Green Vandals Acquitted on Climate Change Defense

Global crisis justifies coal-plant attack: jury

By Peter Fearon, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 11, 2008 11:25 AM CDT

(Newser) – Six Greenpeace activists who vandalized a coal-fired power station in Britain have won acquittal using the threat of global warming as a defense, reports the Guardian. The activists, who caused more than $50,000 in damage to a smokestack, said they were trying to prevent property damage from the plant’s emissions to locations around the world. The verdict is expected to trigger similar protests.

The defendants cited hurricane damage in New Orleans and ice shelf erosion in Antarctica among the areas threatened by the plant, which emits more carbon dioxide than the 30 least-polluting nations in the world combined. One defendant called the acquittal a “potent challenge” to the British government’s plans for new coal-powered energy plants.

Six Greenpeace activists have been acquitted after claiming climate change as justification for causing damage to a coal-fired power station. (Getty Images)

Greenpeace activists at the top of a smoke stack at Kingsnorth power station, during a protest against plans for Britain's first new coal power plant in more than 20 years. (AP Photo/Greenpeace, Will Rose, HO)

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Green Vandals Acquitted on Climate Change Defense

Global crisis justifies coal-plant attack: jury

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CO2 Emissions 'Will Defer Ice Age'

Carbon dioxide levels creating long 'interglacial' period

Canada Drops Kyoto Accord

Treaty won't work without US and China: minister

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Multimedia presentation will cross 24 time zones

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Sulfur pollution masked effect of CO2 emissions

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Experts warn consequences could be dire

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Global crisis justifies coal-plant attack: jury

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

climate change • Greenpeace • Al Gore • global warming • clean energy • coal power • carbon emissions • Kingsnorth power station • Maidstone • Jim Hansen • Zac Goldsmith

MOST POPULAR STORIES

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More Newser Stories

CO2 Emissions 'Will Defer Ice Age'

Carbon dioxide levels creating long 'interglacial' period

Canada Drops Kyoto Accord

Treaty won't work without US and China: minister

Gore to Launch 24-Hour Assault on Climate Skeptics

Multimedia presentation will cross 24 time zones

Burning Coal Slowed Climate Change: Study

Sulfur pollution masked effect of CO2 emissions

2010 Saw Shock Rise in Carbon Emissions

Experts warn consequences could be dire

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Newser By Users

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