UWE Students Protest Natwest's Climate Damage

bristol | corporations | news report Thursday October 25, 2007 19:13 by Joshua Hart - People n' Planet velorution at yahoo dot com

Don't Bank on Oil Say Student Group

Inspired by Bristol Rising Tide's recent polar bear occupation of the Royal Bank of Scotland HQ in Trinity Quay, UWE Students affiliated with People and Planet today held a demonstration against Natwest for being the largest single UK financier of oil and gas projects around the world. These projects amount to 655 million tonnes of carbon dioxide destined for our already inflamed atmosphere. (more than the UK's total annual emissions)

Inspired by Bristol Rising Tide's recent polar bear occupation of the Royal Bank of Scotland HQ in Trinity Quay, UWE Students affiliated with People and Planet today held a demonstration against Natwest for being the largest single UK financier of oil and gas projects around the world. These projects amount to 655 million tonnes of carbon dioxide destined for our already inflamed atmosphere. (more than the UK's total annual emissions)

A polar bear begged for spare change from students emerging from Natwest, so she could 'afford' a new home, as her native habitat is of course melting rapidly, partly as a result of the student loan accounts fueling expansion of carbon combusting.

Over 600 leaflets were distributed to students staff and faculty, hands were covered with 'oil' and many good conversations were had about the banking sector, energy companies, and climate change.

Students, and everybody else are encouraged to find out what their bank does with their money, and choose responsible financial institutions who aren't profiting from despoiling the planet.

Local examples of banks with ethical investment standards include the Cooperative Bank, Triodos, and Smile. Most high street banks use your money for things you may not agree with.

Don't let them get away with it- close your accounts and tell them why!

More information see http://risingtide.org.uk