Camp for Climate Action 2008 KeyMessages
Just going through the emails on messaging over the last few weeks to put
into the Q&A, and there are three areas I don't think we've got far enough
on yet.
1. Just Transition
The conversations had before the gathering that led up to the statement to
unions (here: http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/node/71) helped to clarify our
thinking/position on this, but it hasn't been translated into
media-friendly soundbites. The questions:
-Explaining 'just transition' in an understandable way (so far I've got
'making the transition to a low-carbon society in a way that protects, and
benefits, workers and communities worldwide')
“Our present economic system based upon boom and bust benefits a few but just is not working for planet or most people. We need to build a green economy that works within the limits of the Planet to the benefit of all.”
“There is no place for coal on a planet where we can all live. It is time to help those in the industry move into greener jobs.”
-What do you say to their claims that you are indifferent to the struggles faced by mining communities and are trying to put all coal-workers out of a job?
We are not indifferent to their struggles and it is vital that coal mining communities are included in deciding how society changes in response to climate change. However, they are being misled by government and large power corporations into believing that coal can continue to be used in a climate changing world.
-Surely you're not expecting a 50-year-old coal power station worker to just go and get a job installing solar panels?
No, this is ridiculous, but the scientists are telling us that it is essential that we stop generating power with coal if this worker’s grand children are to have a decent future. There are difficult choices to be made but we can either make them now while we have some choice or wait till climate change forces us to change.
-The coal unions support cleaner coal technologies. Are you saying they don't know what they're talking about?
What we are saying is that the government and large power corporations are actively misleading the public and the workers with ‘greenwash’ - talking of clean coal. There is no such thing. E-on want to build a new Kingsnorth simply to make money for their shareholders.
Plus, have we got any further on the rumours about forced leave during the camp, and how we want to respond to that?
See below.
2. What future for coal?
-What do you mean when you say you want to shut down Kingsnorth
'permanently'?
What we mean is that we want this coal-fired power station shut down. We want a restructuring of society to reduce its dependence on energy. Our economic system is not working for people or planet.
-You say 'no new coal' but what do you want to happen to existing
coal-fired power plants?
We are listening to the scientists. They say we need to drastically cut our carbon emissions. To do this we need to drastically cut our use of coal for electricity generation so we will need to close some existing power stations.
-Are you saying none of the UK's energy should be generated from coal and is this realistic?
In the near future, yes. It has been shown by others that this country can generate enough carbon-free electricity to supply its needs. Zero carbon Britain.
-If you want all the coal power stations to be decommissioned then what timescale are you talking about?
Scientists tell us we have less than 100 months to get our global carbon emissions under control so it must be a fairly tight schedule!
3. What if the station is shut down for a week or reduced to a skeleton staff. Do you claim victory from the beginning?
Yes, it is a victory, but we will go on with the camp. We have work to do. The camp is not just about shutting down the power station. It is about education, we have a series of over 100 workshops, and it is about movement building. We urge listeners/ readers to come to the camp it’s a wonderful experience and we have a fantastic programme of workshops.
Why still hold the mass
action - isn't it just symbolic and an unnecessary risk?
Symbolic, yes. It will show corporations and the government
What we are capable of. (on to talk about safety on actions).
finally, Kev, you were going to look into a pithy answer to why the "EU
ETS will make our emissions magically disappear" argument is a load of
tosh
That's it, we're almost there!
Cheers,
Alexandra