World Development Movement blog

As the Arctic sea ice melts, oil companies are determined to drill for the same fuels that cause the melting in the first place.

Greenpeace, WDM and other organisations have been tirelessly campaigning to protect the Arctic region and stop investment in fossil fuel projects, in creative and strategic ways for years.

We’ve just heard today the sad news that John Blair Fish, long time member of WDM’s local Edinburgh group has died suddenly.   John was a friend of WDM and fellow activist for many years, giving his time and energy generously to campaigns for global justice.  

After almost four and a half years as director of the World Development Movement (WDM), I’m now leaving this week. I hope I’ve contributed some of my own experience and wisdom to the role and to the movement, and I have certainly learned a great deal about campaigning, and about myself. 

Picture this. You’re standing on the north side of the Millennium Bridge (the ‘wobbly’ footbridge) in London, looking south.  To your left towers the Shard, in front of you is the Tate, to your right are the Houses of Parliament and the Shell Centre and behind you is the City of London.  

When people ask how our recent trip to Ethiopia was, my first answer is "cold and wet". It's true - it's currently the rainy season, and in the highland capital Addis Ababa, temperatures rarely reach 20°C. It doesn't do justice to the incredible landscapes, fascinating history and great people we met there, but it does cause people to question stereotypes of the country as arid and disaster-prone.

The Village of Roche faces being destroyed by multinational mining companies, join the movement to protect the people living there.