Citizens, arrests and seven metre dinosaurs: A history of the UNFCCC #climate protests

My latest piece, for the Conversation, is out.

Here’s a scene that will be familiar to anyone who has watched media coverage of a major geopolitical summit:

By mid-morning the main entrance to the UN’s Palais de Congres, and its side entrances, were ringed by Swiss and German citizens, chained together. The blockade was total, if symbolic. Diplomats came and went, but had to duck under the chains. A barrage balloon floated in the sky over the Palais, urging delegates to “Cut C0₂ Now”. Boiler-suited Greenpeace activists swarmed over the roofs of the Palais, clutching placards bearing the same message.

That was 25 years ago this weekend, outside the Second World Climate Conference in Geneva…. continued here-

Citizens, arrests and seven metre dinosaurs: A history of the UNFCCC #climate protests

With thanks to Mike Hopkin, editor extraordinaire.