Climate campaigners gear up for pressure on UN talks
Climate campaigners from across Scotland will gather in Edinburgh this weekend to learn about the UN climate talks taking place in Copenhagen this December, and plan a campaign to put pressure on the UK delegation that will be attending.
The campaigners will be attending To Copenhagen and Beyond, a free public conference organised by Friends of the Earth Scotland, Stop Climate Chaos and UNISON, which will feature experts from overseas and across the UK. Highlights will include Leo Murray, the Media Producer of the acclaimed climate change film, the Age of Stupid, and Ahmed Moosa, representing the Maldives Going Carbon Neutral Project. The Sunday Herald Environment Editor, Rob Edwards, will chair the event.
The conference, which takes place on Saturday 30 May as part of the Edinburgh World Justice Festival, will highlight the importance of the forthcoming climate talks in Copenhagen and encourage people to get involved in campaign activities over the next few months.
Corinne Evans, Head of Campaigns at Friends of the Earth Scotland said:
“It is vital both that the Scottish Parliament passes am ambitious Climate Change Bill to set a precedent for international action, and that the UK delegation attending Copenhagen push for a strong global deal.”
Individuals attending To Copenhagen and Beyond will be encouraged to sign up to campaign activities including a Stop Climate Chaos Scotland rally in Glasgow on 5 December and travelling to Copenhagen with thousands of other peaceful environmental campaigners from across Europe during the talks.
Leo Murray, Media Producer from the Age of Stupid film, who is speaking at the event, said:
“Time is running out for effective action on climate change. The UN meeting in Copenhagen this December may be the last chance for the world’s governments to reach an agreement on reducing emissions in time to prevent catastrophe.
“We need a deal that will mean emissions cuts take place in the real world, and not in the fantasy world of the carbon markets; the EU’s current plans would allow it make over half of its agreed ‘cuts’ by buying in carbon credits from outside of the EU. Mass political engagement with climate change is vital at this critical moment in human history. “
The event takes place on Saturday 30 May from 13.00-17.00 at the Pleasance, Edinburgh. It is free and open to the public. For more information and registration please visit www.foe-scotland.org.uk/copenhagenconference
ENDS
Media contact: Davina Shiell, Friends of the Earth Scotland Tel: 0131 243 2705,
To re-direct to the mobile call 0131 243 2715, Email: dshiell@foe-scotland.org.uk
NOTES
1. Friends of the Earth Scotland exists to help people in Scotland look after the planet for everyone’s future. We think globally and act locally in Scotland, delivering solutions to the problem of climate change by enabling and empowering people to take both individual and collective action.
2. Stop Climate Chaos Scotland is a diverse, growing coalition of organisations campaigning on climate change. The Coalition has 40 Scottish members, representing more than 2 million supporters, ranging from environment and development groups to faith organisations, trade unions, student societies, women’s organisations, business groups, care providers and many more.