Get on board
THe wave the uk’s biggest climate change march
we are 11,000,000 legends Action Aid ACTSA Airport Watch A Rocha Association for the Conservation of Energy Baldernock Community Council CAFOD Cambridge Carbon Footprint Campaign against Climate Change Campaign for Greener Healthcare Campaign to Protect Rural England Cap and Share Carplus Centre for Alternative Technology Challenge to Change Christian Aid Christian Ecology Link Church of Scotland Climate Friendly Bradford on Avon Climate Outreach and Information Network Commitment for Life - United Reformed Church Come off It Concern Worldwide Scotland Cool the World DESERTEC-UK Earth Restoration Service Environmental Justice Foundation Envision Episcopal Church Ethical Consumer Edinburgh University Student Association Friends of the Earth Friends of the Earth Scotland Glasgow Eco-Renovation Network Glasgow SRC Green TV
Greenpeace Heriot Watt Health In Your Environment The Iona Community Intelligence Squared Green Festival on Climate Change Internuncio Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences Islamic Relief Jewish Community Center for London Justice and Peace Scotland Linlithgow Climate Challenge Low Carbon Communities Make Poverty History Northeast Medact Medsin-UK MercyCorps Scotland MRDF National Trust for Scotland Northfield Ecocentre Norwich Action on Climate NUS One World UK Operation Noah Oxfam Peace Child International People & Planet Plan B Planet Positive Portsmouth Climate Action Network Practical Action Progressio Rainforests Guyana Campaign RSPB Salvation Army Save our World SCC Cymru
SCC Leeds SCC Scotland SCIAF Scottish Action on Climate Change Scottish Association for Mental Health SCVO (Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations) Scottish Seabird Centre SEAD Shared Energy SPEAK Spokes (The Lothian Cycle Campaign) Student Christian Movement Students for a Free Tibet Surfers Against Sewage Sustrans Swindon Climate Action Network (SCAN) Take Global Warming Seriously Tearfund The Wildlife Trusts Tikambilanie - Sustainable Communication Tolerance International Transform Scotland UK Youth Climate Coalition UNA UNICEF UK Unison Viva! Winchester Action on Climate Change WE CAN Wolverhampton Stop Climate Chaos Women’s Environmental Network Women’s Institute Woodland Trust World Development Movement WWF - UK Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust 999 - Planet in Peril
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wave goodbye to the past And hello to you, our future The people power movement to stop climate chaos.
On Saturday 5th December, London, Glasgow and Belfast will be home to a beautiful coming together of thousands and thousands and thousands of people. From all walks of life people will stream through the streets to be The Wave. This will be the biggest outpouring of public feeling to end climate chaos that the UK has ever seen.
Amazing. December will see world leaders gather in Copenhagen to agree the way forwards on tackling climate change. Yet as we write this, our leaders’ actions aren’t living up to their words. Whether or not a deal is agreed is in the balance. However our climate is also in the balance, and close to tipping point. This is an historic moment. Which is why you are so important. Over the next few pages we’d like to take you on a journey. From the beginning of the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition, to the Copenhagen talks, to what can happen next. A journey from our precarious present to a blooming marvellous future.
See you on The Wave
and Say hello to the future
Fair Cop?
From 7-18 December 2009, representatives from 192 countries will meet in Copenhagen, Denmark. Their job is to agree a new international deal to stop climate change. This will build on the Kyoto Protocol, the first phase of which expires in 2012, and in turn prevent runaway climate change. So as you may have guessed, it’s kind of important. Officially the meeting is the 15th meeting of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of Parties (or COP 15 for short). Climate change is a global problem, as it affects the very ecosystem on which we all depend and are part of, so it seems natural that we work together to find global solutions. In the 12 years since the Kyoto Protocol was agreed in 1997, the science on climate change has only got clearer, yet emissions from greenhouse gases that cause climate change have continued to rise. The science is telling us to act decisively but so far the politicians are failing to rise to this challenge. Is this what you want? While it won’t be our MPs who are in Copenhagen themselves, they are our representatives, there to act on our behalf and for the best interests of us all. They can ensure that the UK is genuinely taking action at home to cut its emissions. This will help the UK to get the best possible deal at Copenhagen. MPs can help shape what position Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Ed Miliband, take, as they enter the negotiations.
I’ve campaigned against injustice for years. Politicians take notice when people feel so strongly about something they are prepared to travel and join together to make their voices stronger. Pauline Derwas, 64, Shrewsbury CAFOD
The Wave is about creating a pressure that our MPs and leaders simply can’t ignore. When they don’t listen, well, we have to make them. That’s what The Wave is about. Coming together, standing up, and making our voices heard. It’s part of a long and proud tradition of people power that we have in this country. The Wave is part of this lineage, and by taking part, you’re making history and literally shaping the future. What could be more exciting than making the world better? The path forward isn’t going to be easy. The UK and other industrialised countries, have been producing way more greenhouse gases than many others. This means we have much more work to do. But then that only seems fair: we created the mess, so we should be most proactive in cleaning it up. It doesn’t seem like rocket science, it just feels like the right thing to do.
Building The Wave The Stop Climate Chaos Timeline 1 September 2005 Launch of Stop Climate Chaos Coalition – 500 campaigners form a human sculpture. 28 February 2006 Coalition Board meet then Prime Minister Tony Blair at Number 10.
1 March 2006 Carbon Speed Dating – 700 supporters from across the member organisations meet face to face with 70+ MPs including the then new Conservative leader David Cameron. Styled in a ‘speed dating’ format, MPs are challenged to ‘date’ as many tables as possible. Supporters demand a Carbon Budget.
it’s not rocket e c n e i c s
I’m on The Wave because the whole world is in danger and lots of people and animals will suffer; I want to help it. Charis Gates, 10, London 1st Streatham Hill Guides
Act Fair, Act Fast Ensure that global warming is no more than 2 degrees C. This means rich countries cutting their emissions by at least 40% by 2020, against 1990 levels.
Protect the Poorest Enable developing countries, who’ll be hit worst by climate change, to not only cope with its impacts but also to continue to develop cleanly without relying on fossil fuels. This means rich countries should collectively transfer at least $150 billion a year to developing countries.
Quit Dirty Coal Guarantee that no new coal fired power stations are built in the UK, unless they’ve got 100% Carbon Capture and Storage technology from the outset. This means tight regulations on coal, and prioritising a renewable energy revolution to decarbonise our electricity supply and create green jobs.
4 November 2006 25,000 pack Trafalgar Square in biggest ever UK demo on climate change to date.
24 September 2007 Polar bears take the Climate Bill campaign to Labour Party Conference.
22-25 June 2007 70,000 Festival goers sign up to the Coalition’s I Count campaign at Glastonbury.
22 July 2008 Coalition representatives plant their organisations’ flags in the ground outside Kingsnorth coal fired power station, Kent.
at 3pm as big ben chimes
Events around The Wave 4th December - The eve of The Wave 6.30pm - Bolivian indigenous leaders discuss taking action on climate change. Darwin Lecture Theatre, University College London. 8pm - Action Aid bring their young activists together the evening before The Wave, in a ‘Bollocks to Poverty’ youth party.
5th December: The Wave 10am - Climate Emergency bike ride: assembles at Lincolns Inn Fields and ends at the Climate Emergency Rally in Hyde Park. 11am - Ecumenical service with Archbishop Rowan Williams and Archbishop Vincent Nichols at Westminster Central Hall, SW1H. 12 noon - CAFOD activities for children and young people at Westminster Central Hall, SW1H.
Wave your hands
in the air and make some noise
12 noon - Lots to see and hear for those assembling The Wave in Grosvenor Square between 12 and 1pm before setting off. 12 noon - Campaign against Climate Change Climate Emergency Rally: Speakers’ Corner, Hyde Park. 1pm - The Wave leaves Grosvenor Square on its way to Parliament. 3pm - Everyone in The Wave will be part of a blue encirclement of Parliament.
Unison, Women’s Institute, Woodland Trust,The Wildlife Trusts, Movement for Reform Judaism, Liberal Judaism, The Campaign for Greener Healthcare, Climate & Health Council, Medact and Medsin will be hosting events to bring their members together before flowing towards The Wave. Plus lots of bike rides to The Wave with the London Cycling Campaign. Details at - www.stopclimatechaos.org/full-schedule-for-the-wave
Climate change will have a massive impact on workers around the world if we don’t tackle it now. We want change that is effective and creates green jobs. That’s why I’ll be on The Wave. Dave Arnold, 44, Brighton UNISON
AcT FAIR, act FAST The Stop Climate Chaos Coalition is demanding that Gordon Brown and other world leaders keep global warming below 2 degrees C. 2 degrees may sound like a gentle bit of extra warmth on a chilly day, especially if you live in Scotland. But 2 degrees of global warming is a very different thing. For example 2 degrees of change would mean: Severe storms and floods in some countries, droughts in many more. 20% of the world’s species becoming extinct. With an additional 10% species loss for every further 1 degree C of warming. Oceans becoming more acidic. This means coral and krill would die off and food chains would be disrupted. If we don’t keep global warming under 2 degrees, then what’s known as positive feedback effects begin to kick in. A bit like
27 October 2008 Coalition representatives return to Kingsnorth, this time aboard the Rainbow Warrior. 27 October 2008 Campaign success! We win two of our three demands to strengthen the UK Climate Bill.
dominoes, once one falls it knocks onto another. So if the Arctic permafrost melts this would release vast quantities of the potent greenhouse gas methane. In turn this could knock on to the Amazon rainforest which would become a major carbon emitter as it dies back, knocking over other dominos. And then, well, we’re really into climate chaos, which as you can imagine, isn’t pretty. So what can be done to avoid a 2 degree warming? The single action that would have the most effect, is for industrialised countries to slash their emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, and fast. It’s through burning fossil fuels that we’re creating the problem, and it’s rich, industrialised countries who historically have done most of the emitting. So it’s only fair that we take responsibility and make the biggest cuts. That’s why the Government need to act fair, making our fair share of reductions, and act fast. 2015 needs to mark the point of the most global emissions ever, and then decline year on year on year on year, to 2050. We need the UK and other rich countries to commit to cuts of at least 40% by 2020 and at least an 80% cut in global emissions by 2050, preferably total decarbonisation. Leading the way, Scotland has already committed to cuts of 42% by 2020. It might sound like a tall order, but it’s not impossible, we just have to get on with it, don’t we. That’s why it’s so important that we come together for The Wave and show our politicians just how much support there is for them to take the lead, take action and cut UK emissions.
Autumn 2008 Series of Energy Question Times around the country. 18 November 2008 Campaign success! Aviation & shipping included in Climate Bill.
Islam teaches that humanity, both individually and collectively, is responsible for the upkeep of this planet onto which we have been sent for a short period. This is why I will be at The Wave. Hamayoon Sultan, 30, Birmingham Islamic Relief UK
protect the poorest The horrific irony of climate change is that those who have done least to create the problem are hit the hardest. It is not poor communities around the world who are most responsible for emitting climate changing carbon emissions, it’s us, the rich countries. That’s why as a rich country the UK owes a climate debt to poor communities. It is not only fair, but essential that we repay our debts if we are to negotiate in good faith with poor countries. The Copenhagen talks are the ideal place to commit to protecting the poorest. There are two parts to this repayment for which at least $150 billion (£90 billion) a year needs to be collectively provided. Firstly to support developing countries to cope with the existing impacts of climate change. And secondly to enable developing countries to leapfrog dirty fossil fuel technology and follow a sustainable, low carbon, development pathway.
Climate change is already killing 300,000 people every year. Depressing isn’t it. It gets worse, 250 million people in Africa could be facing water shortages by 2020 as a result of climate change. Sea levels could rise 1 metre by the end of the 21st century, exposing over 100 million people to flooding. There will be 150 million ‘climate refugees’ by 2050 if global temperatures continue to rise unabated. And that’s a conservative estimate. Money is needed to support these communities in dealing with the impacts of climate change. There is an up side to repaying our climate debt. By accelerating the transfer of clean, renewable technologies to developing countries they will be able to avoid increasing their emissions. This minimum $150 billion a year ‘climate finance’ must be on top of existing aid commitments. It needs to be fair, secure and predictable, and it should be up to the countries receiving the funds to work out how and where the monies are best spent.
Climate impacts hit people’s lives in very real ways, devastating poor communities around the world. Extreme weather events like floods, droughts, storms, are coming more frequently and with more intensity. Rainfall can be too much, too little, or too erratic - all of which means that crops don’t grow and livestock suffers.
Unless developing countries get the climate finance they deserve, there will be no deal. For all of us, it is imperative that a fair and safe deal is agreed for poor communities.
26 November Campaign success! Energy Bill: Renewable energy victory for campaigners as MPs agree legislation which should kick-start a revolution in small-scale renewable energy generation by homes, businesses and communities.
25 February 2009 34 organisations from developing countries write to Ed Miliband to demand a ban on new UK dirty coal power stations.
Feels good to do the right thing, doesn’t it.
Ricardo Navarro, campaigner from El Salvador said: “The UK building coal power stations is like eating a slap-up meal and handing the bill to the world’s poor.”
I try to live a sustainable lifestyle doing my own bit to prevent climate change. But the Government has to take action too. That's why I'm going on The Wave. Alex Randall, 27, Machynlleth, Wales. Centre for Alternative Technology
Quit Dirty coal What’s the problem with coal? Burning coal isn’t great for the environment, in fact it’s the most carbon intensive of all the fossil fuels. Currently 25% of global emissions come from coal. It’s got a bad reputation for a reason. So to prevent runaway climate change, it may be a good idea stop the emissions from burning coal going into the atmosphere. This is where ‘Carbon Capture and Storage’ or CCS, could come in. If it works, it could be a technology which really helps stop climate chaos. As a new technology however, it’s not yet been proven to work at the scale of a power station. CCS works a bit like a filter in a cigarette. Rather than the emissions from the chimney going into the atmosphere, they are captured and - this is where it’s a bit different from a cigarette - pumped back underground, into spaces where we’ve often taken oil from in the past. Some industry people building CCS say it could be another 20 years for the technology to be realised at the scale of a power station. However science is telling us we need to stop our
emissions rising after 2015 to avoid 2 degrees of warming; so putting all bets on CCS to work out is a risky strategy. And it’s not one we need to adopt in the UK, given the abundance of wind and wave power available to us as an island nation. No new coal fired power stations have been built in the UK for 30 years. And a lot of the existing ones are going to close. You may have heard of Kingsnorth in Kent which was the first in a queue of over 10 proposed new coal fired power stations. The application from energy giant E.ON was to build a new coal power station, and add on the CCS when proven, which could be in 20 years. However because of the massive public outcry, they’ve been forced to rethink these plans and have shelved this application for now. This is down to you and goes to show what we can achieve when we work together, so well done. As a coalition we’re not saying a blanket no to coal. What we are saying is: no to coal as long as CCS is unproven. The danger is if the technology fails or isn’t economically viable we’re stuck with the new coal fired power stations and their massive emissions for decades. And we know what that means: increased and accelerated climate change. Yes, let’s make sure we properly test CCS, but not build any new coal fired power stations unless they’ve got 100% CCS from the outset. In the meantime we already know renewables like wind power work. It’s not rocket science.
19 March 2009 Christian Aid leads hundreds of supporters from across the coalitions to E.ON’s HQ in Coventry.
4 July 2009 The ‘Mili-band’ human chain around Kingsnorth coal fired power station brought some 1,000 supporters together.
10 April 2009 A whopping 85,480 messages saying no to coal and yes to renewables delivered to Ed Miliband.
14 September 2009 Anti ‘dirty coal’ vigil outside the Department of Energy and Climate Change.
So what’s next? Read Up - You can keep track of the Copenhagen negotiations on the Stop Climate Chaos website which will feature all our members’ news and views - www.stopclimatechaos.org Sign up - Connect with the wide movement for climate justice with email updates from any of the organisations in the coalition, and beyond. Speak Up - Talk to your friends, family, and colleagues about being at The Wave and why you care about climate change. Don’t be afraid of talking about how you feel: it’s okay to be worried about the future. You may find others feel the same. But also remember the power of what we can do together. Act Up - Write to or meet your MP, you might want to do this with other people. You can find his or her contact details here www.theyworkforyou.com. What to tell them? You could tell them how you were part of The Wave, about the things that you’ve read in this paper, and ask them what they’re doing as your MP to stop climate chaos. Don’t be put off if you don’t get what you want first time around. Write a letter to your local paper and send them a photo of you and your friends at The Wave. Tell them why you came, and you could include a call for your MP to take action too. If your MP doesn’t respond, tell the paper - MPs hate bad press. But as and when they take strong action on climate change, make sure they get the credit they deserve. Scale Up - Join a local group of an organisation, or if there isn’t one, make your own. You may want to be part of the movement living the carbon cuts and be part of your local Transition Town or Low Carbon Community.
Gear Up for the General Election - I vote to stop climate chaos. We all know that there will be an election some time in Spring 2010. It will be a vital opportunity to get all political parties to adopt strong climate policies. Until the election, candidates up and down the country will be canvassing for our votes. This is where you can be very influential. If you meet your election candidates, or someone knocks on your door, ask the climate question. Stand Up with the coalition All the organisations who make up the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition offer ways for you to get involved, and make your voice heard. Here are just a few to choose from. The Big IF - campaign to quit dirty coal. Sign up with Greenpeace, People & Planet, RSPB, WDM to pledge personal action you’ll take if the government goes ahead with dirty coal. www.thebigif.org Act for Climate Justice with Cafod, Christian Aid, Friends of the Earth, Oxfam, Tearfund. Take action at home with Transition Towns, Low Carbon Communities, Womens’ Institute, WWF. Just look at all the other good stuff going on out there. 38 Degrees - 38degrees.org.uk 350.org - www.350.org Adopt a Resident - www.planestupid.com/resident Age of Stupid - www.ageofstupid.net Capacity Global - www.capacity.org.uk Cape Farewell - www.capefarewell.com Climate Camp - www.climatecamp.org.uk Incredible Edible Todmorden - incredible-edible-todmorden.co.uk Landshare - landshare.channel4.com
If you’re reading this and you’re an MP, why don’t you Write to your party leader, asking them to include the Coalition’s demands in your party’s manifesto for the General Election. Write to the Prime Minister, calling on him to act on the Coalition’s campaign demands as outlined in this paper. Listen to your constituents!
Once you’ve read this paper, why don’t you - Give it to a friend Use it to wrap gifts - Put it somewhere someone will pick it up and read it - Roll it up to make plant pots - Shred it for your compost - Practice your origami skills and make a crane, boat, hat or wave Cut it up for confetti - Stick the back page on your wall.
7 October 2009 Campaign success! E.ON shelve plans for Kingsnorth coal fired power station.
Climate Chaos Southwest Community Rally; Bristol Climate Countdown event; York: Human Wave around the Minster; and lots lots more.
17 and 24 October 2009 Manchester: Climate Action Now Conference; Gloucester Climate Change March, Rally & Lobby of MP & MEP; Plymouth: Stop
5 December 2009 The Wave - The UK’s biggest ever climate change march.
No one is immune – rich, poor, developed and developing countries. We are all in this together. I will probably be spared the worst effects of climate change but I worry for our children’s future and for the millions of people who are already being impoverished and displaced. Archbishop Desmond Tutu
THe wave Assemble 12pm Grosvenor Square 3pm Encirclement of Parliament london 5.12.09