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Global Climate Change March, London Dec 8, 2007

Peter Marshall | 10.12.2007 10:29 | Climate Chaos | Ecology | London | World

The march showed growing public concern about climate change with over 6,000 marchers and several hundred cyclists making their way through the centre of London. It was a one of over 50 world-wide actions before the UN Climate Change talks in Bali. Images are copyright.

Picket at Tecso Metro, Lower Regent St. (C) Peter Marshall
Picket at Tecso Metro, Lower Regent St. (C) Peter Marshall

Cyclists at Piccadilly Circus. (C) Peter Marshall
Cyclists at Piccadilly Circus. (C) Peter Marshall

Cut Carbon Not Forests. (C) Peter Marshall
Cut Carbon Not Forests. (C) Peter Marshall

Going Green in SE15. (C) Peter Marshall
Going Green in SE15. (C) Peter Marshall

Sea Level 2012. (C) Peter Marshall
Sea Level 2012. (C) Peter Marshall

No Third Runway. (C) Peter Marshall
No Third Runway. (C) Peter Marshall

The Statue of Taking Liberties. (C) Peter Marshall
The Statue of Taking Liberties. (C) Peter Marshall

Say No to Heathrow Expansion (C) Peter Marshall
Say No to Heathrow Expansion (C) Peter Marshall

Polar Bears. (C) Peter Marshall
Polar Bears. (C) Peter Marshall

Global Revolution. (C) Peter Marshall
Global Revolution. (C) Peter Marshall


Around 10am a small group of activists against bio-fuels started a picket of Tesco Metro in Lower Regent Street. Police pushed them into a small pen by the roadside, while allowing two people to hand out leaflets at the store entrance. Several hundred cyclists arrived around 11am, filling the road outside as they stood listening to a short speech, which was followed by a minute or so of silence before they cycled off past Eros and down Picadilly.

The main march was gathering in Millbank, and despite the wind and rain it was an impressive gathering. At the front of the march was the greenhouse containing the globe of the Campaign against Climate Change, led by the 'Statue of Taking Liberties'. The march began at the Houses of Parliament to emphsize the need for a strong Climate Bill that will really cut emissions rather than simply fudge the issue with carbon trading and offsets, and went to Grosvenor Square, and US Embassy. America remains the major opposition to any progress over tackling the problem as well as being the worst per person emitter.

Among the marchers were numerous Santas, Reindeer, Polar Bears and a few elves as well as our favourite mermaid, reminding onlookers of the problem of the melting of polar ice and the resulting rise in sea level, as well as raising the spirits of the marchers.

Prominent in the march were groups of protesters carrying placards 'No Third Runway', protesting against the madness of airport expansion at Heathrow - as well as other protesters from Stanstead.

There were also large groups making clear that the crisis is a political one, caused by capitalism, and that political change is needed to solve it. Vegans were also present to point out that the farming of animals is a major world-wide source of carbon dioxide.

Although the speeches at the end of the rally showed some differences in approach to the problem, what was clear was a wide opinion behind urgent action and an end to government policies that continue the ruination of the environment.

More pictures shortly on 'My London Diary'  http://mylondondiary.co.uk which also has pictures of the Summer 2007 Climate Change demo - and most earlier Climate Change events in London since 2002.

Images are copyright, available for free use only under an "anti-ripoff" licence. Organisations that pay editors and designers should also pay photographers.

Peter Marshall
- e-mail: petermarshall@cix.co.uk
- Homepage: http://mylondondiary.co.uk

Additions

Climate Change March – 08/12/2007. Some Pics, Only 10000

10.12.2007 20:08













Some Pics from the March on Saturday

Also some from the Campaign against Climate Change Website

I agree with Kriptick on all the points about the poor commitment being made towards Environment Issues. At the same time I wonder if it is possible to get any Eco – Friendly action out of people that profit from being Eco-Unfriendly. What absolutely bugged the f*ck out of me throughout the march were all the everyday people that we passed and how they just stared, took pics and did not get stuck in with us … some even ignoring the march completely. I have some kind of Realist understanding of why the Fat Cats and Politicians avoid the urgency behind the Climate Change issue, but how can common people act as though it does not affect them and the future generations?

I cannot fathom the apathy that the majority of people have towards the situation of our environment. People that are conscious have different views as to what the solution is, ranging from Class Struggle and the State through to War and Arms Trading … but I am sure can all agree that the degradation of the Earth is the single biggest issue that everyone is a part of. 10000 people attending the March and there are 7.5 million people living in London and 12 – 14 million people living in the wider London area alone … and many of the 10000 came from outside of London. Pouring Rain does not speak for the rest of the population. In light of the theme of this march, the turnout is nothing short of disgraceful … shame on those that feel that they are some how above the issue. And as for those that would preface ignorance about the March on Saturday, well ones focus determines their reality!

It is not just sad, but incredibly distressing that so few people took part on Saturday … But well done to those that did!

Refuse Resist

DonB.


Comments

Display the following 3 comments

  1. ... — hmmm
  2. "how can common people act as though it does not affect them..?" — kriptick
  3. What was the carbun footprint of this demo then? — http://pretentiousartist.com/