UK Ecology Feature Archive
Oyster Wars: A play based on working-class struggle
29-06-2003 15:10
For the last week in June, the "Oyster Wars Project" took place in North Edinburgh. This Project consisted of a theatre show, an exhibition and a community event.
Arundel - a tale of two by-passes
26-06-2003 22:00
Bypassing the existing bypass, it would cross the important River Arun wetlands south of Arundel on concrete stilts or a huge embankment, and then plough through a mile of precious Sussex woodland. Thousands, probably tens of thousands, of trees would be lost, including some fine 100 foot oak trees, yews, and one particular 100 foot beech tree, thought to be the oldest tree in the woods.
Protestors are meeting on Sunday 29th June for a walk along the proposed bypass route. Meet at 2pm outside the 'Red Lion' Pub, High Street Arundel.
Amazonian Indigenous Communities Face Violent Military Opposition
07-06-2003 23:00
The Ecuadorian Government threatens to use public force in order to initiate petrol activities in oil concession block 23 and block 24 in the Amazonian region. This is a clear threat against the indigenous peoples that since ancient times inhabit the Ecuadorian Amazon, and specifically the territories of Pastaza and Morona Santiago provinces. Fierce opposition to oil development in the region by the indigenous communities forced the American-based energy company Burlington Resources to declare force majeure in its contract with the host government.
The oil company is required to consult with local population as a condition for its concession contract, but so far, the indigenous communities have refused to participate in such consultations, and prevented the company from moving ahead with exploration plans. A court injunction filed by FIPSE (Independent Federation of the Shuar People of Ecuador) requires the company to engage with the organisation as the authorized representative of Shuar and communities.
Now, the Ecuadorian Government threatens to use military force in order to initiate petrol activities in ancestral Shuar land, in a clear threat against the indigenous peoples and nationalities that inhabit the Ecuadorian Amazon. The governor of Pastaza, Mr. Fernando OrdoÒez, stated to the daily newspaper El Universo that "the decision of the regime is to initiate the petrol activity in the blocks number 23 and 24 even it has to use the public force" (El Universo, page 16, section El PaÌs, May 29 2003). In the same manner, insisted in that "the Government will not take one step back in the petrol policy".
Read entire feature
Click here to send letters of protest to the Ecuadorian Government.
More info and background:
[Amazonwatch.org | Sarayacu | Amazonalliance.org | CONAIE]
Direct action against GM crop trials
25-03-2003 23:00
Three anti-GM activists had their convictions for pulling up GM crops quashed in the Court of Session in Edinburgh on Saturday. The crops, genetically modified oil seed rape, were pulled up as part of a protest at Boghall farm in Midlothian. The convictions were quashed four years to the day after the action.More details
Stop the War- Stop the City!
22-03-2003 23:00
Direct actions and peace demonstrations took place again today. In Edinburgh, lots of speeches and a die-in in front of the Scottish Parliament started the anti-war protest, before school students speeded the demonstration off to Princess Street to block the traffic several times with sit-ins before marching to the US consulate followed by another row of speeches.
Then back to Princes Street with more Sit-Ins and Die-Ins to Charlotte Square.
Police until then has been astonishing relaxed, but become violent, aggressive and provoking when plain-cloth policemen brutally tried to arrest a protester for no apparent reason which kicked off the bystanders to intervene, resulting in more arrests and detention.
Whereas the speakers of the rally tried to support police tactics by asking demonstrators repeatedly not to bother, the police had to let the detained people go due to crowd pressure.
The crowd finally walked off to have a solidarity picket in front of St.Leonards police station, St.Leonard Street.
The demonstration broke through police-lines, when police tried to block their way.
The solidarity picket is still continuing after 10 pm on Saturday night.
In Glasgow there was a big demonstration, and protesters were boxed in for over one and a half hours by police.
Hoosie, from Faslane Peace Camp has been beaten up by police and is now hospitalised with bruised kidney and bruised liver.
He was arrested on Thursday at an action for allegedly assaulting a police officer.
Anti-road protest in Edinburgh gets stronger and stronger!
20-03-2003 23:00
Having just had a massive spring clean of our surroundings, site and paths we've now erected a large kitchen/ free cafe with an infoshop attached. Our stage is built, and after an initial performance by the "Beltane Drummers" from Edinburgh we now hope to host more local bands and musicians. There are two new treehouses in progress and our walkway system is ever extending. We would welcome vistors to come for short or long stays, or even just to pop by for a cup of tea and a read.
[ Bilston Anti Bypass Camp - News Update | Bilston Wood- Anti Road Protest Camp near Edinburgh | No Alignment Action Group]
Critical mass against the war in Edinburgh
27-01-2003 00:00
On Sunday, 26th of January, a crowd of cyclists, drummers, pedestrians and wheelchairs took the street to protest against the forthcoming war and to deliver a clear message of “ Don't attack Iraq ” to the American embassy.
[full story | another report | more impressions]
Bhopal Survivors Sued For Anniversary Protest
30-12-2002 23:00
On December 2nd 2002 a peaceful march of around 200 women survivors from Bhopal delivered toxic waste from the abandoned Carbide factory back to Dow's Chemical Indian headquarters in Bombay with the demand that Dow take responsibility for the disaster and clean up the site. Union Carbide's (now known as Dow) negligent gassing and poisoning of thousandsin the Indian city of Bhopal killed between 3,000 and 20,000 and left thousands more with serious diseases and injures. [Union Carbide' website documenting this has now been made private]
December 3rd was the 18th anniversary of the criminally negligent disaster in Bhopal. Dow however continues to stamp down on dissent, and shows utter contempt for its legal and moral responsibilities. Whilst CEO Michael D. Parker exploited the anniversary of the incident as an opportunity to express his "profound sadness for the accident", Dow also announced it's decision to sue the female protesters for $10,000 in compensation for the corporation's "loss of work" during the two hours that the peaceful protest lasted. To put Dow's claim in perspective it is important to point out that Dow/Carbide provided only $300-$500 compensation to those most severely affected by the Bhopal disaster. Read reports 1 and 2
Read Dow's full suit (PDFs)Paper_1 | Paper_2 | Paper_3
Read two articles about Dow Chemical's refusal to compensate the victims of Bhopal chemical explosion.
For more news and background information see: Bhopal.net | Carbide's 'poison papers' | IMC-India
Hunterston to be closed...
25-11-2002 23:00
Hunterston nuclear power station in Ayrshire may be closed in a bid to cut costs and save skint nuclear operators British Energy from going bust. This news comes in about one and a half weeks later after a report that 20 workers at the Dounreay nuclear plant in Caithness were contaminated with radioactive particles.
[full story | Background information about nuclear power]
Bilston Wood- Anti Road Protest Camp near Edinburgh
25-11-2002 00:00
The road and associated developments herald a massive southward expansion of the city of Edinburgh through green belt land and vast tracts of countryside and prime agricultural land. Bilston Wood and Bilston Burn (SSSI) will be among the casualties. Here are pictures and a report about the protest camp there.
[full story | Background information | News about biotechnology]
Nuclear power- a threat to us all
07-11-2002 23:00
A nuclear submarine ran aground, 7th of November, off the coast of Scotland. This event reminds us of the continous, powerfull, radioactive danger which is situated without our consent in our neighbourhood and beyond, and which activists are campaigning against. In Devonport, from 14 - 19 November 2002 there is a “Block the dock” anti-nuclear action week being organised. In Germany, the anti-nuclear movement goes trainstopping these days, with a nuclear transport expected from LaHague to Gorleben. For more details of the campaign against Scotland's nuclear submarine bases visit Faslane Peace camp. For more details of anti nuclear and anti-war campaigning in Scotland visit CND Scotland or Trident Ploughshare.
Big Blether .... is over for a couple of years!
08-09-2002 23:00
We were blethering at Talamh Life Centre, Lanarkshire from 6-8 September 2002.
Roughly every two years, we, the grassroots activists come together to enjoy ourselves and to inspire and encourage each other. The whole weekend was about direct action, peace and environmental issues and campaigning for social and ecological justice. At this DIY gathering we had the chance to learn new skills and broaden our minds and share our hopes, fears and experiences.
There were workshops, practical skills sharing, networking, mutual support, positive solutions, solidarity, alternative lifestyles, blethering, music, sunshine, camping ...
Full story at:
article and pictures
Also see our website at:
http://www.j12.org/bigblether
Bush signs Yucca Mountain bill
21-08-2002 22:00
After two decades of study and fervent protests from Nevada, President Bush signed a bill Tuesday making Yucca Mountain, some 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas, the US's central repository for nuclear waste. Bush signed the measure with no fanfare. Reporters were not allowed to witness the bill-signing and no one from Nevada's congressional delegation was invited. However, four lawmakers who are strong backers of the project were present. Bush has long backed Yucca Mountain as a repository site, formally recommending it in February. Nevada filed a formal protest as was its right under a 1982 nuclear waste law leaving it for Congress to make a final decision. The House approved it in May, the Senate this month. The state has five lawsuits pending against the project, and the Energy Department must still get a license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. That process could take up to five years. Even some Yucca supporters admit that plans to open the site by 2010 may be too optimistic.
Critics complained that there were still far too many questions about the Yucca site and transportation safety issues. Environmentalists dubbed the planned waste shipments 'mobile Chernobyl', seeing a disaster in the making as the radioactive cargo moves past major cities, over bridges and through tunnels on its way to Nevada.
[ Report | Yucca Mountain Project | Nevada's Agency for Nuclear Projects ]
Resistance is Fertile!
20-04-2002 22:00
BIODIVERSITY SUMMIT IN THE HAGUE 8 - 19 Apr 2002On Monday April 8 the 6th Conference of the Parties (COP6) of the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) opened in The Hague, the Netherlands. Until April 19 government delegates, technical experts and business lobbyists are contemplating the state of the world's biodiversity resources, as part of a global review process of the UN Rio Earth Summit in 1992 and its impacts. Concurrently, NGOs and pressure groups have joined environmental activists and farmers for a parallel gathering Resistance is Fertile! that calls for protection of farmers rights and a stop on the spread of GMOs and the plunder of natural resources for profit.
Full article | IMC Netherland | Logo
Tree sits continue in the US
17-02-2002 23:00
ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISMEnvironmental activists are currently protesting against the logging of old-growth forest in an area of some of the tallest Douglas fir trees in the world, some close to 300 ft. So far there have been no evictions at tree camps which have been going on for almost four years. To learn more about USA direct action campaigns check out www.ecoecho.org.
Read more
Global warming creates refugees in South Pacific
26-11-2001 23:00
NO-MAN'S ISLAND IN TUVALUThe small island of Tuvalu in the Pacific Ocean has become the first victim of climate change. The island's 11,000 inhabitants are being forced to abandon their homes as rising sea levels have caused coastal erosion, increased storms and salination of their drinking water. New Zealand has agreed to accept all of the island's residents, although serious concerns have arisen about the cultural and social implications of displacing the entire Tuvalu nation from the land their ancestors have lived on for thousands of years. Tuvaluans are laying the blame on climate change, and especially on the US for their refusal to implement policies to prevent further global warming. Full story
Current estimates reckon that sea levels could rise up to one metre during this century. At the present rate of global warming, sea levels will rise enough to inundate not only several islands in the South Pacific, but also large parts of countries such as Bangladesh, which could create millions of climate refugees.
More info and climate campaigns:
Indymedia-Climate | Rising Tide Coalition | Photo
Nuclear waste not welcome in the Wendland
14-11-2001 23:00
NUCLEAR WASTE TRANSPORT, GERMANY 10-14 Nov 2001Thousands of farmers, local residents, environmental activists etc. blockaded roads and railtracks in the Wendland region, Northern Germany, as another shipment of nuclear waste was transported from La Hague to the repository at Gorleben. Police carried out violent attacks on protesters to force the transport through against heavy resistance. The trucks carrying the 'Castor' containers ('cask for storage and transportation of radioactive waste') finally arrived in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
For several days, the whole region saw a multitude of actions, including tractor blockades on railtracks and roads leading to the deposit, sit-down protests, vigils, spontaneous demonstrations, tree climbing actions etc.
Read more | Photo
Reports: Sunday night
To find out more about the previous Castor transport check our archives
The whole story is (in German) on IMC Germany.
UN's "COP 7" climate Convention in Marrakech, Morocco
09-11-2001 23:00
WORLD LEADERS AND CORPORATIONS CREATE A NEW COMMODITY: AIR Oct 29-Nov 9 2001World leaders, multinational business companies and some NGO's, are currently meeting to make a series of important decisions about the World's climate. Crucial agreements on the privatisation of the atmosphere, and the establishment of a global marketplace for the speculation in carbon dioxide emission rights are at stake. This market is to be based on unequal and unfair principles, in which the big lobbies (northern countries, oil and car industries, banks and consultancy firms), are preparing themselves to generate enormous financial revenues Full story | Conference official updates.
Meanwhile, the climate is continuing to change at increasing rates with extreme weather events taking place: global warming, desertification, rising sea levels and flooding. Greenhouse gas emissions - specially CO2 - are causing the temperature of the Earth to rise at an unsustainable levels, making millions of people refugees and leading to the disappearance of animal and plant species.
A call for an international Day of Action for November 6th has been announced by the climate justice grassroots coalition Rising Tide, Earth Crimes and the Mediterranean environmental network MARE.
More info:
- Climate Indymedia
- Rising Tide coalition
Background:
- Bonn agreement
Castor train delayed by protests
29-04-2001 22:00
CASTOR PROTESTS IN GERMANY Mar 26-29 2001Thousands of anti-nuclear waste protesters have severely delayed a train transporting nuclear waste from the French reprocessing plant La Hague to the repository at Gorleben, Germany. A variety of actions, from sit-ins on the tracks, to tractor blockades by local farmers, to direct confrontations by black bloc 'Autonome' succeeded in stopping the train for one day and raising the costs of the transport to unprecedented levels. The train finally reached its Gorleben destination on Thursday morning.
The Castor train had arrived in the Wendland region on Wednesday with only a few hours delay, but then the plans to proceed the remaining 50 kilometres went into total disarray. Thousands of people had blocked the tracks and could only be moved by police using extreme force. At Sueschendorf, five Robin Wood activists had chained and cemented themselves inbetween the railtrack, forcing the train to stop and even retreat for the first time in the history of Castor transports. It took police 20 hours to remove the activists.
Earlier on Tuesday, the train had to wait for several hours in Lueneburg until police had removed a 1600 strong x-1000 blockade - later a train carrying the arrested activists was blocked by more protesters. Blockades near Goettingen had already forced the Castor train to change route. On Tuesday morning, Greenpeace activists abseiled with chains connected to the track from Seerau bridge and succeeded in holding their position for six hours. In the evening, 12,000 people had demonstrated in nearby Dannenberg. Read more in Tuesday's short summary.
As early as Sunday, protesters had blockaded and barricaded the railtrack, surrounded the storage site and demonstrated in Dannenberg. See as well the video of the opening demonstration in Lueneburg on Saturday.
With a deployment of 20,000 police in the small region around Gorleben alone, the transport was secured by the biggest police operation post-war Germany has ever seen. Despite their impressive presence in the region, police could only complete the transport by using extreme force. This included baton-charging peaceful sitting-blockaders on a regular basis and violent raids on resistance infrastructure. Read more on police strategies here. On Tuesday alone, there were 1410 arrests.
[ Indymedia Germany | Pictures at randbild.de | wendland-net | Photo ]
Climate talks dam-ned
19-11-2000 00:00
CLIMATE CONFERENCE IN THE HAGUE Nov 18 2000More than five thousand protestors laid siege to climate change talks in The Hague. Calling for curbs on greenhouse gas emissions, activists built a sandbag wall at the venue to warn of the risk of flooding posed by global warming. Security officers forcibly removed some activists who gained entry to a room where an energy seminar was taking place. Check out the video.
Several demonstrations were held during the two weeks protests and the police responded with mass-arrests. Over 100 people were arrested at the Nuclear Walk of Shame on 22 November. Because of the extensive police presence, Greenpeace had decided not to take part in this particular protest.
[climate.indymedia.org | Analysis of the climate talks | Photo ]
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