In February and March Rock the Boat will be touring the UK with the Beehive Collective’s True Cost of Coal banner to mobilise against new coal in South Lanarkshire and linking up with local struggles to strengthen our campaigns.

Coal is still a massive issue in the UK – despite some victories against opencast mines and both Scottish Coal and UK Coal being on the brink of collapse, more and more coal is burned and mined every day. This is disastrous for communities and ecosystems, but capitalism’s dependence on cheap and dirty fossil fuels means that the struggle must continue!

Activists are occupying a farmhouse close to Hinkley Point nuclear power station, to stop EDF Energy trashing land for a planned new nuclear power station; and are calling for more people to join them. Anti-nuclear campaigners have been joined by members of Seize the Day as the first residents of Edf-Off Cottage which is on the 400-acre site earmarked for two new mega-reactors. Following an occupation of trees last week, the campaign against Hinkley C power station being built on fragile coastal land has now moved to a nearby farmhouse.

This film gives an account of the first few days of the occupation. The activists took occupancy in the early hours of Sunday the 12th of February and are settling in to their new home and community.

Register for London based action on the 8th of feb 2012 by texting OccupyOil to 07752969589.

We believe that the war for resources that has plagued us for many years, is forcing us to the point of near destruction. The pursuit of oil and minerals in Africa by the 1% has resulted in millions being murdered, raped or displaced.

Report written by Rikki
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in many years of independent reporting, i've often seen situations where police have caused larger disruption than a handfull of protestors, closing roads, sometimes closing down businesses, and sometimes massively amplifying the power of the protestors alone (not that that's their intention). however, this evening was, i think, the first time that they so completely did the job of the activists for them, that the campaigners could sit in a nice warm pub and toast the met, instead of standing around in the cold themselves.

Bristol based 'Demand Energy Equality' are working with Bristol RT to roll out workshops enabling people to build their own solar panels from re-used materials. The objective of the workshops is both to ensure that renewable technology is available to low income households, at half the price of commercial panels, and to educate participants about reducing energy demand and demistify the technology involved.

"I took part in a workshop and found it really inspiring to build my own source of power, and I certainly value the panel after all the hard work, (and breakages). I had to think back to GCSE Science to try and grasp the electrical basics, but the workshops are designed to be accessible to everyone, whatever level of experience they have."