Marches, caravans, campers converge on Kingsnorth

Camp for climate action officially starts today.

Hundreds of people from all walks of life and all parts of the country are congregating on the Hoo Peninsula in Kent today, united in their opposition to the proposed construction of a new coal fired power station that would burn millions of tonnes of emissions intensive coal for decades into the future.

The camp combines a practical example of sustainable, low carbon living, with a diverse programme of debates and educational opportunities around climate change, and culminates on Saturday the 9th of August, with a mass action of civil disobedience that intends to halt the operation of Kingsnorth power station for the day.

“We’re here because we have a future to protect,” said Tanya Lovitz, who arrived yesterday with her husband and two children. “Scientists tell us that we have an incredibly limited window of opportunity to address the threat of climate change, so its breathtakingly stupid to start building new coal plants that would lock us into decades of burning more dirty coal.”

Marches and caravans from around the UK are set to converge on the camp over the course of the day. A group of cyclists will be arriving after having cycled down from Scotland, a number of people have travelled in a ‘climate caravan’ from the location of the last year’s Climate Camp at the proposed third runway in Heathrow, and a rally under the banner of ‘No New Coal’ will be making its way from Rochester to Kingsnorth in the afternoon.

“We’re really excited to greet all the new faces at the camp,” said Ben Ariwa, who has been helping to prepare the camp since last Thursday. “People all over the UK are frustrated by the government’s obsession with fossil fuelled economic growth and their inability to take real action on climate change, so it’s great that there’s a space like the climate camp where they can come to engage in positive solutions.”

Since the first campers arrived on Wednesday, work has gone on round the clock to have the site and infrastructure ready to welcome the larger numbers of people arriving today. The campers’ task has been made considerably more difficult by Chief Inspector Brian Hall, the Bronze Commander who was responsible for the seizure and impounding of a great deal of equipment, such a water pipes, tools and marquees that are necessary to provide basic camp facilities.

“The police have been incredibly disruptive so far,” said Jenny Malloy. “It’s one thing to confiscate equipment that is clearly intended for breaking the law, but they have taken equipment to provide clean drinking water on site. That’s not only putting people’s health at risk, its also heavy handed political policing to try and cause problems in the setting up of the camp.”

For comment, contact 07772 861099 or 07932 096677

Natural Death Centre appeal 28th July 2008

Since its founding in 1991 the Natural Death Centre (which incorporates the Association of Natural Burial Grounds) has used its limited resources to become a leader for the natural death movement.

In recent weeks financial difficulties have made it necessary to cut back operations. Sadly, this has meant that Mike Jarvis and Adeline O'Keeffe have been made redundant and the office has been closed. A basic service is being kept going by volunteers.

The Natural Death Centre has had difficulties in the past but overcame them. At this major cross-roads a small interim Board of Trustees has been formed to deal with the crisis and attempt to preserve the work for the future. We are looking to interested parties to take on the Centre's work. Proposals to this end will be received until the end of August, and an announcement is planned for October. However this turns out, we are determined to see the ethos maintained in a sound and sustainable way.

In order to help us through this difficult period in securing a future for the Centre's work, please consider making a donation, however small. Today we launch an appeal for £10,000. You can donate electronically through the website (www.naturaldeath.org.uk) or by cheque made out to the Natural Death Centre and sent to NDC donations, 20 Heber Road, London NW2 6AA.

The Natural Death Centre's role is as important today as it has ever been. We very much hope that we can continue to rely on your enthusiasm and good will.

10th World Renewable Energy Congress & Exhibition

First Minister Alex Salmond MSP to open 10th World Renewable Energy Congress & Exhibition

20 - 25 July 2008

Scottish Exhibition & Conference Centre, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom

Registration details at www.wrenuk.co.uk

First Minister Alex Salmond MSP will be joined at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glasgow by the European Commission's Director for Energy, the Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Environment Agency, the Assistant Director General of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) and the Director General of ISESCO (Islamic Educational Scientific & Cultural Organisation), in addition to Peter Bonfield, Chief Executive of BRE (Building Research Establishment) and the Deputy Principal of the University of Strathclyde.

WREC 2008 is being organised on behalf of the World Renewable Energy Network and follows on from the successful meetings in Florence (2006), Denver (2004) and Cologne (2002). It will enable policy makers, researchers, manufacturers, economists, financiers, sociologists, environmentalists and others to present their views in Plenary and Technical Sessions and to participate in discussions, both formal and informal, thus facilitating the transfer of knowledge between nations, institutions, disciplines and individuals.

Attracting a truly international audience - over 100 countries participated in WREC 2006 - this is a must attend event for anyone with an interest in the supply, distribution, consumption, and development of energy sources which are benign, sustainable, accessible, and economically viable and will provide a unique opportunity to learn of the latest developments in this rapidly changing and expanding field. Themes will focus on all aspects of renewable energy, firstly helping to ensure that they become a major contributor to a sustainable and secure energy supply for the greater benefit of all; as well as facilitating the knowledge exchange and business engagement of participants from both developed and developing countries; and finally, assisting with developing finance and institutional support for renewable energy projects locally and internationally. Subject areas include wind energy, marine, biomass, hydrogen, solar etc - as well as related issues such as policy, architecture and gender. The gender issues will be addressed in a workshop "Engaging Women in Energy Enterprises" the focus of which will be understanding the impacts of energy on poverty in the developing world and how that knowledge may be used to bring about a future with greater energy justice. There will also be a debate on the future of architecture when faced with increased policy requirement to build energy efficient buildings incorporating emerging technologies and calls for new learning and training initiatives at all levels.

A banquet will be held at the Crowne Plaza on Wednesday 23rd July, where the WREC/Ali Sayigh Trophy will be awarded to the country that has progressed most in the renewable field (table or individual tickets may be obtained at www.wrenuk.co.uk)

Wards Corner Hug-in

A human chain 'hugged' the Wards Corner shopping block above Seven Sisters station on 19 July, to show how much the local community cares about the local shops and businesses threatened with demolition.

Meanwhile, the Wards Corner Community Coalition is asking why Haringey Council's planning committee is proposing to decide on the controversional plans submitted by developer Grainger without considering the community plan submission drawn up by architect Ricardo Pelayo working with residents and traders -- even though the Pelayo plans were formally submitted to the Council two months before the Grainger proposals.

The hotly-opposed Grainger plan would demolish the late Victorian Wards Stores and other local shops, putting some 50 independent local traders out of business, with some also losing their homes above their shops -- to make way for two high rise towers of private housing, and a 'clone town' mini-mall. The alternative community plan envisages re-vitalising the elegant Wards building as a market space showcasing the area's character as Europe's most ethnically diverse local area.

£52million pounds for children's health

The Government announced this today. More financial input into schools.

Scapegoating can happen in schools where children whose behaviour causes concern and anxiety are seen as 'bad', or 'mad'. Graham Music and Becky Hall (From scapegoating to thinking and finding a home: delivering therapeutic work in schools. Journal of Child Psychotherapy Vol 34 No.1 2008) write : "Child psychotherapists must be prepared to tackle issues in the system to ensure that splitting and projection are reduced, and systems around children can become more containing."

I agree as a dramatherapist /psychotherapist i worked in one London secondary school for five years because the Headteacher was very supportive.

Teachers need emotional support (through INSET); parents need support - family work is useful in schools. Also mediation in schools is a way of helping Headteacher and unruly student to feel better about being together in the same school. Inclusion is the name... Teenagers and children need emotional support. Providing that in schools now, especially through dramatherapy and the other arts therapies (clinical interventions)and through drama teaching too is one way to enable more children and adolescents to feel more comfortable and ok about themselves; providing class maths circles, for instance enables kids to be together without put-downs and comfortably with their teacher. The fears we all experienced during teenage are lessened when that happens. Nowadays as well as writing a book with an Educational Psychologist about dramatherapy i work increasingly to listen to and be with stressed mums and dads, especially the separated ones. Communicating about your child is vital. Lauraine Leigh MA psychoanalytic studies Dramatherapist QTS

goodcompany1.com, goodcompany@talktalk.net

The Future of the Heart Symposium

Emerson College is hosting a two week Storytelling Symposium on the Future of the Heart.Week 1: 3-9th August Voices of the Heart Week 2:Healing the Heart of the Land.

Workshops,leading speakers, performances. For details www.emerson.org.uk

2,000 NAKED CYCLISTS TO RIDE THROUGH LONDON IN DEMONSTRATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE AND CARS

The World Naked Bike Ride ( www.worldnakedbikeride.org ) is now in its fifth year. The ride is an environmental demonstration against oil dependency and is also a celebration of cycling and the human body.

Riding under the slogan 'real rights for bikes', participants cycle naked to highlight their vulnerability on city streets and draw attention to the destructive effects of car culture. The ride is a body-positive event where nudity is optional; riders are encouraged to go 'as bare as you dare'.

In 2007, the London event alone attracted more than 1,000 riders, setting a new record for naked protest. As in previous years, in some UK cities, cycle-mounted police will facilitate the ride and provide traffic control.

The rides are just one of the many campaigns against the destructive effects of climate change and oil dependency. For many people around the world, economic and environmental realities are prompting greener lifestyle choices.

Those wishing to participate can find more details at www.worldnakedbikeride.org/uk

Saturday 14 June * London: meet 3pm north of Achilles Statue, near Broad Walk, Hyde Park Corner, London, W1J 7JZ

Victorian passenger steamer goes green

The 1883 built steam passenger vessel 'Alaska' is taking a radical lead in making travel on the River Thames Greener and has changed over to a sustainable carbon neutral fuel.

Previously fired with Welsh steam coal she is now changing over to recycled wood waste briquettes, a product made from recycled waste sawdust and woodchips from manufacturing processes . Thames Steamers' Director, Peter Green, has wanted to reduce the vessel's carbon footprint for a number of years but until recently the only available alternative fuel was ordinary wood which has a very low heat output compared with coal, making it physically impossible to carry the large volume required to generate the equivalent amount of steam that coal burning produces.

With coal the boat could carry enough fuel for about 36 hours running, (essential when covering long distances along the 90 odd miles of river between Oxford and Teddington), whilst a boat load of wood would only last for a few hours at best. However, the briquettes are formed under very high pressure which makes them very dense and enables them to give a similar heat output to coal. Members of the public may take a 'green' cruise aboard 'Alaska' over the Late May Bank Holiday Weekend (see www.thames-steamers.co.uk ).

French Business opportunity

Free lease-hold for a vegan/vegetarian in the south of France.

Small shop 30m2 with toilet and backroom in a very touristique village in the south of France to give away to a peace-loving vegan/vegetarian in order to carry on the work that the shop has been promoting. Thanks to the many foreigners who visit and live there fluent French is not necessary (althoughof-course an asset to communicate with local French community!). Many Scottish, English and Irish people also live in the area. The shop is situated in the old-town of Anduze. The lease-hold is valid for 9 years and is for all commerces except for “foul-smelling” (so no kebab making!). Rent is 380.12 per month. All persons with peaceful ideas arewelcome to enquire!

Karina, chezfifi@wanadoo.fr

Camp for Climate Action to target Kingsnorth power station.

PRESS RELEASE 3 March 2008

Today it was announced that EON’s KINGSNORTH power station in Kent will be the site of this summer’s Camp for Climate Action, running from 4th to 11th of August 2008.

The announcement comes on the back of last week’s actions against the proposed third runway at Heathrow, with activists occupying the tailfin of a jet and the roof of the houses of parliament. Climate activists promise that 2008 will be “the year of direct action on climate change”.

The protest will begin with a one-day event at Heathrow, the site of the previous year’s camp, before marching across London to Kingsnorth. This is one of eight climate camps targeting coal across the world this summer.

Climate change activists will converge on Kingsnorth power station where owners EON plan to build the UK’s first coal fired power station in 30 years. Saturday 9th August has been named a ’day of mass protest and direct action’ against Kingsnorth to highlight its impact on climate change.

Moving from Heathrow to Kingsnorth highlights government and corporate collusion to expand the fossil fuel economy when the scientific consensus demands the opposite. The camp will bring together thousands of activists for several days of workshops and direct action. The camp will also challenge businesses set to profit from false solutions to climate change such as agrofuels. A day of action targeting the agrofuel industry will be an integral part of the week long camp.

Natasha Edleman of the camp said: “Building a new coal-fired power station in the middle of a climate crisis is madness. The science shows that we only have a few years left to avert catastrophic climate change. That’s why the this year’s camp will be at Kingsnorth. If it gets built then there are seven more power stations coming. This must be stopped.”

Charlie Owens of the camp said: “Biofuels have been proposed as a solution to climate change. But new studies confirm that they are just as dangerous as fossil fuels. And they create the illusion we can carry on as usual. In the end we can only stop climate change if we challenge the growth economy and start putting people and planet first.”

press@climatecamp.org.uk

www.climatecamp.org.uk/