Selkirk joins candle-lit vigil

Published 8 Dec 2009 14:23 0 Comments

CAMPAIGNERS in the Borders will join over many more around the globe at 2000 candlelight vigils in over 130 countries calling for a Real Deal at the Copenhagen Climate talks next week.

As part of the global day of action on December 12, the local event is happening at under the Town Clock in Market Place, Selkirk.

Campaigners and experts say a real deal on climate is: a) Fair - $200 Billion in climate financing for poorer countries. b) Ambitious - a 2015 peak year for carbon emissions and a safe carbon level of 350 parts per million in the atmosphere. c) Binding - legally enforceable.

Events across the globe will culminate in a special vigil led by Nobel laureate Desmond Tutu and former UN Human Rights Commissioner Mary Robinson outside the negotiation headquarters in Copenhagen.

WHY: "The message to world leaders from people of Selkirk and everywhere is: we want a real deal," said Jenna Agate a member of online campaign network Avaaz.org that is coordinating the global action.

"We need a deal that is ambitious enough to leave a planet safe for us all. Fair for the poorest countries that didn't cause climate change but are suffering most from it. And binding with real targets that can be legally enforced," she added.

WHO: Everyone, young and old, who is concerned about climate change

WHAT: Candlelight vigil with stories from the front lines of climate change]. Simultaneously, people in every corner of the world will be taking similar action, from monks in India to winegrowers in France.

WHEN: December 12, 2009 at 4.30 pm

WHERE: Selkirk Market Place - under the Town Clock

Meanwhile, a pensioner from Duns is joining the campaign against climate change.

Seventy-five-year-old John Elliot is part of a Scottish delegation travelling over land to attend the climate march "The Flood" in Copenhagen this weekend.

He said: "I participated in the building of a sandbag dam against a 'flood' at the meeting of European Environment Ministers in the Hague in 2001 so it is natural that I wish to continue my action now that I know so such more about the climate science.

"Perhaps my own life, but definitely the lives of my children and grandchildren will be severely impacted, perhaps shortened, if major action to reduce climate change is not agreed."

Juliet Swann, Friends of the Earth Head of Campaigns, said: "It is essential that the rich nations take a lead and make a serious commitment to tackle climate change during the discussions in Copenhagen.

"Here in Scotland, we have shown leadership and commited to reduce emissions by 42% by 2020. Friends of the Earth Scotland demand that other developed countries share Scotland's ambition and commit to cuts of at least 40% in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020."

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