement saying NO to austerity and demanding climate justice!
Time is tight, we now have less than 50 months to stop climate change.
But we don’t have to choose between dealing with the economy and the climate. That the causes are rooted in the same problem: an economy that is set up to favour the richest 1%, and the solutions to both these crises can be found in a truly green economy.
There is the will and desire for the creation of climate jobs – jobs that actively reduce carbon emissions – in areas such as public transport, renewable energy and insulation of our homes. Despite the renewable sector facing adversity, with slashes to its subsidies and badmouthing in the media, it is the only economy that has continued to grow during the recession! Earlier this year the One Million Climate Jobs Caravan toured around the UK, speaking to people and asking them why they wanted a climate job. There was a overwhelming number of people from all over the UK who wanted change; who wanted a climate job because they are concerned about the way we treat the environment, the rise in unemployment and reality of fuel poverty with the ever increasing fuel prices.
Climate change might seem distant and intangible when living in the UK, away from the frontline of the crisis. This perceived detachment is becoming harder to maintain as the effects of climate change are coming closer and closer to home. Food prices are increasing, not just due to horrendous financial speculation but also because of the dramatic weather patterns in the US (the so called “Bread Basket of the World”) that lead to massive crop failures. We import the majority of our food, so the impacts will be felt deeply.
As with all crises women are hit the hardest. This is devastatingly the case in the global south where women, who already struggling against a myriad of obstacles, are less able to access the support that they desperately need when faced with steep hikes in food prices and lack of defences against the extreme weather. Oxfam have been working amazingly hard to raise awareness about this and reaching out to those who are in dire need of our support.
We all have been doing great work, making our voice heard on how we won’t stand by and let this injustice continue. Now is the time for us to raise our voices louder than we’ve ever done before. Our heroines, the suffragettes, did not let up when the opposition got harsher and neither shall we. Emily Pankhurst said “give us freedom or give us death”. We are at a crossroads, but we have a choice over which path we take. The future we want is ours – if we choose to take it.
If you’re ready, and we’re sure that you are, to keep on acting towards a future that works come along to a friendly meeting, Thursdays at 7pm, No.31 Carnaby St, join our SWAT Bulletin by emailing info@climaterush.co.uk or sign up to our newsletter. As always you can contact us at info@climaterush.co.uk, we will always be looking for dreamers, bakers, action plotters, artists, bloggers and tweeters. We look forward to hearing from you!
George Osborne – Quit Gassing #RenewtheUK
October 7th, 2012We are busy putting up 250 biodegradable balloons around the ICC centre, at the beginning of the Conservative Party Conference. The blue biodegradable balloons are printed with an image of George Osborne’s face and the slogan ‘quit gassing #renewtheuk’. The protest will highlight the dangers of the government plans to expand shale gas extraction in the UK at the expense of the renewable sector.
Shale gas extraction is an expensive and highly polluting energy source, linked to polluted ground water, local earthquakes, and climate change. Methane emissions from shale gas are 30% higher than that of conventional gas and that the GHG footprint of shale gas is 50% greater than for oil. The process of extracting shale gas involves pumping millions of gallons of water mixed with hydrochloric acid and a biocide, these chemicals react with the shale rocks and cause leaching of arsenic and radioactive materials. The chemicals pose a risk of contamination of drinking water and irrigation water supplies.
Climate rush spokesperson Tisha said, “Shale gas extraction is one of the biggest environmental threats in the UK. Shale gas is a fossil fuel, it creates climate change, causes earthquakes and has the potential to contaminate our water supplies for energy that will only supply UK gas demand for two years. Renewable energy is our only hopeful energy future, and thankfully the UK has excellent renewable energy resources. That where we need to invest, not in another polluting fossil fuel.”
You can help get the message out about renewing our energy and our economy in the UK by tweeting -
The Chancellor is dashing for gas, but renewable energy receives more private investment than fossil fuels. #RenewTheUK
George Osborne is slashing funding for renewable energy, but the green economy is the only industry to grow during the recession, about 4% per year. #RenewTheUK
In 2011 the renewable energy industry supported 110,000 UK jobs. #RenewTheUK
(http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17812299)
George Osborne is dashing for shale gas, which will create 35,000 jobs over a ten year period. The renewable energy industry supported 110,000 UK jobs in 2011. #RenewTheUK
George Osborne is pushing for a new generation of gas-fired power stations across the UK, but burning more natural gas will lead to the UK missing legally binding carbon reduction targets. #RenewTheUK
George Osborne is investing in gas and cutting subsidies to renewables. Shale gas will only meet 2 years of UK energy demand, but sun, wind and tidal will last forever. #RenewTheUK
George Osborne is dashing for gas. Shale gas has been linked to water pollution and increased cancer rates in several US States. #RenewTheUK
The UK will still need to rely on foreign imports even if we use shale gas. #RenewTheUK
Household energy bills are expected to rise even if we use shale gas. #RenewTheUK
The Institution of Mechanical Engineers states that current UK regulation is insufficient for shale gas production. #RenewTheUK
“The time for action is now. Future generations will not forgive us if we fail.” – George Osborne, 2008
#RenewTheUK
Reclaiming Islington’s Streets
September 27th, 2012
This World Car Free Day we wanted to take action in a community suffering the impacts of car culture more than most.
Islington’s grander streets have been home to politicians from Blair to Boris, yet the borough suffers some of the worst overcrowding in London (it’s the city’s most densely populated borough), unemployment rates higher than the London and National averages, and the capital’s least green space per head. Add a mass of A-roads bisecting the borough and it’s no surprise that air pollution in Islington exceeds national and European targets. NHS statistics also show that respiratory disease, a major health implication of poor air quality, is the third largest cause of death in the borough.
Islington’s air pollution particularly effects the borough’s young population. It is estimated that up to 30% of childhood asthma is caused by poor air quality – a terrifying statistic bearing in mind that 1,148 schools in London are within 150 metres of roads carrying 10,000 or more vehicles per day. Over 50% of Islington’s schools are within this air pollution danger zone.
So how to tackle the car-culture that’s harming the health of young Londoners? We decided that for one day, we’d take up the space usually occupied by cars and imagine a better use of this precious space. We joined up with the fab Islington Green Party and the Better Archway Forum, as well as local families, to take control of our streets.
Instead of car fumes, we’d represent a Clean Air Cloud, breathing fresh air into Islington! With our cloud-shaped placards, blue and white dress, feather dusters and chalk, we set off down Laycock Street, home to Laycock Primary and Islington Central Medical Centre – two institutions sandwiched between the A1 (Upper Street) and B515 (Liverpool Road). On the way, 12 year old Nell spotted some road signage crying out for a clean air edit, and used her chalk to remind drivers SCHOOL – KEEP AIR CLEAN.
Winding our human car through Islington’s car-clogged streets we ‘parked’ en-route to clean the air. In parking bays throughout the borough we asked car-drivers to think twice before setting off. As we chalked in one street, we met two heroic women who were that very day selling their car and not replacing it. We can’t think of a better way to mark Car Free Day!
For our final stop we took tea and bike-shaped biscuits on a very pleasant parking space next to Islington’s biggest green space, Highbury Fields. To entertain us, Climate Rusher supreme Alison sung her car-free ditty “I Don’t Care for a Car”, Elliot serenaded us with “The State of Boris Johnson” and Damien strummed Woody Guthrie’s “Roll On Columbia”.
To organise a Clean Air Cloud in your neighbourhood, and imagine a future with fewer cars and more cake, email info@climaterush.co.uk. Read more about air pollution here.
Many thanks for additional photos by Jim Jepps, Big Smoke.
Bristol Climate Rush drop “POLLUTION SOLUTION” banner over M32
September 20th, 2012
At 5.45am this morning Bristol Climate Rush hung a banner over the M32. Thousands of drivers read ‘POLLUTION SOLUTION’ as they passed under a pedestrian bridge that arches over the motorway. The banner was visible throughout the morning rush hour.
Bristol has one of the highest rates of car ownership in the country. Every weekday, half a million vehicles cross in and out of the city centre. The average speed for cars in the centre is just 11 mph at peak times. Air quality in Bristol fails to meet national standards. [1]
Bristol Climate Rush – a recently founded creative protest group inspired by the Suffragettes – took part in this action as part of the global build up to World Car Free Day on Saturday 22nd September. It is anticipated that there will be further activism to support this global environmental day of protest.
Carla Denyer, a member of Bristol Climate Rush and renewable energy consultant said:
“This isn’t about us telling Bristolians what to do, it’s about all of us together making the city more pleasant to live in! So many people in Bristol rely on their cars, which is a shame for a city that takes pride in sustainability. One car free day each week would bring huge benefits to air quality, health, traffic, business and enjoyment. World Car Free Day gives us an annual opportunity to imagine what that might be like.”
Harry Holmes, a member of Bristol Climate Rush living in Easton said:
“We should be giving priority to walking, cycling and public transport, instead of to the car. Our politicians and council officials need to tackle our transport problems and create integrated transport policies for the long term. Bristolians – get in touch if you want to take part in interventions that highlight the antisocial behaviour of many motorists. Cars are choking our city, it’s time to take action!”
World Car Free Day is a worldwide annual event that asks people to leave their car at home on Saturday 22nd September.
ENDS
For more information, photos or an interview please email bristol@climaterush.co.uk
Notes to editors:
[1] www.bristol.gov.uk/page/travel-and-air-pollution