AN OPEN INVITATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE ACTIVISTS, PEOPLE FROM ENVIRONMENTAL
NGOS, SOCIAL JUSTICE & COMMUNITY GROUPS AND ANYONE INTERESTED IN FINDING
OUT MORE ABOUT CLIMATE ACTION IN THE RUN-UP TO THE G8 SUMMIT.

As the International Energy and Environment Ministers' Roundtable meets in
London (March 15th-16th), the establishment's climate change agenda is
dominated by hot air - and completely undermined by an absence of action.
Currently Tony Blair's government, and by extension the G8, are capturing
both the media attention and the moral high ground on this issue, further
marginalising those calling for just and real solutions to climate change.

Blair's talk of making "action on climate change" a top priority for his
leadership of the G8 this year may seem difficult to criticise. But his
domestic record on cutting carbon dioxide emissions is appalling,
characterised by missed targets and hand-outs to the biggest polluters.
Ignoring the worldwide suffering caused by our addiction to fossil fuels,
the UK government ploughs ahead with its plans for new roads and airport
expansion, and continues to subsidise those that profit from the oil
industry.

International agreements such as the Kyoto protocol are founded on
principles of market environmentalism that consistently put the importance
of economic growth above all else. Kyoto utterly fails to address the mass
over-consumption of rich, industrialised nations and encourages the
unsustainable growth around the world of carbon sequestration projects -
so-called 'Clean Development Mechanisms.'

Additionally, Blair has hinted that to secure a climate agreement with the
support of the US, the inclusion and development of new nuclear power
stations is essential to provide 'new clean energy sources' and meet
industrialised nations' energy needs.

The counter-summit will provide a chance to:
* Inform campaign strategy, build networks and hear first-hand
climate-related reports from around the world
* Find common ground, share inspiration and build trust
* Mobilise against the G8 and organize for the International Day of Action
on Climate on the 8th of July (the final day of the G8 2005 Summit at
Gleneagles, Scotland.)

Agenda
* 6 pm - Introductions, (individuals, groups and campaigns)
* 6.45 - Feedback from CoP10, Hadley Centre Scientific Meeting, World
Social Forum etc.
* 7.15 - Intro to the G8 and the greenwash of recent policy developments
* 7.30 - Break, food and drink
* 7.45 - Open discussion (counteracting Blair's climate hypocrisy,
dealing with the revived threat of nuclear power, organising for the G8
and beyond)
* 9.30 Finish

PRACTICALITIES:
WHEN? 6.00pm to 9.30pm MONDAY 14th March.
WHERE? Ashbee Hall, part of Toynbee Hall, 28 Commercial Street, London E1
6LS.
Nearest tube Aldgate East (Hammersmith and City/District lines). Follow
signs from platform or 10 minutes' walk from Liverpool Street station.
CAPACITY. 100 people, PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL to  g8climate@risingtide.org.uk
to tell us if you can attend, and if you have any special needs/mobility
issues, or call number below.
ACCOMMODATION: we may be able to arrange accommodation if you let us know
before hand.

Participants include the G8 Climate Action Group, Rising Tide, Carbon
Trade Watch, TRAPESE, and members of local Friends of the Earth and
Greenpeace groups.
FOR MORE INFORMATION SEE www.risingtide.org.uk or call 07708 794665


www.risingtide.org.uk