Kingsnorth, court cases and climate scientists - an update on our coal campaign

Jubilant climbers on top of the chimney at Kingsnorth power station in October

I've been so busy with the launch of EfficienCity (our blueprint for a climate-friendly town) that I haven't had a chance to update you on all the goings on in our coal campaign since we delivered our alternative energy speech at the government / industry shindig last Wednesday.

On Friday morning, listeners of Radio 4's Today programme heard a withering attack on the proposed new coal plant at Kingsnorth from top Nasa scientist (and the world's most eminent climate scientist) James Hansen. The plans for the UK's first new coal plant in 30 years were, he said, a "terrible idea" which “will destroy the efforts of millions of citizens to reduce their carbon emissions”.

It was a timely boost for the Greenpeace volunteers who climbed the chimney at Kingsnorth last year (see the pic). They were in court for a hearing later that morning. The result? Another hearing - this time at Crown Court - has been scheduled for mid-March.

We'll keep you updated on the case but, in the meantime, you can write to John Hutton, explaining why you think the decision on new coal should go to public inquiry.