Held last Sunday the 4th of March Hydra Books, a radical bookstore and cafe on Old Market, the Climate Rush Bristol launch was a perfect afternoon of tea, cakes, talks, discussions, group participation and action.
Founding members gave a short talk on why they had set up the group - being inspired by the deeds of Climate Rush in London, wanting to be involved but expensive train tickets and lack of time got in the way. They desired something local they could really get in to.
Liz, a member of the activist group Plane Stupid shared a motivational and inspiring talk about her experience of direct action. Everyone got involved in a group discussion voicing what local environmental issues were important to them. Issues that came up included: the expensive & bad bus service in Bristol; increasing train fares; Bristol airport expansion; hydralic fracking in our area; bio mass plants; positive action for renewable energies.
Climate Rush’s slogan follows that of the Suffragettes, ‘DEEDS NOT WORDS’. With this is mind plans were made to meet the following week to tackle these important local issues.
For a surprise ending, Climate Rush Bristol provided hand-made bunting saying ‘We ‘heart’ you Sustrans’ and activists made for the Sustrans offices on College Green to demonstrate their appreciation for Sustrans hard working staff and their promotion of pedal power in Bristol. Bunting was hung outside their office and Monday morning Sustrans employees were greeted by Climate Rush, thanking them for their hard work with home-made lemon cake & heart shaped biscuits! Sustrans employees said no one has ever thanked them for their work & tweeted Climate Rush Bristol made our morning!
Tags: Climate Change, climate rush, Climate Rush Bristol, cycling, direct action, environmental activism, plane stupid, suffragettes, Sustrans, transport