On Friday evening we saw a very powerful and moving documentary about two groups of activists, learning about what they were fighting to protect, what it was costing them emotionally and in their lives to do so, and seeing how brave and determined they were.
They were two very different groups, one large group occupying a forest in Germany to protect it and one smaller group working to protect their local area in Durham. I will say no more because of spoilers if you've not seen the film.
There were two things in common with the groups: they were both very dedicated and committed, and they were both fighting against open-cast coal mines.
Our panellists included Blyth from the Coal Action Network, a group that supported the Durham protest and who are having an Insurance Week of Action next week. To find out more about the Coal Action Network and the planned week, see Insurance Week of Action (Mon 26th Feb - Sun 3rd Mar)
We also had John Sinha, Campaign Against Climate Change (CaCC) Activist & Steering Group member & various climate justice campaigns. The CaCC Trade Union Group report answers many of the concerns about jobs as fossil fuels are phased out. See http://www.campaigncc.org/ - the link to the climate jobs report is on the front page.
And we were privileged to have Rich Felgate, director of the film, documentary filmmaker and activist: info@firebreakfilms.co.uk, @richfelgate
FINITE: The Climate of Change
by Clare Taylor
Feb 25