At least 100 demonstrators took part in protests at coal fired power plants in Brindisi, Marghera, Porto Tolle, Vado Ligure and Civitavecchia as part of worldwide actions targeting world leaders meeting at the G8 Summit in Italy.
G8 leaders must stop putting the interests of polluting industries such as coal ahead of the climate, Greenpeace said.
“The sort of action G8 leaders are putting on the table regarding climate change would lead to more greenhouse gas- polluting power stations like this one,” Greenpeace protester Julien Vincent said in a phone interview. He said he was on a platform about 200 meters (650 feet) up the Brindisi chimney where “carbon dioxide is belching out” at an alarming rate.
Protests began on the opening day, Wednesday, and continue as news from the G8 appears disappointing.
"The G8 needs to take a lead in tackling climate change and needs to call a halt to building of any new coal-fired power stations like this one" said Greenpeace. "G8 leaders need to invest in a green economy - backing an energy revolution based on clean renewable fuels and energy efficiency - without which runaway climate change will become inevitable."
Activists in the US had a similar message directed to Obama that they hung from the face of Mt Rushmore. The 2300 square foot banner read "America Honors Leaders Not Politicians, Stop Global Warming". In Russia a similar message was projected onto the Kremlin and in Paris a giant iceberg was floated below the Eiffel Tower.
“We can’t change climate science but we can change the politics and, if necessary, we must change the politicians. People across the world have to take action to let our leaders know we expect them to save the planet from climate catastrophe” said Ben Stewart, UK activist, from the top of the Marghera plant chimney.
For images of the ongoing actions as well as updates visit the Greenpeace website.
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