Links on Sunday 12/08/07

The (now much trailed in sections of the mainstream media) Camp for Climate Action near Heathrow Airport in the UK is underway, (BBC report) several days earlier than originally announced, presumably to secure the site before any counter action. The Camp's homepage has (suspiciously) gone down today, but the Climate Change Action blogspot is keeping an eye on things and posting updates. The site has been set up between the villages of Sipson and Harlington next to Heathrow. Sipson is threatened with destruction by the proposed construction of another runway at the airport.

This is from the Camp For Climate Action Website -

Camp for Climate Action comes to Heathrow this summer

Aviation is the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK, and all our efforts to tackle climate change in other sectors are undone by the massive growth in air travel. Holding the camp at Heathrow aims to highlight the lunacy of the government's airport expansion plans, target industry giants profiteering from the climate crisis, and raise awareness of the need to fly less. The camp will also support local residents in their long-term struggle against the building of a third runway and the destruction of their communities.

There will be a day of mass direct action aiming to disrupt the activities of the airport and the aviation industry, but in the interests of public safety there will be no attempt to blockade runways.

Although the location is different, the philosophy of the camp remains the same: to be a place for the burgeoning network of people taking radical action on climate change around the country to come together for a week of low-impact living, education, debate, networking, strategising, celebration, and direct action. The camp will feature over 100 workshops covering topics such as climate change impacts, carbon offsetting, biofuels, peak oil, permaculture, practical renewables, campaign strategy, skills for direct action, and much more. Run without leaders by everyone who comes along, it will be a working ecological village using renewable energy, composting waste and sourcing food locally.

It all comes down to us, now. We are the last generation that can do anything about climate change. In 20 or 30 years' time, should we not change our ways, we'll be committed to emissions increases that will see forests burn, soils decay, oceans rise, and millions of people die. If we don't get this issue right, so much else is lost too.

We still have time, but not for long. Make it count.

Derek Wall, Green Party Male Principal Speaker, (who will be speaking at the camp) has posted hints for those planning on attending on his blog, Another Green World. Discussions and talks will take place in the week with non-violent direct action planned for the weekend.

The best of luck to all those participating, let us hope the message gets across. The movement for meaningful action on the threat posed by climate change continues to grow. The big demo planned for December 8th is the main climate related event planned for London later this year as part of a global day of action, a flyer can be downloaded from the Campaign Against Climate Change site.

Elsewhere, Jim reports an attack on union organisation by Newham Council in London.
Speaking of attacks on workers and their Unions, solidarity is needed by IWW members in Providence, Rhode Island, USA, who were subject to a heavy handed and vicious Police attack.
Also this week we saw suspension of strike action in the UK Postal service pending "further negotiation" as reported on the Socialist Unity blog.

Tony Wilson died last week, prompting comment and discussion on the Cedar Lounge blog