I Dress Myself

From Heathrow to Kingsnorth

I spent a couple of days this week walking with the climate caravan, a group of people walking and cycling the 60 mile route from Heathrow to Kingsnorth in Kent, calling for climate action. I had a great time and met a really nice bunch of people. It's amazing how empowering it feels to take to the roads and make a stand for something you believe in.

There was a pedal-powered sound system, some amazing trikes and go-carts, people dressed as penguins and polar bears, and even a pedal-powered boat. I was impressed at how organised the caravanners were, with cycling stewards temporarily blocking side-roads to allow the caravan to pass through junctions, and bikes on the edge of our lane to keep the walkers safe.

Kingsnorth is the proposed site for a new coal-fired power station that energy company E.on and our government plan to build. If built, it would emit between 6 and 8 million tonnes of CO2 every year. It seems crazy in the face of climate change but apparently 6 more coal-fired power stations are being planned.

Consequently, Kingsnorth was chosen as the site for this years Camp for Climate Action from 3rd to 11th August. Last years camp was a few hundred metres from Heathrow in demonstration against the plans to build a third runway. With windmills to power computer suites and solar panels to heat the showers they plan to show that sustainable solutions do work. There'll be expert speakers, open debates and free workshops on all things sustainable. If you can spare the time next week go along - I think it will be incredible.

Posted in Ethics and Environment by Hannah on Thursday 31 July 2008