Today, eco-activists accused Alok Sharma, COP26 leader of ‘appropriation’ after he said to a conference that politicians and CEOs are all Swampys now.
The summit’s Finance Day was inaugurated by Mr Sharma, who aims at channeling cash towards transitioning global economy to net zero carbon emission.
He compared politicians and financiers to Dan Hooper (nicknamed Swampy), who became a household name after his relentless campaigning to stop new roads being built.
Friends of Swampy (real name Dan Hooper) have taken issue with Alok Sharma, stating that “we are all Swampys right now.”
In his speech today Mr Sharma compared politicians and financiers to the veteran eco-activist.
Mr Sharma stated that Swampy was the man who helped me start my career in finance in 1990 in the city.
“He spent his life in tunnels and trees, and he was the face of climate action here in the United Kingdom.”
He continued, “But today the Swampys all around us are in boardrooms and in government departments in multilateral development bank and trading floors all across the globe – you my dear friends are the new Swampys. Be proud.”
“That means that more finance flows to climate action. It is essential that all financial flows be aligned with sustainable and clean development in order to deliver the Paris Agreement. We know this because of the devastating effects of the pandemic.
Swampy, who is currently in Wendover, Buckinghamshire for his 20th day, is trying to stop the progress of the HS2 rail projects. He was not available for comment.
However, Dr Larch Maxey, a fellow campaigner, is currently being held on bail for alleged offences related to his protests against the HS2 and said: “Unfortunately, everyone isn’t down that tunnel with Swampy.”
He said that ‘to say we are all Swampys would be appropriation. It is an attempt to take resistance, take the truth and sell it to the corporate agenda.
“If only he had been true to his words. If we were all Swampys, we wouldn’t face the greatest threat humanity’s ever faced.
Dr Maxey stated, “Coax and cajole” big industry to act is the goal of world leaders rather than leading by example.
“(Mr Sharma’s speech). I am trying to say that everything is OK, folks. You just need to trust us, the bankers and the politicians, your future is secure’,” he said.
“Well, it’s no, it’s not. Because of their actions over thirty years and because they continue to do so, the future is in peril.”
Dr Larch Maxey is currently being held on bail for alleged offences related to his protests against the HS2 and said that: “Unfortunately, everyone isn’t down that tunnel with Swampy.”
Swampy is pictured at Euston Square Gardens in London, January 2021
Dr Maxey was skeptical that the Paris Agreement targets could be met without drastic action.
He stated: “Sixty percent of all emissions have occurred during the Cop era. So Cop is fundamentally predisposed try to keep business as normal going.
“We are still not seeing enough actions, and obviously (Mr Sharma’s) speech is trying coax finance professionals into action, but it’s not enough – words to get people to act are not enough.
He said, “Thirty-years ago we were in the space for coaxing or cajoling. Now (climate change), it is an existential threat. Science says that what we do in three to four years will determine if humanity survives.”
“This is how serious the problem is, and I don’t think many people will address it with the urgency or severity that it deserves.
Swampy was arrested with another protester at Highbury Magistrates Court for aggravated trespass.
Swampy’s 16 year old son Rory Hooper took part in the Euston protests. He is seen being taken out of his tunnel by an ambulance crew