If you passed through Blackheath from 27 August to 3 September, you may have seen a huge banner with the words “CAPITALISM IS CRISIS” emblazoned across it. This banner marked the entrance to this year’s Climate Camp, on Blackheath Common.
The Camp has several aims: to build – from erecting a marquee to constructing a wind turbine; to meet others concerned with climate change; to learn skills such as composting waste; and to take action.
Climate Camp poster designed by Amilia Gregory
Previously, Climate Camp has taken action in a number of ways. They started, in August 2006, with a gathering of 600 people at Drax Coal-fired power station, the UK’s largest single source of carbon dioxide. Here, the Camp had 10 days of learning and sustainable living, which climaxed in mass action against Drax.
The Camp also took action against BBA building a third runway by camping near Heathrow airport in 2007.
More recently the Camp settled in Bishopsgate at the G20 in London on 1 April. The European Climate Exchange closed its doors.
While stationed in Blackheath, they ran workshops teaching people skills that make for sustainable living.
As I went to the Camp on 3 September, I missed out on all the fun. However, I was directed to one of the last tents still standing and some really friendly camp members gave me some literature and kindly told me about their plight.
I was told that all members live as a small democracy, believing in freedom of speech for all and that everyone should help each other. Hence, they all meet every morning to decide what they’re going to do for the rest of the day and how they’re going to do it. They admit it’s a long process as everyone’s opinion is taken into account, meaning if one person disagrees with the others, the process of deciding starts again. In this way a hierarchy is prevented.
The camp also provides for itself. For example, they produce their own energy.
The camp intends to educate people about its views and alternative way of living. I believe no matter what your view, the Climate Camp has truly adopted a way of living that is less harmful to our planet. As I left them, they were determined to leave the common cleaner than how they found it.
Climate Camp’s next stop is Nottinghamshire (17-18 October) for a mass blockade of the E.ON’s Ratcliffe-on-Soar coal fired power station.
For more information about the Camp and how to get involved visit:
www.climatecamp.org.uk
DOV article on Climate Camp through the eyes of Ursula Gregory
