On Saturday 8th December people around the world joined demonstrations calling on world leaders to take urgent action on climate change. The day of action is timed to coincide with the UN climate negotiations which are taking place in Bali, Indonesia between December 3th and 14th. Read more on the political content.
You can read more about the demonstrations organised around the world at: www.globalclimatecampaign.org
Many Friends of the Earth groups across Europe were involved in organising events in their countries. Look what' happened.
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Quick Navigator - FoE Groups Activities:
GERMANY
>>Berlin: Demonstration, Speeches, Concert, Lanterns, 5min lights switch-off , sign posts<<
>>Neurath: Demonstration, Speeches, Concert<<
Friends of the Earth Germany (BUND) is part of the Climate-Alliance (of 80 member organisations) which was mobilising people to demonstrate about climate change. Two big demonstrations: one in Berlin in front of the Brandenburg Gate and one in Neurath near Duesseldorf, where RWE is currently building the largest coal fired power station in Europe.
Programm in Berlin:
2pm- 4pm - Speeches, including by Vandana Shiva, and bands.
4pm and 5p.m - People created a large demonstration with blue lanterns.
8pm - FoE Germany called for people to switch off the lights for 5 minutes shortly before 8pm.
Contact: Matthias Seiche
www.die-klima-allianz.de
Youth-movement:
>>Berlin: March of the homeless penguins <<
The German environmental Youth movenment also mobilised young people to join. The BUNDjugend, Young Friends of the Earth Europe the Youth Alliance for Future Energy, Young Nature Friends Germany, the Katholische Landjugendbewegung and Bird life Germany formed the March of the Homeless Penguins to find their new home in terms of climate change. They found an artifical ice rink, an inflatable snowman and some fridges.
Contact: Job van den Assem
www.foeeurope.org/youngfoee
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Global Climate Action Day 2007, Berlin
Global Climate Action Day 2007, Berlin
pic:Joerg Farys
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UK
>>London: March, Banner, Local Groups <<
This year there was a National Climate March and Rally in London. The event was organised by Campaign against Climate Change with support from Stop Climate Chaos. About 10,000 people turned up to show their support.
Programm in London:
10am - Cycle Protest assembles at Lincoln's Inn Fields
12noon - Main march assembles Millbank
2.30pm - Rally and speeches at the US embassy, Grosvenor Square, London
Speakers were included: Sir Menzies Campbell MP (leader of the Liberal Democrat Party), Michael Meacher MP (Labour Minister of State for the Environment May 1997 - June 2003), Caroline Lucas MEP (Green Party), Zac Goldsmith (editor of the "Ecologist" and environmental adviser to the Conservative Party) and George Monbiot (author, green campaigner and journalist).
Contact: Alex Phillips
www.campaigncc.org
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Global Action Day 2007, London
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BELGIUM
>>Brussels: Demonstration, Climate Market, Concert<<
On 8th December activists from Friends of the Earth took part in the 3,500 strong demonstration in Brussels, to begin spreading the word about The Big Ask which will be launched in Belgium in February 2008. They asked people to say if they thought politicians were doing enough about climate change - the answer was an overwhelming "NO!" The event was organised by the Belgian Climate Coalition and Climate Oproep.
2.30pm - Demonstration left Brussels South Station
in Brussels and maked its way to Brussels Central Station. Following the march there was a "climate
market" with stalls workshops and debates.
6pm - Concert with big names like Lalalover and Joshua.
Contact: David Heller
www.8dec2007.be
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Global Action Day 2007, Brussels
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FRANCE
>>Paris: Demonstration, Human Picture, Cyber Petition <<
Friends of the Earth France is part of the French Climate Action Network (RAC) which was organising a demonstration on the streets of Paris, including creating a human picture. At the same time, a cyber-petition involved people on the web.
See more in the documentation movie: [...here]
Contact: Cyrielle den Hartigh
www.rac-f.org
Link to pictures
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Global Climate Action Day 2007, Paris
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FINLAND
>>Helsinki: angry skiiers <<
On international day of climate action the angry skiiers took to the streets in Helsinki. The maid of Finland led the way as the skiiers demanded a stop on climate change and the return of snowy winters. "Snow damn it!" the skiers shouted as they rushed past. Actions took place in 4 cities, linking climate change to local development issues, like peat powerplants.
Contact: Meri Pukarinen
link to pictures
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Global Action Day 2007, Helsinki
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DENMARK
>>Copenhagen: Speeches, Agrofuel-flyer <<
In Denmark about 20 organizations came together and arranged the Global Climate Action day in Copenhagen. A number of speeches were held by leading Danish environmentalists and around 500 people participated in the demonstration. NOAH's contribution was a flyer written especially for the occasion with the heading: "Agrofuel for transport: A new threat to climate and climate justice." About 750 flyers were handed out to interested pedestrians and demo participants.
Contact: Safania Eriksen
www.levendehav.dk
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Global Climate Action Day 2007, Copenhagen |
IRELAND
>>Dublin: Parade, March Speeches, Music <<
Friends of the Earth Ireland is part of a coalition of organisations known as Stop Climate Chaos who were hosting an event on this day.
There was a march in Dublin, the theme of which will be 'sound the alarm' for action on climate change. The organisers planned to get various churches throughout Dublin to ring their bells and asked people to ringing bells or alarm clocks or make any sort of noise at 2pm to signify the urgency and need to stop global temperatures rising more than 2°C. The message: '2 o'clock for 2°C. Next to the parade there were speeches and music.
Contact: Helen Cantrell
www.stopclimatechaos.ie
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SWEDEN
>>Stockholm: Demonstration<<
>>Göteborg: Colorful Action, Network Building <<
In Stockholm, FoE was one of the organisers of a demonstration together with other environmental organisations.
In Göteborg FoE made use of the global day of action to kick off more local networking and to hold a colorful action.
Contact: Liv Markström
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ITALY
>>Italy: Street Action in Florence <<
Italian action during the Christmas Market in Piazza Annigoni,
Firenze: FoE Italy gave to the people hundreds of leaflets about climate and energy.
Friends of the Earth of Firenze say: Choked in traffic? No, thanks!
Contact: Sergio Gatteschi
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BULGARIA
>>Bulgaria: Actions, Press Conference, Climate exhibition of FoEE <<
FoE's affiliate partner in Bulgaria joined the coalition of environmental groups. There were several actions and a press conference. They built up again the climate exhibition of FoEE - translated in Bulgarian language and handed out leaflets.
Contact: Valentina Lukova
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National Movement Friends of the Earth
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See 2006 International Demonstration on Climate Change
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