Campaigners step up the heat on climate change

Even my mother was there - the first time we have ever been on the same demonstration before.

The following Saturday in Copenhagen was not only twice the size, but much more radical. "Nature does not compromise", " There is no Planet B" Bla Bla Bla .. Act now", "Change the Politics not the Climate" and "Climate Justice Now" were the dominant slogans on an occasion that saw the biggest outpouring on any question in Denmark for more than 20 years.

Participants on both occasions were clearly in solidarity with the poor in the south who are already suffering the effects of climate chaos.

Respect's George Galloway MP recently pointed out the threat to millions through rising sea levels has been the subject of an important speech by the Bangladeshi government's finance minister.

He estimates as many as 20 million people being displaced from Bangladesh with consequent pressure on immigration into other countries including of course Britain.

Around half the demonstrators in Cope were from Denmark, with significant international delegations from most European countries and smaller but still significant presence from many southern countries at the front line.

Given that the majority of the world's leaders meeting in the Bella centre delivered nothing at the end of their summit, calls for radical change as the only solution need to be strengthened.

That's why the intervention of people like Bolivia's Evo Morales who welcomed the demonstrators and situated himself as part of the global movement against climate change was so welcome. Morales has called an international meeting in Bolivia's Cochobama in April

Of course the climate deniers have new wind in their sails - fed increasingly by ridiculous levels of exposure in the media - coverage that ignores the real scientific consensus - and which is yet another ghastly example of the dumbing down of political debate which is in the interests of the powerful not of the majority.

But the movement can and must go on the offensive to answer this guff - and to explain why if we do nothing it will as usual be the poorest both globally and in Britain who will suffer first and most from the devastating effects of climate chaos.

Respect has been part of actions against climate change since our inception and of course we strongly the growth of air travel and plans to accommodate this such as the third runway at Heathrow Airport and the increased airline traffic at City Airport.

Respect leader Salma Yaqoob has written recently about the need for better - and cheaper - public transport as an essential part of a campaign to reduce carbon use.

And as George Galloway says : "We also need an accelerated programme of insulation and double glazing across the borough, and especially in social housing, in order to cut energy use and reduce energy bills to the benefit of the less well off.

"These and other measures must be promoted strongly despite the economic problems now besetting Britain.

Indeed "green" investment can be a boost to an economy struggling to come out of recession. Above all, we cannot afford not to make the "green" investment we need to save the planet and humanity from catastrophe."