Mopping up the UN Climate Conference
The Montreal Conference Meeting of the Parties (MOP) has been met by thousands of protests globally. People from all over the planet protested the lack of government action on climate with demands of increased focus on the future and sustainable energy like wind and solar. 30 countries, including Japan, Germany, France, Bangladesh, Brazil, Australia and South Africa participated it the International Day of Action.
In Montreal a huge crowd of 40,000 turned out in near freezing conditions. [1] [2] [3]
In the UK George Monbiot spoke to a crowd of thousands. [Monbiot video]
Meanwhile Earth First activists disrupted proceedings at a UK aviation conference. Other UK reports [1] [2] [3]
While in the Oceania region hundreds turned out in the capital cities of Australia for the walk against warming. [1] [2] [3] [Aotearoa]
Inuit and Pacific peoples also attended Montreal to highlight the loss of their homelands. [story here]
There was a large youth contingent in Montreal calling on decision-makers to recognise their future. [video]
As part of the protests, five environmental groups, including Greenpeace
and the Climate Crisis Coalition delivered petitions signed by 600,000 citizens, to the U.S. consulate in Montreal.
While Greenpeace Australia is calling on Australians to demand that Australia commit to binding greenhouse pollution reduction targets in Kyoto's second commitment period.
The conference itself was at risk of being a disaster, with the US determined from the start to scuttle any global agreements, refusing to commit to looking at future, post-Kyoto 2012 scenarios. However, the other Montreal meeting attendees, including Australia, are forging ahead with post Kyoto 2012 plans. [Greenpeace Press Release] [Friends of the Earth Press Release]
There were some funny moments when US representative Harlan Watson was asked to define ‘climate justice’. The UN, in a feeble attempt to ingratiate itself with the US, banned political badges at the conference and one protestor was harassed by security for possessing a can of 'spam' [here]
One of the Australian organizers, John Mackenzie, said the IDA, “represents the launch…of the grassroots, direct action on climate change. This is a significant transition in the nature of climate campaigning – there is potential here to build upon this platform event to create a very significant direct action movement”
Activists are looking to the future with plans already afoot for further direct action for climate change including:
*A huge UK climate camp planned for early 2006 [here]
*A “Virtual March” ongoing [here]
Other reports:
Canada
UK
Oceania
Photos: including Athens, Boston, Brisbane, Helsinki, Los Angeles, México City, Milano, Italy, Montreal, New Zealand, Oslo, Paris, Saint Paul, Minnesota, Seoul, Sofia, Sydney, Washington DC, Zagreb
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