[ad_1]
This weekend, dozens of protesters from Youth Action for Climate Justice and Scientists for Extinction Rebellion stormed London’s Science Museum’s new climate gallery, sponsored by Indian coal and weapons giant Adani. Occupied.
“It is blatantly deceptive that a coal company would sponsor an exhibition about the future of energy,” Anya, the young man occupying the Energy Revolution Gallery, said in a statement. “Through this sponsorship, the Science Museum is helping Adani project an image of a positive and sustainable future, when in reality it is a coal giant, arms manufacturer and supporter of genocide. It’s clearly wrong that science museums are deceiving visitors when it comes to the climate crisis, including young people like me. ”
The occupation came after more than 150 people protested at the museum shortly before it opened last month. In response, Adani representatives said the sponsorship – which has been criticized by climate change advocates since it was announced three years ago – is part of the company’s efforts to join the global energy transition. insisted. Ian Blatchford, director and chief executive of the Science Museum Group, defended the company’s involvement.
However, their comments did not satisfy critics who took part in the weekend occupation.as real mediareport:
On Friday night, activists smuggled balloons and black paper, which they used to create a large piece of art (a pile of black coal) in the center of the gallery. Their plan was to interact with the public on the Saturday after the first night of the occupation, including a People’s Assembly that would discuss the controversial patronage in the afternoon.
Police were called, but no arrests were made. But perhaps embarrassed by the presence of the protesters and their message about their climate-destroying sponsors, the museum decided to close off its galleries all Saturday, while supporters continued to hold more banners. He brought it with him and put it up near the entrance.
Protesters remained at the museum overnight Saturday and ended their action Sunday.
“The Science Museum is greenwashing not only the Adani brand, but also the fact that oil and gas giants BP and Equinor continue to expand fossil fuel production despite warnings from climate scientists. They are ignoring us and allowing us to sponsor an exhibition,” said Aaron Thierry, one of the scientists occupying the exhibition room.
“The latest science shows that we need to leave the vast majority of fossil fuels unburned to prevent catastrophic changes in our climate,” Thierry stressed. “It is disgraceful that an institution like the Science Museum is collaborating with such a fraudulent company. “The museum’s management must follow the example of other major UK cultural institutions and ensure that any links to the fossil fuel industry are It is necessary to cut it off.”
Young people and scientists were joined by naturalist and television presenter Chris Packham, who spoke on Friday night.
“For me, science is the art of understanding truth and beauty, and much of that beauty is found in the natural world. Science teaches us that the fossil fuel industry is responsible for accelerating the destruction of the natural world. ,” Mr Packham said. “Science museums are places that spark the imagination and not only provide answers but also encourage us to ask questions.”
“The question I’m asking today is the big one: ‘Why on earth would we allow a destructive industry to sponsor an educational exhibition while lighting the future of young people?'” he continued. Ta. “This is beyond green. It’s grotesque.”
Mr Packham said: “We urgently need an ‘energy revolution’ to move us away from the path of planet destruction we are heading towards. We need a rapid and just transition to renewable energy. “That revolution means the abolition of coal, and it begins with an energy revolution.” The young people and scientists here tonight, science tells us the truth, and the truth is that we must change. ”
[ad_2]
Source link
