Thursday 11th July and it's my birthday! How kind to receive early morning texts from Greenpeace - but what's all this about an 'IceClimb'? Six women climbing up The Shard in London to highlight Shell's ludicrous plans to drill in the Arctic? The Shard? Crikey, only the tallest building in Western Europe! What kind of crazy is this?
It was an incredibly busy day at work and it was only until I got home that I could tune into the live feed and take in the enormity of unfolding events. I was able to witness the final couple of hours of the 15 hour climb and then had to dash to our monthly group meeting where everyone was a buzz with the news that The Shard had been scaled. WOW! The action inspired us to hastily organise a 'Give Shell Hell' protest that weekend to keep the issue in the forefront of people's minds.
The morning after the 'IceClimb' the papers were carrying the news and with climbers from different countries it was clearly an 'international' event that got reported around the world. The media spotlight was certainly on the success of the climbers, but also on Shell's response in a bid to limit the damage of such adverse publicity. Suffice to say that it was the predictably bland statement that they have used on previous occasions. Closer to home, it was also so heartening for me to be reminded of the event by students at my school who had seen, read, or heard about it in the news.
A week and a half later and we are on the streets of Bristol, campaigning to recruit Arctic Defenders to help protect this special environment, The topic of conversation often turned to the action at The Shard and people were generous with their adulation of the Shard Six and so willing to sign the petition. The impact of the actions of these six women has been so positive and uplifting and is going to be remembered for a long time.
The newly attached video from Greenpeace shows some amazing insight into the preparations for the 'IceClimb'. We know the six women risked so much to carry out this action and we hope that in the court of law their bravery and commitment to this important cause will be justified. Victo, Ali, Sabine, Sandra, Liesbeth & Wiola - we thank you for your dedication, your bravery and your inspiration to do more to Save the Arctic from commercial exploitation.
Over 3.5 million people from around the world have added their support to The Save Arctic Campaign. To join them click here. Want to do more? Then get in touch with our group and see how you can help out. Aurora is coming! So reserve Sunday 15th September in your diary - a date of international global action to save the Arctic.
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