Second Mass Visual Trespass lights up Parliament

Christian Aid turned its campaign for climate justice up a notch on Wednesday, 30 September by staging the second Mass Visual Trespass at the Houses of Parliament.

As Big Ben struck 9.15pm, our projection was beamed onto the walls beneath St Stephen's clocktower.

Trespass No 2
Houses of Parliament, 30.09.09

It featured Christian Aid supporters, including actress Greta Scacchi, calling on the international community – and British prime minister Gordon Brown in particular – to seal a fair and effective climate change deal at December's Copenhagen climate summit.

There was also a special message for US president, Barack Obama, urging him to follow Brown in pledging to attend the crucial Copenhagen talks.

Add your own climate justice message and next time it could be you up in lights.

Photo gallery

You can see some stunning images from the trespass on Christian Aid's Facebook page.

If you are already on Facebook, become a fan of Christian Aid and you'll be able to tag photos and add comments.

View gallery
All photos Christian Aid © 2009

Why Parliament?

Christian Aid’s head of campaigns Paul Brannen said after the trespass: ‘We chose Parliament as we want politicians to understand the very real nature of the crisis that is developing, and act accordingly.

‘It is rich industrialised countries like the UK that are historically responsible for causing climate change. They must now demonstrate a new kind of leadership in dealing with the consequences.

‘Climate change is already having a devastating effect on the people we work with in developing countries who have contributed very little to global warming.

‘The floods in the Philippines and the drought in Kenya and the Horn of Africa are just the latest examples of vulnerable communities bearing the brunt of unpredictable weather patterns. For these people, climate change is now a matter of life or death.

‘It’s time for a new revolution, a climate revolution. It’s vital that a fair and just climate deal is agreed in Copenhagen to come into force when the first phase of the Kyoto Protocol ends in 2012.’

Halting climate change is urgent

Rich countries are most responsible for causing the climate crisis. Yet it's people in the world’s poorest communities who are suffering first and worst from its effects.

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