A new report launched by the World Development Movement today (on the eve of 48 hours of action against EON) has calculated that 10 million people could be forced to leave their homes due to the UK's contribution to climate change, and that 30,000 new climate refugees could be created if EON's Kingsnorth coal power station goes ahead.

If the UK builds new coal power stations we will be heading towards a world where 200 million climate refugees will be created by 2050, and it will be the poorest people in the world who are the most likely to lose their homes.

Although these shocking statistics sound a bit doom and gloom - there is hope. There is still time to prevent this climate disaster from happening, and just last month the UK government signed up to emissions cuts in the climate bill. But in order to acheive these targets EON's plans for a new coal power station at Kingsnorth need to be stopped.

To quote Benedict Southworth from WDM:

"Our hope is that this scenario can still be prevented, but our government must wake up and realise that we can't say we promise to reduce carbon emissions with one hand and give carbon intensive projects like the Kingsnorth coal power station the thumbs up with the other."

Find out more, and download the report with all the facts and figures from WDM's website.

Check out this video from Christian Aid, calling for a stop to new coal at Kingsnorth, (and featuring an amazing Jaffa Cake):

You can read more about Christian Aid's campaign against coal, and take action on their website - and we also have a round up of organisations campaigning against EON's coal plans and a page of all the different actions against coal.

Old king coal has reared his head in Scotland this week! (apologies to William Wallace Denslow)

In the same week that the Scottish Government published its consultation on planning guidance for new power plants in Scotland, there was also an announcement about a proposed new coal fired power station at Hunterston (currently home to a nuclear power station). 

So, if Longannet is upgraded by Scottish Power (as we're anticipating that it will be) then there could effectively be two new coal-fired power stations in Scotland in the next few years. And in the meantime, the Scottish Government is about to set a target for Scotland to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050.  Of course, this doesn't add up. There is no need to new coal in Scotland.  We have a fantastic renewable resource here in Scotland - for both electricity and heat. Indeed the Scottish Government has set a target of getting 20% of our energy (not just our electricity) from renewables by 2020.  And Scotland is well placed to succeed in that. 

WDM Scotland is calling for the Scottish Government to think again about coal and to put into its planning guidance for new power plants a requirement that they don't emit more than 350g of CO2 per kWh - meaning that any new power stations (or substantial upgrade) would have to be fitted with fully operational carbon capture and storage.  We say - look at energy efficiency and demand reduction (in a concerted way that will really make a difference) as well as renewables - and forget coal - or risk making a mockery of that 80% target.

Find out more about groups in Scotland opposing new coal.

Something rather interesting has been happening in the last few days - when you google 'EON' this site has been appearing high up in the search results.

EON - which itself stands for Energy On is the name of the German electricity company who are behind plans to build the new coal fired power station at Kingsnorth in Kent. Since EON is mentioned quite a lot on the site, these pages have gradually been appearing in the google search results.

What's made a big difference recently is a campaign by a group of committed bloggers who have been writing about this site, and it's relevance to EON in their blogs. You can read more about their online campaign (and the tactics they're using) here.

We will be publishing a lot more information about EON in the comming weeks - particularly about the 48 hours of action against EON

Update: This site now appears 5th in google search - more information about the online campaign can be found here and a list of supporting sites has been published on the Climate Change Action website. Thank you to everyone for your support and buzz about this site - we're now getting a lot of traffic, so the message about EON's involvement in coal power is getting out to a wider audience.

Start: 28/11/2008 - 11:00

As part of 48 hours of action against E.ON – the energy giant who are planning to build the UK’s first new coal-fired power station in 20 years, at Kingsnorth in Kent; WDM are inviting children along to say ‘E.ON, don’t destroy our future’ by making a giant banner of ‘carbon footprints’ to symbolise the future generations around the world whose lives and homes will be devastated by climate destruction. The emissions from Kingsnorth alone could result in 30,000 people becoming climate change refugees.

Joining activists across the country by taking action on this day, WDM will meet in Trafalgar Square at 10am for the children to add their footprints to the banner, then take our footprints to a ‘No new coal’ protest outside E.ON’s London offices in Pall Mall.

Please come along with your children and participate, and let E.ON know we won’t stand for any new climate-wrecking coal power stations, at Kingsnorth or anywhere else.

EON have put together a handy guide to going green on their website. Featuring some hints and tips from the coal giant about saving energy around your home.

Easy ways to do your bit for the environment (thanks to EON)

"We offer advice, products and services that can help you reduce your home energy costs and help you build a sustainable future."

Superb - you can have a look round their virtual house, get some advice on saving energy, buy some things from their shop (I for one love Benji the Basset who has an 'on off function' and 'moveable arms'), and check out their line of energy efficient products.

There's even advice from English Heritage about saving energy in case you live in a castle, which EON themselves could use in their ancient coal-fired power stations.

Saving energy is a good idea - as is trying to help the environment. So we'd like to suggest to EON a few handy ways in which they can reduce their carbon output. Particularly as our website stats indicate that they read this blog.

• Don't build a new coal fired power station at Kingsnorth: did you know that coal is the most polluting way of generating electricity?
• Boost renewable energy instead of continuing to use dirty coal for electricity - this is one of the most important ways to help prevent global warming spiralling above the danger threshold.
• Lead the way: The world looks to rich countries like the UK to lead the way towards a low-carbon future, not one blighted by coal. Only by showing alternative ways of developing can we expect other countries to follow.
• Really, don't build a new coal fired power station at Kingsnorth: did you know that one new Kingsnorth will produce the same amount of CO2 as the whole of Ghana?

We also have a page of useful climate busting things you can do - most of which involve stopping Kingsnorth from being built, from campaigns as diverse as Greenpeace and Oxfam.

Here's one of their adverts about saving energy:

Start: 28/11/2008 - 00:00 End: 29/11/2008 - 00:00

Join the many groups across the UK in saying 'No to New Coal': get your friends together and plan an action for your area. Go stickering, blockading, serving direct action warning notices at supply chain premises, organise an awareness raising talk, hang a banner, get creative on the streets, the options are endless.

Get together, get creative, and plan an action!

On Friday you could visit the Coal Authority, E.ON offices, UK Coal offices or Global Coal Management offices, to name but a few. Or take aim at their investors or parts of their supply chain. On the Saturday you could take action at 2nd round FA Cup matches sponsored by E.ON. Together, we'll raise awareness about killer coal, and we'll say loud and clear that we won't stand for new coal - at Kingsnorth or anywhere else.

For more information visit - http://www.e-onf-off.org.uk/ - where a list of potential targets, action ideas and plenty of resources will follow shortly.

This day of action is supported by The Camp for Climate Action, Rising Tide, Plane Stupid and Campaign against Climate Change.

Updates about the 48 hours of action will be published here.

Action updates: Friday

The World Development Movement launch a report which suggests that EON Kingsnorth could create 30,000 climate refugees.
Read more.

Street party shuts down NatWest and leaves RBS looking very sticky

Bristol Rising Tide and activists from in and around Bristol had a day of shenanigans directed at the Royal Bank of Scotland, E-on and new coal.
Read more.

Saturday EON F-OFF reports on Indymedia

Overall, the 48 hours of action was a great first shot across the bows. E.On were rattled, local and national media took an interest, resources were gathered and are now ready to go, a new website is now up and running, a list of targets has been compiled and E.on know that if they try to build a new coal fired power station at Kingsnorth then they will face a barrage of direct action - both towards their daily operations and their supply chain. E.on be warned.

See the Indymedia website for more info

Check out Greenpeace's new Coalfinger video:

For more info (and to watch it in widescreen) see www.coalfinger.com

The voice of Coalfinger is played by Brian Blessed. David Mitchell of peep show plays the secret agent Graverson Green.

So what's your favourite Bond-inspired one-liner catchphrase? leave them in the comments!

The Rainbow Warrior is currently docked at Kingsnorth Power station. Activists from Greenpeace delivered 30 flags - representing the 30 countries that produce less CO2 than the new coal power station.

The amount of carbon a new coal fired power station at Kingsnorth will belch into the atmosphere is collosal: more than 30 of the least polluting countries, or more than the whole nation of Ghana.

James Hansen, the head of the NASA Goddard institute and one of the leading climate scientists in the world recently visited Kent:

"The future of the planet in their lifetime is at stake. This is not an issue for only Bangladesh and the island nations, but for all humanity and other life on the planet"

"the best thing to do with coal is to leave it in the ground"

You can find out more about the day of action, and the current state of the Rainbow Warrior (currently surrounded by police boats, a tugg and the infamous Kingsnorth copper chopper*) on their website, including live images from the Rainbow Warrior webcam.

*The police buzzed the climate camp with their helicopter constantly, every day.

Stop Climate Chaos have joined the campaign against new coal, with a new declaration signed by organisations that represent over 4 million people in the UK.

Board members of SCC posed for a photo opportunity on the Rainbow Warrior which has been visiting the UK to promote the growing campaign against new coal. Note the police boat hovering in the background - perhaps they were worried that the WI were planning a commando raid on the power station.

4 million strong, we say no to dirty coal power stations, and yes to a clean green renewable energy future.

The declaration was signed on board ship by representatives from Greenpeace, Oxfam, the Women's Institute, Tearfund, RSPB, Friends of the Earth, World Development Movement,  WWF and Christian Aid. It was then delivered to E.ON at the site of their new coal power station in Kingsnorth.

It's now left people wondering: is there anyone left who wants new coal for the uk? (except perhaps EON who read this blog - hello!)

Greenpeace's famous ship the Rainbow Warrior visited rainy Southend pier this weekend as part of her tour around the UK to publicise the campaign against new coal power.

The ship has already visited London, projecting the image of thousands of bootmarks (From their give coal the boot action) onto the side of HMS Belfast. The crew have sailed past Kingsnorth power station, with Police escort, and also past the cleaner alternative - the offshore wind turbines at Kent flats wind farm.

Over the years the Rainbow Warrior has sailed around the world, highlighting environmental destruction from nuclear weapons and damage to fragile ocean ecosytems from overfishing and whaling. The construction of a new generation of coal power stations in the UK threatens to be even more destructive; a single power station will produce more CO2 than Ghana, yet it is countries like Ghana which are already suffering the worst effect of climate change.

Take action and Give coal the boot (Greenpeace UK)

Read more about the Rainbow Warrior's tour of the UK including dates and destinations. It is well worth a visit!

Joining the growing opposition to new coal in the UK is Notts Against New Coal (NANC).

From their blog:

"NANC oppose the opening of all new opencast mines, their extensions and coal-fired power stations in Nottinghamshire. We believe that climate change is a threat that is not being taken seriously by our government and we support the diversification of our energy sources, including the use of renewable energy."

The site features information about the group, and contact details and names of councillors to write to if you live in the Nottinghamshire area and want to oppose new coal.

There are now so many groups campaigning against the government's plans for a new generation of coal, we're going to have to create new pages on the website to feature them.

Find out more about NANC at their website at: http://nottsagainstnewcoal.wordpress.com we will also be publishing news from NANC in our coal news from the web feed.

Last week campaigners were celebrating the government's plans for 80% emissions cuts by 2050 in the climate change bill - cuts that would be necessary to avoid the worst effects of climate change, and which should make projects like Kingsnorth and the new generation of coal redundant.

However, there is a flaw in the bill; the target does not need to be met by cutting emissions in the UK. Instead, the government envisages buying its way out of much of the problem by purchasing offsets from poorer nations, while continuing to emit in the UK.

Sweeping emissions cuts under the carpet is not the solution: MPs need to vote for an amendment to the climate change bill which ensures targets for reducing emissions are met primarily through action in the UK. To head off climate change without compounding its injustices, countries such as the UK must show it is possible to switch to a low-carbon economy.

You can take action by writing to your MP on the World Development Movement website - MPs will vote on the bill on Tuesday 28th October.

http://www.wdm.org.uk/climatebill

No More Coal: Campaigners from Kingsnorth Climate Action Medway were in Brussels today. They were protesting on the day of votes by MEPs on the EU climate change and energy policies.

Today’s, report from the influential committee on climate change has recommended that the UK cuts greenhouse gases emissions by at least 80 percent and that this target should include emissions from aviation and shipping.

The committee also said that to meet emission reduction targets, the UK needs to phase-out using fossil fuels for electricity generation by 2030.

This is a clear rejection of plans for new, unabated, coal power stations, including at Kingsnorth in Kent.

Benedict Southworth, director of the World Development Movement said:
“These recommendations will potentially be a reprieve for the world’s poorest people, whose lives and livelihoods are threatened the most by dangerous climate change.

“This must have an impact on the government’s plans for expansion of the aviation industry and to launch a new generation of unwanted coal power stations. It means ‘no’ to a third runway at Heathrow; and ‘no’ to a new coal power station at Kingsnorth. We must see instead serious investment in renewable energy.

Read more on the WDM website

Read the report from the committee on climate change

Start: 13/11/2008 - 19:00 A debate on climate change and the future of energy
13th November, 7pmSunlight Centre, 105 Richmond Road,
Gillingham ME7 1LX

Refreshments provided

Join a 'question time' event featuring a panel of local people, policy makers and experts on coal, climate change, Kent and the energy debate.

This is your chance to ask questions and have your say on the local and global concerns surrounding plans for a new coal-fired power station at Kingsnorth.

The panel includes:

Paul Clark MP for Gillingham
Dr Mark Avery RSPB
Benedict Southworth World Development Movement
Andy Rogers Kingsnorth Climate Action Medway

To book your free place call 020 7820 4900 or email [email protected]

Start: 13/11/2008 - 19:00 A debate on climate change and the future of energy
13th November, 7pmSunlight Centre, 105 Richmond Road,
Gillingham ME7 1LX

Refreshments provided

Join a 'question time' event featuring a panel of local people, policy makers and experts on coal, climate change, Kent and the energy debate.

This is your chance to ask questions and have your say on the local and global concerns surrounding plans for a new coal-fired power station at Kingsnorth.

The panel includes:

Paul Clark MP for Gillingham
Dr Mark Avery RSPB
Benedict Southworth World Development Movement
Andy Rogers Kingsnorth Climate Action Medway

To book your free place call 020 7820 4900 or email [email protected]

In Gordon Brown's cabinet reshuffle this morning, the PM has created a new department of Climate and Energy, with Ed Miliband in charge.

A few reactions: Greenpeace Executive Director John Sauven:

"For the last ten years this government has dithered on climate change, offering us inspiring rhetoric but little in the way of real action. Bringing energy and climate together at last reflects the urgency of the threat we face from climate change." "Hopefully Ed Miliband will champion efforts to boost renewable energy end energy efficiency, as part of a plan to create the green collar jobs that Britain has so far lost to our European neighbours. The first test of his credibility will be whether he stops the UK's first new coal fired power station in over thirty years at Kingsnorth in Kent."

Julian Oram, head of policy at the World Development Movement:

“The government’s policies thus far on climate change and energy have been at loggerheads. In creating this department, Gordon Brown seems to have recognised that critical decisions on controversial climate issues, such as whether to back a new coal power station at Kingsnorth, are directly linked to its role in exacerbating or averting runaway climate change. This new department must be the department of new clarity on climate change and energy, not contradiction.”

as to the impact on Kingsnorth, and coal in the UK, only time will tell.

Start: 13/10/2008 - 17:30

Hundreds will mark the centenary of the Suffragette Rush by holding the women-led Climate Rush – Monday 13th October, 5.30pm

A women-led rally is being held in Parliament Square to mark the centenary of the Suffragette Rush. The Climate Rush will be led by women concerned by the inadequacy of political action on the dangers of climate change. They will arrive in Parliament Square at 5.30pm on Monday 13th October; exactly one hundred years after over 40 Suffragettes were arrested for their attempt to enter The Houses of Parliament.

In keeping with the spirit of the Suffragette Rush, the young women organisers invite men and women alike to stand together with three key demands:

1. No airport expansion.
2. No new coal-fired power stations.
3. The creation of policy in line with the most recent climate science and research.

For more info, see the website: www.climaterush.co.uk

As the campaign to stop new coal builds momentum, the number of websites and campaigns targetting coal across the UK continues to grow.

Yorkshire Against New Coal (YANC) is part of a campaign to oppose coal developments in Yorkshire - including an open cast mine near the Fairburn Ings bird sanctuary, near Castleford in West Yorkshire. YANC is campaigning to stop this proposal. Open cast mines not only destroy countryside, wildlife habitats and people’s lives - they are helping to push climate change to an irreversible point. You can check out their news, and support the campaign at http://yancnews.wordpress.com/

Telford Against New Coal (TANC) is a campaign group dedicated to calling a halt to the extraction and burning of coal in Telford, Shropshire and the UK as a whole.

Leave it in the ground - a quote from James Hansen on what we should do with coal - is a network of groups campaigning against coal, "As a network, Leave it in the Ground is run by and for the groups that make it up, existing as a way to establish common ground, facilitate networking and share information and skills". Visit their pages and get involved at: http://leaveitintheground.org.uk/

The most readable blog about new coal is the trendy Coal Hole website - find out why Dr James Hansen is the man, watch the latest videos and read the five best reasons for coal, and why they're still really really bad.

The coal hole can be found at: http://thecoalhole.org/

To make it easy to keep up to date with everthing we have collected together all the news from all the sites campaigning on coal in a news feed. You can even subscribe to updates by email, which will send you an email once a day with any updates from the coal websites:

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