Greenpeace Blocks Coal Import At Conference

GREENPEACE BLOCKS COAL IMPORT AT START OF CLIMATE CONFERENCE

Phase out coal and other fossil fuels is the only solution to stop climate change

The Netherlands, 12.45pm, November 11th 2000: Activists from the ship MV Greenpeace boarded the 150,000 tonne bulk carrier, La Paloma, carrying a cargo of Australian coal in Rotterdam harbour today to protest the lack of action by governments to prevent dangerous climate change.

The protest comes two days before the start of the international climate change summit which starts Monday in The Hague, where governments must decide on how to implement the 1997 Kyoto protocol to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 5.2% from 1990 levels.

"Real action to protect the climate means that we must begin to phase out the use of fossil fuels - coal, oil and gas and switch to renewable energy and energy efficiency," said Paul Horsman, Greenpeace Campaigner on board the Greenpeace. "Governments meeting in The Hague must commit themselves to taking action to substantially cut greenhouse gas emissions."

The group of 18 activists boarded the ship and chained themselves to the hatch covers to prevent the ship unloading its cargo of coal as it moored alongside the EMO coal terminal in Rotterdam Harbour. They also unfurled a banner on the deck of the ship which read "stop climate change".

Greenpeace is calling for governments to begin the phase out of coal and other fossil fuels, and implement energy efficiency and renewable energy such as solar and wind, in order to reduce greenhouse gas pollution and prevent dangerous climate change.

"The message to governments attending the climate summit is simple; start the phase out of fossil fuels now and don't cheat on emissions reductions," said Horsman.

Greenpeace is taking this action because governments are doing little to stop dangerous climate change. Extreme weather events this year, such as the floods in Mozambique and recently the floods in the United Kingdom and Europe have killed hundreds of people, created many more homeless and caused huge economic and environment losses. Abandoning fossil fuels for energy efficiency and renewable energy is the only way to protect the climate.

For more information: Paul Horsman on board the Greenpeace in Rotterdam: +44 7801 212990 Hans Altevogt, on board the Greenpeace in Rotterdam: + 31 6 250 310 02 Susan Cavanagh: +31 6 212 969 10

www.greenpeace.org

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