ROBIN WOOD-Climbing Activists in Frankfurt Against Airport E mgriks(at)gmail.com - 03.06.2010 23:39
ROBIN WOOD-Climbing Activists in Frankfurt Against Airport Expansion + + + ROBIN WOOD-Press Release + + + + + + ROBIN WOOD-Press Release + + + Frankfurt/M., Bonn, June 3rd, 2010 * Less Air Traffic for More Effective Climate Politics * ROBIN WOOD-Climbing Activists in Frankfurt Against Airport Expansion "Save the Climate: Stop Airport Expansion": a 130 cubic meter banner with this demand was unfurled from the arm of a building crane in Frankfurt (Main) by ROBIN WOOD activists this morning at approximately # am. The activists publicly criticize the UN climate talks which are currently taking place in Bonn. Their message: Don't wait for governments to save the climate. Become active yourself, create pressure from the base and join together to resist environmentally unfriendly development, such as the expansion of airports like in Frankfurt. "In Bonn they're talking about reducing climate change and here work is being done to further the climate catastrophe," remarked ROBIN WOOD activist Daniel Häfner. "We demand a stop to airport expansions." Greenhouse gas emissions in international air travel have increased by 50% since the Kyoto Protocol. More than 3 million planes already traverse German airspace every year. The three largest German airports of Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin are currently being expanded or are set to begin expansion soon, which alone would lead to a doubling of airport capacity and the negation of national climate protection goals. "National and state politicians talk about protecting the climate, but do everything in their power to do just the opposite," said Häfner. "We're tired of the hypocrisy. Instead of words we want to see action. In the aviation industry this means taxing kerosine in order to fund climate protection projects in the global South and no more airport expansions." After the failure of the climate talks in Copenhagen, ROBIN WOOD continues to see the importance of mobilizing for climate protection from the base. This begins with one's own lifestyle and consumption practices, but means much more. For example, involving oneself in local initiatives in order to together fight for climate protection and climate justice. For the individual, there is no one more effective way to harm the climate so fast, so intensively and so inexpensively than through air travel. It is therefore an important contribution to climate protection to no longer, or atleast more seldomly, fly. At only the Rhein-Main airport already half a million planes takeoff and land yearly. Through the construction of the new landing strip, which is scheduled to be opened at the end of 2011, an increase to up to one million planes is possible. In order to make room for their new asphalt strip, Fraport had approximately 250 hectares of mixed forest cleared; trampling on both the flora and fauna of the region, as well as the citizen's initiatives and ROBIN WOOD and independent activists who stood in their way. ROBIN WOOD is also involved in the activities surrounding the UN climate change talks in Bonn and invites you to join the demonstration for climate justice on Saturday, June 5th. The demonstration begins at the Kaiserplatz in Bonn at 13:00. More information can be found at: http://www.klimawelle.de Contact: Daniel Häfner, ROBIN WOOD-Activist, 0179 / 67 190 16 Monika Lege, Transportation Campaigner, Tel. 040 / 380 892 12, verkehr@robinwood.de Ute Bertrand, Press Contact, Tel. 040 / 380 892 22, presse@robinwood.de * * * http://www.robinwood.de * * * Photo and film material can also be obtained from Ute Bertrand, 040 / 380 892 22. -- Ute Bertrand ROBIN WOOD e.V., Pressesprecherin Nernstweg 32, 22765 Hamburg Tel. +(0)40 380 892-22; Fax: -14 Ute.Bertrand@robinwood.de www.robinwood.de Website: http://www.ourmediaindymedia.blogspot.com |