What’s Next? : Climate 9

What’s Next?

The Film, Book and Organising Handbook ‘How ordinary people take on the State for environmental justice’.

You may remember the recent Climate9 trial that took place at Aberdeen Sheriff Court and was the first climate change jury trial in Scotland, the biggest in the UK since the failure of Copenhagen and it brought global public attention on the need for action to prevent runaway climate change.

The actions of the Climate9 drew attention to the damage which would have been prevented had they not stopped at least 107 tonnes of carbon from being emitted (enough to heat 200 Scottish homes for a month) during the 5 hour occupation. Aviation is the fastest growing source of global CO2 emissions and 60% of flights from Scottish airports are internal. So we still have work to do!

In light of all the interest raised and all the subsequent climate change trials (see the inspiring Manchester Plane Stupid trial starting on February 21^st here www.manchesterairportontrial.org/), the Climate9 defence committee are producing educational materials in the form of

A handbook: How ordinary people take on the State for environmental justice. A creative and powerful community handbook using interactive media tools; The online handbook will then be adapted for a printed version. This will be with all the supporting statements generated throughout the trial showing the connections between the environmental issues and wild law – from fuel poverty to public health to climate change;
A short film documenting the process of how ordinary people can challenge the legal system for environmental justice. The film will be used as a learning tool for activists, individuals, groups and to help spread the message about the need for action.
A book documenting the process. The legal book, in collaboration with human rights lawyers and volunteers, will be a resource for legal professionals, defendants and individuals and groups considering action.
Popular education workshops to build on the lessons learnt from the trial which will present a range of experts and first hand witnesses to the public. At these events and in the media we will connect themes such as police oppression, climate change, social, ecological and intergenerational justice and fuel poverty to support people to get to the root causes of social and environmental injustice.

Next Steps

As we Climate9 resources are created, if you can think of a useful article or are connected to a publication that would be interested in any issues around climate change, direct action, climate justice, social justice or activism and the law, please get in touch. We are preparing a legal book, involving leading human rights lawyers and campaigners about the issues surrounding direct action, climate change, the necessity to act and the law. If you want to take part contact Dan Glass on 07717811747 or email dan888glass@gmail.com, We are also making a film, so if you are a budding Baz Luhrman, or a fledgling Fellini, or you have any expertise in film making, editing or graphic design, or want some training, or just have something to say, then get in touch with me Jimmy Kerr on 07856799449, jk033446@yahoo.co.uk.

Climate9 Appeal News: June 7th 2011 at Edinburgh High Court

FOR UPDATES SEE http://www.climate9.com/newsie/
June 7th 2011 at Edinburgh High Court

An appeal to better judgement

Today defendants Tilly Gifford and Dan Glass from the Climate 9 had their appeal heard at Edinburgh Appeal Court against the conviction they received last summer for Breach of the Peace.

The conviction related to a direct action taken in March 2009 where the Climate 9 shut down Aberdeen airport and directly stopped 107 tonnes of emissions from contributing to man-made climate change. They played golf in a cage on the taxiway to highlight the fact that the airport's expansion will serve to deliver Donald Trump's super-rich golfer pals to his contentious course at Balmedie Estate.

Following a two week long trial in August 2010, which was the first jury-led climate change trial in Scotland, all 9 defendants were convicted of Breach of the Peace for their role in the protest. Dan and Tilly made the decision to appeal against the conviction as they hold firm to the belief that the action they took was justified, proportionate and necessary in the face of catastrophic climate change.

Appellant Dan Glass said “the Scottish legal system defines breach of the peace as an activity "causing fear and alarm to the ordinary and reasonable person, and which threatens serious disturbance to the community. I can't think of a better way to describe climate change. Sometimes, we believe, the law must be challenged to protect our fundamental freedom of expression and to disrupt lawful activities that are harming the prospects of future generations. Furthermore it’s the role of as democracy to protect the voices of the minority aswell as the majority”

The appeal has reached its final stages after months of anticipation and against a backdro0p of severe climate change, as recent estimates suggest an unthinkable 4 degree temperature rise by 2080. During the 4 hour hearing this morning the court heard a strong case from the defence, who argued that the jury wasn’t given any sense of this grave context regarding both the importance and urgency of the protest.

Appellant Tilly Gifford said “The judge presented a choice to the jury between 'breach of peace' and 'freedom of expression' without any context. This is simply not good enough. The jury should be given the serious climate change context of the situation relating to the case, otherwise the inference is completely abstract from reality.”

The appeal verdict will be heard within the next 6 weeks in a final court hearing. A date is not yet set. If it is successful it will set an important precedent for future protest cases, through actively defending freedom of expression and supporting the legitimacy of the right to protest given the governments inaction to effectively tackle climate change. It would be the first legal case in Scotland to engage with the severity of climate change that we face and challenge the ‘business as usual’ attitude that the aviation industry is taking in its expansion plans.

Plane Stupid spokesperson Joe Ryle said “Aviation remains the fastest growing source of CO2 emissions in the UK and we cannot let this go unchallenged. However the heart of this debate is about our fundamental right to protest and whether we are prepared to tolerate greater disruption to business as usual in the face of climate change.”

What’s Next?

Climate9 Appeal News: June 7th 2011 at Edinburgh High Court

Climate 9 in the news……..