Trainee writes: 13 people who literally put their necks on the line blockading the railway at Ffos y Fran, the largest opencast coal mine in the UK, will be sentenced at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court at 2pm on Friday 13th August. (1) There will be a solidarity demo outside the court from 1pm - please come and show your support. If you're heading to Climate Camp Cymru you can drop by for a bit on your way to the site.

Climate activists from Bristol and Bath Rising Tide chained themselves to the railway on April 26th to stop a train carrying coal from the mine to Aberthaw power station. Extensive safety measures were taken to ensure there would be no danger to anyone. (2)

A spokesperson for Rising Tide said, “Opencast mining trashes the landscape, contributes massively to climate change and threatens the health of local people. We need to leave coal in the ground, and that's why we put our necks on the line to stop a coal train.”

“With their hands in the pockets of corporations, it's not surprising that governments failed us at the Copenhagen climate summit. We can't rely on their false solutions anymore. It's up to ordinary people taking direct action to stop climate chaos. Fossil fuel extraction devastates communities and is being resisted around the world, from opencast mining in Merthyr to tar sands oil in Alberta, Canada.”

Full Story | Bath and Bristol Rising Tide Stop Coal Train | Action Snaps: Ffos-y-Fran Coal Train Blockade | Ffos-yFran Coal Train Blockade Action Report

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Ian writes: Developers W4B Ltd want to build a power station at Avonmouth specifically to burn imported liquid biofuels. The biofuel industry is coming under intense scrutiny worldwide because of the devastating impacts that growing plants for fuel in tropical areas can have on local environments and livelihoods. Studies have concluded that the overall impact of burning liquid biofuels on global climate can be worse than the fossil fuels they are designed to replace.

W4B applied to build the power station to Bristol City Council, who turned down the application in February this year because of concerns over its environmental impact in tropical countries where the fuel would be sourced. The appeal by W4B against Bristol’s decision is now being heard by an independent Planning Inspector.

A coalition of objectors including Biofuelwatch, Bristol Green Capital Momentum Group, and Friends of the Earth, is presenting evidence against the proposal. The key point on the first day of the appeal will be whether or not objectors are allowed to present evidence on the impact of growing biofuels. The inspector has ruled against this but will hear legal arguments from objectors that their evidence should be allowed.

Demonstrators will be marking the start of the Appeal with banners and costumes on College Green at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday 10th August

Full Story | Biofuel Protest

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fabriCA writes: On the 7th August The Factory, Bristol's latest squatted social centre, will be opening it's doors to members of the public for their second Open Day.

Following on from the success of the previous Open Day on 8th May (which saw such interesting events as; a vegan cake stall, free fruit and veg market, slide shows, tours of the building and spooky tours of the basement) this month's event will include; a donations based café, cinema room screening various political films, games in Portland Square and even the possibility of live acoustic artists!

Full Story

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Climate Camp Cymru writes: Open cast is trashing the south Wales landscape. It’s time to take action

Climate Camp Cymru 13 – 17 August

Momentum is building. Last year we camped next to Ffos y Fran - one of the largest opencast mines in Europe - for a week of workshops and sustainable living. This summer we’re going back to basics with a light action-based camp, targeting coal somewhere in south Wales.

Our current economic system is based on an addiction to fossil fuels and on maximising profit at the expense of people and the environment. Fossil fuel corporations cannot be allowed to progress unchecked. We need green jobs for Wales, not dirty destruction.

On the 13th we’ll meet in Cardiff and make our way from there to the site.

Burning coal is destroying our climate, while opencast mining damages the earth and the health of local people. We must leave it in the ground.

Join a growing number of ordinary people taking direct action, and exploring alternatives, to stop the madness that is destroying the earth. This August 13th -17th come to Climate Camp Cymru.

Full Story | Climate Camp Cymru | Camp for Climate Action Website | Ffos-y-Fran Coal Train Blockade

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