Camp for Climate Action 2007

The Camp for Climate Action is a campaign gathering based on the old peace camps that is taking place near Heathrow. It began on August 14 and is planned to finish on August 21, 2007.

There was a similar camp during 2006, whose aim was to take action against the causes of climate change and to develop ways to create a carbon-neutral society, i.e. one which does not release greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere. The camp acted as a base for direct action against major carbon emitters such as Drax. It ran on broadly anarchist principles - free to attend, supported by donations and with input from everyone in the community for the day-to-day operation of the camp.



Media Criticism of 2007 campaign
On the 7th of August, 2007, the National Union of Journalists issued a public statement expressing "deep concern" over the Camp's policy toward media access during its 2007 event. Camp organisers stated that "media will only be permitted on site between 11 am and noon; that they must be accompanied and identified with a flag; must stick with the tour; that some journalists will not be allowed on site and that a “black-list” will be operated. Sympathetic journalists will be given longer access." The NUJ noted similarities between this policy and the behaviours of organisations that the Camp for Climate Action stands opposed to and warned that even sympathetic journalists may be alienated by the camp due to their shared "abhorrence of restrictions". The camp media team replied to the NUJ criticism by stating. 'The policy is a compromise that attempts to provide reasonable media access whilst respecting participants' right to privacy; a balancing act between the desire to reach a wide audience through the mainstream media, and the need to respect many participants’ wishes to avoid the media spotlight.' They went onto say 'The policy is not designed to control the media message or prevent critical coverage, but to allow camp life to unfold without the continuous pressure of media attention. We have always been clear that media work comes second to the key aims and activities of the camp – educating ourselves through workshops, creating a self-managed and sustainable community, and taking direct action – much of which happens more fully and productively without a media presence. On 9th August 2007 the media policy was changed removing any possibility of blacklisting some journalists or giving sympathetic journalists longer access

Police Attention


The camp is beings heavily attended by a force of 1,800 police, who are carrying out searches, including of all vehicles, under the Terrorism Act 2006 Section 44 and taking photos of everybody entering and leaving the camp. .

Trying to demonstrate sustainability
The Camp for Climate Action gave an example of what a sustainable society might be like. Power for lighting, radios, mobile phones, sound equipment and laptop computers was supplied by solar panels and a wind turbine. There was a strong emphasis on the use of bicycles and public transport, including a Bicycology tour from London via Lancaster. Biodiesel from recycled cooking oil was available for other vehicles. There was even a pedal-powered laundry and sound system. Much of the material used to created structures for the camp was reclaimed waste from building sites which would otherwise have been sent landfill. Composting, including compost toilets, comprehensive recycling and grey water systems were used to keep the amount waste to a minimum.

Claiming that 'livestock is a major threat to environment' all food was vegan, mostly organic and locally sourced to minimise food miles, provided by communal neighbourhood kitchens, many associated with the Social Centres Network, co-ordinated by the Sumac Centre and Veggies Catering Campaign.

Over one hundred and sixty workshops ran throughout the camp, sharing practical skills on living sustainably, on subjects such as the science of climate change, environmental justice and the effects of climate change on people in the global South, corporate 'climate criminals', direct action, childrens' workshops, and many more.

Drax Protest


The camp was on a squatted site, situated close to several large power stations including Drax, a coal-fired power station which is the largest single emitter of carbon dioxide in the UK.

On August 31 2006, up to 600 people attended a protest called Reclaim Power converging on Drax and attempting to shut it down. There was an impressive 'kids march' to Drax Power Station, with a giant ostrich puppet, made by the The Mischief Makers. Two protesters climbed a lighting pylon at the edge of the Drax site and four others broke through the fence. At least 3,000 police officers, from 12 forces from as far afield as Hampshire and London, were reported to have been drafted in for the duration of the protest. Thirty-eight protesters were arrested. The police reported that work at the power plant was not disrupted, though eye witnesses reported having locked-on to various machinery inside the power station, thus stopping work. No coal went into Drax that day, with the railway line in being blocked off.

Other protests arising from the camp included a protest against a nuclear power station in Hartlepool, Teesside. .

Continuing Campaign
The Camp for Climate Action was organized over a period of almost a year though a series of monthly meetings, held in Manchester, Nottingham, Oxford, Leeds, Bristol, London, and Talamn (near Glasgow). Anyone was welcome to attend planning meeting and to join one of the working groups. There were no 'leaders' and meetings used consensus decision making. The camp was run entirely by volunteers and was funded by private donations.

It was felt by many that the Camp marked a turning point in grass-roots campaigning against the causes of climate change. The network forged at the Camp continues to work on campaigns to highlight and tackle the causes of Climate Change, participating in actions drawing attention to (for example) road building and the climate effects of cheap air travel.

Regional and national meetings continue, working towards another Camp to be held for from August 14, 2007 near Heathrow Airport. These have already occurred in Manchester, Leeds (twice), Bristol, London and Liverpool.

Related Wikipedia content

 * Environmental direct action in the United Kingdom