Hull Climate Campaign Report
1-11-6
	By Martin Deane email: m@hullpeace.fsnet.co.uk
	Hull Green Party Report on Stop Climate Chaos Campaign Lobbying John Prescott, Sept 30th Guy Moore as part of FOE’s The Big Ask campaign, and being a constituent, went to see his MP, DPM John Prescott, to get his views on climate change and get him to support the Climate Change Bill to be discussed shortly. Mr Prescott talked about Kyoto, and how he, Al Gore (then US vice-president) and the Japanese minister, talked privately about the sort of outcome they would want as leading (powerful) industrial nations. This framework was apparently adopted. To each of Guy’s questions about how Hull is affected by climate change, John Prescott in his answers referred repeatedly to China, no matter the gist of the question. An Inconvenient Truth was used as the focus to get the climate message well and truly across to as wide a section of Hull as possible. Regular media alerts were sent and regular leafleting helped by a popular Polar Bear (above)! It premiered at Hull Screen in the city centre (none of the multiplexes are showing it in this region. York Screen is). A committed number leafleted town and university to promote the three nights. We got banners and leaflets from UIP film distributors and the SCC campaign, also organised a Climate Change Meeting at Hull Guildhall, and prepared a local short film interviewing people on the issue. A meeting at Hull Guildhall, advertised and leafleted for, drew a crowd of 50 to listen and debate Climate Change with university scientists, city representatives and NGOs. The debate was lively and wide ranging from the "green" credentials of certain city businesses, to the prospects of wind and tidal power, to problems facing cyclists. Stalls advertised the upcoming Al Gore film, and represented Stop Climate Chaos, Hull FOE, Greenpeace, and Hull GP. On filmnight, seven stalls greeted people: Stop Climate Chaos, People & Planet, Hull FOE, Bevereley FOE, Greenpeace, Hull RESPECT, and Hull GP. Each night was introduced by a guest speaker, followed by the local film, before the main feature. Guest speakers were: Tony Bosworth (FOE UK, transport expert), Adam Fowler (CHEF, City of Hull Environment Forum), and Richard Claxton, Sustainable Energy Campaigner, Hull and region. The local film short included footage of the Guildhall meeting chaired by Hull GP, and clips from interviews with David Bellamy (who denies climate change is a major issue, and peak oil too), John McDonnell (Labour deputy leadership challenger) who had visited the area, and Phil Thornhill of Stop Climate Chaos, as well as comments from individuals out and about in the city. Each filmnight was a success drawing in 100-150 each night and there are plans to repeat the format in December showing Who Killed the Electric Car? Climate Demo Hull, Oct 29  the Sunday began with a most beautiful morning.  People gathered in Pearson Park by the large Stop Climate Chaos and Hull Green Party banners, stewards were kitted out with high-vis vests and bottled water. (The march had originally been planned for the Humber Bridge -the police refused this on safety grounds due to the possible numbers that may turn up(!) This was probably chiefly based on an interview when I upped the possibility of 500 to 1000 people coming out to support - though I doubt this would affect the Bridge in any significant way). Even the spot of direct action, a small number blocking the Spring Bank, Freetown Way junction, was just right, IMHO. It was just long enough for some to flex protesting abilities for the national actions to come over the year... thinking of Faslane, or the horrific prospect of "us" bombing Iran... About 200 people marched through town, concocting climate chants as we went: "Reduce-Reuse-Recycle!" "Bus and Train and Bicycle!" "Let's hear it for wind farms... for solar panels... for airport extensions (Boo!)"  We arrived noisily in Queens Gardens where right of stage was Rootsy and his very welcome Tea and Wisdom tent (plus very useful generator for the PA!), and left of stage, Louise with an equally useful marquee for stalls from Hull Friends of the Earth, Stop Climate Chaos, and Hull Green Party.  Our speakers were:- (some last minute, my fault): Phil Sanderson (RESPECT Party, Hull), Cllr Polly Worsdale (LD, Hornsea), Cllr David Nolan (LD, East Yorkshire Council) (who both had brought along a contingent from the East Riding area), Arron Fitzpatrick (People and Planet, Hull Uni), Miranda Harr (PCS union), Richard Claxton (Greenpeace). Media Coverage - regular press releases went out. A phone interview was done with Viking Radio, another with BBC Radio Humberside as well as an early morning studio interview at the BBC, Queens Gardens. Look North TV saw us off from Pearson Park, and interviewed again in Queens Gardens. The Hull Daily Mail interviewed and photo-opped along the march. They had also photoed and interviewed myself and Guy Moore at the Humber Bridge in the early stages.  Particular thanks for ALL these events are due from the Green Party, among others, to local independent activist Guy Moore whose enthusiasm and dauntlessness infected and inspired a great many. Further plans Dec 5-6^th , Hull Screen, Who Killed the Electric Car An arranged screening where it will be suitable to have stalls again. The film is on the history of the electric car, progress in design, and how big motor business is not about to give up its near monopoly. Dec 14th, First Hull Activists Ball – 7pm, Tranby Room, Staff House, Hull University… with Food, a Dance Floor, and activist exhibition New Year – Hull Ideas Forum – a monthly meeting where eco-matters, amongst other issues, could be presented and discussed in depth.