Women climate activists blockade the Department for Transport

A group of female climate activists have blockaded the Department for Transport in protest at the Government's transport policies, which are catapulting us towards climate change.

The action came in response to the Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly confirming the government's intentions to build a third runway and a sixth terminal at Heathrow and coincided with the opening of their first 'consultation' exhibition.

The past week has seen a number of actions against climate change inspired by the Camp for Climate Action. On Wednesday over 30 climate activists including the columnist George Monbiot invaded and occupied Britain's biggest ever open-cast coal mine at Ffos-y-fran in South Wales. On 28th November, protesters from climate action group Plane Stupid disrupted the proceedings of the Transport Select Committee who were hearing evidence from BAA boss, Steven Nelson and Aviation Minister, Jim Fitzpatrick in protest at the Heathrow expansion plans. This weekend thousands of people will march on the streets of London to protest about climate change.

From their press release:

Transport is the fastest growing source of climate change gases in the UK, now accounting for 26% of emissions. In a time when we desperately need to reduce emissions, the DfT plans to build more roads and more airports encouraging us to drive and fly more. The DfT was targetted during the Camp for Climate Action in August, and women have returned today to re-emphasise the role of our government in dangerous transport expansion plans. Groups will continue to return to the DfT until the government reviews its policies.

Jane Wilson, on the protest says, "The government does not like to admit it , but we cannot sustain our current levels of consumption or the growth economy and stop climate change. Its time to stop tinkering at the edges and wake up to the reality of the threat & take serious and drastic action. We have to create a society that is less dependent on energy, and that is more locally self-sufficient."

More photos (and copyright): Mini Mouse.