Do it for the Kids

Kingsnorth: Now really, that can’t be good for you.

Given the importance of not choosing coal for climate change reasons, it hardly seems worth mentioning other good reasons why we might want to shut coal plants. But let’s not forget that coal plants are pretty much pollution nightmares, and more support for the idea that they are dirty, dangerous and best avoided comes from a recent US study, the results of which can be summed up as - if you want smarter kids, shut coal plants. (Championed here by Joe Romm, former energy advisor to Bill Clinton.)

It kind of indicates that these problems are all joined up - being anti-coal isn’t just a scramble to survive, it is also an amazing opportunity to be pro-renewables, pro-a-better-life, pro-jobs and pro-children’s brains.

Climate Camp: Photos & Videos

Due to a slight over-reliance on solar panels - after the police confiscated several wind turbines as dangerous weapons of revolution - we had trouble regularly updating you on events in the camp.

To make up for it, we’ve added a bumper-filled gallery in the photos section, and in our new video section we’ve included a nice little selection of the best vids from camp.

Enjoy…

Bryn’s First Post

I can smell veggie burgers frying in one direction and curry simmering from the other, where am I? The Camp for Climate Action.

Most of the camp is refueling and reflecting on a day of direct action and slowly winding down from a week of planning. I’m feeling pretty good, particularly having just finished my evening meal, prepared by fellow climate campers from Wales.

For me, this week has been about positives: whole food cooking, toilet constructing, path laying, marquee erecting and learning, debating and organizing together. The most important thing is that everyone else comes with the same attitude, to get involved as best they can to. New arrivals are washing up round the corner.

So what about plans for Kingsnorth Power Station? Well, following a week of discussion, if anyone was unsure (as perhaps I was) they aren’t anymore, if another coal station gets built we are in serious, serious trouble. We made our point today, that we are informed and extremely concerned about what could happen here in Kent. Some scaled fences, others rafted, some marched, all with a similar message, just don’t build it!

Mass Action is GO!

The march has left camp, rafts are on the water, people are in the woods and everyone is heading to Kingsnorth: Sky News helicopter and all…
Updates to come…

A Red Light

I’m sitting in the Wales Neighbourhood at Climate Camp in a geodesic dome in the warm glow of lights powered by solar panels. Looking through the entrance to the tent I can see the chimney of Kingsnorth glowing in the distance - red lights powered by a very different source of energy to that feeding the small lights of this tent.

There’s a positivity in the air, and excitement - people are arriving gradually from all over the country to find a very well organised and welcoming site - tents, marquees and domes set out in neighbourhoods of the various regions of the UK - there are people representing the whole country here - it’s encouraging to feel that this movement is growing - proving that climate change and energy security are everyone’s issues no matter where you are from or what your background.

More people will be arriving tomorrow to lend a hand, take part and get involved - as Lewis just mentioned sitting beside me (slightly cheesily but full of meaning), “We’re a community here - we share.” And that’s the real motto of my day - a tiring day but one marked by friendship, laughter and common aims.

Tommorow a whole array of workshops and debates are planned to share ideas, knowledge, hopes and plans. And the chimney of Kingsnorth continues to glint away in the distance, reminding us why we’re all here.

Climate camp is open…

The climate camp is set up down in Kent, a few kilometers from Kingsnorth power station - the site for the first proposed new coal-fired power station the government would like built. Who would have thought it?

Water, toilets, internet and a lot of the marquee’s are set up, and the camp is open for anyone heading down. The site is in a field on the Hoo peninsula. For directions see here.

Campers are looking after some (probably quite confused) sheep who are also hanging out in the field.

Over the next couple of weeks we’ll be blogging from the camp as it happens, keeping you up to date with this exciting event - a chance to draw a line in the sand on new coal.

Sound interesting? Why not get down there and find out for yourself! Details of how to get there, what to bring and what to expect are all available on the Climate Camp website.

We’re excited. See you there!