GOOD COP BAD COP

INFORMATION FOR ACTION FOR THE COPENHAGEN COP 15 CLIMATE CONFERENCE

The climate summit at Copenhagen is drawing closer and closer, and various factions are mobilising across the world, some to push global elites into waking up and smelling the carbon and others to shout that capitalism cannot be reformed - it must be destroyed. Based on our leaders’ last sorry effort don’t expect too much from COP 15. Kyoto amounted to not much more than a system of carbon bribing offsetting (and even that the US pulled out of). Politicians are already baulking at the idea of actually limiting growth and are announcing that COP 15 will not produce a binding agreement.

The talk is of carbon trading i.e more capital speculation to undo the damage caused by capital speculation. So once again the responsibility falls to us to push the pressing and essential need for a dramatic rethink in environmental policy on a global scale. With this in mind thousands of activists and concerned environmentalists will be attending the talks held on 7th - 18th December. Here’s just a quick round-up of the actions and groups who will be converging on Denmark.

KLIMAFORUM

Running from 7th - 18th December alongside the COP15 is Klimaforum, the climate counter-summit run for and by grass roots activist movements, the scientific community and individuals to ‘create an open space where people, movements and organisations can develop constructive solutions to the climate crisis. It’s taking place in DGI-byen, (a conference complex in Copenhagen’s centre). Free and open to all. www.klimaforum09.org

OPERATION BIKE BLOC

Climate Camp and Bristol-based artists the Laboratory of Insurrectionary Imagination is constructing the ultimate ‘resistance machine’- a pedal-powered, art-bike carnival. Sounds good huh? On 16th December the Bike Bloc will take to the streets as part of the Reclaim Power! event. To get involved go along to the Arnolfini Gallery, Bristol 24th and 29th November, or at Copenhagen at the Candyfactory to help put together the final design. www.climatecamp.org.uk/actions/copenhagen-2009/bike-bloc

CLIMATE CARAVAN

As well as COP 15, the WTO Summit in Geneva from 30th November - 2nd December is another target for action. 60 activists from the global South, plus local affinity groups, will be travelling across Europe from Geneva to Copenhagen. The 12 day caravan kicks off with 5 days of action based in Geneva, then leaves on 3rd December to protest their way to COP 15, arriving on the 9th. www.climatecaravan.org

Now your appetite for action is truly whetted, what can you expect to be going on during the event?

* 11th December: Our Climate! Not Your Business! Day of direct action targeting participating corporations. See ‘Don’t Buy The Lie’ on Facebook.

* 12th December: Flood for Climate Justice - People power on the streets organised by Friend of the Earth. www.foei.org

Never Trust a COP - March to conference centre through Copenhagen see http://nevertrustacop.org/Main/GetHeardNotHerded

Global Day of Action - If you can’t make it all the way to Denmark, plan your own day of action wherever you are. www.globalclimatecampaign.org

* 13th December: Hit the Production! Mass blockade targeting the harbour of Copenhagen and industry. http://htp.noblogs.org

Farmer’s Action - Direct actions against the agro-industry organised by La Via Campesina www.viacampesina.org

14th December: No Borders, No Climate Refugees! Day of action in support of freedom of movement and international no borders groups. See http://info.interactivist.net/node/13135

15th December: Resistance is Ripe! Agriculture Action Day - Collective action in support of changing the global food production system. See www.climate-justice-action.org/mobilization/agriculture-action-day

16th December: Reclaim Power! Pushing for Climate Justice - This is the biggie. Co-ordinated mass action on the streets of Copenhagen, drawing together for a people’s summit for climate justice in the middle of the lion’s den. www.climatecamp.org.uk/actions/copenhagen-2009

These are just the published events. More actions will be taking place throughout the conference by affinity groups and individuals, so where do you go to find out about them once you’re there?

CONVERGENCE CENTRES / INFO POINTS

Four spaces will be the hub of action planning and accommodation: The “main” convergence, Støberiet on Blågårds Plads on Nørrebro, which will feature medics, trauma support, legal aid, meeting and social spaces and info point; Bolsjefabrikken, The Candy Factory social center (Copenhagen near Nørrebro) will host a kitchen and workshop areas (both kinds - tools and discussions/hand waggling).

A smaller convergence, Råhuset by KlimaForum09 on Vesterbro will feature a social space and info point along with the main communal kitchen;

The House of Solidarity on Nørrebro – near the main centre - will feature a be-the-media activist centre open for everyone.

There will also be an info point at the Central Train Station, to redirect you onto these centres.

For loads more info and advice www.climate-justice-action.org/practical-info/copenhagen-info

So now you know who will be there, when they will be doing, and how you can get involved with it. All that remains is getting there...

TRANSPORT

* Ryanair flights are a bargain at £29.99 plus airport tax - YEAH RIGHT. Don’t fly there, like the team of writers for The Guardian will be.

* Two coaches are leaving from London and Leeds, organised by Camp for Climate Action. For times and booking info see www.climatecamp.org.uk/actions/copenhagen-2009/coaches

* Or get in touch with your local branch of Climate Campers, most groups are sorting their own transport. See www.climatecamp.org.uk/get-involved/local-groups

* For ferries and sleeper trains see www.seat61.com/Denmark.htm or coach www.eurolines.com

* Once you’re in Denmark, use Danish Railways to get about the city. For KlimaForum09 you need to get off at Hovedbanegården, the main station in Copenhagen; and for the convergence centres in Nørrebro, get off at Nørreport St. For times and booking see www.dsb.dk (Right corner to switch to English)

Stand up, fight for your voice, and make it heard. See you there!