Exclusive: Climate Camp hits the govt
Wednesday, 2 September 2009 5:22 PM
By Liz Stephens and Ian Dunt
A group of environmental protesters occupied the lobby and main entrance of the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) this morning, in a continuation of direct action tactics from yesterday.
Early this morning, two activists in suits walked into the reception of the government department followed by activists wearing goggles and flippers who wedged a kayak in the main entrance and occupied the lobby in a sit-down protest.
The protesters then unfurled a banner reading: "Climate Emergency: Sink or Swim" and proceeded to hand out goggles to passers-by.
Photos: Climate Camp direct action on DECC
Video: Protesters occupy the DECC
The group are campaigning against the department's commitment to carbon trading as a method to defeat global warming, and for a more robust carbon target.
One protester told politics.co.uk: "We want no more false solutions to climate change and an end to carbon trading, the DECC's current policies do not go far enough."
The 'aquatic theme' was a response to the rising sea levels caused by climate change which are threatening communities around the world.
Later, protesters demanded to speak to a spokesperson for the department but their request was allegedly refused.
Protester Ed Thompson explained to politics.co.uk what the direct action was about - click here for further interview footage with Climate Camp protesters.
Members of the Metropolitan police force watched as the protest disbanded peacefully after two hours and made no arrests.
The protesters then made their way to Trafalgar Square and kayaked and snorkled in the fountains.
The action was part of the week long Climate Camp in London which will come to an end tomorrow.
Protesters are planning to protest at Ratcliffe-on-Soar coal-fired power station from 17-18th October.
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