23rd August 2007

Read Philip's blog on the climate change camp here and see letter to Echo by clicking on 'Read more' and below Cheltenham Green party member Janet Thomas writes about the camp.

Photo: Last years demo against Staverton airport's expansion

Letter to the Echo:

I read with concern your editorial about the Gloucestershire protesters who joined the Climate Change camp at Heathrow (Echo18/08/07). Several points need addressing if we are not to perpetuate seriously dangerous misconceptions.

You note that "air travel is one of the miracles of the modern age, not the total scourge which the protesters might have us believe". In fact there is no dispute: aircraft are amongst the most CO2 intensive methods of travel and CO2 emitted at altitude increases global warming by up to a factor of four. If aviation is allowed to grow at current projections it will account for all permitted greenhouse gas emissions - across all sectors - before 2045.

You note Jo Public wants holidays, but the science says we cannot expand aviation. In any case it is largely the wealthy who fly: the average salary of passengers using British airports is £48,000 and the proportion of lower income households who fly has shrunk since 2000 despite falling prices. 10% of people, mostly the better off, have accounted for fully half of all flights and we should not forget aviation is subsidised annually in this country by £10.4 billion (WDM figure for this year).

You note the ozone layer matters but that is a separate issue from climate change. You suggest the answer is "planes which are light on fuel". Even the latest planes consume only 12 percent less fuel. Indeed waiting for an aeroplane that doesn’t cause climate change is like holding out for a cigarette that doesn’t cause cancer. It’s just not scientifically credible.

Our Government is failing us: emissions are rising. We need our local press to tell us the truth: to tell us what the scientists are saying. The real irony, of course, is that a radical transformation that Greens advocate, is a win-win: warmer homes, stronger communities, tastier food, less time in traffic jams – even an end to the "status anxiety" which makes so many of us unhappy or even depressed. If we do not take these actions very soon scientists show we will make this planet uninhabitable. There is no question the Heathrow camp is the most important protest of our time.

Janet Thomas, Cheltenham Green party member writes about her experences at the camp: 

Heathrow, August 2007

I went to climate camp. Frankly I love wild camping. I prefer it when it doesn’t rain and there is a clear, fresh spring, waterfall to bathe in. However!

Arrived on public transport, national coach to Heathrow, then 401 (I think) to location. On alighting I was thanked by local Indian Take-Away owners for helping them to fight the proposed runway this on asking them the way to THE FIELD.

The thing that impressed me most, although at times it did feel like hippy campus, was the way the meals were organised and that there was an extremely efficient internet café out there in a wet soggy field.

Average menu – vegan (so inclusive) Greek salad (without feta cheese) Pasta with stir fry vegetables. Chocolate cake.

WI _ FI to boot!

Considering no-one was getting paid to deliver, the meals in most neighbourhood camps were positively cordon bleu. OMG, I love camping without having to pay a 17 quid a night fee too. Love the fact that the penniless can come anyway and be carried by the better off. Every significant movement needs a few tramps…

The lavs, it has to be said, were an acquired taste. These compost lavs stank. But considering the number of people they were servicing they stank far less than your average concrete block with mains water flushing. And whatabout the army of volunteers shovelling sh…… Now that’s what I call committed.!

I saw a fantabulous movie, this in the kiddies tent day 3, a close up of the lives of various insects, most of the species residing in my tent. The kiddies were transfixed( wish I’d got the name of the movie and the director (geniuspobably a wild camper) but of course was too preoccupied to bother.

Attended a meeting or two. One where we brainstormed on how to infiltrate corporations. The most contributions came from myself and the one and only George Monbiot who was sitting on a bale and seemed to be enjoying himself.

I’m too old to be attending such gigs apparently but although I’ve reached the gran old age of fifty-two I experienced no particular ageism. Refrshing! An eye opener too considering that at work I’m secretly/lovingly known as ye olde troute.

One of the best things I saw there was a weirdo go-cart bike made and ridden by a bunch of ecstatic kids.

One person I spoke to after the event said the telly portrayed it as a festival. She said this as thoug it was inappropriate for such a serious issue. In a way it was a fest. No reason why seriousness about an issue shouldn’t include a massive dose of fun. Frankly I wouldn’t be involved if there wasn’t a party too…I’m no puritan…Sod that for a lark!


 

Cllr. Philip Booth, Press Officer, Gloucestershire Green Party.