During May tens of thousands of people worldwide took part in 12 days of peaceful direct action across 6 continents, under the banner of Break Free, targeting the world’s most dangerous fossil fuel projects and calling to keep fossil fuels in the ground and shift to 100% renewable energy.

On the 3rd May, in South Wales, over 300 people shut down Ffos-y-fran, the UK’s largest open cast coal mine operated by Miller Argent. The action was co-ordinated by Reclaim the Power in solidarity United Valleys Action Network and Coal Action Network to prevent a new mine being built by the same company at nearby Nant Llesg. 

Russell, who grew up nearby, comments on the historical socialist context of the fight against disastrous fossil fuel extraction projects and the injustices of capitalism in this New Internationalist article.

Meanwhile back at the camp wind power was prevailing..

After a few days training in Derbyshire, our newest member guided camp attendees in the art of wind turbine erection. The ground and weather conditions couldn’t have been better!

Although we had a few problems switching over to a bigger inverter for the evening celebrations the bands were hugely understanding and made the temporary power cuts part of an interactive performance in energy efficiency.

Keeping the instantaneous power below 350W for the smaller inverter and the battery voltage between 24-28V felt like being a human smart meter but everyone got into the swing of mid-morning charging and evening power priorities.

The turbine was positioned in the middle of the site and seeing people walking past smiling at it even in a haling gale inspired hope for the future these people are working to protect.