CELT IN ACTION

As the Scottish Camp for Climate Action at Mainshill draws to a close after a successful week of workshops and action, the camp has moved south to the site of yet another open-cast coal mine, this time in Wales.

Following last week’s sabotage of a conveyor at a nearby mining site (see SchNEWS 686), a visit was paid to Lord Home, the Mainshill site landowner (currently under investigation by the FBI for fraud as well as by Scotland Yard for false expense claims) who has an agreement with Scottish Coal to turn over part of his estate for a new mine. Banners were draped, frisbee games and a picnic were held on Home’s lawn.

The Camp culminated with a demo against the serious health hazards for the local community and coal’s contribution to climate change, outside the offices of South Lanarkshire Council whose members have approved new coal extraction despite massive local opposition.

 Local Councillor Daniel Meikle of the family business Meikle Construction and chair of the planning committee for many years, was a particular target for campaigners’ ire.

The Camp also released a dossier entitled ‘Adverse Effects of Opencast Mining’ which paints an alarming picture of a whole host of health issues from cancer to asthma and depression, caused not just by the coal dust, but also by noise and the increase in heavy goods traffic. 

* See http://climatecampscotland.org.uk and http://coalactionedinburgh.noflag.org.uk 

Following hot on its heels, Climate Camp Wales premièred on Wednesday (12th) with around 60 protesters descending on Ffos-y-Fran, a controversial open-cast coal mine in the Merthyr Tydfil borough, about four miles from Newport.

The Camp will occupy the site until 16th August, with campaigners from the six areas of Wales aiming to address the lack of honesty in government policy - with its grand promises about limiting climate damaging activities, yet continued investment in and expansion of the coal mining industry. 

Local campaign groups in the region, such as Residents Against Ffos-y-Fran (RAFF), have been consistently ignored by government and planners, despite some campaigners living only 36 metres from the 1,000 acre mine. Although a report funded by the Welsh Assembly expressed concern over the detrimental health effects of the air pollution and dust particles, objections have so far been discounted.

The camp is offering a variety of workshops from herbalism and low impact development to direct action and lobbying, as well as providing information about current climate campaigns such as those at Vestas and Rossport. This Friday sees a ‘green awareness day’, organised by residents in the Merthyr Tydfil area. The event, taking place in the town market, will include representatives from sustainable energy firms, the local council’s recycling department, Friends of the Earth and the Climate Camp.

For directions and how to get involved see: www.climatecampcymru.org