Angry Penguins & Climate Refugees to Visit Climate Criminals
Wednesday 30th July: A large group of displaced penguins, a homeless polar bear, and several human climate refugees crossed London Bridge to enter the City of London today
“We have been forced from our homes by the actions of companies that are reaping huge rewards from the perpetuation of a fossil fuel economy” said Penny LeGuin. “If they are allowed to continue with their reckless behaviour, you humans will also find yourselves without a home – planet Earth will become uninhabitable.”
The group will be visited a variety of oil, gas and finance companies that they have identified as fuelling the runaway climate chaos that is destroying their homes. This event is part of the Climate Caravan, which is travelling through London, from Heathrow Airport to the Camp for Climate Action at Kingsnorth power station in Kent.
Paula Bare explained – “Our Caravan began in Sipson, where an entire community faces eviction for a suicidal 3rd Runway for Heathrow. On our journey to the site of an equally absurd proposed new coal-fired power station at Kingsnorth, we are bringing the catastrophic impacts of climate chaos to the oil-soaked heart of the problem – the City of London.”
Notes for Editors:
1. The Climate Caravan began on Sunday July 27th, leaving from the site of last years’ hugely successful Camp for Climate Action which was held on Sipson Lane, under the deafening roar of Heathrow’s flightpath. By wheel and foot, around 50 people are making their way to the Camp for Climate Action under the shadow of Kingsnorth Power Station. The 60+ mile trip will take a week, with events planned at each stop. The Caravan will arrive at the Camp on Sunday 3rd August. See www.climatecamp.org.uk/caravan
2. See www.climatecamp.org.uk for more information on The Camp for Climate Action.
3. Contact the Caravan Press Team on 07989 985 442.
———-
Caravan Events Programme
These events are to act as local outreach in the run up to the Camp as well as to provide entertainment/interest to Caravaners.
Sunday 27th July: Launch of the Climate Caravan.
The Climate Caravan starts its 60 mile journey from Heathrow to Kingsnorth.
9.30am Harlington Baptist Church, 266 High Street, Harlington Hayes, UB3 5DG
Sunday 27th July: Climate Camp-What’s it all about?
Come along & meet the campers.
7.30pm Grove Gardens Chapel, Lower Grove Rd, off Queens Rd, Richmond.
Monday 28th July: ‘Turning the world upside down’-
The Putney Climate Debate.
Arrive 6.30pm. Speakers from 7pm. St Mary’s Church, Putney High Street, SW15 1SN.
Speakers :
Andrew Simms (New Economic Foundation)
Jenny Jones (London Green Party)
Penny Eastwood (The Camp for Climate Action)
Leila Deen ( World Development Movement)
Simon Okotie ( London Citizens)
Keith Wilson (Treesponsibility)
Andy Goldring (Permaculture Association)
Dr. Paul Chatterton (Leeds University) will introduce and facilitate.
Tuesday 29th July: A fair & sustainable transition. How do we make it happen?
7.00pm: Synergy Centre, 220 Farmers Road, Oval. SE5 OTW
This evening starts with a 50 minute film “Power of the Community” about Cuba introducing peak oil, post fossil-fuel communities, permaculture, urban food solutions and transitioning to a post-fossil fuel economy whilst maintaining a welfare state. A brief intro to transition towns follows and then an open space creative visioning session to prepare us for a positive debate around how to get this going here and now.
Wednesday 30th July: Climate & Capitalism
Finance and The City
A Tour; meet at 3.30pm outside Liverpool St, Bishopsgate exit. (1 ½ hours).
*Tackling climate change starts at home, apparently.*
Examining the root causes of climate change has brought us to the bleeding
heart of London: the single square mile of the business district. Decisions
made in the City over financial investments across the world are locking us
into decades of carbon emissions. How are we tied up in this? How do we
affect it?
Take the tour, meeting at Liverpool St on Bishopsgate at 3.30pm.
Look for the suits with umbrellas..
Thursday 31st July: Life Beyond Cars
Family friendly foray into a fossil fuel free future. Bring your bikes-Dr Bike in residence. Workshops, talks, displays & demonstrations.
4-6pm: nr Oxleas Wood Cafe, Crown wood lane, Shooters Hill, Greenwich, SE18 35A
Friday 1st August: Climate Camp-What’s it all about?
Come along & meet the campers.
7.30pm: St Botolph’s Church Hall, The Hill, Northfleet. DA11 9EU.
Saturday 2nd August: Climate Camp-What’s it all about?
Come along & meet the campers.
7.30pm: Church of St Francis of Assisi, Galahad Avenue, Strood, ME2 2YS.
——-
See also cyclists arriving in Newcastle from Scotland
Stop Incineration caravan from Sussex
Practical caravan info, meeting points etc | Route
——-
29.07.08 Climate camp caravan – film stop.
The climate camp caravanners stopped at the Synergy centre in Oval for a scheduled break from their travels on Tuesday evening.
Around 30-50 people of varying backgrounds and ages settled in for the night, and after a home-made meal they watched a film about sustainable living in Cuba, and how to introduce techniques for sustainable living into their lives here in the UK. The film was shown on a cycle-powered cinema, which featured 2 bicycles, allowing people to swap when they got tired without loss of power.
Afterwards the group gathered together for a group discussion about sustainability, which began with speeches by a Camden councillor, two environmental thinkers and a member of the climate camp staff. The theme of the evening was very much about how to try and ensure the communities in which the caravanners live become as self-sufficient and environmentally friendly as soon as humanly possible.
Finally, an exhausted caravan did their best to absorb it all and wash up before crashing for the night.
In a few days time the caravan will arrive at the site at Kingsnorth, whose site has already been claimed by the Campers, in preparation for their arrival…
Onward.
: ))
——-
Wednesday 30th July, the fourth day of the Climate Caravan traveling to this year’s Climate Action Camp in Kingsnorth, Kent. The theme of today’s leg was ‘Climate & Capitalism’, and so, there’s probably no better place to point out the links between Climate Chaos and Capitalism’s obsession with making bucks out of the depletion of the planet’s natural resources, than the Square Mile.
Fleeing penguins and polar bears, and climate refugees on boats migrating due to the devastating effects of climate change, invaded London Bridge at about eleven in the morning, and they slowly made their way into the City of London. The traffic in London Bridge was brought to a standstill for about one hour, whilst protesters gave away hundreds of leaflets and the Camp’s newspaper to the passers-by.
The Caravan then moved into the City itself, with a detour through several of the City’s main landmarks. It eventually stopped at the global investment banking and securities firm Goldman Sachs, where a long speech was made through the bike sound system about the sort of ‘investments’ Goldman Sachs are involved in, and how this relates to Climate Change and its effects on communities and the environment. It was also pointed out that Goldman Sachs had already been targeted before by the Justice For Cleaners campaign, for their low standards of employment conditions for the City’s army of invisible cleaners.
The Caravan then moved to St Paul’s Cathedral where it stopped for a couple of hours for lunch. A photo exhibition was set up, whilst the bike sound system kept playing chill tunes for the participants, as well as for the many tourists that approached it to find out what was all that about.
The Caravan then set off for the meeting point at Liverpool Street station, where it was joined by some more people waiting there. It then moved to the nearby headquarters of the Royal Bank of Scotland, where bags full of pennies where thrown at the main entrances to symbolize the corporation’s investments in Climate Chaos.
——
The caravan is on the move! For four days now the collection of bikes, trikes, walkers, penguins, pirate ship and polar bear have manoeuvred their way from the site of last year’s camp into the heart of London. From beautiful city parks to three-laned roundabouts the group has brought bright colours,music and a vibrant, positive change to the surrounding environment. This was most apparent today (Wednesday) as we danced in sunshine through the financial district of London, flyering inquisitive onlookers and setting a different stage for city lunch-time buyers.
The response from passing people as we weave our way through the streets has been astounding. Everywhere we have visited pedestrians and drivers alike have taken a genuine interest in why we are here- and willing to talk about the relevant issues of climate change.
The Putney debates was well attended as groups discussed six proposals to turn the world upside down. Topics ranged from permaculture to environmental economics, and was heartily begun with a song to remember the diggers of 1649.
Petrol stations have been constantly frequented along the route with guitar melodies to lighten the mood for those at petrol pumps.
Today, a waddle of penguins stopped traffic on London bridge and made their way towards the financial and advertising institutions complicit in the use of fossil fuels for short-term economic gain. This was an utterly amazing and inspiring action. The penguins had an open road over the bridge to enter the city as two lanes were used for waddling and the rest of the group calmly dealt with the traffic behind.
Penguins made visits all over London to the advertising companies promoting the likes of Shell (in solidarity with the Rossport camp), BAA and E-ON. Occupations were made at offices in Holborn and Tottenham Court Road areas where normal operations were disrupted and links to the carbon web expressed.
A trip was also made to the city hall in Stratford where a council meeting was being held concerning the expansion of City Airport. Tents were put up and members of the council given information concerning the impact of airport expansion and runaway climate change.
Tomorrow we leave London for Kent “the garden of England” to hear stories of Oxleas Wood and a step closer towards our destination at Climate Camp. Tonight we sang songs in Hackney City Farm and partied in London Fields with the locals, after hearing the brilliant news that the site has been taken next to the power station. Come and join us on are journey to Kingsnorth and certainly to a fossil-free sustainable future!
Following are the experiences of some of the caravaners so far on the route;
* Learning the stories of London along the route and connecting the Putney debates to another radical point in history has made me feel completely hopeful in achieving the big ideas for change.
* I’m tired but inspired by the beautiful train of bicycles and people with colourful flags and pirate ship. Weeving our way through the city has felt peaceful despite all the traffic. Every day is exciting and i can’t wait for the next. A highlight has been dancing in sunshine after navigating to the Synergy centre in Oval.
* Come join us! We have been shimmering our way through the city with the police leaving us aloneand self-managing are route.
* My favourite moment has been walking past a school with the caravan and all the kids looking really interested in what was going on. As we left the teacher seemed to start explaining our presence there.
* Going through hectic traffic junctions and working together has been so important in bringing the group together as a solid block. I’ve learnt loads about traffic control! and that we’re best tightly-knit and not as a fragmented troop.
* I’m really excited and felt tearful with joy earlier. It’s empowering walking on the road and feel amazingly safe. It’s really well organized and there’s great chances to chat with people and interact. You forget where the cars are and just enjoy the journey.
* I’m chuffed with the openness and feel of the caravan and there’s great freedom to get involved. it’s completely multi-faceted- as some people seem to walking as a pilgrimmage, while others for outreach. It doesn’t feel like a traditional march, it’s much more engaging with who we’re passing because we can take time to talk to passing motorists and pedestrians.
* I’ve found it absurd and amazing- i had loads of fun played sardines in leafy, overgrown Richmond graveyard. We’ve adapted to the new places we’ve arrived at and interacted well with the locals- from putting on events with them to doing handstands and streetdancing in Oval!
* I’m tired but very positive and elated to be here. It’s a non-stop rollercoaster of fun from meeting new people and seeing new place to learning new skills.
* I feel prepared, inspired and creative, and also part of a tradition in learning about the history of when people create something to stand up together.
* I feel excited and have gained energy from being part of this amazing group of people. I had concerns about the safety of the carava but these disappeared on the first day. Everyone is in high spirits, there’s good vegan food and wicked creativity.