Green protest at Kingsnorth

GREEN campaigners formed a "Mili-band" human chain around Kingsnorth Power Station to protest against plans for a new coal-fired plant.

More than 1,000 demonstrators joined the peaceful protest at the controversial site - urging Energy Secretary Ed Miliband to reject the proposed scheme.

They argue that coal fired energy production is a step backwards in the battle against climate change and can have devastating consequences for developing countries.

Representatives from Oxfam, the World Development Movement (WDM) and People and Planet were among those taking part in the demonstration at the Hoo Peninsular site.

Oxfam campaigns and policy director Phil Bloomer said: "We've got to stop plans like Kingsnorth and for a new generation of coal-fired power stations if we're going to make sure the planet remains a safe place for everyone to live on.

Perverse

"It's a perverse irony as it's the poorest people who are the first and worst affected, but they contribute the least to the problem."

After marching towards the site wearing yellow sashes bearing the words "Climate change kills", protesters circled around the power station and used them as banners which they held to form a chain.

Once positioned the demonstrators, including men, women and children, chanted slogans such as "Oi Ed Miliband, keep the carbon in the ground" and "Miliband, don't be a silly-band."

They fear energy company E.ON's plans to create the first new coal-fired power plant in Britain for 30 years at Kingsnorth would be a step backwards in the UK's commitment to fight climate change.

Environmentalists insist that coal is the most polluting way of generating electricity and are piling pressure onMiliband to show commitment to tackling global poverty and climate change by rejecting the proposal.

Figures released by the WDM on Saturday claim that creating a new coal plant could lead to 100,000 more people in the developing world losing their water supply during dry seasons.

They also believe 60,000 more people may suffer from drought in Africa and around 30,000 more people could lose their homes every year due to coastal flooding if the Government approves the plant at Kingsnorth.

WDM director Deborah Doane said today: "We've got all sections of society represented here to show that this is not just a fringe issue.

"We want to send a message to Miliband that he shouldn't approve a new coal-fired power station.

"We are taking responsibility for our future. We have two choices, we can go for a low carbon future by creating energy in ways that is clean and sustainable for both us and the developing world, or we can lock ourselves in a future that is going to cause a great deal of harm.

"If Kingsnorth goes ahead it will completely undermine the Government's objective to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050."

Oxfam campaigns and policy director, Mr Bloomer, who also took part in the human chain, said the charity's main focus has now become giving aid to victims of natural disasters, which he said was a result of climate change.

He added: "Oxfam has united with lots of different organisations that represent the swathes of British people who believe the Government must take the lead in not building a new generation of coal-fired power stations.

"Oxfam in particular is here as we see every day how the enormous emissions our greenhouse pollution produces are causing dangerous climate change for poor people.

"All of our aid programs in Asia and Africa are now helping poor people adapt to climate change.

"Our emergency programs are having to rebalance so there's less help for people suffering due to big conflicts, and more now going to help the victims of massive natural disasters, such as typhoons, hurricanes and drought, which are a direct result of climate change."

WI chairwoman Ruth Bond said: "The Government needs to show the same commitment to tackle climate change in December's UN talks that WI members have shown in their own homes.

"By not building Kingsnorth, the government will make it clear that they can take the tough decisions needed to tackle climate change."

A spokeswoman for E.ON said the company had no issue with the protest.

She said: "We're pleased with the way it's gone. We agree with people's right to protest as long as they do it peacefully and in this case this is what has happened."

Afterwards protesters left the power station and returned to the village of Hoo where a summer fete was held with stalls and entertainment including music from Get Cape Wear Cape Fly and Ugandan musician Geoffrey Oryema, while EastEnders actress Nina Wadia compered proceedings.

A spokeswoman for Kent Police said the demonstration had passed peacefully and there had been no arrests.

Last month 10 climate change protesters were arrested and bailed after they boarded a coal freighter on its way to Kingsnorth.

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