In another protest against the continuing reliance on coal – and proposals for more coal fired power stations from the government – activists have climbed on top of Didcot power station in Oxfordshire, and are planning to stay there for some time.
Striking out against carbon emissions and the continued use of such electricity, the group are inadvertently championing the cause for green energy, in terms of both its development as a national resource and in encouraging use of green energy through specific companies.
The Guardian reported on the protest as follows:
“Activists have climbed a power station chimney in a protest over climate change. The group, who met at the Camp for Climate Action earlier this year, forced their way into Didcot power station, Oxfordshire, at about 5.30am today. Nine members climbed the steps of one of the chimneys. They say they will stay at the power station, run by RWE npower, for “as long as possible”. A further 13 are on the station’s coal conveyer.
Protester Amy Johnson, a 20-year-old student from Oxford, said: “RWE npower have become at the forefront of trying to push for more coal, and want to build 30 more coal-fired power stations. We’re here to tell them that can’t possibly happen. The government is making a lot of noise about climate change, but they are not getting any results. They’ve made no steps to reduce carbon emissions. We’re planning on staying as long as possible. We’ve got food and water for at least a week, so we’re going to be here for the long haul.”
Drawing attention to the government’s difference between words and deeds on the issue of climate change, the reduction of CO2 emissions and the introduction of green energy, the protest should hopefully bring good publicity to the green energy cause. Indeed with green energy gradually receiving more exposure and gaining in popularity, it seems that the time is coming when its use in the UK might at last enter the mainstream.
With companies like Good Energy, Green Energy and Ecotricity offering it as an alternative to normal energy tariffs, too, green energy could soon be a staple in British homes.
