Tony Blair recently said "it would be very odd if people came to protest against this G8... I don’t quite know what they’ll be protesting against" - a comment that underlies the way that the UK Government has been working to paint the G8 as a progressive force for good when it comes to tackling Climate Change, Poverty and Debt.
However there's a wealth of critical literature from a wide range of sources that clearly spell out some of the problems with the G8 and reasons why people will be protesting.
Even as Chancellor Gordon Brown backs calls for people to attend Make Poverty History protests in Edinburgh, groups within that coalition are at pains to point out that the UK Government is actualy part of the problem and not the solution.
While most mainstream press coverage either limits itself to celebrity led headline demands like 'Dopt The Debt' or publishes articles that read like Treasury Department press releases, a grass roots movement is preparing to confront the G8 world leaders, to take action understanding that it is indeed action that's required now - the time for hollow words has passed into the pages of history.
It's time to Make History, not talk about it.
G8 Background, Briefings and Research:
"Bringing Home The G8" - 52 Page In Depth Corporate Watch Report
Report Update: The Commission for Africa and Corporate Involvement
'2005 and Sustainable Development' briefing: Why The Uk Governemnt is Part of the Problem (pdf)
The G8: A Study in Power (or Why People Should Protest)
People and Planet G8 Basic Briefing (pdf)
The G8 Climate Chaos Criminals (2 page intro pdf)
LEAKED: G8 Climate Decisions Draft and response from FOE
"Up In Smoke" Report - 40 pages on impacts of climate change on the environment and human rights (pdf)
FOE Climate Change Briefings: Expert | Basic Briefings
BeyondOil: The oil curse and solutions for an oil-free future (pdf)
Emissions Trading (pdfs): Climate Fraud And Carbon Colonialism | Where the Trees are a Desert | The Sky is Not the Limit
House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee attacks Govs Climate Stance
International Call to Action on Root Causes of Climate Change On Final Day of G8 Summit 8th July 2005
FOE Climate Alarm Action - Thursday 7 July 2005
Corporate Watch Special G8 Issue:
Highlights include: The G8 Summit: Better Living Through Corporate Rule?
The Alcopop Summit - Gleneagles Hotel owner Diageo's Corporate Interests
Climate Change and the G8 - No Solutions Here
The Corporate Assault on Africa (aka the Commission and Action Plan)
Scotland Plc Report
Hydrating the G8 - Water Exploitation from UK to Brazil
Atomic Waste UK
UK Aid: Teaching Tanzinia to want water privatisation
Glasgow's Southside faces M74 Motorway Threat
G8 Audio Materials for Download:
Why Close The G8? (audio from the film - a basic introduction to the G8)
In Depth G8 Interview with Mark Curtis on The UK Governement, G8 and Protests
"Voices from Africa" Conference - G8 - Migrants - Aid, Trade, Debt - HIV
G8 Music Remix - UK Government Policy + Media Manipultaion
G8 July 2005: Scotland: Trident Nuclear Submarine Base Blockade Interview
Hate Mail Spoof Newspaper Interview on Migrant Issues
The above is just a small selection of materials. There's a lot missing, from illustrations of the G8's role in militarisation, arms and nuclear weapons to moves to introduce nuclear power as a solution to climate change etc etc
Even as Chancellor Gordon Brown backs calls for people to attend Make Poverty History protests in Edinburgh, groups within that coalition are at pains to point out that the UK Government is actualy part of the problem and not the solution.
While most mainstream press coverage either limits itself to celebrity led headline demands like 'Dopt The Debt' or publishes articles that read like Treasury Department press releases, a grass roots movement is preparing to confront the G8 world leaders, to take action understanding that it is indeed action that's required now - the time for hollow words has passed into the pages of history.
It's time to Make History, not talk about it.
G8 Background, Briefings and Research:
"Bringing Home The G8" - 52 Page In Depth Corporate Watch Report
Report Update: The Commission for Africa and Corporate Involvement
'2005 and Sustainable Development' briefing: Why The Uk Governemnt is Part of the Problem (pdf)
The G8: A Study in Power (or Why People Should Protest)
People and Planet G8 Basic Briefing (pdf)
The G8 Climate Chaos Criminals (2 page intro pdf)
LEAKED: G8 Climate Decisions Draft and response from FOE
"Up In Smoke" Report - 40 pages on impacts of climate change on the environment and human rights (pdf)
FOE Climate Change Briefings: Expert | Basic Briefings
BeyondOil: The oil curse and solutions for an oil-free future (pdf)
Emissions Trading (pdfs): Climate Fraud And Carbon Colonialism | Where the Trees are a Desert | The Sky is Not the Limit
House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee attacks Govs Climate Stance
International Call to Action on Root Causes of Climate Change On Final Day of G8 Summit 8th July 2005
FOE Climate Alarm Action - Thursday 7 July 2005
Corporate Watch Special G8 Issue:
Highlights include: The G8 Summit: Better Living Through Corporate Rule?
The Alcopop Summit - Gleneagles Hotel owner Diageo's Corporate Interests
Climate Change and the G8 - No Solutions Here
The Corporate Assault on Africa (aka the Commission and Action Plan)
Scotland Plc Report
Hydrating the G8 - Water Exploitation from UK to Brazil
Atomic Waste UK
UK Aid: Teaching Tanzinia to want water privatisation
Glasgow's Southside faces M74 Motorway Threat
G8 Audio Materials for Download:
Why Close The G8? (audio from the film - a basic introduction to the G8)
In Depth G8 Interview with Mark Curtis on The UK Governement, G8 and Protests
"Voices from Africa" Conference - G8 - Migrants - Aid, Trade, Debt - HIV
G8 Music Remix - UK Government Policy + Media Manipultaion
G8 July 2005: Scotland: Trident Nuclear Submarine Base Blockade Interview
Hate Mail Spoof Newspaper Interview on Migrant Issues
The above is just a small selection of materials. There's a lot missing, from illustrations of the G8's role in militarisation, arms and nuclear weapons to moves to introduce nuclear power as a solution to climate change etc etc
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