Rising Tide Australia

What's Fossil Fools Day?

Roll up, roll up! The climate circus is in town. Confronted with melting ice caps, unprecedented species extinction, droughts and extreme weather, climate change threatens our very survival. The fools at the head of the fossil fuel empire continue to plunder the earth, with the governments as willing court jesters at their side.

They would have us believe that we can escape climate change with techno-fixes, market mechanisms and offset schemes - all technocratic acrobatics that distract us from the truth: the only real solution to climate change is to keep fossil fuels in the ground.

On April 1st, 2008, we're going to turn the tables and show them who the real fools are.

Target a local fossil fool! Show the clowns investing in coal, the carbon offset contortionist or the oily strong man. Join with thousands around the world in taking one step closer to dismantling the fossil fuel industry. Find a fossil fool in your community and pull a prank that packs a punch.

If you are planning an open action get in touch with the Rising Tide in the country nearest you, and if its a surprise action let us about it when it happens! And don't forget post to your local & climate indymedia.

What's happening in Newcastle?

Two things.

• In the morning, Rising Tide Newcastle (and friends) will visit a local (multinational) department store and attempt to swap bucketloads of coal for imported consumer products. Here's why we're doing that. You can send us an email if you want to help.
• A student-organised rally and march at Newcastle University. Meet at 12pm in the Auchmuty courtyard. See the poster for more information, or email fossilfoolsday AT gmail DOT com.

What's happening elsewhere in Australia?

• In Sydney, there will be a protest at Parliament House at 3pm, followed by a Fossil Fool Tour at 3:30pm. For more info, read the poster.
• In Brisbane, there'll be Fossil Fools Tour in the afternoon. Send an email to ewan DOT saunders AT optusnet DOT com DOT au to find out more.
• In Melbourne, there's a rally at 8:45am on the steps of Parliament, followed by a "greenhouse gangsters" tour of the city. See the poster for more info, or email vicclimateaction AT gmail DOT com.
• FOSSIL FOOLS DAY - Canberra: 12:00pm - 1:30pm. 12noon @ Union Court, ANU and 12.30pm @ Garema Place, Civic. See the website for more info.

More protests are planned around Australia. Send an email to tessa DOT dowdell AT gmail DOT com to find out more,or visit this website. Otherwise you can email us and we'll tell you if we know of any protests in your area.

What's happening elsewhere in the world?

• In Christchurch, there's a protest against car culture, meeting at 5:30pm in Cathedral Square. More info here.
• In South Afica there will be a day of action against Engen in South Durban. This area is one of the most polluted in the world. Date: Tuesday, April 1, 2008 Time: 11:00am - 1:00pm Location: Engen, South Durban Basin, Wentworth Street: Tara Road... Meet at the Austerville pool parking lot opposite Engen.

To find out what's happening elsewhere in the world, have a look at the global Fossil Fools Day website, and make contact with one of the email addresses.