BRUSSELS – From Monday, August 3rd you can in the neighborhood of Antwerp to join the first Belgian-Dutch Climate Actiecamp.
The Climate ActieKamp is many things at once. It is a space for real discussion and education on the scientific, social, political and economic issues associated with climate change. It is also an area for practical skills to give and to learn – the facilitation of meetings based on the consensus to build a stove or the establishment of management actions. The camp itself tries as low carbon as possible, to learn and demonstrate how easily we can live sustainably. We organize ourselves in a non-hierarchical, horizontal, without leaders every voice is equally important and decisions are taken by consensus. ”
Who organizes this camp?
“The Climate Action Camp is organized by a range of people from different walks of society, living in Belgium and the Netherlands. Below you will find our teachers, designers, farmers, students, plumbers, architects, parents, crackers, builders and so on. Inspired by the Climate Action camp in the United Kingdom and Germany, and because we do not agree with how the climate crisis is addressed by companies and governments in this part of the world, we’ve decided on a similar actiekamp feet up – which we use a different approach than what is usual in the Low Countries. ”
Why now?
“Climate change is becoming an increasingly pressing issue. The IPCC, an international panel of 2000 of the world’s top scientists, predicted catastrophic consequences if we do not immediately emissions drastically reduced. And James Hansen, the NASA scientists, has urged young people to chain themselves to bulldozers and direct action to stop the construction of new power plants with coal works. If it is urgent. But instead of genuine measures to reduce emissions of fossil fuels and deforestation beings life, governments and companies to mislead the people and implement plans that they only aim to capitalize from the situation. ”
“In December 2009 governments and businesses will come together again at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP15) in Copenhagen. As they try to push through plans to capitalism to save the crisis since last year is. The treaty that is wants to negotiate for our last remaining natural resources – our atmosphere – more private. This new treaty to succeed the Kyoto Protocol ends in 2012. The Kyoto Protocol is mainly known because it has not contributed to a reduction of emissions, but an increase in emissions is possible.
“More than ever it is necessary that people all over the world stand up and take action. Governments and businesses have proven that they are not able to get this problem to solve. They have 20 years of time since the UN body to address climate change is established. Their “solutions” make the problem worse, while at the same time the privatization and injustice increase. Now it is our responsibility as people living on this planet whose life will be thoroughly shaken by the impact of climate change, for something to do. ”
Is this the very climate actiekamp ever?
“No. The concept of climate faced over the world in the last three years. There have already been faced in the UK (including England, Scotland and Wales), Germany, Denmark, France, Australia, New Zealand and three times in the U.S.. ”
“This is the first climate actiekamp in the Low Countries. It is the first camp in our region that simultaneously creates a space for discussion and debate on sustainable living for the exchange of practical skills and direct action. ”
What is direct action?
“There is a global long and fascinating history of direct action: the suffragettes on Gandhi to civil rights movement. The examples of people together by action of the world a better place have made widely known. ”
“The media distort” direct action “and” civil disobedience “often to smash windows of riots and the police. What these concepts actually mean is that people decide to operate on to them what the right thing to do, even if it means that they must jump out of the band or maybe even break the law. This assertive approach has proven to be vital for progressive change, and we continue to practice. ”
“The direct action in the camp will take different forms. The main point is that everything you do your own choice. Some people come to the camp but will not participate in the day. Others for lack of time to the camp, but now the day of mass action on Friday, August 7, to which many of our collective action against coal. ”
“During the camp there will be people ready to provide you with training in direct action techniques, and to brief you on the legal aspects of what may or may not happen if you decide to participate. We hope that many groups – large and small – will use the camp to train and take action concerning all aspects of climate change, air from coal to biofuels, and will also join the action on August 7. ”
Can I be arrested?
“In the United Kingdom for three years in a row by a similar camp, and there have been very few arrests. We have a legal team that will ensure that everyone knows his rights, and jurisdische will provide support to the people who decide to undertake actions which they risk to be arrested. ”
Who can come to the camp?
“Everyone! The camp is a place for everyone who’s sick of the hollow rethoriek of our governments and the spin of the big companies, anyone who is afraid that their small steps are not sufficient for everyone who thinks that the current political climate injustice and inequality only strengthens vert, for all who are concerned about the future and something to want to do. ”
“The camp is not only for seasoned activists, but for anyone who is interested, who wants to learn, who wants to be active. We want the camp as inclusive as possible. Anyone who shares our vision is welcome. ”
How much will the camp cost me?
“We have tried to cover the costs as low as possible. Many materials are used or we borrow from friends of friends. However, the establishment of the camp is still a solid cost. We ask the participants to contribute to the cost of around 5 euro per day, and 2 to 3 per meal. All meals will be prepared by a kitchen team at the camp site. This contribution is not mandatory: richtsom that those who can not afford should not hesitate to still to come. Nobody should feel obliged to give more than they can afford and we certainly want to exclude anyone on the basis of income! “
Uncategorized | August 7, 2009
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI
