For those of you who are in touch with the British media, I’m sure you’ve noticed that last week was climate camp. This year the camp took place outside Kingsnorth power station, where E.ON has proposed to build a new coal fired power station. This is one of many coal fired power stations planned by energy companies and supported by our government. So why am I writing about power stations while I’m in Ghana? Good question, I’m concerned because coal is the most carbon intensive way to generate energy and if we are to halt catastrophic climate change we must cut carbon emissions in the UK. The fact is the climate is changing and is already hitting the poorest people first and worst. Yet the people who are on the frontline; the farmers who can’t grow their crops or the families displaced by floods are the people who have emitted the least.
People here don’t live carbon intensive lifestyles. My African home is comfortable but simple; we have an outside small stove where we prepare meals and a drop toilet – to save water! Yes we have electricity but day to day life can still carry on when the electricity is off (which frequently happens). The fact is the whole of Ghana emits less carbon emissions than the planned power station for Kingsnorth! (WDM fact). Yet it is the people of Ghana who are already feeling the consequences of climate change. Ghana’s main source of electricity is Akosmobo Dam which is currently at a record low, which many believe is due the higher temperatures that they are experiencing here.
So what can we do? We all have power and we can all make change happen. We must hold are government accountable and make sure that real carbon cuts are made in the UK. Are changing climate is a global injustice and a global solution is needed. We need to join together and fight for Climate Justice, join the campaign today at: http://www.christianaid.org.uk/
Fovorite climate camp story: twelve naked climate campaigners superglue themselves to the sancitioning body (BERR) for Kingsnorth - http://climatecamp.org.uk/node/441
Making change happen
Platform2 is a unique opportunity for 18-25 year olds from the UK to volunteer in a developing country and then come back and creatively express their experiences in the UK.
