Reading University – is holding a green week from the 8th – 12th November.
Feauring:
‘Our green friends’ event on Tuesday the 9th from 11am - 2.30pm.
and
‘Is climate change good for the local economy?’ public debate on Thursday the 11th at 7pm.
Full Timetable
Monday 8th November
Green week launch - Cole Museum, 12:30pm
Led by the Vice-Chancellor, this event is the formal start of Green week. Members if staff, students and the local community will be invited to attend the light lunch. This will be followed by an open to all litter picking procession led by a junk percussion band. Please contact EEST if you'd like to attend.
Community event - Agriculture building, 6:45pm
Take the opportunity to visit one of the University's leading academic buildings and discover what our students are working on. The event will also include a review of recently completed and future environmental projects on campus and in the local area.
Tuesday 9th November
Our green friends - Palmer foyer, 11am-2:30pm
An opportunity for the partners and associates of the University to demonstrate their green credentials. Come and talk to suppliers and charities, not forgetting the opportunity to pick up some freebies and giveaways.
Special Showing: The End of the Line - Park Eat, 8pm
Dubbed 'The Inconvenient Truth about the oceans', this film explores how politicians and restaurants around the world are destroying fish populations and damaging the ocean habitat. Find out more about the film here.
Wednesday 10th November
Bicycle bonanza - Palmer foyer, 11am-3:30pm
Everything you need to know to start cycling into work, Now that the evenings are drawing in, we will have support from the local council, and other cycling specialists to help you leave the car at home. FREE Breakfast Butties and Cycling Proficiency Lessons available - click here for more information.
Public lecture - Climate change: the science explained - Henley Business School, 7:30pm
As part of the Public Lecture Series, Professor Nigel Arnell will be delivering a challenging but accessible lecture on the science behind climate change.
Thursday 11th November
Environmental walk - Palmer foyer, 12:30-1:30pm
A chance to see some of the hidden environmental wonders on our campuses. The walk will be led by the Grounds Maintenance team who know the sites like the back of their hands.
Public debate - Is climate change good for the local economy? - Henley Business School, 7pm
A forum to debate whether climate change could be beneficial for our local economy. This is an opportunity to ask questions and watch a panel of eminent local politicians, academics and business people debate the topic.
Friday 12th November
Green awards ceremony - Palmer foyer, 1pm
An opportunity to reflect on the achievements not only of the past week, but of the past academic year. Awards will be presented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor Tony Downes.
Sunday, 31 October 2010
Saturday, 30 October 2010
Boris Retratcs Ethnic Cleansing
Boris Johnson characterises housing benefit changes as "Kosovo-style social clensing" in London - "the last thing we want to have in our city is a situation such as Paris where the less well-off are pushed out to the suburbs. I'll emphatically resist any attempt to recreate a London where the rich and poor cannot live together," he said.
Then Boris apologised for his comments describing housing benefit cuts in London as "Kosovo-style social cleansing".
So what does Boris really think of these draconian Tory policies? He is well known for standing up for the city millionaires, lest see if he can represent the poorest too.
David Cameron claimed more than £1700 per month in mortgage interest for two years, and more than £82000 for his second home over four years. Thats £20,500 a year!
ConDems want housing benefit capped at £250 for a one bedroom flat in London when MPs can claim vastly more than that for their second home allowance. A single MP will be able to claim about £385 a week for a one bedroom flat.
Then Boris apologised for his comments describing housing benefit cuts in London as "Kosovo-style social cleansing".
So what does Boris really think of these draconian Tory policies? He is well known for standing up for the city millionaires, lest see if he can represent the poorest too.
David Cameron claimed more than £1700 per month in mortgage interest for two years, and more than £82000 for his second home over four years. Thats £20,500 a year!
ConDems want housing benefit capped at £250 for a one bedroom flat in London when MPs can claim vastly more than that for their second home allowance. A single MP will be able to claim about £385 a week for a one bedroom flat.
Friday, 29 October 2010
‘Robbie the robot' appeal
The Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading is appealing for money for a robot. Robbie’, the da Vinci robot.
The robot provides robotic assisted surgery; it allows surgeons to perform radical prostate operations using all the clinical and technical capabilities of traditional open surgery, whilst enabling them to operate through the tiny incisions which characterise ‘keyhole’ surgery.
The Royal Berkshire NHS Trust acquired the da Vinci robot thanks to a very generous donation. To keep the da Vinci robot operating in Reading, they need to raise a further £1 million over the next three years.
The campaign is supported by the Reading Post (Getreading)
.
For patients robot surgery brings a number of benefits which contribute to a quicker return to normal life. These include:
significantly less pain
less blood loss
less risk of wound infection
reduced scarring
faster recovery times.
The da Vinci robot uses four interactive robotic arms to carry out the surgery. At all times the surgeon is in complete control: his or her hand movements are scaled, filtered and seamlessly translated into precise real-time movements. The 3D view and magnification allow intricate dissection and complex reconstruction that would be difficult with conventional keyhole surgery.
Surgeon, Lt. Col. Zaheer Shah said “The robot offers a less painful procedure with a quicker recovery time and fewer side effects and has so far proven to be equally effective as open surgery for dealing with cancer, as well as being less likely to cause impotence or incontinence.”
Talking about the benefits to patients Peter Boltwood said: “I have been amazed at the speed of my recovery: within an hour I was sharing my experience with BBC South Today, two days later I was back at home. Life is now back to normal. I am working and playing golf and the scars have all but disappeared. I would have no hesitation in recommending this surgery to other men faced with the same decision.”
Links:
BBC Berkshire.
The robot provides robotic assisted surgery; it allows surgeons to perform radical prostate operations using all the clinical and technical capabilities of traditional open surgery, whilst enabling them to operate through the tiny incisions which characterise ‘keyhole’ surgery.
The Royal Berkshire NHS Trust acquired the da Vinci robot thanks to a very generous donation. To keep the da Vinci robot operating in Reading, they need to raise a further £1 million over the next three years.
The campaign is supported by the Reading Post (Getreading)
.
For patients robot surgery brings a number of benefits which contribute to a quicker return to normal life. These include:
significantly less pain
less blood loss
less risk of wound infection
reduced scarring
faster recovery times.
The da Vinci robot uses four interactive robotic arms to carry out the surgery. At all times the surgeon is in complete control: his or her hand movements are scaled, filtered and seamlessly translated into precise real-time movements. The 3D view and magnification allow intricate dissection and complex reconstruction that would be difficult with conventional keyhole surgery.
Surgeon, Lt. Col. Zaheer Shah said “The robot offers a less painful procedure with a quicker recovery time and fewer side effects and has so far proven to be equally effective as open surgery for dealing with cancer, as well as being less likely to cause impotence or incontinence.”
Talking about the benefits to patients Peter Boltwood said: “I have been amazed at the speed of my recovery: within an hour I was sharing my experience with BBC South Today, two days later I was back at home. Life is now back to normal. I am working and playing golf and the scars have all but disappeared. I would have no hesitation in recommending this surgery to other men faced with the same decision.”
Links:
BBC Berkshire.
Tuesday, 26 October 2010
Stop mass extinction
I've just signed an urgent global petition supporting a new treaty to prevent mass extinction. The petition will be delivered Friday at UN talks in Japan -- check out the email below and sign on here:
www.avaaz.org the_end_of_whales
-----
There are only 300 northern right whales left, and 99% of blue whales have been wiped out. These majestic giants are endangered species, and their case is being played out across the world, time and again. In fact, one third of all life forms on the planet are on the brink of extinction.
The natural world is being crushed by human activity, waste and exploitation. But there is a plan to save it -- a global agreement to create, fund and enforce protected areas covering 20% of our lands and seas by 2020. And right now, 193 governments are meeting in Japan to address this crisis.
We have just 4 days left in this crucial meeting. Experts say that politicians are hesitant to adopt such an ambitious goal, but that a global public outcry could tip the balance, making leaders feel the eyes of the world upon them. Click to sign the urgent 20/20 petition, and forward this email widely -- the message will be delivered directly to the meeting in Japan:
Our governments have failed, consistently caving to industry when given a choice between narrow profit and protecting species. Our animals, plants, oceans, forests, soils, and rivers are choking under immense burdens from over-exploitation and other pressures.
Humans are the primary cause of this destruction. But we can turn it around -- we've saved species from extinction before. The causes of biodiversity decline are vast, and stopping them is going to require a move away from empty piecemeal promises with no clarity on who will pay, to a bold plan with strict enforcement and serious funding. The 20/20 plan is precisely that: governments will be forced to execute strict programmes to ensure that 20% of our earth is protected by the 2020 deadline, and massively scale up funding.
It has to be now. All over the world the picture is beginning to look bleaker -- there are only 3,200 tigers left in the wild, our oceans are running out of fish, and we're losing unique food sources to large mono-plantations. Nature is resilient, but we have to give it a safe place to bounce back. That's why this meeting is key -- it's a watershed moment to accelerate action based on clear commitments that protect nature's capital.
If our governments feel overwhelming public pressure right now to be courageous, we can jolt them to commit to the 20/20 plan at this meeting. But it's going to take every one of us to get that message to echo around the convention in Japan. Sign this urgent petition below, then forward it widely.
Already this year Avaaz, members have played a critical role in protecting elephants, defending the whale-hunting ban, and securing the world's largest Marine Protected Area in the Chagos Islands. Our community has shown that we can set ambitious goals -- and win. This campaign is the next stage in the essential battle to create the world that most of us everywhere want -- where natural resources and species are valued, and our living planet is protected for future generations.
www.avaaz.org
Sources:
The Times: "Third of all animals and plants face extinction"
The Guardian: "Public awareness of the biodiversity crisis is virtually non-existent"
Sydney Morning Herald: "UN calls for immediate action to save life on earth"
IUCN: "Why is biodiversity in crisis?"
More on the Convention of Biodiversity meeting
www.avaaz.org the_end_of_whales
-----
There are only 300 northern right whales left, and 99% of blue whales have been wiped out. These majestic giants are endangered species, and their case is being played out across the world, time and again. In fact, one third of all life forms on the planet are on the brink of extinction.
The natural world is being crushed by human activity, waste and exploitation. But there is a plan to save it -- a global agreement to create, fund and enforce protected areas covering 20% of our lands and seas by 2020. And right now, 193 governments are meeting in Japan to address this crisis.
We have just 4 days left in this crucial meeting. Experts say that politicians are hesitant to adopt such an ambitious goal, but that a global public outcry could tip the balance, making leaders feel the eyes of the world upon them. Click to sign the urgent 20/20 petition, and forward this email widely -- the message will be delivered directly to the meeting in Japan:
Our governments have failed, consistently caving to industry when given a choice between narrow profit and protecting species. Our animals, plants, oceans, forests, soils, and rivers are choking under immense burdens from over-exploitation and other pressures.
Humans are the primary cause of this destruction. But we can turn it around -- we've saved species from extinction before. The causes of biodiversity decline are vast, and stopping them is going to require a move away from empty piecemeal promises with no clarity on who will pay, to a bold plan with strict enforcement and serious funding. The 20/20 plan is precisely that: governments will be forced to execute strict programmes to ensure that 20% of our earth is protected by the 2020 deadline, and massively scale up funding.
It has to be now. All over the world the picture is beginning to look bleaker -- there are only 3,200 tigers left in the wild, our oceans are running out of fish, and we're losing unique food sources to large mono-plantations. Nature is resilient, but we have to give it a safe place to bounce back. That's why this meeting is key -- it's a watershed moment to accelerate action based on clear commitments that protect nature's capital.
If our governments feel overwhelming public pressure right now to be courageous, we can jolt them to commit to the 20/20 plan at this meeting. But it's going to take every one of us to get that message to echo around the convention in Japan. Sign this urgent petition below, then forward it widely.
Already this year Avaaz, members have played a critical role in protecting elephants, defending the whale-hunting ban, and securing the world's largest Marine Protected Area in the Chagos Islands. Our community has shown that we can set ambitious goals -- and win. This campaign is the next stage in the essential battle to create the world that most of us everywhere want -- where natural resources and species are valued, and our living planet is protected for future generations.
www.avaaz.org
Sources:
The Times: "Third of all animals and plants face extinction"
The Guardian: "Public awareness of the biodiversity crisis is virtually non-existent"
Sydney Morning Herald: "UN calls for immediate action to save life on earth"
IUCN: "Why is biodiversity in crisis?"
More on the Convention of Biodiversity meeting
Monday, 25 October 2010
Don't sell off our forests
Caroline Lucas has been campaigning against the ConDem plan to ruin our forests by selling them off for development. Forests sell-off plan by government is 'asset-stripping our natural heritage'.
Below is a guest post from 38 degrees on this issue.
The government is getting ready for a huge sell-off of our national forests to private firms. This could mean ancient woodlands are chopped down and destroyed. Walkers and endangered animals, like red squirrels and owls, would have to make way for Center Parcs-style holiday villages, golf courses, and logging companies. [1]
We need to stop these plans. Ancient forests like the Forest of Dean and Sherwood Forest are national treasures - once they're gone, they are lost forever. A huge petition will force the government to rethink. If we can prove how strongly thousands of us are against this, we can make them back down.
Please click here to add your name to a petition saying "save our forests":
http://www.38degrees.org.uk/save-our-forests
The government needs to get new laws through Parliament before these plans can go ahead. That means we have time to stop them. If we build a huge petition, we will prove that the public doesn't want precious woodland to be flogged off. That will make MPs think twice about voting for it.
When we work together, we can stop the government from forcing through these kind of bad plans. They probably think that with all the focus on cuts, no-one will have time to spare to speak up for forests. 38 Degrees members know how to work on more than one issue at once. We're already standing up for the NHS and the BBC. We're winning our fight against the massive cow factory farm in Lincolnshire. Now let's stand up for Britain's ancient forests together, before it's too late and they're gone for good.
Please help build the pressure before it's too late. Add your name to our "save our forests" petition:
http://www.38degrees.org.uk/save-our-forests
Thanks for being involved,
David, Hannah, Johnny and the 38 Degrees team
P.S. If we can build a big enough petition quickly enough, we can get the government to drop these plans right now. Please forward this e-mail to all your friends and family, and ask them to sign the "save our forests" petition by clicking here:
http://www.38degrees.org.uk/save-our-forests
NOTES
[1] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/government-plans-huge-selloff-of-britains-forests-2115631.html
Below is a guest post from 38 degrees on this issue.
The government is getting ready for a huge sell-off of our national forests to private firms. This could mean ancient woodlands are chopped down and destroyed. Walkers and endangered animals, like red squirrels and owls, would have to make way for Center Parcs-style holiday villages, golf courses, and logging companies. [1]
We need to stop these plans. Ancient forests like the Forest of Dean and Sherwood Forest are national treasures - once they're gone, they are lost forever. A huge petition will force the government to rethink. If we can prove how strongly thousands of us are against this, we can make them back down.
Please click here to add your name to a petition saying "save our forests":
http://www.38degrees.org.uk/save-our-forests
The government needs to get new laws through Parliament before these plans can go ahead. That means we have time to stop them. If we build a huge petition, we will prove that the public doesn't want precious woodland to be flogged off. That will make MPs think twice about voting for it.
When we work together, we can stop the government from forcing through these kind of bad plans. They probably think that with all the focus on cuts, no-one will have time to spare to speak up for forests. 38 Degrees members know how to work on more than one issue at once. We're already standing up for the NHS and the BBC. We're winning our fight against the massive cow factory farm in Lincolnshire. Now let's stand up for Britain's ancient forests together, before it's too late and they're gone for good.
Please help build the pressure before it's too late. Add your name to our "save our forests" petition:
http://www.38degrees.org.uk/save-our-forests
Thanks for being involved,
David, Hannah, Johnny and the 38 Degrees team
P.S. If we can build a big enough petition quickly enough, we can get the government to drop these plans right now. Please forward this e-mail to all your friends and family, and ask them to sign the "save our forests" petition by clicking here:
http://www.38degrees.org.uk/save-our-forests
NOTES
[1] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/government-plans-huge-selloff-of-britains-forests-2115631.html
Saturday, 23 October 2010
We're all in this together
Does George Osbourne write his speeches after watching High School Musical.
"We're all in this together", but some are more in it than others.
Green Party leader Caroline Lucas MP has called George Osborne’s comprehensive spending review a “budget to destroy a million jobs”.
David Blanchflower calls the cuts a 'suicidal austerity programme'.
Yes the deficit is a problem, but the cuts hit the the most vulnerable hardest. And what about all the money we gave to the banks? Get that back and the deficit is nearly gone. It says a lot about the ConDems that they don't even mention it as an option. It says that these cuts are all about what they really want to do, cut spending on services; the talk about the deficit is an excuse.
ConDems love to talk about benefit scroungers, but what about MPs and Peers who broke the rules on expenses? I don't see any of them in prison. Expenses peers face Lords suspension, they should have their peerages removed and the worst sent behind bars. They got barely a slapped wrist. Orwells predictions have come true, its one rule for the powerful, a much harsher one for the rest of us.
And tax avoiders, rather than going after them, are given jobs!
The sad thing is that in many ways we are all in this together, we live on one planet that we are polluting; it has limited resources that we are wasting. So we need to improve efficiency, stop wasting energy. The best way to do this is invest in insulating our buildings, subsidise renewables that will not run out by increasing tax on fossil fuel. Invest in efficient transport, bus and train is better than car and plane. Sustainability is not about keeping going as we are for a couple of years, but changing the way we live for future generations.
Sustainable Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This is from the Bruntland Report for the World Commission on Environment and Development (1992)
We're all in this together
Once we know
That we are
We're all stars
And we see that
We're all in this together
And it shows
When we stand
Hand in hand
Make our dreams come true
"We're all in this together", but some are more in it than others.
Green Party leader Caroline Lucas MP has called George Osborne’s comprehensive spending review a “budget to destroy a million jobs”.
David Blanchflower calls the cuts a 'suicidal austerity programme'.
Yes the deficit is a problem, but the cuts hit the the most vulnerable hardest. And what about all the money we gave to the banks? Get that back and the deficit is nearly gone. It says a lot about the ConDems that they don't even mention it as an option. It says that these cuts are all about what they really want to do, cut spending on services; the talk about the deficit is an excuse.
ConDems love to talk about benefit scroungers, but what about MPs and Peers who broke the rules on expenses? I don't see any of them in prison. Expenses peers face Lords suspension, they should have their peerages removed and the worst sent behind bars. They got barely a slapped wrist. Orwells predictions have come true, its one rule for the powerful, a much harsher one for the rest of us.
And tax avoiders, rather than going after them, are given jobs!
The sad thing is that in many ways we are all in this together, we live on one planet that we are polluting; it has limited resources that we are wasting. So we need to improve efficiency, stop wasting energy. The best way to do this is invest in insulating our buildings, subsidise renewables that will not run out by increasing tax on fossil fuel. Invest in efficient transport, bus and train is better than car and plane. Sustainability is not about keeping going as we are for a couple of years, but changing the way we live for future generations.
Sustainable Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This is from the Bruntland Report for the World Commission on Environment and Development (1992)
Friday, 22 October 2010
Maiden Erlegh RBC Education Provision
It seems there was an interesting local council meeting at the RBC.
There have been quite a few blog mentions, notably from Jane on ex Lab Cllr Richard Mckenzie who it seems behaved poorly. It seems he took pictures in the council chamber while complaining at Cllrs texting, then it got worse. I have been following his campaign about school provision, he ignores that Labour didn't provide enough capacity for education and blames WokinghamBC for looking into where there pupils are coming from. I joined his campaign group to support the parents and children but have been unimpressed with his attempt to hijack proceedings. I have in the past witnessed Mackenzies poor behavior but this may be a new low for him.
There is also a facebook campaign here.
Blogs discussing from the Conservative Cllr Richard Willis here. I have much more respect for Richard Willis but he seems fixated with painting Greens as being a mere support act for theTories Labour, which we are clearly not. Perhaps he is hoping to deflect the LD being a mere support act for the Conservatives. Oddly he has chosen to continue some Labour policies himself, notably the Shinfield Road mess, not having the courage to follow the policies he campaigned on. It seems he is supporting Labour much more than we are, though he is in power in Reading while Labour and the Greens are in opposition.
Lib Den Warren Swaine here.
Labours Chris Maskell here.
And Richard Mckenzie himself.
Update; Rob White tells it from the Green perspective here.
Bunfight at the RBC coral?
(I also updated a typo, the ConDems say we are a support act for Labour not the Tories. Doh.
There have been quite a few blog mentions, notably from Jane on ex Lab Cllr Richard Mckenzie who it seems behaved poorly. It seems he took pictures in the council chamber while complaining at Cllrs texting, then it got worse. I have been following his campaign about school provision, he ignores that Labour didn't provide enough capacity for education and blames WokinghamBC for looking into where there pupils are coming from. I joined his campaign group to support the parents and children but have been unimpressed with his attempt to hijack proceedings. I have in the past witnessed Mackenzies poor behavior but this may be a new low for him.
There is also a facebook campaign here.
Blogs discussing from the Conservative Cllr Richard Willis here. I have much more respect for Richard Willis but he seems fixated with painting Greens as being a mere support act for the
Lib Den Warren Swaine here.
Labours Chris Maskell here.
And Richard Mckenzie himself.
Update; Rob White tells it from the Green perspective here.
Bunfight at the RBC coral?
(I also updated a typo, the ConDems say we are a support act for Labour not the Tories. Doh.
Thursday, 21 October 2010
Disabled people forced to pay for banking crisis
The latest cuts are hitting hardest those who can least afford it. The poorest who rely on services, students, women, families and the disabled.
Ceri Goddard, Chief Executive of the Fawcett Society, said:
"We are all in this together", but some are more in it than others.
The Culture Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, said that having children is a choice and “it's not going to be the role of the state to finance those choices”. “The number of children that you have is a choice and what we're saying is that if people are living on benefits then they make choices but they also have to have responsibility for those choices”.
People immediately pointed out that a couple may have decided to have a number of children while working, only finding themselves on benefits due to the current economic situation. Children would suffer as a result of the government's approach.
“The bankers who are most to blame for this crisis are getting billions in bonuses again, yet it is children in poverty who are paying the price,” said Alison Garnham, Chief Executive of the Child Poverty Action Group.
If the Conservatives (and LD poodles) were serious about cutting our debt they would get the banks to pay back the money they owe us. Or cut things that are of no use, such as Trident, and perhaps one of those new aircraft carriers that have no planes. Or indeed increase taxes for the wealthy who have done rather well recently. The National Fraud Authority’s figures show tax evasion is costing the public purse over £15 billion per year! But the ConDems pursue those on benefits not these evaders.
Many disabled people and their families require routine support from national and local government. Disabled people are twice as likely to live in poverty with a third of disabled people living in poverty across the life course. Disability benefits help families meet additional costs (for equipment, higher bills or accessible transport for instance).
Ceri Goddard, Chief Executive of the Fawcett Society, said:
“The Comprehensive Spending Review, like the previous emergency budget, hits women hardest. It is women who will be the main losers as jobs are cut, public services are rolled back and benefits are slashed."
"We are all in this together", but some are more in it than others.
The Culture Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, said that having children is a choice and “it's not going to be the role of the state to finance those choices”. “The number of children that you have is a choice and what we're saying is that if people are living on benefits then they make choices but they also have to have responsibility for those choices”.
People immediately pointed out that a couple may have decided to have a number of children while working, only finding themselves on benefits due to the current economic situation. Children would suffer as a result of the government's approach.
“The bankers who are most to blame for this crisis are getting billions in bonuses again, yet it is children in poverty who are paying the price,” said Alison Garnham, Chief Executive of the Child Poverty Action Group.
If the Conservatives (and LD poodles) were serious about cutting our debt they would get the banks to pay back the money they owe us. Or cut things that are of no use, such as Trident, and perhaps one of those new aircraft carriers that have no planes. Or indeed increase taxes for the wealthy who have done rather well recently. The National Fraud Authority’s figures show tax evasion is costing the public purse over £15 billion per year! But the ConDems pursue those on benefits not these evaders.
Wednesday, 20 October 2010
“Budget to destroy a million jobs”
Green Party leader Caroline Lucas MP has called George Osborne’s comprehensive spending review a “budget to destroy a million jobs” – and has again argued that the worst cuts could have been avoided by an alternative policy based on a fairer tax regime.
Caroline Lucas said immediately after the budget statement:
“This is a budget to destroy half a million jobs in the public sector, according to the government’s own estimates. And the knock-on effects will be at least as many jobs lost in the private sector.”
While George Monbiot says 'The economic crisis is the disaster the Conservatives have been praying for. Now they can reshape the economy on corporate lines.'
Caroline Lucas said immediately after the budget statement:
“This is a budget to destroy half a million jobs in the public sector, according to the government’s own estimates. And the knock-on effects will be at least as many jobs lost in the private sector.”
While George Monbiot says 'The economic crisis is the disaster the Conservatives have been praying for. Now they can reshape the economy on corporate lines.'
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
Blanchflower On The Cuts; 'suicidal austerity programme'
The ConDems appear to have made this county into a bad joke, the world now thinks we will have two aircraft carriers with no planes!
Economist David Blanchflower says Osboure has taken the cowards route:
Economist David Blanchflower says Osboure has taken the cowards route:
The chancellor should fight the war against the recession first instead of running up the white flag with his deficit-cutting plans.
His economic strategy is to cross his fingers and hope that the private sector will create 2.5m jobs within five years, despite the fact that between 2000 and 2008 only 1.6m private sector jobs were created. Recovery is going to be a long slog.
The austerity package is likely to turn out to be the greatest macro-economic mistake in a century.
Sunday, 17 October 2010
Berkshire Blogs September
It's back! Check out the risers and the fallers with Green Reading exclusive monthly chart of the top blogs in the area (compiled using Wikio.co.uk). This used to be done by http://bythemuddybanksofthethames.blogspot.com/ but he has stopped.
Of course no ranking system will ever be definitive so if you want to get listed don't forget to tell us about your blog in the comments section - the more the merrier!
Here are the Berkshire Blog rankings for September 2010. August is here.
1 (=) 53 John Redwood MP
2 (=) 67 Mark Rekons
3 (=) 164 Boulton and co
4 (=) 175 Liberal Burblings
5 (=) 207 left outside
6 (=) 289 another green world Derek Wall
7 (+1) 296 babyrambles
8 (-1) 325 bracknell blog
9 (+5) 488 Cons Cllr Richard Willis
10 (-1) 479 cartoon church
11 (-1) 619 green reading
12 (+3) 653 Neville Hobson
13 (-2) 665 the salted slug
14 (-2) 779 Jane Griffiths
15 (-2) 784 Richard Mckenzie
16 (=) 860 oy va goy
17 (+8) 1105 Peter Henley
18 (-1) 1208 LD Cllr Glenn Goodall
19 (-1) 1235 church times
20 (-1) 1306 LD Cllr Swaine waswasere
21 (-1) 1400 Mr london street
22 (+26) 1481 Jones Indep
23 (-2) 1551 http://greengabbles.wordpress.com/
24 (-2) 1712 Rob Fisher
25 (+3) 1756 sean greens blog
26 (-3) 1757 Green Cllr Rob White bloggyblanc
27 (-3) 1785 gco2e
28 (-2) 1961 NYOOTW
29 (-2) 2078 Alvin Finch
30 (+32) 2157 Lab Cllr Rachel Eden
31 (return) 2177 adrianhollister
32 (-3) 2301 Matt Blackall
33 (-3) 2468 LD Cllr Ricky Duveen
34 (-21) 2456 Lab Cllr John Ennis
35 (-3) 2492 the armchair sports fan
36 (-3) 2566 Gideon Mack
37 (-3) 2580 Bucolic Frolics
38 (-3) 2677 http://sheepdrove.wordpress.com/
39 (-3) 2664 http://carocat.co.uk/
40 (-9) 2870 wendyhome
41 (-2) 3019 scary duck
42 (-5) 3084 Wessex Equality Trust
43 (+2) 3110 the open bracket
44 (-6) 3135 Want to be a free...
45 (+4) 3271 Sourceress
46 (-6) 3280 naws
47 (-6) 3284 the flashing blade
48 (-6) 3453 Greening St Johns
49 (-6) 3563 Marketing By Permission
50 (-6) 3650 the red rocket
51 (-5) 3743 Morgan PR
52 (-5) 3943 Thoughts of chairman bill
53 (-3) 4036 The Virtual Victorian
54 (-3) 4158 Katesgrove Libdems
55 (-3) 4164 lastdjango
56 (-3) 4213 Sheabutter Cottage
57 (-3) 4293 James' Two Cents
58 (-2) 4388 Reading Geek Night
59 (-1) 4688 puglia2010
60 (-1) 4758 internet psychologist
61 (-1) 4923 jszuryn
62 (-5) 4975 LD Cllr Prue Bray
63 (-2) 4977 berkeley pr
64 (-1) 5311 slouching towards thatcham
65 (-1) 5899 http://www.britishroyalwedding.com/
66 (-1) 5970 http://windsorfirestation.co.uk/blog/
67 (-1) 6144 DTTs Memoirs
68 (-1) 6194 through-a-peep-hole
69 (-1) 6270 grasp the mettle
70 (-1) 6271 David Burbage
71 (-1) 6287 thames valley mums
72 (-1) 6799 106 points
73 (=) 7096 diggestive
74 (=) 7284 http://pheasant-plucker.blogspot.com/
75 (=) 7285 Berkshire Websites
76 (=) 7286 Escort Sophie
77 (=) 7287 the age of stupidity
78 (=) 7288 the timber yard
79 (=) 7289 Will Hughes
80 (=) 7290 Treetops Newbury
81 (=) 7291 hang on artists
82 (=) 7292 eco search global
83 (=) 7293 woz writes
84 (=) 7296 Andy Peacock
85 (=) 7297 Magic Photography Reading
86 (=) 7298 Reading toy run
87 (=) 7299 jazz from geoff
88 (=) 7300 dadmzungu
89 (=) 7301 rg9
90 (=) 7302 Marlow bottom acoustic club
91 (return) 7565 berkshire born
92 (return) 7609 beasleys place
93 (return) 7610 phil spray
Inactive for over a month
groovy-yank
martinsnottheone
Of course no ranking system will ever be definitive so if you want to get listed don't forget to tell us about your blog in the comments section - the more the merrier!
Here are the Berkshire Blog rankings for September 2010. August is here.
1 (=) 53 John Redwood MP
2 (=) 67 Mark Rekons
3 (=) 164 Boulton and co
4 (=) 175 Liberal Burblings
5 (=) 207 left outside
6 (=) 289 another green world Derek Wall
7 (+1) 296 babyrambles
8 (-1) 325 bracknell blog
9 (+5) 488 Cons Cllr Richard Willis
10 (-1) 479 cartoon church
11 (-1) 619 green reading
12 (+3) 653 Neville Hobson
13 (-2) 665 the salted slug
14 (-2) 779 Jane Griffiths
15 (-2) 784 Richard Mckenzie
16 (=) 860 oy va goy
17 (+8) 1105 Peter Henley
18 (-1) 1208 LD Cllr Glenn Goodall
19 (-1) 1235 church times
20 (-1) 1306 LD Cllr Swaine waswasere
21 (-1) 1400 Mr london street
22 (+26) 1481 Jones Indep
23 (-2) 1551 http://greengabbles.wordpress.com/
24 (-2) 1712 Rob Fisher
25 (+3) 1756 sean greens blog
26 (-3) 1757 Green Cllr Rob White bloggyblanc
27 (-3) 1785 gco2e
28 (-2) 1961 NYOOTW
29 (-2) 2078 Alvin Finch
30 (+32) 2157 Lab Cllr Rachel Eden
31 (return) 2177 adrianhollister
32 (-3) 2301 Matt Blackall
33 (-3) 2468 LD Cllr Ricky Duveen
34 (-21) 2456 Lab Cllr John Ennis
35 (-3) 2492 the armchair sports fan
36 (-3) 2566 Gideon Mack
37 (-3) 2580 Bucolic Frolics
38 (-3) 2677 http://sheepdrove.wordpress.com/
39 (-3) 2664 http://carocat.co.uk/
40 (-9) 2870 wendyhome
41 (-2) 3019 scary duck
42 (-5) 3084 Wessex Equality Trust
43 (+2) 3110 the open bracket
44 (-6) 3135 Want to be a free...
45 (+4) 3271 Sourceress
46 (-6) 3280 naws
47 (-6) 3284 the flashing blade
48 (-6) 3453 Greening St Johns
49 (-6) 3563 Marketing By Permission
50 (-6) 3650 the red rocket
51 (-5) 3743 Morgan PR
52 (-5) 3943 Thoughts of chairman bill
53 (-3) 4036 The Virtual Victorian
54 (-3) 4158 Katesgrove Libdems
55 (-3) 4164 lastdjango
56 (-3) 4213 Sheabutter Cottage
57 (-3) 4293 James' Two Cents
58 (-2) 4388 Reading Geek Night
59 (-1) 4688 puglia2010
60 (-1) 4758 internet psychologist
61 (-1) 4923 jszuryn
62 (-5) 4975 LD Cllr Prue Bray
63 (-2) 4977 berkeley pr
64 (-1) 5311 slouching towards thatcham
65 (-1) 5899 http://www.britishroyalwedding.com/
66 (-1) 5970 http://windsorfirestation.co.uk/blog/
67 (-1) 6144 DTTs Memoirs
68 (-1) 6194 through-a-peep-hole
69 (-1) 6270 grasp the mettle
70 (-1) 6271 David Burbage
71 (-1) 6287 thames valley mums
72 (-1) 6799 106 points
73 (=) 7096 diggestive
74 (=) 7284 http://pheasant-plucker.blogspot.com/
75 (=) 7285 Berkshire Websites
76 (=) 7286 Escort Sophie
77 (=) 7287 the age of stupidity
78 (=) 7288 the timber yard
79 (=) 7289 Will Hughes
80 (=) 7290 Treetops Newbury
81 (=) 7291 hang on artists
82 (=) 7292 eco search global
83 (=) 7293 woz writes
84 (=) 7296 Andy Peacock
85 (=) 7297 Magic Photography Reading
86 (=) 7298 Reading toy run
87 (=) 7299 jazz from geoff
88 (=) 7300 dadmzungu
89 (=) 7301 rg9
90 (=) 7302 Marlow bottom acoustic club
91 (return) 7565 berkshire born
92 (return) 7609 beasleys place
93 (return) 7610 phil spray
Inactive for over a month
groovy-yank
martinsnottheone
ConDem Clegg All At Sea
Remeber the General Election debates? Clegg talked of 'The Armed Forces are also top heavy, with too many senior officers. Following the end of the Cold War the numbers of lower rank soldiers fell dramatically. But the axe did not fall so hard on the top brass. There are now more Brigadiers than there were in 1997 - 17 of them for every combat Brigade. The Navy has almost two admirals for every warship. The Armed Forces do not need so many senior officers.'?
But instead of reducing the number of admirals they are increasing the number of ships, though we cant afford planes for the aircraft carriers.
Apparently Clegg was not even telling the truth about the number of admirals. The Royal Navy was unable to respond during election purdah, so facts have emerged afterwards.
Opps he did it again.
But instead of reducing the number of admirals they are increasing the number of ships, though we cant afford planes for the aircraft carriers.
Apparently Clegg was not even telling the truth about the number of admirals. The Royal Navy was unable to respond during election purdah, so facts have emerged afterwards.
There are some 36 flag and general officers in the Naval Service all told, of whom thirty are admirals and six are Royal Marines major-generals. Of this number, 20 admirals and two generals are in dedicated naval or marine posts, and only two hold the four-star rank of a full admiral. Ten admirals and generals are in tri-service defence posts, most of which are open to army generals and air marshals by competition, and another four are in NATO posts. Of the eight vice-admirals on the active list, half are in NATO or tri-service appointments, such as Surgeon Vice-Admiral Philip Raffaelli who succeeded an army officer as Surgeon-General in December.
As well as the Fleet Air Arm, there are some 80 ships and submarines all told, some of which are in refit or reserve. So, nothing like the 150 or so admirals that Nick Clegg claims.
Opps he did it again.
Saturday, 16 October 2010
Sir Philip Green, Advising ConDems
"If the government were a business, it would fail" so is Sir Philip Green suggesting the government should hide its assets in another country to avoid paying tax?
Thought not.
'Do as I say not as I do.'
tax avoider.
Cartoon by Steve Bell.
Thought not.
'Do as I say not as I do.'
tax avoider.
Cartoon by Steve Bell.
Thursday, 14 October 2010
Tesco caught breaching EU rules on harmful chemicals
Tesco is one of several retailers and brands failing to meet their legal responsibilities to provide consumers with information on toxic or carcinogenic substances used in products they sell.
Major retailers in Europe including Carrefour, Tesco and Toys R Us are breaking EU rules designed to protect consumers from harmful chemicals, an investigation has found.
I have written a few times about Tesco before.
Major retailers in Europe including Carrefour, Tesco and Toys R Us are breaking EU rules designed to protect consumers from harmful chemicals, an investigation has found.
I have written a few times about Tesco before.
Wednesday, 13 October 2010
Mining Safety
While the attention of the world is focused on the rescue of the miners, its worth looking at some background information.
Britain has such a difficult history with Unions and mines I thought it was worth looking at some other countries.
Meanwhile:
With the death of 29 coal miners at the Massey Coal-operated Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia a few months ago, the United States has experienced its worst mine disaster in close to 40 years.
Britain has such a difficult history with Unions and mines I thought it was worth looking at some other countries.
The Chilean mining accident was the result of a race for profits by mine owners – who may face criminal charges – at a boom time in the price of two metals, combined with a scandalous disregard for safety, according to trade unionists.
The government ordered the closure of the San Jose mine after deaths in 2006 and 2007, but a year later a junior official, allegedly exceeding his powers, authorised its reopening without the owners having installed a stairway in the ventilation passages. Instead, employees were sacked and non-unionised labour taken on. On 3 July this year a man lost his leg in a rockfall, and later in the month the Labour Department warned of serious safety deficiencies.
The two mine owners, Alejandro Bohn – also the mine manager – and Marcelo Kemeny, may face criminal charges after they were questioned by prosecutors. A court has embargoed £1.2m of company funds to meet possible claims arising from the disaster.
Suspicion is growing that the mine was allowed to continue working only by dint of bribery. Chile, where vast fortunes have been made from mining, has only 16 mine inspectors to look after 4,500 mines. There have been 31 fatal mining accidents this year alone.
Neglect of the law is fostered by the keen interest of successive governments to make Chile – by far the world's largest copper producer – a mining giant, outstripping its neighbour Peru. The miners are paying the price.
Meanwhile:
In the last 20 years, 4,000 Colombian trade unionists have been murdered. Each year, more union activists are killed in Colombia than in the rest of the world combined. But an atmosphere of impunity has ensured that only a tiny number of these murders have been prosecuted and the criminals brought to justice.Amnesty have a long here.
A Colombian indigenous leader explained that for his people, the earth was "la madre tierra," mother earth. "It hurts us to see the earth damaged," he said, pointing to the gaping hole of the mine. People in eastern Kentucky talked the same way about their mountains.
In the U.S.-owned Drummond mine in northern Colombia, three union leaders were assassinated in 2001. The company is currently facing a lawsuit in the United States for allegedly paying a paramilitary force to carry out the murders. Another U.S. company, Chiquita Brands, admitted to making payments for years to the paramilitaries. They claimed that they made the payments to protect their workers, but banana workers—and especially union activists—were the main victims among the hundreds murdered by paramilitaries during the 1990s and early 2000s.
With the death of 29 coal miners at the Massey Coal-operated Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia a few months ago, the United States has experienced its worst mine disaster in close to 40 years.
"Greenest government ever"? Never!
David Cameron has reneged on a pre-election promise to reward early adopters of solar panels and other domestic green energy generation.
Under the "feed-in tariff" scheme introduced in April, owners of solar panels fitted to houses after 15 July 2009 are paid 41.3p per unit of electricity, while householders who put up panels before that date get just 9p.
Green energy campaigners have fought the difference, which is a betrayal.
Responding in March to a letter from one of his Witney constituents calling for an increase in payments to such "pioneers", Cameron wrote in a letter seen by the Guardian: "I agree with you that the [Labour] government's current proposals for feed-in-tariffs will unfairly penalise the very people who were the early investors in local energy."
He added: "That is why under a Conservative government, any micro-generation technologies that have already been installed … will be eligible for the new higher tariffs once they commence."
But last month, responding to a question from Green MP Caroline Lucas the energy secretary, Chris Huhne, ruled out any such move. "I considered the issue carefully on a value-for-money basis, and I am afraid that the advice from my officials was clearly that we cannot introduce retrospection in such cases because it does not represent value for money".
"We are trying to introduce new schemes in future, and therefore, sadly, the only incentive and payback that people such as the Hon Lady and I will get is the warm glow of being pioneers."
Within days of taking power as PM, Cameron said the coalition would be the "greenest government ever". Sigh. reminds me of Tony Blair who made many fine speeches, but never delivered.
A few years ago Cameron referred to wind farms as “giant bird-blenders”!
Under the "feed-in tariff" scheme introduced in April, owners of solar panels fitted to houses after 15 July 2009 are paid 41.3p per unit of electricity, while householders who put up panels before that date get just 9p.
Green energy campaigners have fought the difference, which is a betrayal.
Responding in March to a letter from one of his Witney constituents calling for an increase in payments to such "pioneers", Cameron wrote in a letter seen by the Guardian: "I agree with you that the [Labour] government's current proposals for feed-in-tariffs will unfairly penalise the very people who were the early investors in local energy."
He added: "That is why under a Conservative government, any micro-generation technologies that have already been installed … will be eligible for the new higher tariffs once they commence."
But last month, responding to a question from Green MP Caroline Lucas the energy secretary, Chris Huhne, ruled out any such move. "I considered the issue carefully on a value-for-money basis, and I am afraid that the advice from my officials was clearly that we cannot introduce retrospection in such cases because it does not represent value for money".
"We are trying to introduce new schemes in future, and therefore, sadly, the only incentive and payback that people such as the Hon Lady and I will get is the warm glow of being pioneers."
Within days of taking power as PM, Cameron said the coalition would be the "greenest government ever". Sigh. reminds me of Tony Blair who made many fine speeches, but never delivered.
A few years ago Cameron referred to wind farms as “giant bird-blenders”!
Tuesday, 12 October 2010
ConDem Promises Worthless
A summer of broken promises:
- Increasing VAT when Tories said they had no plans to and the Lib Dems vigorously campaigned against such a rise
- Repealing the Human Rights Act
- Protecting the Winter Fuel Allowance
- Building the Summary Care Record database of medical data
- Removing tax breaks for the computer games industry
- make it a criminal offense to possess or bring into the country illegal timber
- changes to feed in tariff
Also:
- Scrapping child benefit
- 5 year fixed term Parliaments
- giving power of NHS budgets to GPs (after promising not to reorganise the NHS)
- a referendum on the Alternative Vote (a voting system that no one party is in favour of)
- increasing fees for students (LD promises to the contrary)
Even worse is the Conservatives election promises to pay for nuclear weapons that will never be used (while saying cold war weapons will be abolished).
- Increasing VAT when Tories said they had no plans to and the Lib Dems vigorously campaigned against such a rise
- Repealing the Human Rights Act
- Protecting the Winter Fuel Allowance
- Building the Summary Care Record database of medical data
- Removing tax breaks for the computer games industry
- make it a criminal offense to possess or bring into the country illegal timber
- changes to feed in tariff
Also:
- Scrapping child benefit
- 5 year fixed term Parliaments
- giving power of NHS budgets to GPs (after promising not to reorganise the NHS)
- a referendum on the Alternative Vote (a voting system that no one party is in favour of)
- increasing fees for students (LD promises to the contrary)
Even worse is the Conservatives election promises to pay for nuclear weapons that will never be used (while saying cold war weapons will be abolished).
Monday, 11 October 2010
Climate Change Workshop Reading 23rd October [GREN event]
Reading is having a Climate Change Workshop on the 23-Oct-2010 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Location: Reading Friends Meeting House Meeting House 2 Church Street RG1 2SB
The Climate Change Day is organized by Reading branch of the WEA, at Reading Friends Meeting House Meeting House 2 Church Street RG1 2SB, Saturday 23rd Oct 10am to 4.
Speakers include Dr Sudeshna Basu, Gordon Tripp, and Dr Anne Wheldon. Hear the evidence of climate change from expert tutors, assess, and discuss how you and your group might/will act.
Cost £10 including snack lunch. Please tell us you are coming by emailing
WEAreading@gmail.com or leaving a message with phone-back number on 0118 946 4137.
Location: Reading Friends Meeting House Meeting House 2 Church Street RG1 2SB
The Climate Change Day is organized by Reading branch of the WEA, at Reading Friends Meeting House Meeting House 2 Church Street RG1 2SB, Saturday 23rd Oct 10am to 4.
Speakers include Dr Sudeshna Basu, Gordon Tripp, and Dr Anne Wheldon. Hear the evidence of climate change from expert tutors, assess, and discuss how you and your group might/will act.
Cost £10 including snack lunch. Please tell us you are coming by emailing
WEAreading@gmail.com or leaving a message with phone-back number on 0118 946 4137.
Sunday, 10 October 2010
The Rocking Horse
I found a shop recently that sells good quality second hand Baby & Nursery Equipment in Twyford near Reading.
Its called the Rocking Horse. 2a High Street, Twyford, Reading, RG10 9AE.
0118 934 2513
Its called the Rocking Horse. 2a High Street, Twyford, Reading, RG10 9AE.
0118 934 2513
Saturday, 9 October 2010
Global Day Of Action 10:10:10
10:10 is helping to coordinate 10:10:10, the biggest-ever day of positive action on climate change, on Sunday 10 October, 2010.
From sumo wrestlers cycling to training in Japan to 10,000 schools planting trees in Croatia and Russia, from a carbon-cutting telethon on national TV in the Netherlands, to hundreds of people in the UK sitting down to low-carbon Sunday lunches, this is going to be a really inspirational day.
What are you doing for 10:10:10?
From sumo wrestlers cycling to training in Japan to 10,000 schools planting trees in Croatia and Russia, from a carbon-cutting telethon on national TV in the Netherlands, to hundreds of people in the UK sitting down to low-carbon Sunday lunches, this is going to be a really inspirational day.
What are you doing for 10:10:10?
Friday, 8 October 2010
ConDem Planned 'bonfire of the quangos' plan FAIL
The Government's 'bonfire of the quangos' plan will cost as much as it saves. Doh.
Papers reveal multi-billion pound bill to close up to 180 quangos – and savings might not be felt for 10 years if at all.
In several cases the liabilities from pensions, redundancies and rental contracts could outweigh any of the savings being claimed for up to 10 years.
As mullering quangos will not produce the immediate savings the coalition had hoped for expect the poorest in society to be hit even harder.
Papers reveal multi-billion pound bill to close up to 180 quangos – and savings might not be felt for 10 years if at all.
In several cases the liabilities from pensions, redundancies and rental contracts could outweigh any of the savings being claimed for up to 10 years.
The Audit Commission alone, which the communities secretary, Eric Pickles, has axed, is facing nearly £500m in liabilities. A letter from the chief executive, Eugene Sullivan, to the permanent secretary in Pickles's department and the National Audit Office warns that the costs include £75m in redundancy packages and £15m in contracts for rented properties. There is also an estimated £400m in pensions liabilities.
The nine regional development agencies, which have a joint budget for this year of £1.4bn to help promote industry around the country but are to be abolished, are understood to have liabilities in the region of £1.5bn. They are also responsible for dozens of contaminated industrial sites, such as disused coal fields, which cannot be sold unless they are first decommissioned.
Standards for England, the local government watchdog, receives an annual grant of £6m, but the costs of scrapping in terms of its pension liabilities alone could be up to £12m. The Film Council, axed by the culture secretary, Jeremy Hunt, last month, distributed £160m over 10 years with an annual administration budget of around £3m, which Hunt has said would be better spent on directly making films. Its estimated winding-down cost, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, amounts to £11.3m.
As mullering quangos will not produce the immediate savings the coalition had hoped for expect the poorest in society to be hit even harder.
Ingrid Betancourt Book
The Green Party candidate for the Colombia presidential election Ingrid Betancourt has written a book about being captured in 2002 and held hostage by Farc for 6 years. Its called "even the silence has to end".
What an astonishing ordeal to go through. She talks about escape attempts and life in the jungle. It seems the hostages got angry with each other as it was safer than blaming their guards. She is in touch with thw other survivors and most have nightmares of being trapped.
So far I have only seen a review, I look forward to reading the book.
What an astonishing ordeal to go through. She talks about escape attempts and life in the jungle. It seems the hostages got angry with each other as it was safer than blaming their guards. She is in touch with thw other survivors and most have nightmares of being trapped.
So far I have only seen a review, I look forward to reading the book.
Thursday, 7 October 2010
Woodland Trust DEFRA Consultation
You can take part in an important national consultation which will shape the tone of conservation policy in England for many years to come with the Woodland Trust here.
The Government asks 15 questions in total, the WT say the definitive question is:
They suggest:
Email your response to Defra
This is a chance to influence political action.
You can also see all 15 questions in this document by downloading the full summary, using the link to the right hand side.
Comments on the full document can be submitted through the Defra website, or mailed to:
Natural Environment White Paper Team,
Area 3D, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR.
Theres even a video from the Tory environment minister Richard Benyon MP (from nearby Newbury).
The Government asks 15 questions in total, the WT say the definitive question is:
"If you could choose just one priority action for the Natural Environment White Paper to drive forward locally, nationally or internationally – what would it be?"
They suggest:
The priority action I want to see driven forward by Government is the adoption of a target to double native woodland cover in the UK over the next fifty years.
Deforestation has led to the UK becoming one of the least wooded countries in Europe - and yet, incredibly, levels of woodland creation with broadleaved trees have even halved in the last six years. Turning this situation around is imperative.
Doubling native woodland cover involves planting trees and creating new woodland, protecting our existing woods and trees and sensitively restoring plantation ancient woods across the country. By making a positive contribution to so many environmental, social and policy agendas this offers genuine value for money at a time of enormous pressure on the public finances.
The ambition to double native woodland cover across the UK may be bold - but it is achievable with the co-operation of public, private and voluntary sectors and will truly reap benefits for the long-term. Enshrining a target to double native woodland cover into UK Government policy can make all the difference in helping turn this into reality.
Email your response to Defra
This is a chance to influence political action.
You can also see all 15 questions in this document by downloading the full summary, using the link to the right hand side.
Comments on the full document can be submitted through the Defra website, or mailed to:
Natural Environment White Paper Team,
Area 3D, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR.
Theres even a video from the Tory environment minister Richard Benyon MP (from nearby Newbury).
Wednesday, 6 October 2010
Manifesto Promises
Will Camerons time as PM be remembered as as a cross between the cuts of Thatcher, the broken promisea of Blair and the mismanagement of Gordon Brown?
The news today is full of People who voted Tory being angry at child benefit cuts. Many more will be angry when the VAT rise kiks in. The NHS will be totally reorganised. All done Against their manifesto promises. Can people belive anything they say?
What about the "greenest government yet" promise?
Remember Clegg boasting about being the biggest reformer for 200 years?
They are eager to cut benefits but where are the emissions cuts coming from. Calling ConDems improve or your time is up
The news today is full of People who voted Tory being angry at child benefit cuts. Many more will be angry when the VAT rise kiks in. The NHS will be totally reorganised. All done Against their manifesto promises. Can people belive anything they say?
What about the "greenest government yet" promise?
Remember Clegg boasting about being the biggest reformer for 200 years?
They are eager to cut benefits but where are the emissions cuts coming from. Calling ConDems improve or your time is up
Tuesday, 5 October 2010
Peace Walk London Plymouth
An old friend came to Reading yesterday. Dan has been on many peacewalks over the years, I met him on one from AWE to London a few years ago, footprints for peace. This one is a little different; its zero carbon. He is walking from London to Plymouth via lots of nuclear sites. I hope to see him again at the Devonport blockade 1st November in Plymouth.
At the start in London
He sent some useful links:
map on p4:
his blog:
stop nuclear power network
At the start in LondonHe sent some useful links:
map on p4:
his blog:
stop nuclear power network
Sunday, 3 October 2010
Nukes In A City, nutty idea so join the blockade 1st November
In the realm of nutty ideas, storing nuclear material in a city is a doozy. Yet Devonport Dockyard stores old nuclear submarines.
Its amazing that nuclear subs are stored in the city of Plymouth. Near 250,000 people live near a facility that refits, maintains and upgrades the nuclear submarines that carry Trident nuclear missiles. It is also increasingly becoming the dumping ground for old and out-of-service submarines. Plymouth is being paid for its role in the servicing of Britain’s weapons of mass destruction by becoming the ‘Sellafield of the South West’.
A decade of Trident Ploughshares blockades and disarmament actions have helped build a strong and broad movement against nuclear weapons in Scotland.
Living in Reading (145,700) I find it astonishing that AWE nuclear bomb factory is around 12 miles; though the more secret Burghfield is only 5 miles away. Faslane submarine base is around 25 miles from Glasgow (1,200,000).
But Devonport nuclear submarine base is 25 metres from residential areas of Plymouth (250,000).
The Scottish government was elected with a policy of nuclear disarmament. Now it's our turn.
Links:
CND briefing about Devonport
Facebook event: blockade 1st November
trident ploughshares
www.cnduk.org
list of sites here
Its amazing that nuclear subs are stored in the city of Plymouth. Near 250,000 people live near a facility that refits, maintains and upgrades the nuclear submarines that carry Trident nuclear missiles. It is also increasingly becoming the dumping ground for old and out-of-service submarines. Plymouth is being paid for its role in the servicing of Britain’s weapons of mass destruction by becoming the ‘Sellafield of the South West’.
A decade of Trident Ploughshares blockades and disarmament actions have helped build a strong and broad movement against nuclear weapons in Scotland.
Living in Reading (145,700) I find it astonishing that AWE nuclear bomb factory is around 12 miles; though the more secret Burghfield is only 5 miles away. Faslane submarine base is around 25 miles from Glasgow (1,200,000).
But Devonport nuclear submarine base is 25 metres from residential areas of Plymouth (250,000).
The Scottish government was elected with a policy of nuclear disarmament. Now it's our turn.
Links:
CND briefing about Devonport
Facebook event: blockade 1st November
trident ploughshares
www.cnduk.org
list of sites here
Saturday, 2 October 2010
10:10 'No Pressure’ Short Film
Richard Curtis (of Blackadder and Four Weddings fame) has made a short film for 1010, a carbon cutting campaign called 'No Pressure’. It features people getting blown up for not cutting their emissions.
Now some people have taken this as saying that Greens think we should blow up people who don't cut emissions, which is ridiculous.
10:10 have listened to the criticism and apologized for any offense and left the video on youtube with an apology. Some are saying this means the Greens are censoring debate. Equally silly.
The movie is sort of funny, in a shocking way. Much like Blackadder, who we laugh at while he abuses Baldrick. You can like Blackadder but not want to do as he does; its fiction, and indeed comedy. Similarly in this case, the fil is eye opening & controversial and it will raise a debate. But to claim it says its OK to kill people is empty rhetoric, just the sort of argument used by climate change deniers.
I have been reading comments, the negative ones seem to be from deniers. One says "May you and your children be blown up". So they are complaining about the images of people being blown up by wishing people were blown up? This reminds me of the pro life people in the states who want to kill Doctors. There are some very disturbed people out there; don't let them set the agenda or we really will be in trouble.
Richard Curtis had talked enthusiastically about the campaign. “The 10:10 team are a fearless, energetic bunch, completely dedicated to getting the public fired up about climate change. They also turn out to be surprising good at blowing stuff up,” he said on its release.
Franny Armstrong, 10:10 founder, said the shock tactics were justified. “We 'killed’ five people to make No Pressure - a mere blip compared to the 300,000 real people who now die each year from climate change.”
Now some people have taken this as saying that Greens think we should blow up people who don't cut emissions, which is ridiculous.
10:10 have listened to the criticism and apologized for any offense and left the video on youtube with an apology. Some are saying this means the Greens are censoring debate. Equally silly.
The movie is sort of funny, in a shocking way. Much like Blackadder, who we laugh at while he abuses Baldrick. You can like Blackadder but not want to do as he does; its fiction, and indeed comedy. Similarly in this case, the fil is eye opening & controversial and it will raise a debate. But to claim it says its OK to kill people is empty rhetoric, just the sort of argument used by climate change deniers.
I have been reading comments, the negative ones seem to be from deniers. One says "May you and your children be blown up". So they are complaining about the images of people being blown up by wishing people were blown up? This reminds me of the pro life people in the states who want to kill Doctors. There are some very disturbed people out there; don't let them set the agenda or we really will be in trouble.
Richard Curtis had talked enthusiastically about the campaign. “The 10:10 team are a fearless, energetic bunch, completely dedicated to getting the public fired up about climate change. They also turn out to be surprising good at blowing stuff up,” he said on its release.
Franny Armstrong, 10:10 founder, said the shock tactics were justified. “We 'killed’ five people to make No Pressure - a mere blip compared to the 300,000 real people who now die each year from climate change.”
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