County teenager's green demo arrest

Hana Cogings, 18, of Dawley, was part of a team of 340 Greenpeace volunteers who surrounded and chained themselves to the gates of the European Council building in Brussels yesterday.

The activists, who were all arrested, were trying to prevent European Union finance ministers leaving until they agreed to pledge significant funding so developing countries can tackle climate change.

Hana has been involved with Greenpeace for more than a year.

She said she wanted to make sure the government took steps to help the climate.

A large contingent of police, including anti-riot officers, cut through the chains and put activists into awaiting vehicles.

The officers set up a security perimeter, while EU security services sealed all entrances to the building. The last protesters were removed about two hours after arriving.

Speaking from Brussels yesterday, Hana said: "I'm here to make sure my government takes the steps needed to get us out of the economic and climate crises by building an economy that can give people long term jobs in sustainable industries.

"Some European governments are complaining they can't afford to take action on climate change, but I say they can't afford not to - if the planet were a bank they would have saved it by now.

"Leading climate scientists say we have only 93 months to start reducing, rather than increasing emissions.

"Politicians don't seem to be listening, and certainly don't represent me, so now is the time for me to take a stand and take action against climate change.

"To be equal to the task, politicians need to set serious emission reduction targets, take action to save rainforests and give cash for developing countries to adapt to the climate change that is already happening.

"These three things need to be at the top of their list of priorities in preparing for the crucial climate talks in Copenhagen in December."

Greenpeace spokesman Niall Bennett said Hana was later released without charge.

By Andrew Morris