In light of all the attention climate change has received over the last couple of years, and given the UK's efforts to, at least, be perceived as being a leading player in mitigation, one could be forgiven for thinking that progress might be being made. The country that reinvented itself 70 years ago, demonstrating how a society can work cooperatively to defeat a common enemy, now has an even more sinister foe in global warming. Will the UK again rise to the challenge, and set a desperately needed example to the rest of the world?
Instead of encouraging a reduction in energy-hungry air travel, plans are afoot to increase the footprint of Heathrow, already the world's third busiest airport, adding an additional runway so we can not just continue our unsustainable way of life, but also escalate it. And what of those concerned individuals that would like to see a future for their children, and, indeed, for themselves? It appears their basic right to demonstrate disapproval may be waived, in favour of corporate interests.
Heathrow airport is targeting climate change activists with a sweeping injunction which could prevent members of the RSPB and the National Trust, plus millions more affiliated to environmental organisations, from attending a green protest.The airport's owner, BAA, said it wants to minimise disruption when the Camp for Climate Action is held there from August 14 to 21....
BAA named three individuals on the application as well as "members and supporters" of Airport Watch, a coalition of environment groups which together total nearly 5 million members.
Under the injunction, a ban on approaching the airport would cover National Trust, Woodland Trust and RSPB supporters, as well as members of Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth and the Campaign to Protect Rural England. The case will be heard next Wednesday.
"This could stop millions of people who are members of these groups going to Heathrow," said Kate Harrison of Matrix chambers....
... In theory, say protesters, it would cover the Prince of Wales, who is president of the National Trust, and celebrities who have worked with groups trying to stop the airport expanding.
"This is corporate bullying, designed to shut down peaceful protest," said John Stewart of Hacan, a local group named in the BAA injunction. "Local people are furious." - Guardian
What would Winnie think today? |
Next week, in response to a demonstration due to be held outside Heathrow airport, BAA will go to the High Court to seek judicial approval for an anti-environmentalist injunction, the terms of which are so wide they have provoked astonishment among the green movement. Any one of five million people in groups such as the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England could be arrested for travelling on the London Underground or possessing a kite.If you're in London, consider getting involved in the Camp for Climate Action. There's no time like the present.Anyone failing to give 24 hours' notice of a protest could be arrested for travelling on sections of the motorway or from standing on platforms 6 and 7 at Paddington station to catch the Heathrow Express. The terms of the injunction would cover: "All railway trains and carriages operating upon the Piccadilly line of the London Underground System ; the M4 and all service stations between and including junctions 3 and 6; and the M25 and all service stations between and including junctions 13 and 15..."
Civil rights campaigners claim the injunction, which will be heard on Wednesday, would put new limits on the right to peaceful protest. Liberty described the "massively wide ban" - which has no time limit - as ridiculously unenforceable. "The dangerous and undemocratic trend of large corporations seeking to trample the legal right to peaceful protest should be taken very seriously by the courts," the human rights group protested. - Independent
This year the Camp for Climate Action will be at Heathrow, the world's busiest airport and a bigger source of CO2 emissions than most countries. It's sheer lunacy in this time of ecological crisis, but the aviation industry are pushing to almost double the airport's capacity by increasing flights and building a third runway. The battle to stop them will be one of the most important environmental battles in Western Europe.Further Reading:What we do now decides what the future holds. Those who came before us didn't know the problem, those who come after us will have severely limited options. We have both the power and the responsibility to make a radically better world. - The Camp for Climate Action
Rather than the campers being a risk to the safety of passengers, it is BAA and the irresponsible corporations like them that are threatening the safety and future of all humankind. Yet whilst BAA can ask for an injunction to protect their profits, there is no law in this land which allows us to demand the same protection for our planet.
... Remember, we cannot stop climate change without stopping airport expansion. The UK government is not taking action to reduce aviation in this country, so we are going to have to, injunction or no injunction. - The Camp for Climate Action
