Climate Activists Set Up Camp in London
As I write this, London is being "swooped" by a virtual rainbow of environmental activists preparing to set up this year's Climate Camp. Up to 3000 people are expected to attend the event, outfitted in predetermined colours, depending on which of the six different symbolic locations they plan to show up to. Then, from these six corners of the city, the groups will converge on foot and bike like so many brightly-coloured ribbons to one as-yet undisclosed location* and set up camp for eight days.
The event was organised by the Camp for Climate Action, a somewhat-unorthodox climate-activist group that has been setting up these camps in the UK since 2006. The self-proclaimed “grassroots movement” is targeting the offices of “the dirty dozen – 12 London-based organisations that are causing climate change.” Various actions, including protests and blockades, all directed against “climate criminals” like BP, Shell, E.ON and the Bank of England, will be planned from the camp, but it will also be a site of learning, with training and workshops for the attending activists. The camp will also house solar-powered showers, composting toilets and entertainment tents.
The aim of the organisation, which has no leadership and is democratic almost to a fault (meetings only end with unanimous agreement among members), is to increase awareness of climate change as the UN Climate talks in Copenhagen draw near and to demonstrate that it is possible for people to decrease their carbon footprints.
Unfortunately, much of the media attention being devoted to the Climate Camp has been in reference to the police’s handling of the event as matters got out of hand in the April G20 protests with the death of a newspaper-seller who was knocked down by an officer. But both sides claim to be taking a peaceful approach, and climate campers have been warned not to bring pen knives or glass bottles.
So as the next eight days unfold, we at Greenpeace hope for a safe and fruitful outcome, as well as for increased public pressure on the leaders who will determine our future this December.
Twelve targeted institutions: Department of Energy and Climate Change, Department for Business, Department for Transport, The Stock Exchange,The Bank of England, Shell HQ, The European Climate Exchange, Royal Bank of Scotland HQ, The Treasury, BP HQ, Heathrow airport, London office of E.ON
*Update: Camp for Climate Action has disclosed that the event is being held at Blackheath.
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