Two weeks into the Tory administration, climate activists from across the country have responded to the proposed ‘dash for gas’ and fracking plans by taking action against 17 targets related to the fossil fuel industry.
The Reclaim the Power activists came from a mass action camp which occupied the grounds of Didcot power station, Oxfordshire, over the weekend.
Reclaim the Power! Activists rally for day of mass action against fossil fuel industry
The camp is part of an international weekend of action against the fossil fuel industry’s stranglehold on the UN Climate talks in Paris.
‘These actions come at a crucial time. We now have a new Tory government who are totally in bed with the fossil fuel industry – subsidising their friends and relatives in the fracking industry and committing to another round of gas-fired power stations.
‘They also plan to build infrastructure that will lock us into burning carbon for years to come while killing off renewable technology. Like the communities who have held off fracking for four years, people on the ground will take action to stop them in their tracks.
‘Until corporations are forced to loosen their stranglehold, political decisions will continue to be ruled by profit and ignore the growing dangers of climate change. The UN negotiations are doomed to failure as long as this remains the case. We want a safe, sustainable and more equal society. On 1 June we’ll show that we aren’t content to just sit back and wait for the governments to act.’
Hannah Martin, Reclaim the Power
Today’s Reclaim the Power actions included:
As a decision looms over the future of Didcot’s gas-fired power-station, people all over the world are building community-led renewable solutions to replace fossil fuels, which would help provide good jobs, warmer homes and lower bills.
‘NPower’s relentless pursuit of fossil fuels will bring climate chaos, push more people into fuel poverty, and keep power and wealth in the hands of the 1%. Not only have Npower helped push people into fuel poverty, they are now making people reliant on them for hand-outs. This feels like a slap in the face for people who have had to choose between heating and eating.’
Kerry Fenton, Reclaim the Power
Research shows that Britain could be carbon neutral by 2030 using current technology. In Didcot, when a fire shut down the power station, it was wind power that kept the lights on. Community groups local to Didcot are building their own energy future through solar, wind and hydro projects that they control.
Research shows that the UK can reach net zero carbon by 2030 using currently available technology and that switching to renewable energy is the most feasible solution to avoid catastrophic climate change.
The IPCC has warned of the dangers of relying on gas as a climate change solution, maintaining that most remaining fossil fuel reserves including 80% of coal reserves and 50% of gas – must stay in the ground if we are to avoid catastrophic climate change.
Last year, Reclaim the Power activists converged in Blackpool to support local communities opposing fracking in the area. 13 nationwide actions originated from the camp, including protestors superglueing themselves to DEFRA’s headquarters, an occupation of Cuadrilla’s Blackpool office, a blockade of iGas’ London headquarters and a fracking site near Hull being shut down.
In 2013, thousands descended on Balcombe in support of the local anti-fracking protectors’ camp to shut down Cuadrilla’s proposed fracking site for six days. The national day of high-profile direct action saw Green Party MP Caroline Lucas being arrested.
Click here to find out more about Reclaim the Power, including its workshops, skill-sharing events and mass actions.
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