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
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