The fishbowl event on direct action to stop climate change was a great success. Over thirty people heard Adriana Nomas and Howard Balmer talk about their experience of direct action and democracy at Climate Camp events before using the fishbowl technique to explore feelings about direct action and how it might link with the Transition movement.

Fishbowls involve a few people in an inner circle of five chairs discussing the issue while everyone else sits in an outer circle, listening but remaining silent. If you want to speak then you move to the inner circle but at least one chair must remain empty so if all the chairs are taken someone must relinquish their seat and return to the outer circle.

Does the technique work? Yes - facilitated by Rosie Bell it was a powerful tool which enabled many people to speak in a way less intimidating than addressing a larger audience. More people made contributions in the time in a thoughtful and personal manner, without the more confidant dominating the evening. People explored feelings of fear as well as empowerment associated with direct action. Questions were asked about democracy and accountability, non-violence and the training and support available. We heard accounts from people who had helped destroy GM crops as well as oppose new coal fired power stations. There were questions and answers and differences and agreements and we learnt from each other.

One or two speakers thought direct action was divisive and a waste of resources. Many more thought it was an important part of stopping climate change and entirely justifiable given the lack of real democracy. Do we have all the answers now? Have we a clear view of what Transition has to do with direct action? Certainly not. But we do have a better understanding of the range of feelings and opinions and experience among us. And that’s important.

Seeds for Change are running a training course for people with experience of direct action in Plymouth this August and Climate Camp will be having an event near London this Summer. For more details contact Chris Bird - cbirduk@googlemail.com