The Great Climate Swoop
On the 17th & 18th October 2009 there's going to be a mega get together to close one of the UK's biggest coal fired power stations, E.ON's Ratcliffe-on-Soar in Nottingham. There's more info on the Climate Camp website.
Where (some of us) will be
At least some of the TVCA crew will be in the 'Footsteps to the Future' bloc, so if you don't manage to make a more interesting plan, you can join us on that:
What to bring (and what not to)
Be Prepared to swoop
It's most likely that you'll be away from 'civilisation' – no shops, no shelter, no water and no electricity. Make sure you've got what you need. You can 'buddy up' to share the load – but also be prepared to be separated from your buddy – possibly very quickly and without warning.
Essentials
- Water: Bring at least 2 litres, and ideally more. Dehydration can cause serious medical problems, and can do so very quickly. We won't be near any sources of water, so you and your group will have to be self-sufficient.
- Food: You'll need to keep your energy levels up. There are two really good ways of doing this: high energy , and filing foods:
High energy: Chocolate, Kendal mint cake, hi-energy drinks – basically anything with a high sugar content (inc. bags of sugar). These are really good ways of getting energy to your body quickly.
Filing: Baked (or other) beans, bread, cake, dried fruit & nuts. These give you energy, and also stop you thinking "why's my stomach grumbling" and allow you to get on with the action. For all food remember that you probably won't have any facilities to cook or heat food. Bring things that are ready to eat. - Warm & waterproof clothes: It's October. It's going to be cold. Bring spare clothes so that you can put more layers on, and so that if clothing gets wet you can replace it. And bring stuff that's both waterproof and wind-proof. Hypothermia is a horrible experience, and can very easily & quickly bring your action to an end and put you at serious risk. Sleeping bag: It's going to be cold, and you will have to sleep at some point. You can't sleep if you're cold.
- Tarp, or something waterproof to sleep under: Think there's been enough said about hypothermia, but in case the point hasn't been made – it's a bad thing! Sturdy footwear: Be prepared for rough terrain, and for cold ground. It's an action, not a fashion show!
- Medication: If you might need any, bring it. There will be medics, but they cannot distribute medication of any kind (including pain killers). A bag to put it all into: Sounds obvious, but remember that you need to be able to carry everything, and possibly carry it at high speed without leaving a trail of all your belongings behind you.
- Bustcard: All the key legal info you need in one handy place. Put in in a waterproof bag and keep it with you at all times. Bustcard (PDF) on the Climate Camp web site.
Highly recommended
- Map & compass: You'll be forever kicking yourself if you miss the action because you're in the wrong place. Maps on the Climate Camp web site.
- Tent: Waterproof and wind-proof – even if you don't plan on sleeping, a break away from the elements is often a good thing.
- Permanent marker pen: Good for writing legal support and other numbers on yourself.
- A bit of cash: We're not going to be very near shops or cafes, but when (if) we are and you decide you want something the capitalist system that we live in demands you pay for things.
Things to consider
- Mobile phone: They can be handy for keeping in touch, but they can also be used by the authorities to form 'maps' of who knows who and imply guilt by association. They can also act as listening and tracking devices. If you are going to bring a phone, made sure to remove the battery and sim card if you are having a sensitive conversation. Remember that unless you buy a 'clean' phone both the sim card and the phone itself can be tracked back to you – and therefore your associates as well.
- Any form of ID: Carrying ID (driving licence, bank cards, student/work ID, library card – anything that has your name and/or address) can scupper any attempt you make to assert your legal and civil rights not to give your personal details to the authorities.
Things not to bring
- Knives: Could be conceived as an offensive weapon (including pen knives).
- Dogs: The little ones can get really stressed out on actions like this and it won’t be very fun for them. Also consider what will happen to them if you find yourself unexpectedly detained for any reason.
- Alcohol: Even if you love a drink, think about going for just this weekend without. It will add weight to your bag, adds to dehydration, and pissed munters tend to be less convincing that sober activists!
- Drugs: See alcohol above, and add the high chance of getting nicked.
- Anything else that's illegal: Hopefully obvious. Just in case it isn't, there's a reasonable chance that the authorities will want to nick you for something – don't make if easy for them.
Transport
Is now all booked up