GLOBAL WARNING: COP 7 IN MARRAKECH SEEKS TO PRIVATISE THE ATMOSPHERE

Considering the monetary and fuel-related inefficiency of going all the way to Morocco, many people will not be mobilizing to be actually present during COP 7. However, this by no means dampens the enthusiasm of coordinating some 'events' to coincide with each other. The privitisation of the atmosphere and the trade in greenhouse gases will not only do nothing to address the problems of climate change, it will also reinforce the structural economic inequalities between the North and the South, and we really need to highlight this.  Although targets like Shell and Esso are still valid, we also need to start focussing some attention on some of the lesser known bad-guys, like the international accountancy firms that are going to facilitate the trade in emissions (Price Waterhouse-Coopers, Arthur Andersons etc.)

As people with a common purpose, we've all taken part in some brilliant activities trying to reach out not only to the people making decisions inside conference centers, but also to the everyday person on the street. But there is still a worrying lack of participation by the public in climate change issues, especially considering the size of the problem and how it will affect literally everyone. Maybe it’s the apparently complicated nature of concepts like carbon trading and the difficult language of protocols and mechanisms. Or maybe it's just the huge size of the problem itself, how it seems so disconnected and massive – and somehow not a part of our day-to-day existence.  By concentrating our energies on local actions rather than mobilising to go to Marrakech, we have the opportunity to motivate some of these people to get more involved in the struggle for climate justice. The fact remains that the issue of climate change fundamentally connects some the main concerns today – the environment and our planet and the social and economic inequalities of the people who inhabit it.  We must fight this battle on both these fronts. 

After Cop 6B in Bonn, the beaten and exhausted Kyoto protocol trembled, a shadow of its former self.  Business lobbyists finally got to smoke their celebratory cigars, anticipating the opportunities given to them by the vast potential of carbon trading, an estimated turnover of 7 trillion US dollars a year. After ten years the stage has finally been set for the money to start rolling in, with the actual nature of the catastrophe and its impact on humanity and all life reduced to a mere bit part, a sideline, a symbolic theme.

And thus the next scene looms in Morocco; the spotlight finally shining on what was the secret star of the show all along - enough depressing predictions - let the games begin! Carbon trading is on the table - what are the rules, and how do we make people comply? Come on, there's money to be made!

It is ridiculous to expect market mechanisms to solve the climate catastrophe we are facing.  All the COP process has done has provided yet another opportunity for the rich to profit at the expense of the environment. 
We must take action to show that trading in pollution is not a solution.

Contact info@risingtide.nl for more information and/or to order COP7 local mobilisation posters or see www.risingtide.nl for more information about climate change and download your own poster and funky stickers to use in your actions.

Some ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

*Thin blue line - find out the sea-level rise or flood level predictions for your area (Met office, Environment agency) and paint/chalk this level in blue around town, on council buildings, petrol stations, etc. Accompany this with posters/leaflets explaining the line and forecasted impacts of extreme weather
*Street Theater: a marriage between the atmosphere and big business, a future news and weather report, a carbon auction or carbon casino
*Declare Anytown a car-free zone, have street parties reclaiming space normally consumed by cars, make ‘wanted' posters in car parks for 'crimes against the biosphere' with pictures of cars, take over streets with masses of people on bikes
*Target the local branches of international accountancy firms like Price Waterhouse Coopers and Arthur Andersens
*Do a 90% for 90% action - see www.risingtide.org.uk
*Fix up some bikes (universities and stations are good places to ask for leftovers) and set up a local free bike scheme
*Paint cycle lanes or 'think bike' signs on the road
*Office occupations of companies not reducing emissions or part of increasing emissions (airlines largest culprit)
*Plough up a motorway and create a park!
*Campaign for not-for profit public transport
*Floods on the news? Set hosepipes on offices of oil and airline companies
*Create virtual reality images of climate chaos future in your region/town
*Flyer cars with 'violation' tickets explaining their environmental costs, or with fish containing messages/website addresses
*'Climate chaos ahead' road signs on all rush-hour approaches to town