Articles | Climate Action

Written by The Source | Posted on 21/07/2009 | Category: Clean Power

The time has come to act

Big action is the name of the game as we approach the all-important Copenhagen Climate talks in December which, according to many, are our last big chance for governments all over the world to avert the worst of dangerous changes in weather. Already climate changes are affecting 300 billion people according to The Global Humanitarian Forum, a think-tank set up by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, and costing us 125 billion dollars a year globally. What should we do? Here's some ideas ...

www.350.org/oct24 is asking people across the globe to stand together for a united day of action on October 24th calling for a ‘fair global climate treaty’. They are thinking bike rides, rallies, concerts, protests, and they’re hoping there will be lots of them organised by you in both famous and everyday places around the world. “It’s often said that the only thing preventing us from tacking the climate crisis quickly and equitable is a lack of political will” says US activist Bill McKibben, “Well, the only thing that can create that political will is a unified global movement – and no-one is going to build that movement for us. It’s up to regular people all over the world”. 350 is the number of parts per million that the level carbon in the air has got to get back down below (and we’re some way above it already) if we want to stabilise climate conditions, so that’s the theme for the demos. What can you do 350 times in one day on October 24th? Sign up now.

So far it’s been Drax, Heathrow and Kingsnorth power station, but this year will be a city location for the rapidly expanding movement of climate-concerned citizens from the Climate Camp. “The Camp is a place for anyone who is worried about our future and wants to do something about it” say the volunteer organisers who welcomed more than two thousand campers at the main event last year. It’s focused on sustainable solutions and direct action and this year the thrust will be on the economic system … watch out city banks.
www.climatecamp.org.uk

999 Its Time is a new UK movement calling for a big day of action, this time on the 9th September (09.09.09) – another is planned for the 10th October next year (10.10.10). Initiated by the likes of Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall, Bruce Parry and Sam Roddick it’s calling for individual and collective displays that are designed to be a wake up call for a planet in emergency. “The message I’m trying to get out is protest without permission” says Sam Roddick who will be focusing on the street-art angle of the event, “because that is the right of our democratic system”. Register for updates on actions up to and including the big day.
www.999itstime.com

What Action?

Find out your local MP, what they stand for and how to contact them by putting your postcode into www.theyworkforyou.com.

Help to push the demand for green energy above supply and create a market for renewables by switching your energy tariff with The Big Issue on www.realpeoplepower.org.

Make a pledge to swap one car journey for cycling, walking or public transport before 4th July and join the thousands of people changing the world with cycle-based Sustrans on www.changeyourworld.org.uk.

Sign a petition run by Dorset campaigners www.edibleplaygrounds.co.uk to make it government policy that every school in the country should have an edible playground so that all children can learn where food comes from.

Enter your postcode on www.freerangereview.com to find local food producers near you and hear what other people have to say about them.

Exercise your person power by linking up with millions on www.avaaz.org for online petitions that influence global decisions on environment and human rights across the world.

Photo by Mike Russell

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