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DYKE: SYMBOL OF CLIMATE INACTION

24 Nov 2000

Friends of the Earth International organised the building of the dyke around the Hague climate talks. It became the symbol of hope for action to fight climate change.

But as the talks stagger to their end, with proposals to water down the Kyoto Treaty and continued obstruction by the United States and the fossil fuel lobby, FOEI will return to the dyke for final actions through today (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday).

Events will include:

• First dike inspection: Friday 14.00 local time. We will place a "Floodwatch"signboard, <red> for drowning - predicting a hopeless deal or the collapse of the talks, <orange> belly deep, <yellow> foot deep, <green> High and dry.
• Further inspections will take place at 16.00, 18,00 and so on, until the conclusion of the talks.

Up to 15 representatives of FOEI will do inspections in shifts, dressed in yellow seamans coats and hats, armed with torch, flickering lights and binoculars (storm-lamps on petrol were forbidden, for some reason). After every inspection we will light out one of the danger levels. Dike inspections last approximately 20 minutes, only the first longer.

At the end of the talks, FOEI spokespeople will be available for reaction in the media centre. Between 45 minutes and one hour after the end of the talks we will stage a final dramatic action by the dyke, summarising our opinion of the talks and any deal that has been agreed.

FOR INFORMED COMMENT, CLEAR OPINION AND DRAMATIC ACTIONS: FOLLOW FOE!

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