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Ratcliffe Trial Day 5 – Defence case opens

30-11-2010 01:23

At 11.00am defence barrister, Mr Edward Rees QC opens the case for the defence.

He calls the first witness, one of the defendants SS.

She has been employed by Greenpeace for 8 years, although, this was not an ‘official’ Greenpeace action.  In fact she took a short holiday in order to do it. Money had been raised by an assortment of donations.  She said that her attitudes about climate change had developed over the last 10 years but her involvement with Greenpeace and other influences. She sited a pamphlet she remembered reading in 2001 titled ‘Millions at Risk’ that was one of her first awakenings about the nature of the likely consequences of climate change.

SS mentions Dr. James Hansen as another influence and an earlier publication ‘Climate Change and Trace Gases’ as impressing on the need for change.

She says she was part of a team that presented climate change issues to political party conferences, sometimes including the head of the Meteorological Office.

For her, there is little doubt that there is a link between different amounts of carbon in the atmosphere and the resultant climatic changes.  Another work sited to illustrate these concerns: Mark Lynas - Six Degrees: Our Future on a Hotter Planet. 

Mr Rees asks her, what are climate changes causes?
The emitting of far to much CO2 by burning fossil fuels since the industrial revolution. Coal IS the biggest contributor to these changes and the most polluting.  The resulting CO2 causes changes in the composition of the atmosphere.  Interacting with the CO2, the suns rays then create a ‘greenhouse effect’ as more heat is absorbed.

SS goes on to explain the additional concern of ‘tipping points’. These are thresholds beyond which climate change spirals out of control. Instead of linear relationships,  conditions change beyond predictions and control. Reductions in carbon emissions are thus required now. We could be within 10 years of tipping points being reached before irreversibility.  Within the 8 years with Greenpeace as a climate campaign assistant, she has been a political advisor to politicians of all parties. Greenpeace however is non-political and supports no particular parties. 

She goes onto to explain meeting with groups like the Environmental Audit Committee and party conferences.  Mr Rees is showing that SS had engaged in the political process and not engaged in the ‘bit of the jolly’ the prosecution were trying to suggest.  SS had previously met with environment ministers, Gordon Brown, the then Chancellor. Members of the European Parliament MEP’s in meetings about European Environmental Targets,  and the attempts to influence politicians to engage in CO2 limiting processes.  But as far as she could see, little change was affected. She now works as a forest campaigner dealing with issues of de-forestation.

Mr Rees asks what has that got to do with climate change?   Forests by absorbing CO2  assist in keeping the balance. Forest burning contributes to CO2 emissions and a ‘domino effect’ is brought about. Trees store and absorb carbon, thus less trees = less CO2 absorbed.  Half of all species in the world are to be found in the Amazon.  Effects of climate changes would be unknown in the region.

SS says she is also aware of frightening projections in the reduced scale of the ice caps, perhaps in her lifetime. Again, there is a potential tipping point.  The ice will thus reflect less heat. The resultant ‘darker oceans’ will absorb more heat, accelerating the process of further melting. The consequences are unknown, of the excessive heating of the oceans. The collective processes are leading to organisms ‘soaking up’ less carbon.

Climate change is leading to an increase in flooding worldwide. She has had some personal experience of this. The burning of coal and the resulting carbon emitted is causally linked to this increase in flooding. It is an alarming prospect and it is necessary to think about alternatives like, wind and solar power.

E-on are burning coal because it’s cheaper.  When dealing with politicians she is very pessimistic about their political will to bring about the required changes. Going on to the Kyoto Treaty, the international agreement to limit greenhouse gases., she points out that it has not bought about the required restrictions. With limited ratifications, the USA had watered down meaningful requirements and politicians remained intransient.  SS says this had made her very pessimistic about the ability of politicians to affect change. On to the Copenhagen Conference, there is still no optimism in setting target or agreements of the required changes that are needed.

The proposed Ratcliffe action occurred before Copenhagen but she was aware of limitations on the build up to the Conference. Of course the conference didn’t result in any agreement on targets. To this day, this remains the case.  She says politics is clearly hopeless in bringing about changes and she remains pessimistic about bring about the required changes by political argument.  Politicians are ‘carrying on’ without view to the consequences.

Thus, she takes direct action. She did so to save 150,000 tons in carbon, that Ratcliffe emits a week.  Every ton counts towards effects and deaths. Thus stopping emission even for this short time, will saves lives, species, flooding, peoples’ livelihoods and property. Dealing with the proposed action, SS was part of the planning. Since Mid January 2009 to their arrest in April planning continued with the associated timeline. Later, she gives a briefing at the Iona School, in the lagal system and advice on arrest. This is based on the Climate Camp ‘bust card’ with advice to remain silent on questioning.  The defendant followed this advice.

On the day, people were to split into groups, some would lock onto the coal conveyors, some to climb a chimney. Entrance was to be achieved by simply driving through the front gate, only minimal opposition was to be expected since this would have been on the Bank Holiday weekend.

The Black team were to head for the conveyor, press the emergency stop button and occupy that plant.
Green team would climb a chimney, SS said she was part of that team. The object was to prevent the re-starting of the station. She said her main object was to stop emissions but realised ther would be press interest and would make the most of it.

Orange group to occupy the gates.

Silver group to surround the chimney.

Gold group to go to the control room and to explain action to staff. With a view to advising on safety measures.

Mr Rees takes her back to the school and the police action. The police broke in casing the damage previously described to the school.  Those present caused none of the resulting damage. Police would not let supporting groups back into the school to clean up after events. Preferring that the owners claimed on the insurance, adding to the costs of the operation of course.

Miss Felicity Gerry for the prosecution starts her cross examination. Confirming SS was involved in elements of the planning of the operations. Agreeing she was and confirming she was conspiring to close down the power station. She seeks to divide the defendants into ‘chiefs and indians’ but this wasn’t accepted.

Miss Geery went on to the ‘Ecological Show Stoppers’ Leaflet. This document was a complete sham. A cover to assemble the group. Just going to a workshop if challenged. Some people knew what they were going to without specifics, others were curious.

The prosecution tries to suggest no carbon would in fact be saved ! SS replies that if they had been successful a gas-fired station might have been stated instead with less CO2 resulting. The object was also to highlight the proposed construction of the Kingsnorth Station. But the reason for going to Ratcliffe was because it was owned by E-on and the second largest emitter of CO2 in the UK.

Miss Geery then goes on to highlight efforts that people made in hiding laptops, sim cards phones etc, and trying to flush materials down the toilet. Defendants did all this because they knew their action were unreasonable.. Legal briefings were necessary  because they knew they were committing a crime.  SS responds that there is a difference between trespassing as against the crimes against the lives and conditions of millions of people.

Attempts to say activists were on the fringes of society and actions can result in disengaging the public.  By taking such direct action, there is a risk of loosing public support for an issue. She seeks to marginalise their efforts.

The prosecution returns to criticising the defences argument of an existing ‘democratic deficit’. Miss Geery suggest all are remiss in not taking every opportunity in engaging with the public in argument  in a variety of groupings.

The prosecution then went on to suggest a bizarre list of ways that the activists could better have spent their time.
•    Woman’s Institute
•    Scout Groups
•    Police Federation
•    School
•    Universities
•    Factories
•    Trade Unions
•    Conservative Party meetings
•    Canvasing for politicians
•    Bingo Halls

Establishing her own credentials Miss Geery does this by letting the jury know that she bought second hand clothes and had a compost toilet, before the judge told her that her personal life wasn’t relevant to the court case.

She cited Paul McCartney and Coldplay’s Chris Martin as examples of effective environmentalism, through their involvement with ‘Meat Free Mondays’. Instead of closing down power stations, she suggested that the defendants would be better off searching for celebrity endorsements for the likes of ‘Turn-off Tuesdays” or “Switch-Off Sundays.” Finally, she suggested that the money that was spent on the action would have been better off hiring Cheryl Cole to model second hand fashions!!!!!!!

SS does agree that people do need to take individual action in their own lives.  But this is simply note enough, next to the size of the issues / probems.

For the defence, Mr Rees again get SS to reiterate the scale and magnitude of the required changes. That celebrity endorsement and action that people , just as individuals can make is not enough.

Witness SS stands down and court retires till after lunch.



IPCC Report: Millions At Risk Of Hunger And Water Stress In Asia Unless Global Greenhouse Emissions Cut
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/070410134724.htm

James Hansen - National Aeronautics and Space Administration,
Goddard Institute for Space Studies
http://pubs.giss.nasa.gov/abstracts/2007/Hansen_etal_2.html

Mark Lynas - Six Degrees: Our Future on a Hotter Planet
http://www.marklynas.org/books

From Cancún to Copenhagen: A year in climate change : As delegates from around the world descend on Cancún, Mexico, we reflect on 12 months of climate talks
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/gallery/2010/nov/29/cancun-climate-change-talks-copenhagen?CMP=twt_fd

In the afternoon, the defence calls Dr. James E. Hansen, Head of National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA’s Goddard Institute.  Mr Rees takes the jury through his large number of accolades and his experience since 1977.  He advised the Climate Task Force during the Bush administration on the role of humans in accelerating climate changes.

He published work titled ‘Storm of my Grandchildren’,  Mr Rees asks about the reference to grandchildren?  It takes decades for full effects of any changes to take place. But it’s put to him you can’t predict the weather a week ahead in Nottingham, so how on earth can we predict these climate effects decades ahead. 

There are trends. For the planet to be in equilibrium, energy radiating would be equal to the energy received. Human processes have been upsetting this balance. CO2, methane and other gases absorb infra-red. There is little effect on the radiation coming in but it does prevent heat leaving at the same rate, acting like a blanket around the earth. That all is getting warmer, there is no significant challenge to these concepts.

Additionally, there is an amplifying feedback.  As the planet becomes warmer, the ice surface diminishes.  Thus the larger area of ‘darker oceans’ heats up faster.  A slow change but inexorable and would take millennium to return to an equilibrium.  As oceans become warmer, it gives up CO2 to the atmosphere, another amplifying feedback.

Mr Rees asks how we know this process is anything to do with human interventions.  It is now clear that human influences far exceed natural changes. 10,000 times faster than changes before the industrial revolution.  Referring to changes since the last ice age, there will of course be natural changes, but humans are contributing to these cycles.

Asked what if nothing is done, what’s the impact? Dr Hansen says disintegration of the ice sheets, extermination of species and taking tens of thousands of years to regenerate.  Thus, our grandchildren will inherit a more desolate planet than we have inhabited. We are approaching tipping points when these processes will become alarming.  There is disagreement about the rates of change, but, large agreement about it consequences.   Being shown many maps, graphs and charts, Dr Hansen interprets ranges of effects leading to ocean rising levels. In Europe, there are higher human populations living next to coasts because of historical maritime commerce. There are of course grave effects awaiting the millions of Bangladesh and numerous islands. The IPCC says that ‘business as usual’ will result in catastrophic rises in ocean levels within this century.

Mr Rees says we now come to ‘King Coal’ why is this fuel significant?  Dr Hansen say that it’s because the stocks are so much larger than oil and gas reserves in the earth. Further all resources are finite, with the approach of ‘peak oil’, oil and gas will become more expensive as it becomes more problematic to extract dwindling reserves. Burning coal is the dirtiest of fuels and should be left in the ground. We simply must phase out coal burning for energy generation.

Why is urgent to take action now?  It’s because it’s plain that we are approaching these tipping points, and we need to limit amounts of additional CO2 emissions or it wont be possible to avoid passing them.  Thus causing distress to future generations.  Resulting in imbalances in processes for a very long time. Current governmental target are meaningless without phasing out coal burning.  ‘Business as Usual’, might lead to 5degC increase in this century and the planet wont look like it has for the last 10,000 years.

Dr Hansen says it is obvious that unless coal is not burnt, then governments are lying in what they say are their stated aims.  I can see why young people are upset when faced with such deception.  Referring to the fluctuations in climate described in the many graphs, charts and maps it is apparent humans are changing what is normal.

Miss Gerry cross-examines.  Dr Hansen says he’s done his best to educate the public on shortcoming governments. They are mainly influenced in policy by fossil fuel industries. The public needs to be better informed to thus bring about political pressure.  He appears pessimistic that governments are listening to peoples concerns.

If we shut all the power stations, and coal mines, what are the alternatives?  At present, we don’t have an alternative. Simply improving energy efficiency is not enough.  What can ordinary people do?  Influence politicians. Burning materials slower wont do it. People see companies lobbying for ‘business as usual’ as having a disproportionate  effect on policy.  Deniers and contrarians are given equal weight, but they shouldn’t be since opinions are well out of proportions in numbers believing their is nothing to worry about. 

He says the media is failing to give the public an explanation on these issues.  Sometimes they are funded by corporations with their own agendas.  The public cannot hold the politician to account if they are under informed.

Miss Gerry asks if we carry on, are we all going to die? Dr Hansen says yes, we are all going to die anyway. But during the lifetime of our children, there will be many changes to our planets distress.

Governments continue to ignore their responsibility to young people.

There was then a ripple of applause from the public and disapproving looks from court officials. You’re not supposed to do this in courts!

Dr. James E. Hansen :  Storms of My Grandchildren:
The Truth About the Coming Climate Catastrophe and Our Last Chance to Save Humanity.   ISBN-13: 978-1608192007

Dr. James E. Hansen, Head of National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA’s Goddard Institute http://www.giss.nasa.gov/staff/jhansen.html


The case continues a bit more …….. etc


____________________________________________
ALAN LODGE
Photographer - Media: One Eye on the Road. Nottingham.  UK
Email:                 tash@indymedia.org
Web:                   http://digitaljournalist.eu
Member of the National Union of Journalists [NUJ]
____________________________________________
"It is not enough to curse the darkness.
                                   It is also necessary to light a lamp!!"
___________________________________________
<ends>

Full article

Emergency-Forced Deportation Tuesday London

29-11-2010 23:58

PLEASE GO AND SUPPORT....

Full article

LEGAL INFO for student day of action

29-11-2010 23:25

We hope no one will need this information, but let's all be prepared. Keep an eye out tomorrow for people handing out leaflets with phone numbers for legal support.
IF YOU ARE ARRESTED you are entitled to:
- REMAIN SILENT. We strongly recommend you answer 'no comment' to all questions during interview, for your own benefit & that of others. From the moment you are stopped everything you say is evidence - there is no such thing as a 'friendly chat'. The police are trained to get information out of you, so stay strong. Do not sign any statements.
- Be told what you are arrested for.- Not to give your name, address or date of birth (but this will delay your release). However, your photo, prints & DNA can be taken without your consent.
- Have one phone call made on your behalf informing someone of your arrest. We recommend that you ask the custody sergeant to contact Arrestee Support (number available tomorrow). Tell the police that you authorise them to talk to Arrestee Support about you & your welfare so we can monitor your welfare & hopefully arrange someone to meet you on your release.
- You are entitled to free legal advice
- A translator if English is not your first language
- request a copy of PACE codes to read (then you will know all your rights in custody). Do ask.
- A medical examination if you feel unwell or hurt (inform the custody officer if you are on medication).

IF YOU ARE UNDER 17
- You will be required to have an appropriate adult present during interview.
- The police will ideally want a parent/legal guardian, but if they are unavailable you can either have a social worker (which we do not recommend) or another responsible adult. This can be any adult but the police might not agree to someone with a criminal record or who was on the protest.

IF YOU SEE / EXPERIENCE INAPPROPRIATE POLICE BEHAVIOUR
- Not the officers' numbers, find other witnesses.
- Make a detailed note of what happened as soon as you can. Include the time & date that you made it.
- Consider complaining about the police officer. Email us for more information about this. If you have a serious injury consult a solicitor first.
- Tell everyone you know.

Contact us: bristolarresteesupport [at] riseup [dot] net
Phone number available on the day.

For more information on the law & your rights see http://www.activistslegalproject.org.uk/

Full article

Yorkshire Solidarity with Jock Palfreeman

29-11-2010 22:32

This Saturday -December 4th.

Full article | 2 comments

Sussex Police intelligence failure

29-11-2010 20:40

A press release from Sussex Police on the November 30 protest planned for Brighton shows their intelligence has failed - yet again.

Full article | 1 addition | 1 comment

Cambridge Old Schools Occupation now in Day Four.

29-11-2010 20:21

A view of Senate House...
Day four of the Old Schools student occupation, and it seems there have been a few changes.

Full article | 2 comments

Nottingham Students Protest Fees and Cuts - Press Release

29-11-2010 20:10

Despite heavy snow, 500 students have pledged they will attend the National Day of Action against Fees and Cuts on Tuesday the 30th of November in Nottingham.*

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Against Cuts - Essex / East London

29-11-2010 20:06

New collective organising resistance against the cuts and government oppression.

Get involved.

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Ratcliffe Day 5 - Hansens says govt lie on climate

29-11-2010 19:28

Report from the afternoon session of day 5 of the Ratcliffe trial

This long awaited afternoon in Nottingham Crown Court saw NASA scientist James Hansen give evidence as an expert witness.

The result was a dramatic combination of courtroom drama and complex university lecture. The jury heard Hansen give detailed explanations, assisted by colourful graphs, of the seriousness of human-induced climate change, including the 'dead certainty' of sea level rise by 12 metres this century.

Hansen emphasised that in a genuine democracy, public knowledge of climate change could be used to leverage the government. However, considering that governments are being influenced by fossil fuel companies to continue Business As Usual, public knowledge of climate change is not itself enough.

Hansen explained that individual efforts to reduce carbon footprints would at best only delay the inevitable. Phasing out coal completely, on the other hand, would solve 80% of the problem: “We need to leave it in the ground!”  When commenting on the motives for the defendants, James Hansen said that, “It doesn’t surprise me that young people are angry when they know that politicians are lying to them.”

When challenged by the judge as to the measurable effects of the defendants' proposed action, Hansen noted they the action could have prevented one, if not more, species from becoming extinct. On average, Hansen elaborated, a coal-fired power station of Ratcliffe's size is responsible for the extinction of 400 species in its 50 year lifetime.

Court continues tomorrow at 10am, with more defendants being called to give evidence.



Full article | 1 addition | 1 comment

A Brief History of Kettling

29-11-2010 19:14

The police tactic of “kettling” was first used at N30, the anti-WTO summit protest at Euston station, London, November 1999. It was introduced after the disastrous policing efforts during J18 (Carnival Against Capital) some months previously where anti-capitalists and anarchist demonstrators roamed free throughout the city of London causing mayhem as part of the global protests against the G8 summit.

The process of kettling involves lines of police forcefully corralling people together into a space then surrounding the whole group on all sides preventing them from leaving the cordoned-in area. Any attempt by people to leave the cordon would result in physically being attacked by police (usually with batons, often with riot shields, boots and fists) in order to preserve the kettle. Detention in this manner would last several hours. After people have become bored, tired and cold they would be released in a controlled fashion, usually one person at a time, after being searched, photographed and had their names and addresses taken.

Full article | 1 comment

Ratcliffe Trial: James Hansen says governments are lying on climate change

29-11-2010 18:39

This long awaited afternoon in Nottingham Crown Court saw NASA scientist James Hansen give evidence as an expert witness.

Full article

The students are revolting again - tomorrow

29-11-2010 18:22

tomorrow (tuesday 30th) 11am college green there is a second student demo callled, as always solidarity is welcomed, here are the details for those without facebook....
Callout on facebook reads:
"EVERYONE TRY TO WEAR BLACK SO WE ALL LOOK LIKE A TEAM!

STARTS AT 11.. AND FINISHS WHEN IT FINISHS.. were all one team here.. a non violent team.

WE NEED TO CONTINUE THE CAMPAIGN - KEEP UP THE PRESSURE STUDENT STRIKE! ON TUESDAY 30th NOVEMBER!

DO NOT COME WITH THE INTENTION TO BE VIOLENT

It's not long now until the Con-Dems try to pass their education cuts through parliament, and if they do – we will keep fighting!

But in the meantime – ALL OUT FOR THE 30 NOVEMBER!

• No to fees
• No to cuts

(tax the filthy rich to fund education for all)

We say:
• No to every cut!
• Publish the financial records – we won't tolerate rich and bloated managers
• Teachers' unions – bring forward your grievances – we should strike together!"
(2,191 "attending" for those that want to know)

Hope to see some of you out in the streets tomorrow!

Full article

words from a police kettle

29-11-2010 17:22

David Graeber and Clare Colomon speak from inside the police kettle on 24th November 2010.

Full article

FreeBus Pilot Weekend

29-11-2010 17:22

FreeBus Takes to the Road!
FreeBus is a charity which aims to provide a comprehensive, environmentally friendly - and free - bus service for Bristol. Since the project launched in July over 400 local people have joined.

December 10th / 11th is the FreeBus Pilot Weekend, with a hired bus picking people up from Temple Meads Station and around the city centre.

There'll be live music, mince pies, crazy costumes, general merrymaking and of course free bus rides for all!

We need as many people as possible to come down on Friday 10th December from 11am - 3pm. We'll be based mainly at Temple Meads.

Please spread the word, come down and get on board!
www.freebus.org.uk

Full article

Don't Send Them Back To Afghanistan & Iraq! [1]

29-11-2010 17:22

Friday December 10th is International Human Rights Day. To mark that day, Bristol Stop The War Coalition is pleased to be joining with Bristol Refugee Rights and others in raising awareness of the serious matter of enforced returns of asylum seekers to Afghanistan and Iraq. The British government has categorised both these war-torn countries as 'safe places' to which asylum seekers will be forcibly returned. In many cases these are people who have lived in Britain for many years and made their homes here. Returning to Afghanistan and Iraq they face great danger. A recent report produced by Oxfam and 29 other aid organisations gives a clear description of the dangers to civilians in Afghanistan and the part the British & US occupation plays in creating these dangers. See http://www.oxfam.org/en/policy/nowhere-turn where the report can be downloaded.

There will be direct testimony from a former member of Bristol Refugee Rights who has been returned to Afghanistan and from others who have direct up-to-date knowledge of the situation 'on the ground'.

Come and hear how the British Government is endangering the lives of Afghan and Iraqi asylum-seekers by forcibly deporting them to their countries of origin.

Venue :Refugee Welcome Centre, Newton Hall, Newton Street, Bristol, BS5 0QZ

Date: 10th December 2010

6pm – Welcome with food from around the world

7pm – Learn the facts on enforced deportations and how to help campaign against them – testimony from asylum seekers, plus Minoo Jalali ( former legal officer at Avon and Bristol Law Centre) and Steve Bell (Stop The War Coalition)

8.30pm – Fund-raising Party - music, theatre and dancing

Map: http://www.bing.com/maps/?where1=BS5%200QZ%20,GB&FORM=M...REDIR

For further information email bristolstopwar@hotmail.com

Full article

An Evening Of Fun With Bristol Stop The War

29-11-2010 17:22

Help us raise the money needed to campaign against the continuing occupation of Afghanistan both locally and nationally – and have some fun at the same time
Date: Thursday December 16th
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: The Golden Guinea pub, 19 Guinea Street, Redcliffe, Bristol BS1 6SX
Map: http://www.bing.com/maps/?where1=BS1%206SX%20,GB&FORM=M...REDIR

This is by the main entrance of Bristol General Hospital in Redcfliffe. The room we will use is in the basement, entrance down the stairs in the bar.

Quiz, live music, raffle, other fun

Please come and bring your friends/family/neighbours

For further information email bristolstopwar@hotmail.com

Full article | 3 comments

Another video emerges from Millbank.

29-11-2010 17:03

Hard to see reason for this charge, crowd is loose, police not threatened:  http://youtu.be/MfTSdKUSwNo

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Torture Evidence Appeal Hearing: Tuesday 30 November, Court of Appeal, London, 1

29-11-2010 16:26

In 2008, Rangzieb Ahmed from Rochdale was sentenced to life in prison for directing acts of terrorism and was ordered to serve a minimum of ten years. In late June this year, he was given leave to appeal his convictions following allegations that he had been tortured in Pakistan with the complicity of the UK intelligence services.

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Ratcliffe Trial Day 5 - Cheryl Cole gets props

29-11-2010 16:23

Trial Day 5 - Cheryl Cole more effective than direct action

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http://ratcliffeontrial.org/2010/11/day-5-cheryl-cole-more-effective-than-direct-action/

Week two, Monday morning. As the politicians and industry lobbyists gather in Cancun Mexico for another round of the ill-fated climate talks, Sarah Shoraka, one of those who was arrested in the attempt to shut down Ratcliffe took the stand to eloquently explain why there is a ‘democratic deficit’ when it comes to climate change.

This was the opening for the defence, the chance to lay out why the defendants were compelled to attempt to shut down the third biggest source of emissions in the UK. Sarah spoke of her fears about climate change, and her concern that we are heading towards ‘the tipping point’ of no return. Sarah has been a campaigner for some years, and has had a lot of experience in presenting information to MPs, environment ministers, submitting evidence and answering questions, and has recognized that this approach is limited in the face of the magnitude of the threat of climate change.

 While press interest in the action would have been a pleasing side effect, Sarah stressed that there was a very real, and concrete climate benefit in the action. If Ratcliffe had been stopped, E.ON would have been forced to switch to more expensive, but much less emissions-intensive gas in order to meet it’s energy production shortfall, reducing more emissions in this one action than Sarah would have been responsible for in her entire lifetime.

 The prosecution then went on to cross-examine Sarah. The main line of offence at this point seems to be “you are all very smart and well organized, but how unfortunately misguided about these tactics you are.” The prosecutor said that direct action would make you look “quirky and kooky” to “ordinary people.” Ignoring or misunderstanding Sarah’s knowledge of the relative emissions-intensity of coal vs gas, the prosecutor insisted that no emissions would have been saved as E.ON would have made up the shortfall from somewhere.

 The prosecution then went on to suggest a bizarre list of ways that the activists could better have spent their time. She started off establishing her credentials to do this by letting the jury know that she bought second hand clothes and had a compost toilet, before the judge told her that her personal life wasn’t relevant to the court case.

 She cited Paul McCartney and Coldplay’s Chris Martin as examples of effective environmentalism, through their involvement with ‘Meat Free Mondays’. Instead of closing down power stations, she suggested that the defendants would be better off searching for celebrity endorsements for the likes of ‘Turn-off Tuesdays” or “Switch-Off Sundays.” Finally, she suggested that the money that was spent on the action would have been better off hiring Cheryl Cole to model second hand fashions.

 We are contacting the UK delegation to Cancun to see if it is not too late for these radical new solutions to climate change to be tabled.

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