Meeting at Plymouth City Council 29 Oct 2010
Several members of Plymouth FOE attended this meeting. It was opened by Prof Iain Stewart of Plymouth Uni, talking of climate change, both the present understanding, and where we go now. He outlined the evidence for climate change: retreating glaciers, shrinking arctic and greenland ice, sea level rise, sea temp rise. All the data shows that this has progressed inexorably since the 1950s. Ice core samples confirm that although there has been CO2 fluctuation over the past million years, it has never reached the current levels.
There is consensus among climate scientists that it is the manmade contribution to greenhouse gases that is driving up the temperature [and not solar activity]. The climate sceptics are mostly not scientists, and thrive on sewing seeds of doubt. But, if you choose to disbelieve 2500 top climate scientists from around the world, who do you believe? Rather, it is time to accept that it is happening, and move on to what we should do.
Next was Dr Andy Phippen, from the Plym Uni business dept. He showed how all business has changed over the past 10-20yrs, becoming environmentally aware. They have responded both to customer and employee expectation, as well as legislation. Businesses have to be green.
Sarah Holmes, a lawyer, spoke of how environmental law has changed . In 1990, it was concerned with direct pollution, eg discharges. By 2000, it was indirect pollution, eg nitrates from fertiliser seeping into rivers and drinking water. Now it controls access to the market place, ie you must demonstrate the sourcing of materials used in manufacture, plans for disposal,etc. She quoted the economist Sir Nicholas Stern who said that we had to spend 1% GDP now to mitigate climate change, or risk spending 20% later in clearing up the mess. So, although there is no legal successor to Kyoto, the EU has set itself targets for CO2 reduction and increasing % of energy from renewables. All UK businesses over a certain size have to register for energy monitoring, and paying for CO2 produced.
Helen Pineo of the Local Gov. group spoke of how local gov. was responding to the challenge set by the climate change minister to reduce carbon emissions, now that the regional bodies have been disbanded. There is shared information on best practice with regard to climate change mitigation, sustainable energy technologies etc
Jacky Young from the city council spoke of Plymouth's Local Carbon Framework. Plymouth plans to cut CO2 by 20% by 2013, 60% by 2030, 80% by 2050. Plymouth is ahead of the rest of the UK, and has been chosen as one of 9 pilots looking at carbon reduction. Plymouth was chosen because it already had a framework/action plan; and because it has good relationships with local business.
Finally Alex Hurth, the council's carbon manager [a new post] explained his job: to ensure compliance with environmental law, to look at energy management [and reductions] in the council's buildings; and also transport issues. His brief is to try and reduce Plymouth's carbon footprint [already below the national average].
A very interesting day, showing how national policy is being interpreted and delivered at local level by local government, businesses and individuals.
By Kevin Mattholie
Sunday, 31 October 2010
Friday, 29 October 2010
Plight of Paraguay: Inspiration to Change.
The following is a reflection on one of the talks that I was lucky enough to hear at this years Friends of the Earth Conference. It was my first time and hopefully won't be my last!.
Pablo clicked up a map of Paraguay and its forest cover circa 1980, and next the present cover. A collective gasp, followed by stunned looks of disbelief and mutual recognition of the incomprehensible change in the land.
Watching a country's forest almost completely disappear over 25 years is an astonishing disgrace. Astonishingly terrible efficiency - converting the land to mostly international exports (soy and other non-staple crops)-and disgraceful behaviour at every level by those who have created, sold, planted the crops and poisoned the land.
Pablo Valenzuala is Director of Communications for Friends of the Earth Paraguay (Sobrevivencia). He showed very effectively (even through a translator) the plight of the Atlantic Forest, and of the indigenous people who relied on the land for their livelihood and basic survival.
Survival is the literal translation of Sobrevivencia and, after hearing the talk, you could see the reason for the group’s name. They are literally fighting: for the survival of indigenous people and communities; for what is left of the forest; against the threat of poisoning from herbicides and pesticides imported into the country by the likes of Cargill and Monsanto; and for the wider rights of us all to own our (non-GM) seed.
“Our seed” may sound as unusual to you as to me but it is central to our existence. There is an ongoing battle to resist large corporations that are seeking to profit from destroying diversity and essentially patenting what is left. Nobody or organization should have that level of control and power. Yet it has already begun.
We are both most probably sat within five miles of a Tesco or other supermarket, where a variety of produce sold is already being prescribed. The corporations operating in Paraguay are intent on total market domination of what is grown, and there is more profit in soy exports than a diverse eco-system supporting the climate and crops of those few million Paraguayans. What's there not to love about that?
Sadly, we unwittingly demand this each time we opt for cheap meat - mostly produced using soy feed, which largely comes from South America. You can change this by adapting your eating habits, but also by lobbying your MP to support the Sustainable Livestock Bill at its second reading in the House of Commons on 12th November 2010.
With support it will begin the process of changing the way we rear and feed our livestock, and reduce demand for cheap soy and the destruction of further forest but to do so it is essential MPs are in Parliament on November 12th 2010.Get your MP MOOVING on it!
Pablo clicked up a map of Paraguay and its forest cover circa 1980, and next the present cover. A collective gasp, followed by stunned looks of disbelief and mutual recognition of the incomprehensible change in the land.
Watching a country's forest almost completely disappear over 25 years is an astonishing disgrace. Astonishingly terrible efficiency - converting the land to mostly international exports (soy and other non-staple crops)-and disgraceful behaviour at every level by those who have created, sold, planted the crops and poisoned the land.
Pablo Valenzuala is Director of Communications for Friends of the Earth Paraguay (Sobrevivencia). He showed very effectively (even through a translator) the plight of the Atlantic Forest, and of the indigenous people who relied on the land for their livelihood and basic survival.
Survival is the literal translation of Sobrevivencia and, after hearing the talk, you could see the reason for the group’s name. They are literally fighting: for the survival of indigenous people and communities; for what is left of the forest; against the threat of poisoning from herbicides and pesticides imported into the country by the likes of Cargill and Monsanto; and for the wider rights of us all to own our (non-GM) seed.
“Our seed” may sound as unusual to you as to me but it is central to our existence. There is an ongoing battle to resist large corporations that are seeking to profit from destroying diversity and essentially patenting what is left. Nobody or organization should have that level of control and power. Yet it has already begun.
We are both most probably sat within five miles of a Tesco or other supermarket, where a variety of produce sold is already being prescribed. The corporations operating in Paraguay are intent on total market domination of what is grown, and there is more profit in soy exports than a diverse eco-system supporting the climate and crops of those few million Paraguayans. What's there not to love about that?
Sadly, we unwittingly demand this each time we opt for cheap meat - mostly produced using soy feed, which largely comes from South America. You can change this by adapting your eating habits, but also by lobbying your MP to support the Sustainable Livestock Bill at its second reading in the House of Commons on 12th November 2010.
With support it will begin the process of changing the way we rear and feed our livestock, and reduce demand for cheap soy and the destruction of further forest but to do so it is essential MPs are in Parliament on November 12th 2010.Get your MP MOOVING on it!
Wednesday, 27 October 2010
Meeting Times
Plymouth FOE meets at 7.30pm on the 4th Tuesday of the month (except August and December) at the Unitarian Church Hall, Notte Street, Plymouth (entrance round the back of the church). FREE entry! All welcome
Keep your eyes on the blog and elsewhere, as we may be holding meetings at a new venue in the future.
You can keep up to date with upcoming events by clicking on the Calendar link to the right of the screen. If you click on the "Agenda" tab you can view all the upcoming events in a list otherwise you can scroll through the months to see what is happening.
As well as FOE events we will also share information about other events you may be interested in attending.
If you would like us to share an event that you are holding in Plymouth or the surrounding areas then post or email the details to us.
Keep your eyes on the blog and elsewhere, as we may be holding meetings at a new venue in the future.
You can keep up to date with upcoming events by clicking on the Calendar link to the right of the screen. If you click on the "Agenda" tab you can view all the upcoming events in a list otherwise you can scroll through the months to see what is happening.
As well as FOE events we will also share information about other events you may be interested in attending.
If you would like us to share an event that you are holding in Plymouth or the surrounding areas then post or email the details to us.
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