It’s Getting Hot In Here

By: Adaeze Umolu

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It is the fourth day of the UK Powershift 2009 conference. A group of young people with luggage and carrier bags shuffle with the rest of the crowd headed from the London eye towards the direction of the British parliament. Cheering the green peace activists who are on the roof of the parliament, they cross into parliament square, the one with the huge Nelson Mandela statue and the music begins……

Stop, Rewind: This story begins at the Jubilee Gardens beside the famous London Eye. A young lady, one of the UKYCC coordinators, has announced to the group that what they are about to embark on a fun but serious mission. She told the Powershift group that there was no insurance or permission, that by venturing onto Parliament Square, they might be arrested and could be charged under the terrorist act. However, not one person backed down from what is for many their first act of civil disobedience.

The music started and three brave girls led the dance protest. Soon all the dancers were pulling off their jackets and proudly displaying their Powershift crested T-shirts. That was when onlookers knew what was really happening and started to cheer. It was an act to build the strength of the youth climate movement in the UK.

The dance routine was one of the most colourful things I had ever seen and I was a part of it. I understand that I was supposed to be observing and reporting. But Powershift draws in anybody. It surely did something to my life. It’s the most daring thing I have ever done. I feel like I’ve got guts and I want to do more. It was witnessed by hundreds of people and the media and was the perfect way to say to those brave people on the Parliament roof that the youth climate change movement supports them. It was also a great way to send a message to the leaders. Hopefully with someone on your roof and dancers in your face, Gordon Brown and his people will hear the voice of this young generation.

The rehearsals, the early morning, the effort, the energy and the passion. The past three days have come to this, a public display of affection for our planet in a peaceful and physical way. Powershift UK has come to a close. A memorable event which included participants from all over Europe. The final day was life changing and a model for other Powershift’s across the world. With this group of young people and we will work together to combat climate change.

As the conference draws to an end, they pose for a group photo, chanting “three” “five” “zero” in sequence. This is an indication that these people are set for something even bigger.

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Writer Adaeze Umolu reports for the Project Survival Media team in Europe.