Day out with the Greenwash Guerillas

What happens when a dirty energy utility pretends to care about climate change? Well, the Greenwash Guerillas declare open season on the toxic company and set about informing the public that they are being greenwashed. This morning, I joined them outside the E.ON sponsored Guardian Climate Change Summit at the Business Design Centre in London.

I donned my white jumpsuit, put a mask on my face and held a red banner asking E.ON to F.off. You see, E.ON wants to build a coal fired power station in Kingsnorth which will pump 24 countries worth of carbon into the atmosphere for the next 50 years. So, I think it's a bit rich for E.ON to sponsor a climate change event while building the first coal fired power station in 30 years. They're definitely not talking about E.ON's large share of carbon emissions so the Greenwash Guerrillas are there to fill the gap.

But we weren't just holding up banners and leaflets; each Greenwash Guerrilla was armed with a 'greenwash detector' made from hairdryers, vacuum cleaners and remote controls. But the Police didn't see the funny side until we broke into a hysterical dance to Britney Spear's 'Toxic' number. Not that they joined us in the dance but they pushed and shoved us a little less after that. The guerrillas were also overcome with the toxic levels of corporate Greenwash and 'died' but somehow were immediately resurrected.

We managed to get our message across to the summit delegates, many of whom accepted our leaflets and also to members of the public to whom we explained how corporates sponsor events such as this one to clean up their dirty image. The Camp for Climate Action will take place next month at Kingsnorth in Kent to oppose E.ON's plans to build the coal fired power station and the government's willingness to let them. Join us in putting an end to their plans and don't get greenwashed by their PR stunts like the one I witnessed today.