Also by christian

Flashmob Heathrow tomorrow

Posted by christian - 16 January 2009 at 2:38pm - Comments

Flashmobbers mob Heathrow last year.

Yesterday, the government approved a third runway for Heathrow. That means tomorrow (Saturday) is the 'Decision Day' Flash Mob at Heathrow Terminal 5.

If you want to show that you're against unsustainable aviation expansion head along to the 'Security North' section of the terminal's Departures area just before 12 noon. The idea of a flashmob is that it appears out of nowhere, so the plan is to wear a (concealed) red t-shirt, and then on the stroke of midday join the other flashmobbers in revealing your opposition to the third runway.

Article tagged as: airplot, aviation, climate change, flash mobs, heathrow

Video: John Sauven tells it like it is on Heathrow

Posted by christian - 16 January 2009 at 11:35am - Comments

Geoff Hoon's arguments for why expanding Heathrow won't be an environmental disaster are rather shaky, to say the least. 'Green planes', 'strict oversight', 'a strong business case for expansion' - unfortunately it's all just greenwash of the highest order. In the real world, we know a third runway would lead to more pollution, faster climate change and, according to WDM, about the same annual emissions as Kenya.

John, our executive director, did a good job of demolishing the government's case on Channel 4 News last night - check it out:

Article tagged as: airplot, aviation, climate change, heathrow, john sauven, transport, videos

Does the economic case for a third runway stack up?

Posted by christian - 15 January 2009 at 12:31pm - Comments

Climate Emergency, no 3rd Runway - the banner held above a jumbo jet by Greenpeace campaigns.

In the next few hours we're expecting the government to annouce they're going ahead with the third runway. The aviation industry likes to suggest that building a third runway at Heathrow has become vital to Britain's future economic wellbeing and the government may use this as a justifcation. To listen to some of the more enthusiastic cheerleaders for aviation expansion, you might think that the entire UK economy is about to collapse, and only laying an enormous strip of tarmac through Sipson village will save it. But is it really that simple? We know aviation expansion is a sure-fire way to wreck the climate, but do we really have to choose between the climate and "jobs and prosperity"?

Article tagged as: aviation, climate change, economy, heathrow expansion

The Climate Rush goes to domestic departures

Posted by christian - 13 January 2009 at 3:28pm - Comments

Edwardian revellers protest aviation expansion at the Climate Rush.
Copyright Billy for the image. Thanks!

On the stroke of seven o'clock, the coats and backpacks fell aside to reveal flowing white dresses, patterned waistcoats, cummerbunds, and an impressive array of picnic items. Four people who seconds earlier had been avoiding eye contact morphed into a string quartet, flourished their instruments, and began to play. Airport staff and an array of police officers looked on in slight confusion as the picnic got going.

It could only be the Climate Rush, which with impeccable timing hit Heathrow in the week where the government's decision on a third runway is supposed to be announced. Following their earlier protest at parliament, the ladies, gentlemen and street urchins of the Edwardian-inspired protest group shared sandwiches, threw beach balls around, and chatted as commuters streamed past, including perhaps a few MPs returning from their Christmas break and pondering the impending decision on Heathrow.

Article tagged as: airport expansion, climate change, heathrow

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