European day of action on aviation takes off!
Woodland Trust supporters will join thousands of fellow campaigners at mass demonstrations across Europe on June 10, to highlight their opposition to needless airport expansions.
This vast groundswell is protesting across the Continent amid concerns at the destructive impact of airport expansions on our environment.
At Stansted and Luton – two UK airports already at the forefront of campaigners’ demonstrations – around 50 hectares (125 acres) of irreplaceable ancient woodland and fragile natural habitats are under the direct threat of being buried under concrete for pointless runway expansions, while many more neighbouring sites face the long-term spectre of total degradation from the relentless rise in pollution.
Woodland Trust head of campaigns Ed Pomfret, urged as many people as possible to get involved in the events.
He added: “There is no question that these irresponsible airport expansions are unnecessary, or at the impact that air travel has on climate change and biodiversity. But we need to act now to highlight to our decision-makers across Europe that we object to the destruction of our environment by the aviation industry.
“Air travel is predicted to be one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gases by 2050. Expansion plans at Stansted and Luton would destroy large areas of ancient woodland, while increased pollution piles more pressure on hundreds more square miles of neighbouring countryside.
“These proposed expansions are unacceptable to anyone who believes our natural world should be protected.”
At Stansted, campaigners will don fancy dress before meeting at 10.30am outside the Old Vicarage, in Church End, Broxted, for a mass runway ramble. At Luton, protesters plan to meet from 10.30am outside the Ibis Hotel at Luton Airport.
Elsewhere mass demonstrations are also being held at Heathrow, Southampton, Bristol and Aberdeen, while French protesters are targeting Charles de Gaulle Airport, near Paris, as well as Marseille, Saint Exupery, Pontoise and Orly. Greek campaigners have singled out Athens airport for action and Schipol, near Amsterdam, has also been earmarked. Brussels is set to host a 10,000-strong rally on June 11.
