G8 Climate Counter Summit - Moving Beyond the Greenwash

Monday 14th March, London

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 to tell us if you can attend, and if you have any special needs/mobility issues, or call the 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, Platform, TRAPESE, and members of local Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace groups.

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEE www.risingtide.org.uk or call 07904 452297

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