[Cc-webedit] Past Actions - Scotland and Wales

[Lewis]

No problem, but please use this version - It has corrections

Climate Camp Cymru 2009

The Abuse of Coal
                                                                **

*In mid-August Wales held its first Camp for Climate Action on the outskirts
of Merthyr Tydfil, a community abused by coal. *

The Ffos-y-Fran site is the biggest open cast coal mine in the UK and a
colossal reminder of the governments failure to face up to climate change.
Burning coal is the most climate-damaging activity we engage in and if we’re
serious about safeguarding our future, we must leave it in the ground. **

Instead, the government has granted Miller Argent (the company which runs
the mine) a 17 year contract to remove the coal which lays only 36 metres
from the nearest home, describing it as a ‘Land Reclamation Scheme’ because
it was apparently *too dangerous* in its previous state... nothing to do
with the 10.8 million tonnes of coal beneath the surface then.

Like all abusive partners, the issues here are complicated and the
relationship between the communities in the valleys of South Wales and coal
is understandably tense. Historically a large employer in Merthyr, coal is
still remembered as such; but it also left towns in ruin and people jobless,
not to mention the catastrophic consequences for the local environment and
global climate. The two faces of coal: the employer and the destroyer. Not
an easy mix, but yet coal is seeing resurgence. Just as the memory of the
pit closures fade and the scree slopes and slag heaps grass over, the coal
industry fuelled by government directives is rearing its ugly head once
more. But this time, not without a fight.

The first Camp for Climate Action in Wales pitched its tents in-between the
mine and the community in an act of solidarity with local residents who face
noise, dust and visual pollution daily and continually have their voices
suppressed by Miller Argent. Local democracy has failed the people of
Merthyr where one petition received 10,000 signatures in opposition to the
new mine. The camp formed a hub for learning about the issues and how to
take action on them. We shared ideas and built support for the local
campaign while evening discussions focused on drawing comparisons between
communities fighting for social and environmental justice across the British
Isles. Workshops ran throughout the camp on topics such as direct action,
economics and sustainable development.

On the Saturday of the Camp we were taken on a ‘tour’ of the mine in a
defiant stroll to get a good vantage over the deep hole and the town. It
really is close, and very big. Diggers the size of houses are dwarfed and
only visible because of their contrasting yellow, while the pit itself winds
ever deeper into the earth with trucks snaking up the opposite hill-side
brimming with coal.

There was a large police presence surrounding the mine for the duration of
the camp, and although we didn’t collectively venture into the mine itself-
it is an easy target. There has been direct action taken here in the past,
occupations bringing operations to a standstill on two separate occasions,
and no doubt there will be more until we see the end of the new coal age.
However, this camp did not organise a mass action in advance. Instead, the
focus was on movement building and equipping people with the skills and
confidence to begin to make effective changes in society.

A ‘green fayre’ in the centre of the town organised by the local campaign
group ‘Residents Against Foss-y-Fran’ (RAFF) on Friday provided an
opportunity for people to look at alternative employment which could exist
in the absence of coal. The alternatives are real as well, the door just
needs to be opened for employment – a ‘just transition’ with plentiful
opportunities. Merthyr is perfectly sited for a very different kind of
energy industry: Wind. In fact, a planning application for a small wind farm
near to the open cast site was turned down by the local planning authority
because of ‘visual impact’. You couldn’t make it up.

Taking a walk up to the mine with local people opened many eyes to the
contrary behaviour of our society. We have to stop this mine- yes; but we
have to reverse the mentality which goes with it – the unfettered actions of
corporations which trample local people and places while driving
irreversible climate change in the pursuit of profit. They are the tell tale
signs of an ineffective system which regards destruction as progress. The
camp challenged this perspective and gave hope to many who have been
oppressed by mining operations in the Valleys for years.

*Climate Camp Cymru will head to Cardiff on the 19th of September for the
next Wales – wide gathering to discuss the next steps. Meanwhile, there is a
Wales day of action on the 24th of October. Put it in your diaries and join
the Wales Climate Action movement!*




2009/9/4 Calvin Jones <calvin.jones at gmail.com>

> Hi Jon,
>
> Is this the kind of thing that you where after?
>
> I`m sure lewis would be happy for you to use it if suitable.
>
> Regards,
> Calvin
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Lewis <>
> Date: Tue, Aug 25, 2009 at 5:27 PM
> Subject: [Media-cymru] Article about the camp.
> To: Media/Networking CCCymru <media-cymru at lists.aktivix.org>, Networking
> CCCymru <networking-cymru at lists.aktivix.org>
>
>
> Is any of this text useful to anyone? - It could be editied/cut up for use
> on some of the posters, or press releases. Sorry, I'm not very good at
> writing short snappy captions, it just turned into an article!
>
>
> Climate Camp Cymru 2009
>
> The Abuse of Coal
>                                                                 *Lewis
> Winks*
>
> *In mid-August Wales held its first Camp for Climate Action on the
> outskirts of Merthyr Tydfil, a community abused by coal. *
>
> The Foss-y-Fran site is the biggest open cast coal mine in the UK and a
> colossal reminder of the governments failure to face up to climate change.
> Burning coal is the most climate-damaging activity we engage in and if we’re
> serious about safeguarding our future, we must leave it in the ground.
>
> Instead, the government has granted Miller Argent (the company which runs
> the mine) a 17 year contract to remove the coal which lays only 36 metres
> from the nearest home, describing it as a ‘Land Reclamation Scheme’ because
> it was apparently *too dangerous* in its previous state... nothing to do
> with the 10.8 million tonnes of coal beneath the surface, of course.
>
> Like all abusive partners, the issues here are complicated and the
> relationship between the communities in the valleys of South Wales and coal
> is understandably tense. Historically a large employer in Merthyr, coal is
> still remembered as such; but it also left towns in ruin and people jobless,
> not to mention the catastrophic consequences for the local environment and
> global climate. The two faces of coal: the employer and the destroyer. Not
> an easy mix, but yet coal is seeing resurgence. Just as the memory of the
> pit closures fade and the scree slopes and slag heaps grass over, the coal
> industry fuelled by government directives is rearing its ugly head once
> more. But this time, not without a fight.
>
> The first Camp for Climate Action in Wales pitched its tents in-between the
> mine and the community in an act of solidarity with local residents who face
> noise, dust and visual pollution daily and continually have their voices
> suppressed by Miller Argent. Local democracy has failed the people of
> Merthyr where one petition received 10,000 signatures in opposition to the
> new mine. The camp formed a hub for learning about the issues and how to
> take action on them. We shared ideas and built support for the local
> campaign while evening discussions focused on drawing comparisons between
> communities fighting for social and environmental justice across the British
> Isles. Workshops ran throughout the week on topics such as direct action,
> economics and sustainable development, as well as a range of activities for
> younger climate campers.
>
> On the Saturday of the Camp we were taken on a ‘tour’ of the mine in a
> defiant stroll to get a good vantage over the deep hole and the town. It
> really is close, and very big. Diggers the size of houses are dwarfed and
> only visible because of their contrasting yellow, while the pit itself winds
> ever deeper into the earth with trucks snaking up the opposite hill-side
> brimming with coal.
>
> There was a large police presence surrounding the mine for the duration of
> the camp, and although we didn’t collectively venture into the mine itself-
> it is an easy target. There has been direct action taken here in the past,
> occupations bringing operations to a standstill on two separate occasions,
> and no doubt there will be more until we see the end of the new coal age.
> However, this camp did not organise a mass action in advance. Instead, the
> focus was on movement building and equipping people with the skills and
> confidence to begin to make effective changes in society.
>
> A ‘green fare’ in the centre of the town organised by the local campaign
> group ‘Residents Against Foss-y-Fran’ (RAFF) on Friday provided an
> opportunity for people to look at alternative employment which could exist
> in the absence of coal. The alternatives are real as well, the door just
> needs to be opened for employment – a ‘just transition’ with plentiful
> opportunities. Merthyr is perfectly sited for a very different kind of
> energy industry: Wind. In fact, a planning application for a small wind farm
> near to the open cast site was turned down by the local planning authority
> because of ‘visual impact’. You couldn’t make it up.
>
> Taking a walk up to the mine with local people opened many eyes to the
> contrary behaviour of our society. We have to stop this mine- yes; but we
> have to reverse the mentality which goes with it – the unfettered actions of
> corporations which trample over local people and places and drive
> irreversible climate change in the pursuit of profit. They are the tell tale
> signs of an ineffective system which regards destruction as progress. The
> camp challenged this perspective and gave hope to many who have been
> oppressed by mining operations in the Valleys for years.
>
> *Climate Camp Cymru will return to Merthyr on the 19th of September for
> the next Wales – wide gathering to discuss the next steps. Meanwhile, there
> is a Wales day of action on the 24th of October. Put it in your diaries
> and join the Wales Climate Action movement!*
>
>
>
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