Polar bears take on Porsche, London, UK
Apr 1st, 2008
As part of International Fossil Fools Day, climate change activists today delivered a mock apology on behalf of Porsche, highlighting the company’s blatant disregard for the environment.
There to receive the apology, to be delivered at 8.30am outside Porsche’s main London showroom in Berkeley Square, was an audience of protesting polar bears and Londoners.The action comes on the back of Porsche’s demand to Ken Livingston to scrap plans for the higher £25 congestion charge for the worst gas guzzlers. The company is now seeking a Judicial Review for the decision to be overturned by the courts.The activists apologised on Porsche’s behalf for:* Going against the will of 85% of Londoners by trying to overturn the planned extension of the congestion charge* Lobbying to stop the introduction of European initiatives to cap harmful vehicle emissions* Continuing to produce true gas guzzlers, with 44 of its 46 models falling into the most polluting category of car (band G)The apology was delivered by an activist pretending to be from the company. The polar bears were be on hand to remind Porsche that its actions affect our planet as a whole.Richard Howlett, one of the activists involved, explained why they were targeting Porsche: “Taking legal action to prevent the mayor from tackling the climate crisis is pure fossil foolery. Companies like Porsche cannot claim to be green whilst crushing moves to tackle greenhouse emissions.”"We can only issue a mock apology on Porsche’s behalf, but it would be so much better if they were to offer a sincere one of their own.”The activists delivering the apology are from a group called London Climate Action, which grew out of the Climate Camp held at Heathrow in August 2007.The Porsche action is only one of a hundred other events taking place across the globe to mark Fossil Fools Day. The aim of Fossil Fools Day is to emphasise the importance of acting on climate change, whilst also putting the spotlight on companies responsible for promoting false solutions to the challenge.A range of actions are taking place throughout the day across the UK. In London, amongst examples, these will include the building of a coal fired power station complete with 12ft cooling towers in Parliament Square, the launch of evEon a revolutionary carbon capture mineral water and the world’s first laugh-in at Department for Enterprise, Business and Regulatory Reform.Other groups that are taking part in the UK include Rising Tide, the Camp for Climate Action, World Development Movement, People and Planet, the Network for Climate Action and Earth First!
Contact: Tom Fern0781 7575467Thomas_fern@hotmail.comNotes to editor:1.Porsche UK is seeking a judicial revue to overturn the Mayoral decision on introduction of a £25 congestion charge for the highest emitting vehicles. Survey data is based on a sample of 5,494 shoppers in 2005 in central London by Green Peace and Alliance Against Urban 4×4s on their support for a higher congestion charge for the most polluting vehicles. A later Ipsos Mori poll of over 1,000 people has showed that 61% of Londoners support the policy, and only 31% are against it.2. Lobbying by car manufacturers including Mercedes Benz, Chrysler Daimler and Porsche has forced the European Commission to back away from its plans for curbs on car emissions.Fresh drafts of the EU’s legislation have ditched the original ceiling of 120 grams of carbon-dioxide per kilometre by 2012 for the average fleet of each car company. The manufacturers instead propose a series of categories that create higher CO2 allowances for heavier cars.









