400 hear message of hope on Peak Oil

The meeting I missed in the Subscription Rooms went well by all accounts - a press release below and item on the blog site here (and for photos see under files here). Today I've been fortunate enough to spend the day at Ruskin Mill with Transition Town folk from across the country and Richard Heinberg - I'll write a bit more in a while - plus this evening Richard gave a presentation to the Cabinet - more of that in another post as well - need some sleep as it has been a long day.

Richard Heinberg, the world-renowned expert on Peak Oil, addressed a packed public meeting at the Subscription Rooms last night (30th May). His talk, supported by authoritative graphics and statistics, explored the nature of our dependence on oil and the pressing need to reduce this both because of the imminent exhaustion of oil supplies and its impact on climate change.

His message was one of concern as well as of hope. He spoke of the greater opportunities for community and meaning that are offered by the sustainable economy we are moving towards. 'People who hold the knowledge of Peak Oil privately to themselves may well become depressed', he said, 'whereas those who join with others to change their local community experience elation'.

There was considerable discussion about the failure of political action, although at last night's meeting there were at least three District Councillors, together with the majority of the town council, the town's mayor John Marjoram and the local MP David Drew. During his visit Mr Heinberg also spoke with SDC cabinet as well as addressing a conference on local food organised by the Hiram Trust and Ruskin Mill.

The meeting was organised by Transition Stroud, a community group developing a low-carbon future for the Five Valleys with the slogan 'A journey to a low carbon high life'. Future events include an open day at Stroud Slad Farm, the new community-supported farm, and a Transition Party at The Space on 20th July. More information is available from the Transition website: www. transitiontowns.org/Stroud.

Last chance to add voice to Sustainable Communities Bill

One hurdle left to get this important Bill through - 15th June - get letters out to MPs, Minister Phil Woolas and Gordon Brown along the lines of the letter below - our local MP David Drew has been great on this one and deserves massive credit for continuing to work on this - yes it has cross-party support incl Green MEP Caroline Lucas but there are fears it could still fall at the last minute.

I've written before on this blog about why this needs support - see more re the national campaign at:
http://www.localworks.org/

Gordon Brown, Houses of Parliament, London

Dear Mr Brown
Sustainable Communities Bill

As our future Prime Minister please ensure that the government stands by the assurances given by Minister Phil Woolas MP during the Sustainable Communities Bill committee stage that the government will support the Bill and not attempt to dilute it when it goes before the House for its Report and third reading on 15th June.

It seems to us that this Bill is very much in line with your personal vision of devolving power from the Centre which you expressed in your Labour Party Conference speech in 2006 when you said; “People and communities should now take power from the state and that means a reinvention of the way we govern: the active citizen, the empowered community, open enabling government…local councils, not Whitehall, should have more power over things that matter to their community.”

You have made restoring trust a big issue in your Leadership campaign: The Sustainable Communities Bill offers a real opportunity to achieve this by actively engaging people in the local democratic process. It provides a mechanism for truly devolving power and building Sustainable Communities.

Phil Woolas made very positive comments about the Bill, and the mechanisms in it, in Committee. If, following these, the government tries to water down the Bill on 15th June then it will be no surprise if many people continue to distrust politicians. So, please ensure that the Sustainable Communities Bill is not watered down from being a Bill in which councils and communities, to use Phil Woolas’s words, ‘determine’ the policies, to one in which they are merely ‘consulted’ and all the decisions are taken centrally in Whitehall.

Yours sincerely

Sewage ruling is good news

My understanding is that Thames Water Utilities Ltd, a statutory sewerage undertaking, responsible for some 80,000 kilometres of sewerage pipes in the Thames region, was prosecuted by the Environment Agency for illegally depositing waste, it being alleged that, on 11 occasions between February and April 2003, untreated sewage constituting controlled waste escaped into controlled waters in or on to land in Kent. The defence was that sewage which escaped did not amount to controlled waste. Section 75(4) of the 1990 Act defined “controlled waste” as “household, industrial and commercial waste”. See ruling here.

Photo: Repairs to the pipebridge - site of many sewage incidents - near Bread Street, Ruscombe last year

If my understanding is right this means that prosecution is now possible if sewage escapes not from EA consented outflows ie from manholes or other sources. Advice welcomed on this!

I wonder if this will also make prosecution easier for cases where sewage is spilled - there was the shocking case last month in Scotland where one hundred million litres of sewage, at a thousand litres a second, was discharged into the Forth when a pump failed at Edinburgh’s Seafield Wastewater Treatment Plant - see report here.

However we also need to stop the consented discharges - see article here re London's sewage tunnel that Thames water ratepayers in Gloucestershire will be paying for. The tunnel will be twice the height of a double-decker bus, will stretch for more than 20 miles and carry away more than 32 million cubic metres of sewage that pours into the river every year when the existing network becomes overwhelmed.

Raw sewage is currently mixed with run-off water is channelled into the river fifty to sixty times a year, about once a week, and the rate is expected to increase with climate change. It takes only 2 millimetres of rain to fall within one hour for pipes in London to fill up and to begin discharging sewage into the Thames at one or more of 36 overflow points. Sewage discharges drastically reduce the quality of the water and poison fish and other river life. In August 2004 a single discharge killed more than 10,000 fish and hundreds of thousands of fish fry. Clearly improvements to the system are needed but it is tragic not more cost-effective sustainable solutions are being considered as opposed to this £2 billion tunnel.

Brook meeting: Lawns latest and more

A log fire and exceedingly good seriously chocolatey biscuits - who wouldn't want to be at a Ruscombe brook Action Group meeting this evening. Some of the issues covered included:

Photo: me at brook at Hamwell Leaze

- feedback from the talks at Randwick Village Hall by Simon Charter and Julian Jones (see last blog item for 26th April for details of teh fascinating talk),
- an update on the Lawns - 1000 reeds planted (see below),
- a discussion re SUDS correspondence and how best to proceed (see 17th April blog for latest letters),
- an update on the RBAG website which now has most of the info replaced but is still difficult to navigate and find important info (any offers out there to help us?),
- the Memo of Cooperation - this is a loose agreement to get various parties to work together better - it has now gone out to District Council and will probably go to Cabinet in July for official approval - I'll be sending out more widely to other parties - more info on this in a future post,
- the Scoping exercise - this has begun with Water 21 and MSc student Ismaila - they are meeting weekly (see my blogs on 9th and 12th April) and we had a discussion about how best to further consult with the local community over any draft plans,
- Severn Trent and RBAG joint leaflet looking at issues in the valley - at last being finalised - should be printed soon then we want help delivering it to some 2000 plus homes!!
- Cattle - a farmer has now done works to significantly reduce cattle poaching,
- Bill Blake a former Environment Officer noted that the latest news from EU courts is that unconsented sewage discharges can now face prosecution - hopefully more on this very soon.

Latest on the Lawns

Photos: murky shallow water of the Lawns last year before work started and below three photos from Trwo magazine of BTCV volunteers collecting hazel from Siccaridge woods as a good supply of faggots plus photo of the dredging.

This below is the response from the Engineer (Cotswold Canals, British Waterways) to my email welcoming the work there and pointing out that the final scheme at the Lawns does not match the planned scheme they had negotiated with various community groups. The reasons given make the situation much clearer and it is very positive that this project has gone ahead - although as noted before it would have been good to have done work further up the brook first as advised by various water experts present at the last big meeting with British Waterways. However hopefully we will be able to tackle that now.

I am glad to hear that you that you have the services of an MSc student to assist you in progressing your study into issues along the length of the Brook, and that you are happy to see progress at the Lawns.

As you have observed, having worked with volunteers from the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) to clear the laurels which were overshadowing the east side of pond in November, we then carried out the main works at the Lawns Pond in December. These works included a fish rescue (to prevent any fish in the pond being affected by the disturbance of the silt), some further tree works, dredging, including the removal of several fallen branches and one complete fallen tree, excavation of the overgrown area in the north east corner to become a reed bed, and installation of a barrier to retain the reed bed. The material removed was spread on the north west area of the pond and is regenerating naturally with vegetation now that spring brings fresh growth to the whole site. BTCV were also involved in the works by coppicing the hazel used in the barrier from a local Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust woodland.

BTCV volunteers returned to the site on 16th May and planted 1000 plants in the area cleared for the reed bed. These plants are currently fresh from the nursery, but will, given time, grow and spread. During these works, and on visits to the site for surveys, BW have removed a large quantity of debris from the pond and around the weir crest, including a pallet, plastic buckets, a road cone, plastic bags, bottles and other litter.

As you have noted, although the tree works and planting have been as planned, the dredging works undertaken were not exactly the same as those originally discussed. We had originally planned to deposit silt behind a hazel barrier along the eastern bank of the pond, with an additional area to the north east to also potentially be used dependent on the volume of material extracted and the bulking/slump factors.

After the initial discussions, further investigation in the pond and discussions with the contractor led to changes to the planned dredging works. The firm bed of the pond fell more sharply away from the eastern bank than anticipated in places, making the installation of the hazel barrier along this eastern edge less practicable. Having cleared the laurels and been able to assess the clearance between, and importantly beneath, the remaining trees more clearly, it was decided that the very long reach machines (around 17m reach) desirable to reach significantly beyond the planned retaining barrier would be impracticable. It was therefore decided to dredge as far from the bank as possible with a more modest long reach machine (13.5m reach was used, which had clearance for the knuckle beneath the remaining trees), and to deposit this material on the area to the north west of the pond, originally identified as a back-up deposition area. It was decided in the interests of the overall impact of the works on the site that it would not be beneficial to bring the excavator through to the southern bank as the disturbance caused would outweigh the benefit gained from the dredging as this area was found to already be quite deep when the pond was drained. The very heavily silted and overgrown area to the north east of the pond was excavated as planned, and an informal silt trap has been dug at the inlet to the pond, which can be accessed for routine maintenance by conventional plant.

The works, including the changes discussed above, were agreed with Andy Read of the SCLT, and the information we have gathered in doing the work is to be passed to him in a post-contract health and safety file to assist the SCLT with future maintenance.

Although slightly different to the plans we originally tabled, the works have fulfilled the aims of the project in terms of improving the amenity value of the site and the excavation of an area subsequently planted as a reed bed. Sight lines around the pond have been improved, there are fewer plants overhanging and dropping leaves into the pond and there is more light penetrating to the pond and surrounding areas which will reduce the dominance of tall trees and allow a wider variety of species to thrive.

We hope that you would agree that the Lawns site is much improved following these works and wish you all the best for your future work in improving the Brook.

Fire at Oldbury nuke today

I've had several phone calls today re the fire at Oldbury nuclear power station - BBC wanting a Green down at Oldbury to interview and other press wanting a comment. Sadly I've been in Cirencester for large part of today so have not been able to oblige - in some ways relieved as I really do not like the TV stuff.

Anyhow I have sent out press release re the fire to local press - see here - it was less than 2 weeks ago that I warned in a press release that there were unacceptable risks attached to restarting this 39 year old reactor after it had been shut down for nearly 2 years due to concerns - I hope that this fire will mean they will reconsider restarting Oldbury. The reactor is already alleged to be the most corroded reactor of its kind in the world. Whatever side of the debate people are on over new nuclear power stations it is clear that restarting is an unacceptable risk.

International sculptor Patrick Dougherty in Stroud

This evening at the recently opened Stroud College I was fortunate to hear Patrick Dougherty talk about his work and show slides. This was a unique chance to see this amazing artist and I think many will agree his landscape art is very wonderful - some enclosed below and also an link to his excellent website.

Photos: Stroud College entrance this evening and one of those long sweeping corridors

The Cotswold Water Park have Patrick as Artist in Residence there at the moment. They write on their website:

Sculptor Patrick Dougherty is known for large-scale installations that incorporate tree saplings. Working only with these saplings, the North Carolina based artist twists and wraps his medium to create large, organic sculptures. The surrounding environment and its given materials play a significant role in shaping his sculptures.

Photo: Patrick talking this evening

Dougherty often uses saplings gathered near the installation site, adjusting his designs to the different ways local materials bend and respond in his hands. Dougherty also enjoys working with communities inspiring them to create ambitious and unusual sculptures with natural materials.

His sculpture reveals the influence of elements more commonly associated with drawing, which appear in the linear hatchings and patterns of the branches. His work always delights the viewer with the unexpected and mysterious.

The evening started in the cafe and I had a brief chance to talk a little to him about the Ruscombe Brook Action Group and plans to improve water quality. The talk was then upstairs in one of the larger classrooms - put on in partnership with the Stroudwater International Textile Trust Festival.

Some of what Patrick said reminded me of an article by HRH The Prince of Wales in the most recent Resurgence magazine - the article isn't online but it has been a theme of some of his previous talks - see here - he, like many others, recognise that we have lost our capacity to see beyond our individual, and in many cases urbanized, lifestyles. This means that many people now have little or no physical contact with the Earth - a point I have also made in this blog repeatedly. People may see excellent programmes about Nature on their television screens, but they have little – if any – direct experience of their own.

HRH writes: "Nature has become a simplified and sanitized, arm’s-length experience, to be switched on or off at will. It is no longer the 'Mother Nature' that animated the entire world for generations of our forebears. As a result, so many have lost what I would call a 'sense of harmony'. Having become disconnected from Nature, we have discarded our sense of awe and reverence for the natural world. Tragically, we have also largely lost the once common belief that mankind is, above all, a participant in the natural world, with a sacred – yes, a sacred – duty of stewardship to fulfil. In some of our actions we now behave as if we were “Masters of Nature”, and in others as mere bystanders. If we could rediscover that “sense of harmony”, that sense of being a part of and not apart from Nature, and so regain our sense of stewardship, we would perhaps be less likely to see the world as some sort of gigantic production system, capable of ever-increasing outputs for our benefit – at no cost. And we would be more willing to recognize the Earth for what it is – a complex, living organism, dependent on harmony for its health – and ours."

It is worth reading the rest of what HRH has to say on the matter and ideas for the way forward (see here). For me art can have a key role to play - helping people to reconnect with the natural world - and landscape art like the work of Patrick Dougherty does just that.

Patrick is also spending a week in the Cotswold Water Park working with residents and artists. See his website here - quotes below taken from that site along with some of his works to encourage people to visit:
http://www.stickwork.net/

"Dougherty's works allude to nests, cocoons, hives, and lairs built by animals, as well as the manmade forms of huts, haystacks, and baskets, created by interweaving branches and twigs together. Many of his works look 'found' rather than made, as if they were created by the natural force of a tornado sweeping across the landscape. He intentionally tries for this effortless effect, as if his creations just fell or grew up naturally in their settings."
Linda Johnson, A Dialogue with Nature

"My affinity for trees as a material seems to come from a childhood spent wandering the forest around Southern Pines, North Carolina – a place with thick underbrush and many intersecting lines evident in the bare winter branches of trees. When I turned to sculpture as an adult, I was drawn to sticks as a plentiful and renewable resource. I realized that saplings have an inherent method of joining – that is, sticks entangle easily. This snagging property is the key to working material into a variety of large forms.”
Patrick Dougherty

20mph, white lines, Sandpit Lane and crash in Bread St

I met with a Highways Officer today re a number of local matters and see if we could clarify where we are at and move forward in a number of areas. Here are some notes from the meeting:

Photo: Site of head-on collision by 2 cars traveling to fast outside my door in Bread Street yesterday. Fortunately neither party appear to be hurt.

Mandatory 20 mph areas: it looks almost certain that the most recent further requests for 20 mph on stretches where traffic is currently doing less than 20 mph (eg Victory Road and part of Ruscombe Road) will be refused. It will not warrant the £10,000 or so expenditure for each road. Indeed other measures at slowing traffic maybe better use of money.

20 is Plenty: this is a voluntary scheme but has had success in other areas and Parishes who had implemented it have apparently been very happy with the scheme. As outlined before if we are to proceed then the Parish need to liaise with Highways over a number of issues like:
1. Survey the current traffic speeds (they will loan/hire us the necessary equipment)
2. Consult with residents about our plans and gain their support (public meeting)
3. Inform Police, Highways, Press.
4. Introduce the features of the campaign - posters, signage, flyers, etc.
5. Re-survey the traffic speeds to confirm effectiveness of campaign.
6. Feedback to residents (via newsletter?)
This scheme will not be possible on some roads but it could reduce some traffic speeds - as noted in the photo caption above there was a head-on crash outside my window yesterday in Bread St - no one hurt but cars are traveling too fast - any measure like this scheme can surely only help? Yet more signs goes against the principles of Shared Spaces - but perhaps this is a step on the road to Shared Spaces which requires more dosh and work before it can be implemented....

SDC temporary flashing speed sign: - no further news - apparently still awaiting delivery of sign. This has been going on a very long time.

Photo: "Gateway" or entrance to the village needs improving!

Implementing a Shared Space approach to traffic: we need to create a picture of what is possible that will contribute to traffic calming. The next step seems to be that we get a designer involved. This could be useful for key sites like Whiteshill Village Green and along Main Road plus possible suggestions re Gateways. Whiteshill and Ruscombe Parish Council already have considered this approach which was put on hold due to a Highways question - however we could now proceed. The Highways Officer would like to be involved with the scheme but at this stage they have no money. However there is a budget re access and the busy Main Road clearly restricts access from one part of the village to the other - this may release some funds? In discussion re Village Green it was noted that grass areas were often v difficult and costly to maintain: other types of surfaces could work better?

Photo: Buses passing at entrance to Whiteshill Village: lethal for pedestrians

Middle of the road white line: The Highways Officer will check with Safety team whether removal of white lines would be a problem: she will also look at whether (if appropriate) they can be removed from the repainting schedule - they must be due soon as they are in a bad state of repair. To burn them off is costly and not always v satisfactory but may still be worthwhile. In Wiltshire average speeds were cut by 5% where lines were removed: the removal also tends to make drivers more alert and looking out for potential risks thus reducing likelihood of accidents. In this case the Highways Safety team would need to look at the matter.

Dropped kerbs in Whiteshill: Highways will look at why consultation with Parish wasn't better on this. These dropped kerbs appeared the day after the Parish received the plans.

Sandpits Lane Westrip/Standish Lane: this is being used by increasingly more cars as a short cut to and from the newly improved M5 junction at Standish - plus coupled with heavy more local usage as a shorter back route to Moreton Hill Care Home. This is a "highways" issue not a "rights of way" issue as Cllr Richard Huxford recently discovered. Katie has not yet seen paperwork sent by Randwick Parish Council. There are issues of speed of the traffic in a very narrow single track and safety concerning the many footpaths and bridleways crossing this Lane (including the Cotswold Way). Although there are "No Through Road" signs at each end and that the surface of the road is very poor in places the traffic is now becoming increasingly dangerous to residents and others.

The Parish have already asked the Care Home to bring to the attention of its employees and visitors the dangers of excessive speeding. The Parish are now "seeking clarification over suggestions such as more prominent and compelling signage, the possible use of 'sleeping policemen', the restoration of the two gates on the original gated and untarmaced section of the road." They have also contacted the police over the issues of speeding and its use as a short cut by drunken drivers and others possibly engaged in criminal activities during the hours of darkness. Residents understandably would not welcome any improvements to the lane that would encourage further vehicle use - only in reducing the increasing problems they are currently experiencing.

Highways will look into this issue: one way forward maybe to look at how the "No Through" can be best restored, possibly by means other than signage.

'Russia is not a democracy'

These were the words of Peter Tatchell after his recent beating and arrest at Moscow Gay Pride. I would urge people to sign this petition:
http://www.petitiononline.com/RusLBGT/petition.html

Photo: View across to Whiteshill from near top of Ash Lane

The Green Party have also issued statements condemning the Moscow Police for arresting peaceful gay and lesbian rights activists - and standing by while those activists were attacked by extremist thugs, at a protest on Sunday to commemorate the 14th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Russia. The arrests and assaults took place in front of and opposite Moscow City Hall. Here is some more info below from the Green party press release - see also Derek Wall's blog for more info.

Activists, including European lawmakers, senior foreign human rights officials and celebrities, attempted to submit a letter, signed by around 50 MEPs, protesting against Mayor Yuri Luzhkov’s renewed ban of the Moscow Gay Pride Parade. Veteran human rights campaigner and Green Party member Peter Tatchell was amongst those beaten by gangs of neo-Nazis, nationalist extremists and Russian Orthodox fundamentalists, with the apparent collusion of sections of the Moscow police and the Russian OMON riot squad.

Peter Tatchell had traveled to Moscow at the request of the Moscow Gay Pride organizers to support the event and the campaign for gay rights in Russia. He was the keynote speaker at the opening session of the Moscow Gay Pride conference on Saturday morning, 26 May 2007 at the Swissotel. The first people arrested were Mr. Alekseev, the organizer of Moscow Pride and German Green Party Member of Parliament Volker Beck. They were seized as they attempted to deliver a letter to Moscow Mayor, Yuri Luzhkov, at City Hall.

Soon afterwards, Peter Tatchell unfurled a placard reading, "Gay Rights," written in both Russian and English. He was set upon and repeatedly bashed by right-wing extremists. Moscow riot police, the OMON, stood by while neo-Nazis punched Mr. Tatchell in the face, dragged him to the ground, and kicked him all over his body. Clutching a bloody eye, he was arrested by the riot police.

Speaking after the attacks he said: "They arrested me, but let my attackers walk free. There is no rule of law in Moscow. The right to protest does not exist. This is not a democracy. Today's protest was about much more than gay rights. We were defending the right to freedom of expression and peaceful protest for all Russians, gay and straight. The ban on Moscow Gay Pride is one aspect of a much wider attack on civil society and human rights. It is evidence of a failed transition from communism to democracy and of a rising trend towards autocracy and authoritarianism."

Green Party Principal Speaker Dr. Derek Wall condemned the attacks: "This type of police action simply confirms that human rights are not respected in President Putin’s Russia. Russia, as a member of the Council of Europe and a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights, has a responsibility to allow its citizens the right to peaceful protest. European democracies must do everything they can to ensure that Russia does not shirk that responsibility. In this case, EU countries should impose a travel ban on Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov, just as they did on Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko because of his appalling human right record. The EU is a force for anti-discrimination, and Green MEPs have been at the forefront of promoting new policies to ensure equal employment and partnership rights across the EU. The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) population deserves political allies who will work with us to benefit our community. The Green Party will keep on campaigning for a Europe that we can be proud of, where the LGBT community is treated as an essential and valued part of the our rich and diverse culture."

Following the violence against demonstrators in Moscow, Mayor of London Ken Livingstone was amongst those who wrote to Moscow Mayor Luzhkov. He said:

Dear Mayor Luzhkov, I am writing to convey my deep concern at the reported physical violence against, and arrest of, Peter Tatchell, a Parliamentary candidate for the Green Party in Britain, and other supporters of lesbian and gay rights, during their participation in an event in Moscow seeking to present a petition to you to lift a ban on the Gay Pride parade in Moscow. I have known Peter Tatchell for many years and know him to be a person committed exclusively to peaceful political activity. I would urge you to use your good offices to seek the lifting of all charges against Mr Tatchell and his fellow demonstrators. I would also urge you to resolve the root cause of this protest by lifting the ban on the Gay Pride parade in Moscow in line with the practice of most cities throughout the world. Yours sincerely, Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London

Protest Song listed by University

The Centre for Political Song at the Glasgow Caledonian University exists to promote and foster an awareness of all forms of political song. At our recent Safe Water Campaign AGM we were treated to a protest song about water fluoridation - I sent this off to the Centre for Political Song and heard this morning that it has been accepted.

Photo: Rob and Jehanne Mehta performing the song

See our song here - words by Bernard Seward and music by Rob Mehta. The Centre are looking for more songs so if any blog readers out there know of any do think about contacting them. Here is their email to me:

"Many thanks for the e-mail, and for sending in the song, which we will certainly include on the website. If you have any other songs from your campaign, either now or in the future, please send them in. We at the Centre for Political Song are particularly interested in gathering in material from local campaigns such as yours. It seems that whenever an action group is formed people start to write songs to rally, sustain, promote, educate, and otherwise benefit their campaign; often these rather ephemeral songs are lost once the campaign is over. Please note that we are very short staffed at the moment, so it may be a couple of weeks before we can get the song up on the site."

Update on Stratford Road Tescos bus shelter

See my blogs for 19th Sept 2006 when a comment left on my blog led me to pursue this matter - also a blog item on 11th January 2007 with more info.

I have taken a number of photos like the one here of people queuing - many is the time people have waited in the rain. It does seem astonishing that Tesco have not sought to provide a shelter as a matter of urgency.

The good news is that the Town Council have also just rewritten to Tesco putting forward the idea of Tesco purchasing a bus shelter and I hear that a proposal is on the table at the moment. Tesco are planning a refurbishment in the Autumn and the manager notes that the cost of the shelter may be included in that - so there is hope - just! The Town Council will be chasing it in June and I have just written another email.

Debate: does the media enslave or liberate us?

This was the topic of Friday's Coffee House Discussion - Does the 'free' press exist? Can public sector broadcasting be trusted? Who controls what we read, hear and watch? Is the internet/www different? How best to use the media to create a fair and sustainable world?

Photo: Andy Reed, Prof Epstein and Richard Tierney

Stroud Town councillor and freelance journalist Andy Read chaired the discussion with Cheltenham-based Richard Tierney, Managing Director of the Gloucestershire Media Group and Debbie Epstein, a Professor of Social Studies at Cardiff University who lives in Wotton.

Richard Tierney posed questions about deregulation of the media and the possible opportunities of new independent media, while Professor Epstein, who has written papers on chat shows like Oprah and the Jerry Springer Show looked at the influence of the media in our lives.

In a day when the Gazette actually phoned for a comment re the Severn barrage and Greens had several quotes/letters in the papers this last week I should perhaps not be complaining (see list below of this weeks coverage) - but it is still the exception - too often Greens are never asked for comments and on the rare occasions it is usually recycling. This is especially noticeable during election time in some papers where the three main parties all get a quote but Greens don't - things are improving but we have to work much harder than the others - and don't have the luxury of loads of paid press officers - indeed even the Green party's national press officer is a voluntary post.

Those attending the Coffee House debated how far our public sector broadcasting can be trusted, how independent it really is and how far the internet can broaden or narrow our news. Can we really expect climate change to be reported by newspapers that rely on holiday and car adverts to survive? Or the news reporting to be fair when papers are owned by powerful individuals or corporations not even based in this country.

Also since all three main political parties now have virtually identical policies the quality of debate has also diminished. All this can lead to even less interest in the political process. What are the alternatives to mainstream media? How can we trust these? The evening ended up posing many more questions than answers......

This week included brief quotes from the following news releases:

- Oldbury restart
- nukes back on agenda (only second time Greens made national news page of Citizen)
- letter today to Standard re election
- Blairs decade of rising emissions
- John Marjoram hit both SNJ and Citizen with his No to Plastic Bags and election as Mayor

Mind you they didn't cover B52 two and other letters - see Glos Green party website for more details and if you want a monthly summary of Glos Green party news get GNN - see more and join here.

Latest issue of the monthly Glos Green party news 'GNN' out yesterday here.

Green councillors meeting and the Climate Change Bill

This morning Green District councillors came together to develop our aims for the next year: what should be priorities?

Photo: John Marjoram had done us proud with a selection of croissants from Star Anise

Some excellent plans were mooted and research started to see how feasible the ideas will be - plus of course there was a hundred and one other items like.....follow-up on the Environment Strategy, planning regulations, the canal, Sustainability Appraisals, working with the Town Council, working better with other parties and more - most of this will be circulated to Party members for comment or discussion.

I've also had a response now from the Council re their submission re the Climate Change Bill - my comments are here - now need to see if they have been taken on board for their comments - most of the key points seem to have been made - but need to look more specifically at all the details.

The main point where there is disagreement I suspect will be surrounding targets - official Green party policy now calls for annual C02 reductions of "at least 9%" (Note our online policy documents - MFSS hasn't yet been updated with the results of the last conference).

Stroud District Council adopted the national Friends of the Earth target of 3% per annum - and deserve credit for being one of the first Councils to do so.

However FOE acknowledge that their original suggestion of a 3% annual target is now insufficient - they've commissioned a report from the Tyndall Centre which shows 9% is more valid - it seems they're being carried along by the momentum of the original campaign and find it difficult to change the goalposts. It is clear a similar situation might arise here in Stroud but consider the proposed Independent Climate Change Panel for Stroud District will hopefully be able to consider that when they first meet. Will give this more thought before responding.

Better news on biofuels

My blog of 9th May 2007 raised very serious concerns about biofuels - those concerns remain but there is a small light in the EU - they are looking at biofuel rules in terms of sustainability.

The European Commission plans new measures to ensure increased use of biofuels reduces greenhouse gas emissions - in some cases it is leading to massive increases in emissions. Paul Hodson, a Commission official involved in turning those targets into law, said: "We want to define a minimum sustainability standard. We want to say if you don't meet the standards, you're not eligible for state aid and it doesn't count for the biofuel requirements."

He listed three criteria that would likely be included in the legislation when determining whether biofuels were "sustainable". First, they must have a minimum level of greenhouse gas savings compared with fossil fuels, from production to actual use. Second, land used to produce biofuels must not be areas such as wetlands that would have normally stored carbon in a natural way if it were not being used to grow crops. Draining a swamp, for example, to create land to grow biofuel crops would be discouraged. Third, the land used should not be home to a variety of plants or animals, what Hodson called a "high biodiversity quota", which would be displaced or destroyed in order to make room for crop growing.

The legislation will also seek to promote "second generation" biofuels such as wood and straw by giving them more weight when determining whether the EU targets have been met. The legislative proposal is due in November. I can see many gaps in this but it is a step forward.

Action cannot come too soon - it has been reported that Indonesia’s biofuel plan, for example, will increase palm oil production 43-fold, threatening the continued existence of the country’s remaining forests and peatland and emitting some 50 billion tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere – equivalent to six year’s worth of emissions caused globally by the burning of fossil fuels.

PS Was sent this cartoon re biofuels - see here.

Parish Annual meeting: Snow wardens report is highlight!

Whiteshill and Ruscombe Parish Annual meeting at the Village Hall 24th May 2007 at 7.30pm to 11.00pm - it is a pity there were only 30 something people as the evening was very interesting indeed - see agenda below with some quick comments - the Parish will soon have their minutes on their website...and when I say the Snow Warden was the highlight that was not tongue-in-cheek - infact pretty well all the presentations were v interesting.

Photo: Bella and Gerri (our Snow Warden) showing photos of February's snow

Agenda

Chairman’s Report - John Rogers gave us a taste of Parish work over the last year - the changes to the Clerk, accounts and more.
Playing Field – Rebecca Charley - an update on play ground equipment replacement since the accident (see blog on 19th April 2006), news that only one of 25 trees in the new orchard has died - plans are afoot for a board to identify which each tree is.
Ruscombe Valley Action Group – Rebecca Charley - an appeal to keep vigilant and join the group - our next meeting is in Village Hall on 4th June (see my blog for 9th June 2006 for background info).
Report from our County Councillor - Cllr Len Tomlins shared news of his meeting today at County to discuss waste in the County.
Report from our District Councillor - that was me! I gave a summary of some of the local and wider issues I've been involved with since being elected last May - some of the successes and frustrations - the various key committees, consultations and more.
Address by Robert Kempner – Head teacher Whiteshill Primary School - this was an inspiring talk about the successes of our local school - health and arts awards, the setting up of a Forest School to start after half term (see my blog on 14th July 2006 for further info), next years plans to concentrate on green issues, 'Walk to School' week (this week!), planned international links with Crete and Poland, a Breakfast Club starting 8.00am and links with Callowell for after school - and news at last of the temporary buildings going - sadly they are only to be replaced with more temporary buildings but at least these wont let in rain and snow.
Address by Pam Thorne – Village Agent - see more on my blog for 25th October for info re this role - other blog items tell of her various activities to engage older people - like 3rd May re Tai Chi classes locally - her latest project is to look more at energy efficiency.
Churches report - we heard about threat to possible loss of up to three Churches in the region due to underuse - also about a tightening f regulations re burial - only a headstone - some graves had breached guidelines and had small gardens - this had made maintenance v difficult and reduced use - 14 deaths last year but already 30 funerals since Christmas.
Address by Councillor Philip Booth – Ruscombe Brook Action Group - I was able to show a number of photos and more and tell of progress - see my blog for 5th January for summary of last 2 years - latest news is we are starting work on assessment on what is needed,
Report from our Snow Warden – Gerri Kimber - this for me was the highlight with Gerri and her daughter Bella talking about our two days of snow in February with photos - plus the suggested emergency pack for dealing with snow which was apparently sent by the District Council - she took us through the contents which included a windup kit for a mobile, an analogue phone with 2 screws to attach it to a wall, a hand warmer and more!! Gerri had us all smiling and chuckling but also raised the point that the 3foot high snowman her daughter built was the largest she had been able to in the last 10 years - this compared unfavourably with her childhood where there was much more snow....
Parish Newsletter – Dilys Warren - the second edition has gone out and an appeal was made for comments and suggestions.
Address by Councillor Sarah Lunnon – Shared Spaces - Sarah gave an excellent summary of Shared Spaces - with photos of successful examples elsewhere and of Whiteshill and possible ways forward.
Improvements to the Village Green, Traffic Management, Village Gateways and planting of verges - Chair John Rogers - update on various factors.
Bus Shelters - do we want them in Ruscombe or Whiteshill anywhere? 2 or 3 comments were in favour.
Open Forum - discussion and questions about ways forward re traffic and more.

All this was followed with nibbles, cheese and wine and much talk - great to meet some more people locally - this is a good community to live in!! Do use the search facility to find out more about all these items - or call me on 01453 755451

Transition Drinks - every town needs them!

Transition Drinks (born out of Transition Stroud) yesterday evening at Nine Bar in Stroud - the bar had especially got in local Stroud brewery beer at our request - and very tasty indeed - read more re evening here.

The whole idea about the drinks is to be like 'Green Drinks' elsewhere - a more informal chance to meet people and talk - too little time at meetings - and great to meet some new faces - indeed anyone can come along and there must have been 30 or so through the evening.

I've also just confirmed the next dates with Nine Bar: Wednesdays' 27th June and 25th July at 7.30 in Nine Bar, 9 John Street, Stroud.

Synod to be asked to go carbon neutral on Vicarages?

Today I gave a presentation with some personal views and thoughts on climate change to clergy and others from the Diocese Environmental and Justice forum at Saint Aldate's Vicarage, Finlay Road, Gloucester (see photos with appropriate words above the altar).

I was invited after making some suggestions re the Churchs' Environment policy (see earlier blogs by clicking the 'Diocese' Label below) and challenging the Diocese re the lack of energy efficiency of their new housing developments - particularly the Vicarage in Cashes Green (again click on 'Diocese' for previous blogs). To me this was a great opportunity to make new links with others concerned about our future and also see if we can support the Church to become more of a leader in this issue.

Here are some of my notes below from the talk which followed on from a talk by Jonathan Whittaker from Traffic Lights for Peace - he gave more info on this project and an intro re the need to act and also talked about the local Save Our Planet Day on 7th July

Introductory points:
- Awareness growing re climate change but 10 years of rising emissions, £30 bn road building and doubling of airport capacity indicate little sense of urgency
- FoE Scotland note none of 3 main parties have policies to tackle climate change
- IPCC note 8 years or less to act
- 60% cut by 2050 planned but some scientists now saying need that by as early as 2020
- Greens have been seen as being too much doom and gloom and have failed to get across message that a greener lifestyle is in many ways better - greater employment, healthier local food, stronger communities, warmer homes from better insulation and a future where, instead of hours in traffic jams, we have clean, safe, reliable public transport. A future self-sufficient in energy: a safer world where foreign policy isn't about securing fossil fuels in unstable parts of the world.
- it is a serious challenge to get across urgency but at the same time bearing in mind the need to be positive to engage and empower people.

Cashes Green, Vicarage:
- the Diocese has with developers pulled down the Vicarage and plans 6 houses (including a new Vicarage) in it's place.
- two key issues;
(i) Loss of building liked by community: not a 'listed' building but few buildings of any distinction in that area and many memories of gardens being used for community events. Parish and community objected strongly to plans and seeming lack of willingness to consider alternative plans.
(ii) Pulling down building is not usually environmentally friendly and the replacement homes are not much above current minimum standards.
- reasons for energy efficiency standards given rather than carbon neutral include need to meet 'best value' practice, Church commissioners requirements and no requirement by Stroud District Council to meet higher standards.
- development is clearly not 'best value': we will be embarrassed by the standards of homes built now. Scandinavia much better and other parts of country.
- oil is running out - we need to build houses for at least the next 50 years not houses that are not even fit for the next 20.
- International author Richard Heinberg is in Stroud on Weds 30th May at Subscription rooms for a talk re Peak Oil
- Climate change - those energy leaky homes are contributing to climate change: the average Somali is about 100 times more likely to die from events caused by climate change than the average American, despite emitting roughly 16,000 times less carbon.

Churchs' role:
- Church could be leader
- Dr Rowan Williams (April edition of The Ecologist) calls for Church to take responsibility for Climate Change. Archbishop Rowan Williams: ‘For the Church of the 21st Century, good ecology is not an optional extra but a matter of justice. It is therefore central to what it means to be a Christian.’
- need for spiritual dimension to development process
- Shrinking the Footprint is excellent start
- 'We're in this together' campaign involving Church, Tony Blair and 8 corporations could divert attention away from what is really needed. The suggested actions are small but important but washing clothes at 30 degrees (one of the key pledges) is only a v small part of the answer. See their website and my previous blog comment by clicking on 'Diocese' below).

Discussion points:
- need annual CO2 target reductions to increase urgency and actions. Friends of the Earth has for example called for the Government to set an annual target of 3% reduction in CO2 emissions.
- Church to work towards carbon neutral. Many Councils and corporations are developing strategies to become Carbon neutral. Milton Keynes has a carbon neutrality on all new developments exceeding five homes.
- Engage with exciting new local grassroot projects to tackle climate change and Peak Oil - like Transition Towns - new group in Stroud
- New developments such as Vicarages by the Diocese to be carbon neutral and improvements to existing vicarages in terms of insulation/energy efficiencies. A couple of those present will be putting a question to Synod in June around this issue.

Other related news:

Sat 23rd June - Gloucester Climate Change March organised by Christian Aid - meet North Warehouse Gloucester Docks at 11am - march ends at Cathedral Green for picnic.

Weds 12th Sept and Thurs 13th Sept - Cut the Carbon march from Chepstow to Chipping Sodbury with events on route incl breakfast at Lynch Knoll - Christian Aid organising

Sat 15th Sept - West Regional event re Climate cHange in Bristol

Tues 2nd Oct - Climate March in London - coaches from Glos

B52 Two 'Not Guilty' - justified in actions to prevent Iraq war

The result has just come in a wee while ago for the B52 Two - get your news here before the papers and radio get it! Congratulations to all involved in the Court case - these two were real heroes. This Court decision shows that both Philip Pritchard and Toby Olditch, the two Oxford peace activists, were entirely justified in their brave actions to try and prevent an unprovoked war. Read my hurried press release here.

Correspondence continues on C&C and SP

I have again written again to the Government re Contraction and Convergence and Simultaneous Policy - See my blog item 10th May for the Government's most response to my original email and 20th April for more background.

It is perhaps encouraging that the Government are beginning to show a rudimentary grasp of C&C - they even see "certain aspects as ...appealing" - however they do not yet seem to have grasped Simultaneous Policy or at least they didn't answer my question on it. Here is my email sent today:

I welcome your comments that Contraction and Convergence (C&C) has appealing aspects however I do not consider that you have answered my specific question relating to Simultaneous Policy (SP). To me this is key to the whole process.

There is no shortage of sensible solutions to our global problems, but we lack an effective means to cooperatively implement them everywhere, simultaneously. It is clear that individual nations cannot tackle the challenge of global problems alone or even in limited alliances or unions. Other nations, alliances or unions would still be free to ignore or exploit problems like climate change to gain a competitive advantage in the global marketplace. SP allows us to commit our nations to implement global solutions simultaneously. With SP, no nation, alliance, or corporation need go it alone; no one loses out, and everyone wins. To use this in conjunction with C&C seems a win-win situation and in line with all that the Government is saying about seeking a fair system.

You note that it would be premature to commit to a particular framework so what stage would the Government be prepared to join a Simultaneous Policy for Contraction and Convergence process if it were to be initiated by some other country?

As a final point I note that the Brazilian proposal would seem to be the only tabled alternative to C&C - but in that it would probably mean a 99% cut in UK emissions, while C&C would only mean a 90% cut or so. I do not understand why the Brazilian idea is appealing? C&C is a fair way that has gathered much international support.

I look forward to hearing from you again. All the best - Philip

John Bunzl from Simultaneous Policy emailed me to thank me for the first letter to Defra - he notes there are now 23 UK MPs officially signed up to the Pledge to implement Simpol alongside other governments. Let us hope we will break into the media's consciousness in the run-up to the next general election and that this will give added impetus to both C&C and Simpol.

Meanwhile Aubrey Meyer, the originator of C&C noted in an email to me "nothing worthwhile in life comes easy" - indeed - he also shared the news that he had just given evidence to ICE [Civil Engineers] and their six inquisitors included Elliott Morley. Things are moving forward....but where is the urgency.... James Lovelock had a grim piece earlier this month in the Sunday Times.

Free market capitalism leading to rising mental illness

Medialens - 'correcting the distorted vision of the corporate media' - is a great organisation which frequently has refreshing takes on world news - if you don't get their 'Cogitations' then I would strongly urge you do - the recent one on Mind Training had much of interest about how difficult it can be to appreciate the extent to which conditioning prompts us to ignore or reject versions of happiness.

Photo: Whiteshill view

David Edwards of Medialens writes:

Psychologist Oliver James provides an interesting example of this phenomenon in his book, Affluenza. James describes an account of his interview with Liz, a thirty-two year old full-time mother of a six-month old daughter. He asked Liz how she would feel if she took six years off work to look after her daughter and have a second child. Liz responded: “I think I would go mad if I stayed at home for that time because I would be giving my child everything of myself, and I wouldn’t be doing something for ‘me’: work, something pleasurable and fulfilling, subject to my child being happy. So when she’s eighteen months I will go back to work because that’s when my maternity leave runs out. But things could change. The last month has been extraordinary, seriously one of the most fulfilling things I’ve ever done. I wake up in the morning and think, ‘I’m going to spend the day with her’ - and it’s gorgeous.’”

James asked: “So why would meeting the needs of a corporation be doing something ‘for me’, but it’s not if you’re looking after your daughter meeting her needs?”

Liz agreed that this was remarkable and struggled to find an answer: “Well, meeting her needs is much more important to me than anything else. Actually, that’s really extraordinary, why is it that paid work is more ‘for me’?... It shouldn’t feel like this, but I feel handicapped if I’m not earning. I’ve been earning for years now, never had to think once, ‘Can I buy this?’, just bought it. Now we’re on one income I can’t just make that decision.”

James commented on this exchange: “I found it fascinating that, when pressed, earning money in order to be able to consume what she wanted was something ‘for me’... Here is a woman who adores being with her daughter and meeting her needs, yet so profoundly has she confused wants with needs that she seriously feels that being able to buy the latest shoes is more ‘for me’ than meeting her daughter’s needs.”

James noted that in cultures where the maternal role is viewed positively, doing things for the baby is doing “something for ‘me’”. Liz has been persuaded by our society to identify self-centred consumption with personal happiness, but not the joy of loving and caring for her child. The impact of social conditioning is such that we are often unable to perceive, or stand up for, our best interests. Instead, we wrongly assume that we have freely chosen what in fact serves someone else‘s interests. Moreover, when we have invested much of our lives in achieving happiness in a particular way, we will find it a real challenge to contradict this strategy. To do so can feel like a betrayal of everything we’ve invested in and fought for in the past. A hundred habits may be urging us to continue as we are.

Oliver James' book looks more at what he calls the Affluenza virus - a set of values which increase our vulnerability to psychological distress: placing a high value on acquiring money and possessions, looking good in the eyes of others and wanting to be famous. As he notes many studies have shown that infection with the virus increases your susceptibility to the commonest mental illnesses: depression, anxiety, substance abuse and personality disorder.

While not new ideas the book is still refreshing - and worth a read - see here an article Oliver James wrote showing how selfish capitalism is responsible for greater prevalence of mental illness among English-speaking nations - a huge missed opportunity by Blair to set us on a different course - as James writes: "Let's stop the pretending: Blatcherism has been an inexcusable missed opportunity to take Britain in a completely different direction (towards Denmark rather than America) and it has significantly contributed to our spiralling rate of mental illness."

We all need a 'Roadwitch' in our neighbourhood

I came across the Roadwitch website recently and liked it - some great ways to calm the traffic in our roads.

Photo: Speed Camera made from tea chest and yoghurt pots (from Roadwitch website)

As blog readers will know this has been an area of interest of mine since being commissioned to write, "Better Streets for Stroud District" some 18 months ago - since then I've explored more the concept of Shared Spaces - see my article on the Resurgence website looking more at this innovative approach and loved the ideas from David Entwicht (not witch) in his quirky radical book "Mental Speed Bumps" and "Traffic Tamers" and also urban designer Ben Hamilton-Baille.

Photo: SOX is a "community clothesline" created with the teenagers of Beech Croft Road. It hangs across the street, effectively slowing down motorists as they gawk at the sky-high collection of mismatched socks collected from the street's residents (from Roadwitch website).

This Thursday in Whiteshill Village Hall the Parish have their AGM and have a selection of speakers including local District councillor Sarah Lunnon on Shared Spaces - this is to explore more what people might think about this for our area. She has just been to Holland and Denmark looking at how they pioneered this approach - there will also be a chance to hear about other groups - none of the speakers can talk for more than 15 mins - I'll be doing a bit on the District Council and an update on the Ruscombe Brook.

Locally interest is growing in this approach to traffic - last year I went along to a street party in Lansdown (see blog 1st September) and a residents meeting in Bisley Old Road that were also looking at these ideas - the Town Council and Stonehouse Town Council are also now exploring ideas - I think Stroud Town now has £10,000 put aside for a feasability project. Maybe before long we will see a Roadwitch (see here for details) on Whiteshill Main Road or perhaps a line of socks hanging over Bread Street?

Dental survey trying to push water fluoridation

At the start of National Smile Month the British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF) survey is underway - we need everyone to send them a very clear message about not wanting water fluoridation. See: http://www.nationalsmileweek.org/national_dental_survey/public_survey.html

Amongst other questions the survey asks is if your water supply is fluoridated and if you would like it to be. Here in Gloucestershire we are lucky enough not to be fluoridated. Let us send a message to the BDHF that we do not want fluoridated water. Your questions about water fluoridation answered here. See local campaign blog here.

National Vegetarian Week and eating meat

The 15th annual National Vegetarian Week, begins today and it is clear that eating less meat is a much greener way of life.
Vegetarians’ meat and fish-free lifestyle reduces their impact on the environment. Almost a fifth of climate-changing greenhouse gases come from livestock production!!! Animals reared for meat are a major source of water pollution and the majority of deforestation is carried out to clear land for livestock pasture and the growing of their feed crops. See more here.

Clearly there are also many other reasons for going Vegetarian or at the very least reducing meat consumption. My brothers cafe in Bristol is a great place to see what vegetarian food can really be about - see here but locally in Stroud we also have some excellent places like Woodruffs and Star Anise.

I do still occasionally meat - I was vegetarian for some years but after getting seriously ill I found that I was better eating some but it was and still is occasional - I will not be doing so this week. Apparently the Dalai Lama was a vegetarian in the 1960s but after developing hepatitis he was ordered by his doctors to eat meat again - he has apparently since 2005 turned to a vegetarian diet again. I have to say I am not entirely sure about this health issue - I wonder if with a nutritionally good vegetarian diet then meat would not be necessary? Or do some people need to eat some meat? Certainly a diet with lots of meat is not healthy.

I understand the Buddha did not made it a compulsory rule that all his followers have to be vegetarians. However he strongly encouraged us to be vegetarians. In the Bodhisattva practice of minimising harm to all beings and benefiting them as much as possible, the practice of vegetarianism as far as possible plays an essential role. We can see this in many of the Buddha's recorded teachings. Indeed there are moves within other religions to also call for less meat eating - there is an international Christian Vegetarian Association, a UK Muslim Vegetarian/Vegan Society and more.

Certainly it is clear that our current meat-eating is wholly unsustainable. Vegetarian and Vegan diets need to become much more the norm - and factory-farmed meat is an absolute no-no. Read also Green Principal Speaker Derek Wall talking about what it means to rise to the challenge of being vegetarian on his blog today: http://another-green-world.blogspot.com/

Levellers Day

Levellers Day was on Saturday - some went from the local Woodcraft Folk group and no doubt others from Stroud - sadly despite having to travel through Burford on Saturday I was unable to stop - a pity as the programme looked good with Green MEP Caroline Lucas, music and more - the Levellers were radical idealists, and have been called early socialists - although of course they had no concept of the workings of emergent capitalism.

The Levellers had beliefs in civil rights and religious tolerance - the idea was that William the Conqueror had brought the 'Norman Yoke'. This had taken the land from the Democratic, Egalitarian society they believed had existed in Anglo-Saxon times. God had created all men and women equal, and the land should be used by all people as a right. A programme was worked out by a committee, called the "Agreement of the People". A form of shop stewardmanship grew up, with 'agitators' who represented the men in the debates with the high officers in the great Army Council. The subject was the future of a new, King-less commonwealth.

During the Civil War, Levellers fought on Parliament’s side, had at first seen Cromwell as a liberator, but then saw him as a dictator. They were prepared to fight against him for their ideals and he was determined to crush them. Over 300 of them were captured by Cromwell’s troops and locked up in Burford church. On 17 May 1649 three soldiers from this movement were led out of the church and shot as ringleaders on Oliver Cromwell’s orders in Burford churchyard, Oxfordshire.

In 1975, members of the WEA Oxford Industrial Branch went to Burford to reclaim a piece of history that seemed to be missing from the school books. They held a meeting in remembrance of the Leveller soldiers. The following year, Tony Benn came and read in the church and in each succeeding year, people have come to Burford on the Saturday nearest to 17 May, debated, held a procession, listened to music and remembered the Levellers and the importance of holding on to ideals of justice and democracy.

See more here: www.levellers.org.uk

Sign the Breastfeeding Manifesto

A local resident and one other have asked if I'd mention on this blog the Breastfeeding Manifesto - it outlines seven key objectives necessary if the UK is to initiate and sustain improvements in infant feeding practice.

Photo: Whiteshill fog last week - view of Ruscombe

As it says on their website: "Working towards these objectives will help to ensure that women, irrespective of their socio-economic or ethnic background, are empowered to breastfeed for as long as they choose and that more babies can enjoy the benefits of their mothers milk."

The Manifesto can be found at: www.breastfeedingmanifesto.org.uk

This manifesto was launched in October 2006 supported by a Coalition of over 20 organisations including UNICEF, Save the Children, the National Childbirth Trust and The Royal College of Midwives - it has already achieved cross-party support - but, for it to have the impact at Governmental level that is necessary to ensure it is fully supported, we all need to get involved.

It is quick and easy to do. Simply sign up here: www.breastfeedingmanifesto.org.uk

Lies, lies and Gloucestershire Airport expansion

Lies is perhaps too strong but I have to say I am pretty unhappy about the way the Airport are treating us with regards to their proposed expansion. They have consistently denied plans to massively increase flights and dismissed my comments in the local papers - they've also even denied their own Business Plan was accurate when it was released to the press with info about flight increases - but now the truth is finally emerging...

Photo: me outside Gloucestershire Airport

Staverton Airport's managing director, Mark Ryan, has confirmed that plans to demolish existing buildings and extend the runway are to allow additional European flights. This goes against all economic and environmental sense - as blog readers will know I have campaigned much against airport expansions - it was last summer we had a protest outside Staverton itself. See my latest letter this week to local press here.

World's scientists last month warned there may be just eight years to act on greenhouse gas pollution to avoid the worst of global warming - in the face of this and the overwhelming evidence on the increasingly likely risk of run away global warming, the decision to develop the airport and increase the number of flights is madness.

Photo: Demo last summer against Staverton's plans for expansion

Today's report in the Times on the saturation of the Southern Oceans with CO2 shows still further how stressed the environment has become. The article's warning is that global warming is now forecast to accelerate further - our position is critical.

Staverton Airport has long claimed that the modifications it is currently proposing are for safety related purposes only. It is now clear that this claim was designed to mislead and avoid the necessary public scrutiny that an airport development should be subjected to, especially given the increasing public concern about global warming. It is disingenuous in the extreme to argue that little is changing when they are planning flights to Europe.

As Kev in Nailsworth of Kev's Climate Column fame said: "To give an order of magnitude of the environmental impact of this development, I previously calculated that the proposed development would require approximately 1.5 million trees to be planted to absorb the CO2 produced. Given the increased number of flights that the airport management is now claiming it wants to introduce, this is will be an under-estimate. "

Despite the airport management’s claims, the development will have a significant global warming impact. Kev has already written to all Gloucester and Cheltenham councillors re this expansion - the two Councils are shareholders of the Airport - here are some of the points he makes:

As a share holders of this airport, it is incumbent on yourselves to oppose this development, for the following reasons:-

• Aviation is the fastest growing source of carbon emissions. Current government policy effectively provides unrestricted development of aviation, in the face of all credible scientific evidence. The government's own figures show that aviation emissions will treble by the year 2050.

• The government and the aviation industry, (including the Staverton airport web site) claim that aviation emissions can be managed through incorporation of aviation into the European Carbon Trading Scheme (see more below). This is a blatant and cynical lie. The transport secretary (Douglas Alexander) on being questioned by the environmental audit committee on the inclusion of aviation into the European Carbon Trading Scheme said: "In terms of where we are in those negotiations, the evidence from the public statements of Lufthansa, even in the last 48 hours, evidences that the argument is not yet won within the aviation community. It is also no secret that some of our international partners are less than convinced of the merits even of a European scheme, never mind a wider scheme given the global nature of airtravel." It is therefore absolutely obvious that there is no mechanism in place that will ameliorate the emissions generated from this development or for that matter any other airport expansion, despite the claims made by Staverton airport and others within the industry.

• The aviation industry would like to claim that their emissions are a small percentage of the overall total compared to power generation and car emissions. However policies are gradually being developed to reduce these such as carbon capture for power stations and road pricing for cars. Aviation is the only major emitter of carbon that is doing absolutely nothing to reduce its total emissions.

• The management claim that with the new development the total number of flights from the airport will not increase, implying that existing flights will be replaced by the new services. There is absolutely no evidence to support this and it is inconceivable that the airport management will terminate existing businesses and service contracts once they introduced new passenger services. The most likely scenario is that the existing customers will be maintained and the proposed new business will be run in addition.

• The airport has made erroneous claims on the benefit to the local community such as “business jets operating from the airport having the range to take colleagues to almost anywhere,” implying that this is critical to business development in the area. However as custodians of the future environment, it is incumbent on you to encourage businesses in the area to use low carbon forms of communication such as video conferencing, rather than allow the most carbon intensive modes of operation. Also, in reality a large number of these “business jet” flights are likely to be made by the rich and famous and will not support any critical business development.

• The airport has made and will continue to make the claim that its emissions are small compared to the adjacent motorway. However, this overlooks that fact that airport is actively seeking to increase its carbon emissions. If history has told us anything, it is that it is far easier to stop a bad idea from beginning than to stop a bad idea from continuing. Japan tries to continue whaling because it has a whaling industry to support, cars are driven long distances on motorways because people choose to live further from work and demand that motorways stay accessible so they can continue to work. In the near future as the impacts of climate change bite deeply into everyone’s standard of living and future security, those industries and people who have become dependent on airports like Staverton will argue that its continued operation is essential for the maintenance of their livelihoods, to the detriment of everyone else.

I therefore urge you to consider this development rationally and dispassionately in the face of the emerging evidence from global warming and consider the implication of the long term over those of the short term. It is too easy to claim that global warming is the fault of others, that our individual contribution is trivial and we are helpless and then to do nothing. This attitude will most certainly achieve nothing. In this emerging crisis we must all be leaders and not followers. With the current evidence, there is no argument to support expansion and development of the airport.

See also Kev's letters to Tewkesbury councillors re the planning applications here - especially his 16th May blog entry. Click on Labels below to see my previous letters to Tewkesbury councillors.

Flights increase - EU emissions Trading scheme is not the answer

It was only a couple of weeks ago we had news that flights have reached record levels (Guardian, 9 May 2007). Governments have systematically failed to introduce the bold and ambitious policies necessary to stop and reverse aviation growth. Worse, the policies currently being considered by the European Union look unlikely to make any significant difference.

Green MEP Caroline Lucas writes: "Putting aviation into the EU's emissions trading scheme is being presented as the single most effective way of tackling the growth of aviation. Yet incredibly, according to the European Commission's own figures, the current proposals will merely reduce forecast demand growth from 142% to 135% by 2020."

The argument goes that as long as reductions are made "somewhere" in the economy it doesn't matter who makes them - and aviation's contribution will be to finance efforts in other sectors. But this overlooks at least two critical points.

First figures show how accustomed to flying some of us are becoming. Allowing this to continue unabated - as is apparently foreseen - will increasingly lock people into air-dependent lifestyles. The more embedded such living and working patterns become, the harder it will be to reduce demand for air travel in the future.

Second, without a parallel emissions charge (or equivalent measure) to cover aviation's non-CO2 emissions, the effect of aviation buying the right to emit a tonne of CO2 from another sector with much lower CO2 impacts will be a net disbenefit to the environment.

Ministers and the Commission must put in place a scheme which will genuinely ensure aviation emissions are reduced - as well as recognise that emissions trading, however well-designed, can only ever be part of the answer: kerosene taxes and airport capacity reduction must also be introduced.

Peter Lockley, of the Aviation Environment Federation campaign group, said: "Even the most optimistic industry estimates have fuel efficiency only increasing by 1-2% each year. So if the number of flights goes up 5% a year, it's not very difficult maths to see their carbon emissions are going to rise, just as the scientists say they need to be reduced."

Research shows that 2.51m flights are timetabled worldwide this month, topping the previous high of 2.49m from August last year. That represents an additional 113,827 flights compared with May 2006, or 17.7m extra seats.

Mr Alexander, managing director of aviation analyst firm OAG, said: "This is great news from a travellers' viewpoint, with much more competition and choice."

What planet are these people living on???

The largest year-on-year rise is within China, with nearly 23,000 more domestic flights scheduled this month than in May 2006, a rise of 18%. US domestic flights have risen by some 19,000, though that represents just a 2% rise, to 838,000. Demand also soared within India, up 10,000 flights, or 25%, to 43,000 flights.

The figures show that the UK is now the most popular country for international flights, with 121,000 scheduled arrivals and departures this month, up 7%. Spain showed the single largest rise, up nearly 10,000 flights, or 16%. Overall, the low-cost sector showed a rise of some 70,000 flights, up 22% year-on-year. In sheer size, the most noteworthy route showing a year-on-year increase is for flights between western Europe and Africa but transatlantic routes also showed a significant rise.

It was great to hear at least one in the industry talking sense - Mark Ellingham, founder of the Rough Guide series, has called for stringent new taxes on flights to deter travellers and reduce environmental damage. He wants a £100 green tax on all flights to Europe and Africa, and £250 on flights to the rest of the world, as well as a moratorium on airport expansion. He said there was no such thing as an ethical holiday. "The tobacco industry fouled up the world while denying it as much as possible for as long as they could. If the travel industry rosily goes ahead as it is doing, ignoring the effect that carbon emissions from flying are having on climate change, we are putting ourselves in a very similar position to the tobacco industry."

BBC Gloucestershire have a webpage on the airport with comments for and against Gloucestershire Airport's expansion - they have included my words.

Shock at news of Oldbury nuke restart

News that Oldbury nuclear power station - 16 miles from Stroud - has possibly restarted today is a shock. I honestly thought there was no way they would consider such a move - it is probably the worst condition of this type of nuclear reactor in the world in terms of its graphite depletion. It is too greater risk to restart - independent scientists have warned us that this could be very, very dangerous - a case of profit before safety.

Photo: Severn further down from Oldbury

Read my news release yesterday here.

Last month it was also disturbing to read that Hinkley Point power station had been given a new bill of health for as "outrageous" - valid until 2017, providing a programme of works is carried out. This has opened the door to the power station having a life extension beyond its scheduled closing date of 2011 (although owners British Energy have not yet decided whether to apply for an extension).

Basically the regulators have contradicted their own safety predictions which said that most reactor core bricks would have cracked during this review period, including some that will be cleaved in half. It's outrageous to grant a license to a reactor in this condition. I do hope the news that Oldbury is restarting turns out not to be true - whether you support nuclear power or not both Oldbury and Hinkley restarting are crazy decisions.

It is be Nice to Nettles Week

Read more about this unsung hero of the natural world - more here - and nettle soup recipe here.

Blair, Brown and McDonnell

I had a letter in yesterdays' Citizen in response to Parmjit Dhanda MPs' article exclaiming the wonders of Mr Blair. Mr Dhanda talked about how Mr Blair had created a fairer society but while poverty has been reduced slightly we are more unequal than at any time since the 1930s - there is never enough space in a letter - had wanted to write much more. Mr Blair has been disasterous - not least as I say in the letter for his decade of rising CO2 emissions.

Mr Blair has repeatedly said that climate change is our greatest threat yet has done so little - even the easy actions like insisting on new developments having renewable energy and efficiency standards like Scandinavia still haven't happened - instead we see plans for road and air travel expansions......however while I welcome him moving on I can't say I relish the prospect of Mr Brown taking over.

Mr Brown has certainly made little effort to go green, his budgets haven't tackled emissions with any seriousness, he wants Trident, has supported Iraq, Afghanistan, PFIs and more. Indeed it is a sad day in British politics when the fate of the nation rests on a back room deal made in a restaurant in Islington 13 years ago.

Brown may well be PM for the next 2 years - but he has not had to fight for this post. The rule for 45 Labour MPs to publically nominate a challenger is too high a bar. It has virtually guaranteed the death of democracy in the Labour Party - and, as in this case it leads to an unelected Prime Minister, increases the democratic deficit in a British system already suffering because of first past the post, centralised power and a lack of a written constitution.

As another Green said to me: "New Labour are fond of talking about respect, but what message does this send the British people?"

Blair and Brown have decided between them who would lead this country - and when - a long time ago. It is a great pity the challenger McDonnell didn't get in - he campaigned for trade union freedom and for council-house building - important policies which we in the Greens support as a way of creating a more equal society. He spoke out against the madness of the Iraq war, Trident and the arms trade. He acknowledged the severity of the ecological crisis, most obviously in the form of climate change. Above all, he recognised that Gordon Brown represents, even more than Tony Blair, a politics obsessed with the free-market dogmas of PFIs, privatisation and worship of corporate heroes.

But then again it is the economics of evermore growth that red, blue and yellow support that got us in this mess and are making it worse. McDonnell however would have been able to shift the debate back more onto some of the issues that really matter.

Full Council: AGM

Committees - who sits on what?

Photo: Ebley Mill from top of Ash Lane

Have not long got home after a marathon Council meeting - the AGM - so it is where committees get decided - I will be moving from Development Control (planning) to a Scrutiny committee - the committee sizes have been reduced so that Greens only have one seat on DCC now - a pity as it took a while for me to get the hang of it - however it is all very useful and doesn't mean my interest in planning is ended at all - I am looking forward to challenge of scrutinising Council stuff - planning is likely to be included in that - some of scrutuiny has remained a mystery so it is time I got immersed in that and learnt more about what can be achieved - more of that in a future blog.

The committee memberships will all be on the Council website. Most of the decisions are not a surprise as the Tories hold the majority and can effectively decide who sits where. Opposition parties have too small numbers and as yet are not that effective at working together - even if we were the Tories still have 31 seats to our 20.

Constitution?

One of the other big items was the Councils constitution - this provoked much debate about whether enough consultation had taken place - the changes were largely minor and in fact improved most of it.

However there was an item to reduce the powers of ward councillors - the proposal was to allow them to bring items to the Development Control Committee only if agreed by Chair or Vice Chair. I have to say I strongly objected to this and indeed made many phone calls today to Officers and various members to have the item withdrawn.

Firstly there will be a perception that our democratic process are being tampered with and powers being reduced - in fact this is not as great as it appears but it still is a change. Secondly it could give the appearance of making the committee political as the Chair and Vice would both be from the administration - what if they refused to consider all applications from opposition parties? The current DCC Chair and Vice were both reelected and I have no doubts about their integrity but future appointments may be different. Lastly a point I raised with the solicitor was that the proposed change may in fact be unlawful as 2 people making a decision can constitute a committee and that leads us into all sorts of other rules. The solicitor was unable to get full advice on this and I suspect other councillors also had expressed concerns so the Portfolio holder for Planning withdrew that part of the proposed Constitution change. We will need to remain watchful - but also it is clear that the system does need improving - I consider there is enough room to do that in the existing Constitution.

Revised Mandatory Code of Member Conduct?

Another vote - 3 Greens voted against - lone voices in a protest that if this wasn't passed the Government planned to implement it anyway. As I've noted before local councils should be having more powers not less.

Smoking litter Motion withdrawn

Another item I had been following up was re the policy of the Council to the new legislation re smoking (see my blog 11th May) - have been surprised how people who should know didn't know about the Defras guidelines - 'Preventing Cigarette Litter in England' - in fact when the motion came to Council it was withdrawn as the proposer felt Council was now developing a strategy that would take account of his concerns.

An astonishing 122 tonnes of cigarette litter is dropped daily in England - when Ireland introduced the ban that rose by a fifth - clearly the long term hope is that this will reduce as smokers kick the habit - but in the short term it looks like we'll have more litter to deal with...

One of the points I was planning to make was that already all businesses have had 2 letters re the legislation - the Defra guidelines do say the Council could send another - this motion however was only for pubs, restaurants and cafes asking them to put out ashtrays - why not all businesses and if you are going to write then we should also help businesses - some businesses struggle to stay afloat - here is more legislation, all be it good, that means more work for businesses - a letter should include advice on placement, design and visibility of ashtrays - all crucial in making them work - dedicated ashtrays, easy to clean, clear signage etc plus advice re listed buildings and legal responsibilities.

Exempt session

There were various other items incl a tribute to Cllr Sybil Bruce who had been Chair of Council for 9 years, a plaque for Sheffies 33 years and other bits but the last item was closed to public. Basically to do with the dispute re UNISON and the Council. No doubt more of that when restrictions on reporting are lifted - but time for bed now.....

2,500 more post offices to close

Following the Secretary of State’s announcement today on the future of the Post Office network, the indication is that 500 new ‘outreach’ outlets for small remote communities will be set up including mobile post offices and services operating from village halls, community centres and pubs.

Today’s announcement does not include decisions on individual post offices. Post Office Ltd will draw up local area plans within the national framework with input from local authorities, MPs, Postwatch and subpostmasters, for consultation with local people, to be implemented over an 18 month period from Summer 2007.

Trade Secretary Alistair Darling said he wanted to guarantee "reasonable access" throughout the country but the current network was "unsustainable" - about 2,500 post offices - a fifth of those left in the UK - are to close by 2009.

I am deeply concerned that further closures will devastate local communities, particularly in rural areas. More than 4,000 post offices have already shut in the past eight years. This next round of cuts will hit hard in Gloucestershire and will hit many communities very hard indeed.

Stamps can now be bought at shops, benefits are increasingly paid into bank accounts, and utility bills can be paid direct - depriving offices of an increasing amount of traffic. Nationally, 8.7m out of the 11m pensioners, for instance, receive their pension direct into a bank account. We need actions to protect these important community services - see previous blogs re answers to the consultation questions.

To read the full response document including key elements of the strategy, visit http://www.dti.gov.uk/consultations/page36024.html

Waterways update: Museum, Stroud canal route, freight and Lawns

Museum campaign

Free entry is vital for the survival of the National Waterways Museums at Gloucester, Ellesmere Port and Stoke Bruerne - please consider signing the on-line petition and passing the link on to your friends:
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/waterways-museum/

Photo: canal near Saul

Stroud canal route

Key groups have criticised the analysis of survey figures for a crucial stage of the Stroud canals redevelopment. Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and the Stroud Valleys Project both disagree with the way British Waterways has interpreted a public consultation over the route of the Thames and Severn Canal at Capel Mill. Rebuilding the channel at Capel Mill is part of the Cotswold Canals Partnership's larger project to restore the historic waterways from Stonehouse to Brimscombe. Three options for a route were presented to the public, who voted on their preferred choice.

However it appears that statements by British Waterways suggesting a route over the River Frome was a "clear winner" in the consultation were misleading. British Waterways, the lead partner, disputes this saying the consultation was fair.

The three choices in the consultation were:
Option A: cut through an adjacent disused tip Option B: to run low over the river as an aqueduct Option C: to remove the tip completely.

The two options relating to the tip route together received 54% of local votes, whereas the option over the river only received 46%.

Colin Studholme, of Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, reported in The Citizen, said: "These results clearly indicate that there are more people opposed to the river route option but the way the results have been communicated gives a false impression. I told British Waterways that I found their interpretation very worrying. My interpretation would be that by offering consultees two 'tip route' options, the votes of those people wanting the route to avoid the river has been split. The inference from this is that if you were to go back and ask those originally polled if they would prefer a 'tip route' or a 'river route', the result would be in favour of a tip route. I would therefore dispute that the river route is a 'clear winner'."

The Lawns work?

It appears that The Lawns work may have been completed. I am seeking clarification as this was nothing like the plans we were originally shown and there are far too few reeds in the 'reed bed' area. Perhaaps these are to be planed later?

Freight on canals?

I also caught a programme on BBC Radio 4 where Gerry Northam asks whether canals built in the 18th century can provide sustainable transport for the 21st. The government wants to get freight off roads and onto waterways wherever possible. But commercial barge owners say vital wharves are being sold off to property developers, and feel that British Waterways is not interested in freight. British Waterways defends its record. This is clearly an issue we need to be careful over in terms of Stroud's canal regeneration.

Listen again at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/factual/pip/r8b7c/

Whiteshill 'Box Junction' out for consultation

The Parish Council and school requested improvements outside the school re traffic a long time ago.

Photo: Randwick woods at weekend in torrential rain

As noted previously on this blog the proposal is to replace the zigzag lines opposite the school with a box area. I have had some concerns re what appeared to be a lack of consultation however a letter drop has now been made to local residents in that area. 17 responses (26% of people) found that 82% were in favour while 18% were against. Following that result the proposal now goes to formal consultation with a chance for people to formally object if they wish. More info from Gloucestershire Highways on 01452 583583.

Previously on this blog I commented: "I personally am generally unhappy about more road paint and suspect a box will do little to improve the situation - cars already ignore the zig zag area and my fear is that more paint will distract drivers from looking out for children. I consider other measures are necessary to slow traffic and reduce parking there...and will continue to campaign for them - at the very least we should have a 20 mph zone."

[Update 13/06/07: Just got a letter copied to me today noting that Highways will proceed with the box]

As blog readers will know I have been trying to get other measures to slow traffic. Unfortunately Highways are so busy that three meetings have already been cancelled - sadly as ther have been no serious accidents in this area it is not considered a priority! I will however continue to look at this - the Parish AGM at Whiteshill Village Hall on 24th May will be a chance to hear more - and for those interested to get involved.

Fortnightly waste collections?

We have heard lots recently about public dismay at fortnightly collections. Infact it would seem this is not such a big issue that some papers seem to have made it - in terms of the election the councillors magazine 'First' says their analysis shows "no direct correlation between those councils which had alternate weekly rubbish collections and those which did not in terms of voter swing." - they suggest that "rubbish collection wasn't a vote winning (or losing) issue."

Copyrighted photo reprinted here with permission of Seattle-based photographer Chris Jordan. See more photos.

Clearly that may well not be the reality in individual cases as coverage of the issue varied across the country. We are still waiting for action here in Stroud - still have weekly waste and fortnightly recycling - with still no kitchen waste collection despite repeated requests and calls.

To be fair not all the problems are with Stroud District Council- they have a fair dry recycle rate and haven't made the mistake of providing green waste collection which in many areas like the Forest of Dean artificially raises recycling rates when in fact the stuff should be composted on site. There have also been serious difficulties in getting a site to recycle kitchen waste locally - our Government must take the blame for not pushing this much more and having targets that distort practice.

In fact it is EU legislation that is driving action now as Councils' belatedly wake up to the need to avoid fines....indeed across much of Europe recycling is streets ahead of us. Many, like Germany, have also successfully introduced legislation to restrict unnecessary packaging while our supermarkets seem to package stuff even more. See also my news release here re recycle rates. It is also clear we must not go down the route of incineration.

I understand that already 40% of households in England now have their non-recyclable waste collected fortnightly, usually combined with alternate weekly collection of recyclable waste. In Wales it is more than half.

What about?

Enviros consulting and Gloucestershire's Cranfield university have researched the issue of alternate weekly collections introduced by local government, and whether it will bring rats and other problems. It turns out that if you bag up rubbish properly, there are no adverse health impacts. We need to design systems that work - the issue re smells etc is about getting top-quality wheelie bins with best-fitting lids. Maggots only appear if waste is not wrapped properly and dirty bins are not rinsed.

Household waste is only some 20% of waste but it is significant tonnage.

Here's a comment from a Green waste guru: "Alternate weekly collections (AWC) work where the population has been given proper support and education along with the ability to divert most of their waste to recycling and composting. It fails very badly when you just stop collecting every other week. AWC must be the last stage of transformation of waste collection into resource recovery. It is in effect the stick to use on those who are not using recycling. I would like people to be encouraged to put the wheelly bin out once a month or when full."

It is clear that AWC is not popular and should be seen as the last stage of a waste strategy once everything else is working. I support AWC but when the residuals bin have very little in them. The greenest and best value plan starts with lots of education.

Parish Power: project to help communities save energy

A wet, wet walk in Randwick woods this afternoon (see photos) and a cosy afternoon catching up on paperwork. One project that has at last come alive again is Parish Power - a project to help communities save energy.

I have already raised this with the two Parishes in this area last year and there was some interest but Government funding apparently collapsed and we heard no more....now it's back and I'll be raising it again.

Is there anyone out there locally who would be happy to help or other Parishes in the District?

What is Parish Power??

Severn Wye Energy Agency has been seeking funding to follow up the Parish Power feasibility study completed a year ago.

The Parish Power project aim was to work with 10-15 Parish based Energy Groups with a target to save 10% of the energy use within participating households over a 2 year period. The energy savings would be monitored and with a total of 300 participating households would be worth approximately £30,000 pa in reduced fuel bills, in addition to the environmental benefits of reduced CO2 emissions. The Parish Power project would provide extra assistance to the participating communities as exemplars that other householders could follow.

We are pleased to let you know that Severn Wye Energy Agency has recently secured approximately £40,000 of European funding over 2.5 years under the Intelligent Energy Europe programme to cover 50% of staff costs etc for a new project called “Energy Neighbourhoods” which is very similar to Parish Power. It includes setting up community energy groups and monitoring energy saving in participating households with a target of 8% energy savings per year at the end of the project. “Energy Neighbourhoods” is interesting as there will be similar energy saving groups in 8 other European countries and an opportunity to compare results and successes through a common website (in English). We will also be provided with computer software to monitor energy savings based on a pilot project in Holland. There will also be local and international awards for the most successful energy saving community.

We are presently negotiating the final details of the project, however it is hoped “Energy Neighbourhoods” will start in September 2007. We are offering the Parishes who expressed an interest in Parish Power the first option to participate in “Energy Neighbourhoods”. Since the EU will only cover 50% of eligible costs we will continue to seek local match funding. If this is not forthcoming by September we may need to give preference to those Parishes that are able to make a small contribution to the costs of delivering the project, estimated at £1000 - £2000 per participating Parish per year, depending on the size of the Parish and number of households that wish to join the community energy group. The long term financial benefits in reduced fuel bills are anticipated to be many times greater than the contribution towards project costs. We are also aware that many individuals now accept the need to combat climate change and wish to do something at a community level.

If you would like to find out more information or your Parish wishes to participate in “Energy Neighbourhoods” please can you contact in the first instance Kaye Welfare, Assistant Director at Severn Wye Energy Agency at: kaye(at)swea.co.uk

Wap today

For those unfamiliar with Randwick's Wap click on 'Wap' in 'Labels' below - it is an extraordinary event...

Photo 1: Mayor Sheila Bliss after procession arrives in the Playing Field

Photo 2: Flag boys awarded

Sadly today it started very blustery and slightly drizzly - the Helter Skelter arrived and drove away again thinking that no one would come - infact many hundreds turned out to enjoy the event and the weather got better as the afternoon progressed.

Photo 3: 'Play Your Cards Right'

I missed the procession as helping on a stall - 'Play Your Cards Right' - some fun to raise money for Randwick School. The wind was so load that I now can barely talk - not a bad thing some might say...

One of the highlights for me must be the local band that played the Village Hall in the afternoon. The Nailsworth Silver Band played earlier but this group did their own numbers plus some covers of bands like Radiohead.

Photos 4 and 5: Cuckoo Row

Freddie Whitaker, who lives in Farmhill is in the band - he also helped lots in the ppast with the Ruscombe Brook Action Group - think he said the band was called Cuckoo Row but had to miss last song so wasn't able to ask...anyhow they did some great numbers - watch out for them.

Update: Just a note to confirm band is called 'Cuckoo Row' - they are playing Sub Rooms on 1st June.

Photos 6 and 7: Michael Lloyd and some of the costumed around!

The Playing Field had many stalls from Crockery Smashing and Coconut Shy to Randwick Garden Clubs plant sales (they meet second Weds in Village Hall if anyone is interested), tea and cakes and burgers and more.

Photo 8: Maypole dancing

One of the other highlights I managed to see a little of was the Maypole dancing - and tonight it's all down the Vine Tree - not sure if I'll make it as have family for weekend but also worth noting that The Vine Tree is a Regional Finalist for Community Pub of the Year and a Cotswold Life Country Pub of the Year Finalist.

Mr Peak Oil - Richard Heinberg - in Stroud

Thursday night we had a Transition Stroud Core Group meeting. This is a collection of people involved with the Transition sub-groups and tries to play a bit of a coordinating role.

Photo: Core Group at Nine Bar on Thursday

The great news is that Richard Heinberg - who is an excellent public speaker - is coming to Stroud on Wednesday 30th May to share his knowledge about Peak Oil: The Challenge and Opportunity of Petroleum’s Waning Days (See the advert below for details).

The main discussion of the evening was the Heinberg event - but we also fed back from the sub-groups and had various other bits of business. See more on my blog entry about this evening here.

Heinberg will also be running a series of workshops in Stroud for folk coming from Transition groups across the country - plus he'll be addressing the Cabinet meeting at Stroud District Council - great news as this will hopefully raise awareness of this important issue - the Transition Stroud Local Authority Liaison Group, of which I am a member, are keen to see the issue taken forward - possibly like Portland, Oregon have done - a group of citizens there have achieved masses - possibly one of the most exciting outcomes being their Task Force to take the issue forward.

Anyhow don't miss this event in Stroud - it should be great.

Heinberg event: Wednesday 30th May

RICHARD HEINBERG, a great public speaker, is coming to Stroud on Wednesday 30th May to share his knowledge about Peak Oil: The Challenge and Opportunity of Petroleum’s Waning Days.

World production of oil will peak in the next few years and by 2050 will return to 1950 levels as reserves dwindle. The potential repercussions of this impending crisis are enormous - every aspect of our lives will be affected.

RICHARD HEINBERG, regarded as America’s foremost Peak Oil expert, will discuss the most recent evidence regarding the timing of the peak, its likely consequences and what can be done to mitigate its impact.

Speakers from Transition Stroud will explore how Stroud and the Five Valleys can prepare for this crisis. After the meeting there will be an opportunity to network with members of our special interest groups. StroudSown local food group will be selling seasonal delicacies on the forecourt before the meeting 3.00 -7.30pm

Wednesday 30th May 7.30pm - 9.30pm. The Subscription Rooms Stroud Gloucestershire Tickets (£5/£3 concession) available from the Sub Rooms Box Office. Telephone booking 01453 760900. FFI contact Andy Treacher 01453 756819 with sponsorship from the Hiram Trust, Ruskin Mill Educational Trust & Ecotricity

See Heinberg on the internet:

http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=-2141508903056009420
http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=-1073425200911585815
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Inpkn0R6Pm4

MSc student gets started on the brook

Yesterday I had a meeting at Ebley Mill with Stroud District Council's Drainage Officer, Bob Nightingale and Glos Universities MSc student Ismaila Emahi. We were able to consider how best to assist Ismaila with his project to look at water quality along the brook.

Photo: RBAG logo

The good news is that there have been no known incidents of sewage for a while - that doesn't mean there isn't a problem but it is a good sign. However we still need work on the sewage pipes to be carried out and certainly improvements like reed beds are still needed - and there are many other issues to get to grips with like vandalised grit bins leading to vast quantities of salt getting into the brook. It will also be interesting to see what level of road run-off with it's oil etc makes it's way into our stream. It is great to have Ismaila's help.

The other bit of news is that our website is being restored - it still needs more improvements and more colour - it is also hard to get around to find what you need - see it here.

Ruscombe and Whiteshill Parish vacancy

Last night at Whiteshill and Ruscombe Parish meeting - I only managed the first part of the meeting where I updated on a number of local issues and saw the Parish vote in members to various committees - John Rogers will again be chair - the minutes will be available here soon with full details.

Photo: councillors and clerk getting ready for meeting

However it was sad to hear that Parish Cllr Elizabeth Redvers-Westwill be standing down. She has achieved an astonishing 23 years on the Council and is a huge wealth of information - her loss I am sure will be felt greatly. In her parting letter she noted that the current Council has been the happiest of all and urges them 'to take care of our beautiful Parish' - and that she will be watching!! I suspect her vacancy will be advertised soon.

Litter pick-up, litter policies and smokefree legislation implications

This post starts with the litter pick-up then looks at smokefree legislation and other litter policy issues....

Yesterday afternoon our Elfin group did a litter pick-up around the canal and river opposite Waitrose. Rodborough Parish lent all the litter pick up sticks - the rain didn't deter us from getting several bin liners of rubbish.

Photos: Woodcraft Folk Elfin group doing a litter pick-up at Frome Bank by the canal near Waitrose

Smokefree legislation set to increase litter problems

Smokefree legislation comes into force on 1 July 2007. Cigarette litter is currently the most common type of litter - present on 79% of streets. I have written the following to Council officers who are already on the case:

I note that the Council appears to be getting to grips with new legislation re smoking. While in the long-term this will hopefully result in reduced cigarette litter, it is likely in the short-term to increase as smokers are forced outdoors.

Clearly timing a "no-litter" campaign with the smokefree legislation will provide added impetus to its success. I would be interested to hear more re what plans are in place.

You will probably be aware that in Scotland, the smoking ban - now over a year old - has led to a proliferation of "smokers' shelters", some of which are erected at evening time by clubs and pubs and removed before the morning. Is this something that has been discussed? How will we view such structures?

All the best - Philip


I note there is also a motion to Council next week to ensure premises have ashtrays outside - having read the guidelines, 'Preventing Cigarette Litter in England', I will be checking that advice is also given re the right type of ashtray - see below the advice on seven approaches to tackle cigarette litter.

Litter remains a serious problem - things have improved in the District but we over a year ago a local campaign and website set up to get tough on the issue. At that time I had email correspondence with David Dowse the guy behind the campaign - infact at the time I got carried away in writing a response which I'll enclose below.

In terms of rubbish it maybe worth noting that the streets have a regular cleaning programme by Stroud District Council: this varies according to use - for example twice daily outside shops on both Westward Road and in Cashes Green, weekly in Cainscross car park, every 6-8 weeks for most other roads and footpaths mostly looked at if a problem is reported. In addition some Parishes like Cainscross supplement these services with a litter picker employed by the Parish for 12 to 15 hours per week.

As for rubbish bins, they are usually emptied daily in key sites while others are emptied on a weekly basis. Fly tipping is minimal in our area, nevertheless a problems do exist like at the top of Ash Lane.

Seven approaches to cigarette litter:

Ashtrays - The main message is 'choose the right ashtray'. The placement, design and visibility of the ashtray are the key determining factors as to whether it is used or not.

Signage - There needs to be clear and consistent "no-littering" signage, as well as signage indicating smokefree buildings.

Cleansing - Keep litter hotspots clean, this will encourage use of bin and ashtrays (Chartered Institution of Wastes Management provides further Cleansing Guidelines - see links).

Partnerships - Plan a "no-litter" campaign with existing partnerships and local businesses. In particular, engage businesses such as cafés, bars and pubs that will be most effected by the smokefree legislation.

Be a leader - Lead by example by running an internal campaign and providing smokers in your own organisation with suitable ashtrays.

Educate - Provide information on the problem of cigarette litter, encouraging them to change their behaviour. The guidelines provide further details on planning, targeting and shaping a campaign.

Enforcement - Local authorities can use these measures to deal with smoking litter:
* the offence of dropping litter
* fixed penalty notices
* duty to clear land of litter and refuse and to keep highways clean
* street litter control notices.

My response the new website set up by David Dowse (18/01/06), a resident of the Downfield area in Stroud who feels strongly that something has to be done about the worsening litter problems that blight our area.

Greens welcome this initiative to highlight litter problems in Stroud. Litter can have a huge detrimental impact on a community. We would welcome more cross-party support particularly for some of the underlying issues around litter and waste.

Our approach to litter is on a number of levels:

1. Local initiatives relating to litter

Greens on the Town and District Council have been involved in a number of issues relating to litter. In particular they have:

- pressed SDC for more Street Cleaning/washing in Town Centre as have traders and others: the streets should be cleansed, that isn't just litter picked but any other material (dog faeces, chewing gum, vomit, blood etc) washed off as a matter of coarse. Town centre streets should be wash regularly as part of the DC's responsibility. It should not be left to the Town Council to pay for street washing. Greater attention should be paid to the edges of buildings and corners where debris accumulates and to removing cigarette ends.
- got extra Dog Bins, waste paper baskets and also helped get cigarette stubbers on the existing bins.
- initiated a move to stop further take-aways getting planning permission in the town centre. They would support moves to encourage the owners of offending businesses to clear up their mess and wider laws to encourage more sustainable packaging through tax laws.
- supported the proposed Pop Up Pissoir - to reduce numbers of men using shop doorways.
- helped organise in the past a series of litter picks led by councillors
- more education of the public is required and should be a key element of any programme to tidy up the town (see point 3 below)
- Greater Co-operation of the police in issuing penalty notices should be sought
- in residential areas, more effort should be put in to obtaining the removal of cars from streets when cleaning streets- a warning both in evening prior to cleaning and another on the morning of cleaning.

Greens would like to see a zero-waste policy adopted locally (see section 2 below and much more on our websites)

2. Litter reduction

First and foremost we need to reduce the supply of litter - if it does not exist people cannot drop it. There is so much more potential litter created now than even 30 years ago, also much more is non biodegradable. In the past if someone threw away an apple core it rotted away now people throw away sweet wrappers and take-away packaging which do not rot. Canned drinks have replaced drinks in returnable bottles.

Waste should be seen as a resource in disguise: it represents a failure of our processes and products and a loss of money. Indeed the entire concept of waste should be eliminated from our thinking and the word resource be substituted.

Thomas Love Peacock, author wrote: "The waste of plenty is the resource of scarcity."

Our current policies show a totally unacceptable disregard for future generations. As a society we are producing more waste than ever before. When something is thrown away we lose the natural resources, the energy and the time used to make the product: these resources cannot go on indefinitely. Already oil companies are warning us of steep prices to come as oil supplies dwindle over the coming years.

When something is thrown away we also put pressure on the environment's ability to cope like extracting new resources and the huge impacts associated with getting rid of our rubbish. Just one litre of oil can pollute a million litres of fresh drinking water. While glass, for example takes thousands of years to break down but recycling two bottles saves enough energy to boil water for five cups of tea.

Stroud, once a beacon of Green ideas, has slipped significantly. In the 2004/5 we came 194th out of 393 councils for recycling with only 20.88% recycled. Forest of Dean managed 30% and many councils are getting close to 50%. See here. Although it should be noted the Forest figures are higher because they include green waste.

The UK is also at the bottom of EU recycling tables.

Flytipping is another key problem: every month there are 75,000 incidents of illegal rubbish dumping in England, according to data published last year by the government. Local authorities say the mess is costing them almost £100 a minute to clean up. Our government is in part to blame for not enacting an easy solution: manufacturers should be responsible for dealing with the waste that their product ultimately becomes. For more see here.

Last month the Department of Trade and Industry was embarrassed for the third time in 18 months when it again delayed implementing the European Waste electric and electronic directive, claiming industry was not ready. The laws, expected to come into force this year, will force manufacturers to take back and recycle everything from toasters and televisions to computers and mobile phones.

One other key problem re waste in the County is the lack of coordination. District councils responsible for some aspects, other bodies for other aspects - basically recycling rules baffle councils and public alike. Leadership by our government is noticeably lacking.

The Green party want to see a Zero Waste Strategy: this has already been adopted by Councils in this country and abroad. Zero Waste is about supporting reducing extraction from, and eliminating waste to, nature, improving economic efficiency and making more resources available to all. Indeed underlying all of this is not only the issue of resource depletion but also climate change.

The well known rallying cry is "Reuse, reduce and recycle." Yet so far we've seen very little action at government level. There are many ways this could be encouraged, not least by legislation. Some examples already proposed by Greens and others include:

- on-street recycling introduced where appropriate. In other areas litter bins are being introduced with separate compartments for paper, glass, cans and plastic. The removal of recycling bins from Fawkes Place was opposed.
- Local 'swap' days to be held
- Improved recycling collections
- "Money-back" schemes for the return of glass bottles and other reusable containers to be introduced.
- Plastic bags to be taxed at 10p a bag like in the Republic of Ireland.
- More reuse and refurbishment centres, for furniture and electrical goods, such as cookers and washing machines
- Incentives for using real nappies. These alone constitute around 5% of the volume of domestic waste. See here.
- Encourage and subsidise new business ventures which reuse waste materials.
- Encouraging retailers to reduce and reuse consumer packaging. Greens in Germany for example shifted some responsibility of waste disposal onto the manufacturer; packaging use decreased by 17%.
- Neighbourhoods encouraged to share and reuse "waste" building and DIY materials (wood, piping, paint etc) through the use of community sheds as collection points.
- Council support of cost-price compost bins to local residents to recycle organic materials, where possible sourcing them from local reused waste materials.
- Community composting schemes will be set up in co-operation with local allotment associations.

3. Public education

Public education campaigns, as mentioned already, are needed to reduce resource consumption and increase the reuse and recycling of waste. It is clear that so far we are failing to get the message across to people about why we need to reduce our waste and recycle. We really cannot go on living in this throw-away fashion: future generations will have every justification for judging us harshly.

Education needs to start when children are young and made easy to continue in adulthood. It should be 'cool' to recycle. Incentives like those mentioned above such as deposits and eco taxes can help - but people need to understand why if they are to support such moves.

4. Our communities

Litter is clearly not the only problem in our streets. As the author and English Heritage Commissioner, Bill Bryson, said: “Nothing says more, nor more immediately, of how a nation feels about itself, than the way it dresses its streets.”

The clutter in our streets like redundant and unnecessary signs, adds to the way we feel about a place. Reducing it can improve road safety, reduce crime and improve local economies. There are two reports that go into this in more detail by myself and Stroud District councillor Sarah Lunnon, entitled: "Better Streets for Stroud District". They are available free from: www.glosgreenparty.org.uk

I consider this approach could have a profound effect by rebuilding our local communities - and indeed long term could do more to tackle litter than a host of other policies!

5. The 'Respect agenda'

'Respect' has indeed broken down in many areas, sometimes to a frightening level. However Greens do not support Labour's current approach.

It is interesting that Tony Blair chose not to ask why communities seem so much stronger in France, Sweden, Germany or Italy - countries that record less fear of crime and tens of thousands fewer people in jail. The bonds have broken here not because they are out of date, but because Blair and his predecessors snapped them. They encouraged schools to sell playing fields, curbed youth work and stripped parish and municipal leadership of power.

Add to this the effect of rising inequality: the present government has still not begun to undo the increases in income inequality of the Thatcher and Major years. There is now incontrovertible evidence that higher inequality is regularly accompanied by more violence, lower trust and poorer community relations.

Labour's approach is one of social reform on the cheap: alcohol bans on buses, 'cashpoint fines', curfews, parenting orders and Asbos. The entire essence of Blair's new plan is punitive and is about increasing police powers. He has also plumbed new depths in its disregard for civil rights: reversing a fundamental principle, the burden of proof. An increasing number of professionals are also arguing that Asbos actually damage some communities and do not tackle the problems.

We cannot enforce a "respect" agenda: indeed any attempts to enforce conformity on young people would be likely to backfire. Indeed, it can be argued that some parents and 'authority' figures don't deserve the respect of their children. Respect is not given as a result of demands, fines or threats - it has to be earned.

Dr David Webster at the University of Gloucestershire recently wrote: "When politicians bombard us with gimmicks, with re-announced initiatives that leave underlying problems unaddressed, they treat us like children and insult our intelligence, and that is no way to earn to earn respect, never mind demand it."

To tackle anti-social behaviour we need to tackle the causes. To engender self respect we must rebuild communities, that are now too often devoid of the decent basic amenities (clean, safe streets, youth clubs, community centres, medical centres, banks, decent schools and shops). Many social problems are significantly alleviated when people are lifted out of the cycle of poverty, unemployment and crime. When people feel that they have a stake in society - something to lose and things to aim for which they believe they can achieve - then they make positive contributions.

Yet plans for devolution of local finance like other aspects of power seem to have been shelved again. Britain remains one of the most centralised 'democracies' in the world.

Furthermore Labour plan schools - the very institutions crucial to discipline - are to be made independent of our local communities. As Simon Jenkins wrote in The Guardian (11/01/06): "Withdraw responsibility from communities and you withdraw authority. Withdraw authority and you do not get placid submission to Blair's "summary power". You get anarchy. You get Basra. Does Downing Street never learn?"

We already know how to tackle the root causes of these 'anti-social' behaviours, but social justice and equality is expensive. We need politicians not afraid to call for the long-term measures of alleviating poverty, investing seriously in public education and the police.

Draft Climate Change Bill - initial comments

The last week or so between election stuff I've been pulling together thoughts on the draft Climate Change Bill. These will go to Stroud District Council - I hope they will adopt much of it - but in any case they will be used as part of the local Green party's submission to the consultation.

Photo: Dandelion in Randwick

See our initial thoughts here - in my haste to meet the deadline yesterday I have based some parts on Friends of the Earth's submission - although I consider that their views are a little lightweight in some areas. I would imagine that our concerns about this Bill will be tightened up over the next couple of weeks before it is submitted to Defra. Having said that it is great that we have a Bill - but this mustn't become yet another piece of Government greenwash.

Blair goes

Ironic that my post this morning mused on when Blair would go - we now know - see my comment for local press here.

Contraction and Convergence: Government still failing us

I wrote a letter a while back to the Government re Contraction and Convergence (see blog for 20th April). One of the key questions was about the use of Simultaneous Policy to help ensure it happened. I was flattered that Aubrey Meyer left a comment on that blog item - this ex-musician created the Contraction and Convergence approach to climate change and has written much and campaigned much internationally on this - it is still for my money the best and fairest approach. Many countries and organisations are already signed up - our Government needs to join them if it is serious about climate change.

To put it simply "Contraction and Convergence" proceeds from the recognition that all countries must act together to set a limit on global greenhouse emissions. Once this limit is agreed (the contraction bit), they must decide how the remaining emissions are to be shared. Poor countries should not have to accept a smaller share of the shrinking pie - so, after a period of transition, all countries are allocated emissions entitlements based on their populations (convergence).

The Governments response (below) to my last letter seems to ignore my point about Simultaneous Policy altogether and doesn't see our Government has a role in promoting Contraction and Convergence. The response ignores my question: "Would you also be able to let me know at what stage would the Government be prepared to join a Simultaneous Policy for Contraction and Convergence process if it were to be initiated by some other country?"

It looks like I'll need to reply. I've said before it doesn't make sense for people to make individual sacrifices while the world goes on around them. The unwillingness of people to act just reinforces the need for government to do something collectively. Contraction and Convergence is part of the answer.

CCU 6th Floor, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1A 3JR

Dear Mr Booth,

CONTRACTION AND CONVERGENCE

Thank you for your email of 18 April to Jennifer Offord and Ian Pearson regarding climate change. I have been asked to reply. We are also in receipt of your email about Sustainable Drainage Systems and you will receive a response shortly.

Contraction and Convergence is one suggested approach on how to create a future framework for addressing climate change after the first commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol. Broadly, the idea is that in the long-term all people in the world have equal rights to emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Certain aspects of Contraction and Convergence are appealing, including the identification of a fixed level for stabilisation of greenhouse gas concentrations, and comprehensive global participation. Any framework that incorporates long term targets can offer countries greater certainty about their national targets and provide a clear signal to allow business to plan ahead and help drive investment in new and better technologies. The principle of equity is extremely important to all countries but, in particular, developing countries and a number of countries have expressed an interest in using per capita emissions as a basis for assigning responsibility for future action. Some developing countries, e.g. India, have advocated the Contraction and Convergence model. Equally, other countries have shown interest in alternative frameworks; Brazil for example has championed historical responsibility as a basis for future action. However, one key element of any future regime must be its workability and one particular concern with Contraction and Convergence is the question of how globally acceptable, and in consequence how workable, it would prove to be.

Given that there is still some way to go in building the level of consensus within the international community that would be required to agree on a framework for the way forward, it would be premature for the UK government to commit itself to any particular framework at this stage. We are, however, giving full consideration both to the possible frameworks themselves and also to the elements within them that could be used to form part of a workable solution.

We will continue to discuss these issues with our partners; for example, at present we are also discussing Brazilian Historical Responsibility Proposal and the use of Sustainable Development Policies and Measures in the framework of the climate change convention. We think that further discussions of the advantages and disadvantages of various frameworks under the auspices of the convention would make a useful contribution to the debate.

I hope that this letter addresses your concerns.

Joss Wallace, Customer Contact Unit, Defra

Local election results reviewed

My blog on Friday 4th May gives the results - or see them here on Glos Green party site. Last night the local Green party met to have a look at what we could learn and congratulate ourselves on the results.

Photo: this weeks' Citizen reporting Parish and Town results in Forest and Stroud

It was great to return 4 Green District councillors with their share of the vote once again going up - plus 11 Stroud Town councillors - infact all those we stood in the 18-seat Town Council. There was also a discussion re the rest of the County results - West Glos Greens did extraordinary well considering they had really only been around 4 months - they got their first 2 Town seats and came very close to District seats.

I have to say that the disappointing low turnouts are again an indication of the need to renew our local democracies. The Conservatives may have 60% of the seats in Stroud District but they don't have that level of support.

Indeed in many areas across the country we saw winning parties achieve exaggerated and undeserved majorities while both Labour voters in parts of southern England and Tory voters in many northern metropolitan areas don't have the representation they deserve. In some places people voted more in favour of one party and instead saw another in control of the council! See more on this here.

In fact while the Conservatives tend do be punished by the first past the post electoral system in Westminster elections, in last Thursday's polls the same system significantly helped them, giving them around 50% of the seats with just 40% of the vote. Unlock Democracy show that Labour, conversely, got just 18% of the seats despite getting around 27% of the vote. The Liberal Democrats were similarly under-represented, yet they still managed to get more seats than Labour despite getting fewer votes. None of this helped the Conservatives gain a single seat in cities such as Liverpool, Manchester or Newcastle however, suggesting that the electoral system's bias fluctuates across the country.

We should not forget that sharing power and devolving power are two sides of the same coin. Single party hegemonies ruling over powerful local authorities are as undemocratic as multi-party glorified talking shops. Horse-trading is a fact of life in politics whether you have proportional representation or not: just ask George Bush. Nor does first past the post prevent hung parliaments. Canada, with a multi-party Parliamentary system similar to ours, seems to quite like hung parliaments, having acquired a taste. As the newly re-elected independent MSP Margo MacDonald said; "All's fair in proportional politics - provided it's spelt out before polling, and everyone's vote is counted."

So we need more representative Councils and more powers restored to our local Councils - without such moves voter disenchantment can only grow.

And while we're on elections - it is time Blair went - I don't have time to write here and many others have done it better but it is certainly shaming that the wealth gap has grown wider since he has been in power and despite such a mandate in 1997 Blair has failed us miserably on climate change, civil liberties, international law, public services and more. But it is too simple to focus all the blame on one man. This was a collective failure.

Brown who has supported the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, failed us dismally on green taxes and pushed privatisation of our public services has a huge task on his hands. I can't see things getting much better under him - although one glimmer of hope on Council Housing is the news that he might be prepared to at last consider the 'Fourth Option' - see details of this and my recent call for people to sign petition on this here.

Update 18th June: Gordon Brown told the UNITE (Amicus) conference "I cannot promise to implement the fourth option on council housing today [a demand from the Defend Council Housing group for the last six years] but what I will tell you is that councils will be allowed to build homes again" (Guardian Unlimited, 18 June). If not now then when???????

Biofuels: climate change nightmare? What can we do?

WWF, the RSPB, Friends of the Earth, enoughsenough.org and Greenpeace placed an advert in several of today's papers (View the advert) warning the government about the environmental risks of biofuels as an alternative to petrol and diesel.

This is a welcomed action. I, like many in the Green party, have for some time had concerns that we are too readily pushing biofuels without looking at the implications of this - such a move damages the potential good that biofuels can offer. Indeed I've been meaning to do a blog item for ages - hope this is not too rushed - it draws heavily on the Greenpeace campaign literature and various other sources.

The government recently announced a consultation on its draft Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation - it closes on 17th May and there are details below about how you can submit your commnets. The RTFO will basically mean that a certain percentage of all fuel must come from biofuels.

The government’s transport strategy now at least acknowledges that CO2 emissions are a real problem, but rather than reducing traffic growth, and investing in the alternatives, the government wants to rely on techno-fixes like biofuels. These, as the advert today highlights, come with many environmental and social impacts.

Biofuels such as ethanol (which is a petrol replacement that Brazil is doing much to champion) and biodiesel can indeed have advantages over more traditional fuel sources. Made from processed agricultural crops such as sugar cane and oil palm - burning biofuels only releases the carbon dioxide those plants absorbed during their lifecycle, not massive quantities of compressed, fossilised carbon that has been locked out of the carbon cycle for millions of years. So they could form part of the solution to climate change, at least if it doesn't take a huge amount of energy to actually make them which is sometimes the case.

The battle between cars and people

As George Monbiot has been pointing out for several years (see here, here and, more recently, here), if their production isn't properly monitored and controlled, it could spell disaster for rainforests, our own food and water supplies and even climate change. Most of the crops are grown in tropical areas, sometimes cleared rainforest. So instead of growing food for themselves, poorer countries will grow crops to keep our cars on the road, with food prices pushed up as a result (see article here re rising grain prices). See Green party concerns here re oil and food security.

Crops need to be grown somewhere: there's a finite amount of arable land on the planet and most, if not all, of that is already being used to feed the 6 billion plus (and rising) population. Monbiot points out that if we rely on crops for our fuel supplies, it will "set up a competition for food between cars and people" and that crop prices are already rising as a result.

"As food becomes more and more expensive, you can bet it won't be those sitting behind the wheel of a 4x4 going hungry."
Greenpeace

With prices for biofuel crops rising ever higher as demand increases, the temptation to open up new areas of arable land is just too great. Illegal timber isn't the only reason the rainforests of south-east Asia are being torn down, and in Indonesia vast areas that were once virgin forest are being replanted with palms, the oil from which goes into a multitude of supermarket products and, increasingly, biofuels. With species such as orang-utans already highly endangered, the expansion of oil palm plantations into their remaining habitat could be the final straw.

Deforestation means more climate change

There are also impacts on climate change: as the forests are burnt, both the trees and the peat they sit on are turned into CO2. A report by the Dutch consultancy Delft Hydraulics shows that every tonne of palm oil results in 33 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, or ten times as much as petroleum produces – so palm oil is ten times worse than petrol! Read more in an excellent Guardian article re Palm oil here.

The link between deforestation and accelerated climate change is well-established, not least in the Stern Review which said that 18 per cent of emissions are as a result of forest destruction. Another fact that I saw is that biodiesel from soya grown on deforested land would take 200 years before it could be considered 'carbon neutral'.

But to even attempt to meet the world's current fuel demands, colossal tracts of land would need to be turned over to biofuel production so the irony is that instead of reducing emissions, this supposedly 'green' alternative could actually be increasing them by an order of magnitude.

How come then biofuels are being presented as the ‘green’ alternative? Sadly it seems that the government can claim to be tackling climate change rather than cut its road-building programme. Interestingly our local Conservative candidates attempts to paint their party green consist of planting trees and promoting biofuels when what we need is for the Tories to give up their road building plans, aviation expansion and more! Techo-fixes have their place but more is needed.

GM biofuels?

Research into biofuels based on cellulose from trees or crop wastes uses genetically modified (GM) bacteria and enzymes to break down plant waste and convert it to biofuels. Other GM research seeks biofuel crops which grow faster. High-yield GM biofuels crops also require large land areas, putting pressure on natural vegetation or displacing food crops. Shared concerns, as with food crops, include the impact of GM organisms on human health and the environment, such as the risk of genetic pollution. The risks are considerable and there are still no laws and controls in place to track any GM organisms used to produce biofuels. See more re GM biofuels here.

Situation in Europe

In March 2007, the European Council agreed a binding minimum level for biofuels in the transport sector of 5.7 percent by 2010 and 10 percent of vehicle fuel by 2020. This was opposed by Green MEPs because of the concerns of what it will lead to. It was interesting to read that The Daily Telegraph reports (27 April) that the European Commission now admits that their recent EU biofuel targets, which aim to cut carbon dioxide emissions, may have the unintended consequence of speeding up the destruction of tropical rainforests and peatlands in South-East Asia – a process which would increase the rate of global warming.

EU Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs said, ''No mandatory certification exists at present that will guarantee that tropical rainforests or peatlands in South-East Asia are not destroyed for the production of palm oil." He went on to say that, without such certification, EU targets "would supplement the pressure caused by growth in palm oil use and would make an additional contribution to the pressure on tropical forests and peatlands"

It is also reported that US companies are exploiting a subsidy loophole with a wheeze called 'splash and dash'. This allows them to buy biodiesel in Europe, ship it to the US, splash it with petrol to qualify for the subsidy, and then ship it back to Europe for sale. 'Transporting the cargo across the Atlantic twice undermines the whole purpose of biofuels...' Read more here.

So what is the answer?

An immediate ban on all biofuels would clearly be wrong. They can offer part of the solution - an important part - but it is vital those using them learn to distinguish between the good, the bad and the ugly! Ask your supplier.

However the RTFO is illogical and not achieving sustainable outcomes at present. Two main problems:

- The standards for crop growing are not mandatory. We need strict, mandatory standards for the CO2 impact of the crop growing and the wider environmental and social impacts.

- There is no minimum threshold for biofuel content to achieve the tax break. This should be 100% (see more below).

Biofuels must not be used as a means of keeping business-as-usual. We need to be using less fuel in the first place by making our vehicles more efficient and, wherever possible, getting out of our cars and onto buses, trains, bicycles or walking.

The best answer is self-provisioning of biofuels, creating closed loops on farms and in factories through recycling waste into fuel.

We must ban imports of palm oil.

We cannot control the environmental and social impacts of biodiesel crops grown outside the EU so perhaps we should also impose a ban on imports of biodiesel from outside EU. Negative impacts can include loss of farm land to grow food, CO2 produced by burning trees to create land to plant fuel crops, and CO2 produced when the fuel is transported.

We should have no tax break for crop biodiesel from within EU (this is within UK fiscal control; banning would not be in this case). We should have no tax break for ‘blended’ biodiesel. The most popular is a 5% blend which still attracts the full 27p tax break, 95% of which is a subsidy to the mineral oil industry.

We should have biodiesel produced from recycling vegetable oil zero tax-rated, as they do in Germany.

In terms of bioethanol there is a booming market in the US including considerable speculative investment. Again, ban imports from outside EU - the crops are often produced using energy intensive farming practices there can be as little as a 15% CO2 saving.

We could have zero-rating for bioethanol made on-site by businesses using their own waste. Otherwise no tax breaks. If this becomes a business it will lead to pointless transport and extra CO2 rather than less. Or perhaps allow transport within local authority areas only?

Drive easy!

Many hope that 5% emissions can be saved by biofuels by 2010 - if they really were carbon neutral. Yet a much quicker approach has already been called for in this blog and worth mentioning again - see my blog entry for 29th March - a positive action with lots of benefits - less emissions, saves money and is safer and more pleasant - read that entry on smarter driving tips - the Department for Transport itself states that CO2 emissions could be reduced by 8 per cent if all drivers in the UK followed the tips! Loads more could be saved by reducing speed limits.

Respond to the Government's consultation

The government is asking for people's views about biofuels so we all have a chance to influence what goes into the Draft Renewable Transport Fuel Obligations Order (basically the UK's own 'biofuel directive'). You can find the full consultation text here:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/draftrtfo/

Tell the Government we need strict and compulsory controls to make sure they really are green fuels. Send your own response to:
rtfo.consultation@dft.gsi.gov.uk

Or send an email via Greenpeace to the transport minister, Stephen Ladyman, telling him that we need for rigorous controls on biofuels. Otherwise the green dream really will become a nightmare.

Local news: Lower St, walks, planting flowers, Sheffie, school recycling and more

A roundup of some bits of local news:

Photo: Whiteshill view from Ruscombe

Lower Street latest

The Parish have written to Highways:

"We would like to draw your attention to the perilous state of the retaining wall that supports Lower Street Ruscombe above Jasmine Cottage. The movement of the wall is such that the joints on a tubular hand rail along its top have separated. Please can you send someone to inspect it as a mater of urgency?

"As you may recall Lower Street has been is closed to through traffic for over a year due to the failure of your department to repair the collapsed retaining wall opposite the Rosary. A second failure of the wall will result in the isolation of a number of houses from the road system. This would be a considerable inconvenience to the occupiers of the houses and could endanger lives as the emergency services could not gain ready access to the isolated stretch of road."

Sheffie retires after 33 years

The "grandfather" of Stroud District Council stepped down as noted in a previous blog - he was District councillor in the neighbouring ward of Farmhill and Paganhill. The Citizen gave him a nice write up yesterday - see here.

Recycling at Whiteshill School

The school is running two projects: used mobile phones and printer cartridges.

Walks and wildflower planting

12th May 10-12 Circular walk from Humphrey's Close Green in Cashes Green.
16th June 10-1 Wildflower planting at Hamwell Leaze, Cainscross near the Ruscombe brook.
23rd 10-12 Circular walk to Ebley Meadows
14th July 10-1 Habitat workshop at Hamwell Leaze, Cainscross.

Info and details of a fascinating programme of talks and more from Stroud Valleys Project on 753358.

Cainscross Family Fun Day

Sunday 12th Aug 1-5 Family Fun Day, Cashes Green Playing Fields - hopefully they'll be latest info on the brook at a stall there.

Randwick Wap

Don't forget the Wap this Saturday - procession starts at 1.00pm - and rumour has it that Eddie 'The Eagle' Edwards maybe attending - I'll be manning one of the stalls for part of the afternoon. The Cheese Rolling ceremony apparently went off well on Sunday.

Beer Fest

1st July at The Rose, Paganhill - there will be stalls and more in The Rose carpark with the lane closed while teams race with Maypoles from the bottom of Paganhill Lane to The Rose. More info - Julie on 764346.

Ecotricity "Green Hero"

Stroud-based Ecotricity founder, Dale Vince was voted the most inspiring business leader in an online opinion poll - 60% of the vote in a New Statesman magazine poll.

Slavery peal is tolled

The bells rang out over Stroud on Bank Holiday Monday to commemorate the abolition of slavery. See my blog for 6th March re Church bells, 27th March re local march and 16th April re whether we should apologise.

Ponds at Hawkwood deal with sewage

It was a Hawkwood College Open Day last Saturday and I took the opportunity to see how the ponds were progressing - these ponds have been put in to manage the college's sewage.

Hawkwood College is an independent adult education centre offering courses in creative exploration to people of all ages and from all walks of life. The College ethos includes access for all and a commitment to sustainable land use, hence the decision to build a state-of-the art ecological sewage system in 2005.

Simon Charter, the designer of the system (right in photo above), who lives in Ruscombe and is a member of the Ruscombe Brook Action Group showed us around. We walked down the grass paths that wind down past pond-side benches through wildflowers, trees and shrubs.

Sewage and waste water from the house is piped into two digestion tanks, where solids settle and separate (see photo left). The liquids flow into a distribution chamber, from where about 10 bucket loads of dirty water are sent 4-5 times a day into each of four primary treatment ponds. The water is then pumped through a cascade in each pond and gravel beds planted with aquatic & marginal plants.

Three of the cascades are Flowforms (See more re Flowforms here) which induce a rhythmical vortex movement in the water, replicating the swirls and eddies found in a slow moving river (photo of one of the ponds left). The fourth cascade, in the control pond, is like a natura but without the vigorous movement created by the Flowforms.

Cleansed overflow from the primary treatment ponds joins together in the maturation pond, also with planted gravel beds, but no cascade. After this comes the water absorption area, in the form of a meandering ditch planted with willows, dogwood and other water-hungry plants. This area allows a final polishing of the water before discharging into the natural watercourse below.

The water from the roof of the college is diverted into a small stream area where water cress is growing (see photo - college in background and water cress in foreground).

The whole project won a 2005 Stroud District Council Award for Sustainable Design. Dragonflies, water boatmen, newts, ducks and wagtails have already been observed, providing new habitat to increase biodiversity - indeed we could see much in the ponds when we were there.

Ponds are also one of the options to help improve the Ruscombe brook - other options include reed beds.

Home energy audits yes but Kirklees already doing more

Providing every home with a free energy audit could lead to UK household on average saving up to £230 a year on their energy bills and a total carbon dioxide saving of over 30 million tonnes, according to new research published yesterday by the Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr). The report says that the energy we use in our homes accounts for around 60 per cent of the average person’s CO2 emissions.

Photo: Standish woods

ippr’s report says that the Government, working in partnership with the energy companies, should roll out free home energy audits to the UK’s 24 million households by 2012. These would offer advice on the most cost effective way for homes to use less energy and could give annual savings of up to £6 billion on energy bills - but why wait? We need action now.

Schemes that goes much further are already in place - look at Kirklees with their scheme to provide free insulation (cavity wall and loft) to over 30,000 homes. The £14 million scheme initiated by the Green party will ensure that many households across Kirklees receive around £400 worth of insulation measures free of charge. The scheme will see £6 million of Kirklees funding matched by a similar amount from Scottish Power under their Energy Efficiency Commitment monies. Households benefitting from the scheme will see their fuel bills reduce by an average £150 following installation of the measures at a time of high fuel prices and growing concern about greenhouse gas emissions. In total it is expected that at least £4.5 million will go back into the local economy each year rather than into the coffers of energy companies.

This scheme has national significance. In addition to huge carbon savings it will achieve, it is the first scheme in the country that gives free insulation to residents whatever their circumstances. I've already requested that Stroud District look at a similar scheme - no answers back yet.

Britain started eating the planet on 15 April

Latest figures from nef reveal Britain’s rising global interdependence as the nation goes into ecological debt on 15 April ie the UK in effect stops relying on its own natural resources to support itself and starts to ‘live off’ the rest of the world.

Photos: Standish woods

At current UK levels of consumption our ‘ecological debt day’ – the day we begin living beyond our environmental means – falls only a third of the way through the year and has crept ever earlier over the last four decades. In 1961 it was 9 July. By 1981 Britain’s ecological debt day was reached almost two months earlier on 14 May. Last year, the average person in the UK went into ecological debt on 16 April.

“On one level there is absolutely nothing wrong with importing goods and services to meet our needs; but our eyes are bigger than our planet. If the whole world understandably wanted to copy our levels of consumption, we would need the resources of more than three planets like Earth. And, we only have one. Our economy and way of life need to make contact with the real world before we eat accidentally eat it whole.”
Andrew Simms, nef’s policy director.

New data from nef and Global Footprint Network member Best Foot Forward shows that, our ecologically wasteful trading system is heading in the wrong direction.

As Greens have been trying to point out for years much of our trade is highly inefficient. Look at these nef examples from last year:

• We imported 586 tonnes of sweet biscuits, waffles and wafers, gingerbread and the like and exported just a little more, 669 tonnes.
• We sent 1,445 tonnes of sugar confectionary (including white chocolate and excluding chewing gum) to Sweden, and brought in 1,632 tonnes from the same country.
• We imported 14,137 tonnes of chocolate covered waffles and wafers (small packs) and exported 15,856 tonnes.

nef also highlighted the growth of palms for oil - for biodiesel for the European market. This is now the main cause of deforestation in Indonesia. Research by Dutch consultancy Delft Hydraulics found that because of deforestation and drainage of peat-lands, every tonne of palm oil created in South-East Asia results in up to 33 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions - 10 times as much as conventional petroleum.

• In 2005, we imported 652,110 tonnes of palm oil into the UK, 389,482 tonnes of which was imported from South-East Asia. Our consumption of palm oil from this region alone causing almost 13 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions – equivalent to 2.5 per cent of emissions from the UK.

At the moment more than 1,000 government delegates are meeting in Bonn to try to break gridlock in international climate change negotiations amid widening public concern and widely evident global warming impacts. This is the first time government climate delegations have met since the U.N. sponsored Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has issued its various reports this year.

Climate change policy-makers must be challenged to develop a strengthened Kyoto regime as
soon as possible that transitions the world to low carbon societies. Current Bonn talks are preparing for a meeting of environment ministers in Bali, Indonesia, in December. It is
essential formal negotiations are launched in Bali to widen and strengthen the U.N.'s Kyoto Protocol as soon as possible. Take action here on climate talks. We do not have all this time to waste - climate change threatens now - we need action now. Indeed never have we needed a move to Green economics more than now!

A recent independent scientific audit of the UK's climate change policies predicts that the government will fall well below its target of a 30% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2020 - which means that the country will not reach its 2020 milestone until 2050. It is vital we wake up to the reality or the date we eat the planet will continue to get earlier and the dire impacts of this will grow.

May is the new June

After the driest, hottest April since records began, two thirds of gardeners are reporting earlier blooming bulbs - but apparently only just over a quarter are convinced it is caused by climate change - though most gardeners are worried about water shortages, and a third believe thirsty cottage garden favourites like delphiniums and lupins are doomed.

Photos: last of the bluebells in Standish woods

As we now go into May it is clear May is becoming the new June: in 2005 plants were flowering 11 days ahead of 2001 - by my reckoning it is earlier still this year. Infact I see a 'Bluebell Walk' advertised for 12th May and 19th May locally doubt they'll see a single bluebell.

Bluebells, voted Britains favorite flower, usually flower locally at least into early May but they were already mostly over a week ago. The worry is that warmer winters may mean that bluebells are losing their advantage as other plants start growing earlier....

I remember reading recently that a woman, Christine d’Albert from Herefordshire recalled how for her birthday on 22 May her mother would always bake her a cake, poking drinking straws in the top and inserting a bluebell into each straw among the candles. ‘My memory goes back to 1944,’ she says, ‘and my mother’s practice continued into the early 1950s. In recent years I have watched bluebells flowering much earlier – more like 22 April and as early as 19 April in 2001.’

Across the world we are witnessing similar changes with other plants and wildlife...

"Oak before ash, we're in for a splash,
Ash before oak, we're in for a soak."
Old seasonal couplet

For 160 years ash has managed to beat the oak three years out of 10, but in the past 30 years it has done it only 10% of the time. The oak which liberated it's leaves according to rising temperatures is just one more indicator of warming climate. The impact of such changes we are hardly even beginning to grasp - but is something we will need to do very soon.

In the meantime as the founders of Common Ground argue "viewed another way, climate change is but a symtom of our deeper malaise, of which we have to address the cause." They say we need to "get to know something of nature intimately: not as tickers and twitchers or recyclers and energy-savers, but as walkers and dreamers, gardeners and makers. We need to understand the wild things need in order to survive. They need our respect in their own right, and our futures are intimately bound with theirs."

Their website has much to offer in this respect to help us reconnect "with the land and with colourful, scented and flying things."

Isabella Blow dies

Very sorry to read about the death of Isabella Blow yesterday in hospital - an "inspirational fashion journalist whose flair launched styles and careers" - indeed a quite an extraordinary woman who I had the pleasure of meeting briefly a couple of times. She lived just outside my ward and was the celebrity who helped open the first Stroud Farmers Market. See photos here and her obituary here.

One of the stories quoted about her comes from her then boss, Nicholas Coleridge, MD of Condé Nast. She turned up for dinner sporting a pair of McQueen-veiled antlers. "How are you going to have dinner in that hat?" Coleridge asked, quite reasonably. "Nicholas," she replied, with characteristic imperiousness, "that is of no concern to me whatsoever."

Rape not good for us?

I had to make a journey recently to Cirencester and at every field of the distinctive yellow-flowering 'Rape' crop I passed, my eyes started to run - it is the only crop that I'm aware of that has that effect on me, but that aside I also find the yellow too brash for our countryside.

Photo: looking across from Standish Woods to the Severn and a couple of fields of rape

Yes, some I know love the colour, but perhaps the biggest concern over the crop is only just starting to get coverage in the press. Writing in the Guardian, Joanna Blythman recently highlighted the environmental damage caused by intensive growing of oil-seed rape - which is now a major source of oil for biofuels.

In fact rape was almost unknown in the UK before 1970 - and is a product of an intensive cross-breeding programme after World War II.

We should note that there are different types of rape, but they mainly rely upon large quantities of fertiliser and pesticides - to which many pests are now developing immunity - the crop is almost never found on organic farms although I understand some farms have been experimenting with it and some overseas farms are now supplying the supermarkets. The pesticides used on rape (glufosinate ammonium and vinclozolin) are particularly worrying as they are suspected hormone disrupters. Overseas there is also the massive concerns about the use of GM rape crops.

Rape's chemical-hungry nature makes it a strange choice to be promoting - rape now accounts for some 11 per cent of all crops grown in the UK, and production has increased by 17 per cent in the last year. Next year's harvest is expected to top 2 million tonnes.

Part of the demand comes from EU biofuels targets of 5.25 per cent of all transport fuels by 2012 while the oil can also be used for making plastics, food, margarine, animal fodder, candles, soaps and lubricants. In terms of rape it is worth considering the words of George Monbiot:

"The most productive oil crop which can be grown in this country is rape. The average yield is between 3 and 3.5 tonnes per hectare. So every hectare of arable land could provide 1.45 tonnes of transport fuel. To run our cars and buses and lorries on biodiesel, in other words, would require 25.9m hectares. There are 5.7m in the United Kingdom. Switching to green fuels requires four and half times our arable area. Even the EU’s more modest target of 20% by 2020 would consume almost all our cropland.

"If the same thing is to happen all over Europe, the impact on global food supply will be catastrophic: big enough to tip the global balance from net surplus to net deficit. If, as some environmentalists demand, it is to happen worldwide, then most of the arable surface of the planet will be deployed to produce food for cars, not people."

It seems clear that rape is not the answer that some are suggesting it might be - we need to look much deeper at what is really going on. Of course biofuels have a place but they should not be seen as an excuse for not tackling the real issues like reducing the need to travel etc etc. To read more on this with particular regard to our food supplies I would urge blog readers to download Caroline Lucas' excellent report "Fuelling a food crisis: the impact of peak oil on food security."

Threat to our urban trees: we must act now

This tree in the photo in Mathews Way, Paganhill was chopped down - it was an exceptionally beautiful cherry tree and I understand off-road parking is being planned. I do not for one moment want to question the owners of the properties who are apparently seeking to create off-road parking. However I have deep concerns about the way this tree was lost and the system which allows it - and indeed appears to be contributing to the loss of many thousands of trees countrywide.

This cherry tree wasn't subject to a tree preservation order, and was growing outside the Conservation area. Thus, no consent from Stroud District Council was needed. I have already written several emails re this tree trying to understand how it could happen. It would appear that it is for the County Council to decide so I have written again to them and copied the letter more widely.

I pointed out the many benefits trees bring (see below) including research that has found that crime rates and domestic violence are reduced by as much as 50% in urban areas with a high proportion of trees. Here is an extract from my letter:

I know that many in the Council are committed to improving our local environment but the loss of this tree is in my view significant in an area that is already fairly bleak. I have had three angry residents contact me and I personally am also shocked to see the loss of this beautiful tree. There is also the issue that parking for those in houses is being favoured over those living in flats as fewer on road parking places are to be found.

1. Why was it sanctioned? Who gave permission? Why was there no consultation with residents? Why was a replacement not required? What policies currently exist re this issue?

The national press have recently reminded us of the value of urban trees and the considerable losses in many areas (some info enclosed below). Harrow for example has lost 5,000 street trees over the past five years and has only replanted about 1,750, leaving a total of 16,000. I understand an inquiry by the Greater London authority will next month report on what it calls the "chainsaw massacre" of the capital's seven million trees.

2. What is the position in Gloucestershire? Do we keep account of tree loss? There are many challenges facing our trees - supersized lorries, utility companies digging up roots, mobile-phone companies and CCTV operators demanding they are trimmed back, insurers claiming they are causing building subsidence and more. Tree-friendly design such as bundling cables and facilities into modern service tunnels is still not part of many urban developments. Concerns about large trees in urban areas has also caused tree officers to tend towards planting more 'lollipop-type' trees yet the larger trees are the ones with more benefits. How best can we ensure that we are improving the situation?

I await replies with interest - in addition to reduced crime rates and domestic violence trees bring many other benefits:

"The urban forest is a multi-million pound asset in its ability to soak up pollution and moderate the climate. It is a national asset that we really need to protect."
Mark Johnston, lead researcher of Trees in Towns 2, a huge government-funded study looking at the management of urban trees that will be published later this summer.

- New York's parks department concluded that its street trees provided an annual benefit of about $122m (£61m), with the city receiving $5.60 in benefits for every dollar spent on trees. Other studies in the US and the UK have established the value of tree-lined streets, with mature trees adding up to 18% to the value of homes, according to Trees for Cities.

- Studies in the US have found urban trees have a real benefit on our lives, not only by providing cleaner air, noise reduction, flash-flood protection and shade. Trees enhance emotional and physical wellbeing. Urban residents suffering from stress have been shown to experience less anxiety when they have a view of trees; physical signs of stress such as pulse rates and muscle tension reduce within four minutes of a stressed person moving into leafy surroundings, according to the behavioural scientist Roger Ulrich.

- Trees can save up to 10% of energy consumption through their moderation of the local climate.

- Trees have a positive impact on the incidence of asthma, skin cancer and stress related illness by filtering out polluted air, reducing smog formation, shading out solar radiation and by providing an attractive, calming setting for recreation.

- Research shows commercial clients are "increasingly enthusiastic" about incorporating trees around new buildings because the economic benefits are increasingly obvious.

So what do we need?

I would like to see a policy developed across the County to ensure we are not loosing trees and that all new developments take these issues into account. There also seems to be considerable evidence that we need tougher laws to protect mature trees from being scapegoated by the insurance industry.

I think Graham Simmonds of Trees for Cities, an independent charity is also right when he says: "Everyone thinks trees are a good thing. There's an impact on global warming, they beautify the city, they are good for our health - and yet forces are conspiring against urban trees." He considers that local authorities are oversensitive to complaints. "They overreact to anyone who gives them a bit of grief. In our experience most people are very, very warm about trees and want them around their property but they want the right species - they don't want ones that give subsidence problems or shade their house. In our view many local authorities cave in rather quickly and just take the tree out."

Blog readers will know that I have raised the issue of verge-side trees in the past (click 'Label' link below - I was assured of better consultation. This is sadly another example where residents views have not been consulted. As a District councillor it is frustrating not to be able to chapion this at a full County Council meeting - I am sure we could develop cross-party support for action if they knew of the potential benefits of our urban trees.

Exceptionally good meal: Animal Aid 30th birthday

I love eating out but rarely am able to, and when I do, it is not so often that I get a meal that really makes me sing - last night I did at Woodruffs in Stroud High Street - they are vegetarian and the country's first fully organic cafe/restaurant and have been trading successfully for years in Stroud - in fact I'm a regular partaker of their coffee and cake - the meal last night was very outstanding indeed and was also accompanied by some local musicians from the band, Ceilidh Jo & The Fabulous Incredibles - they came and went during the evening as they circulated in the different rooms - some great, great music.

Food included: Asparagus and Shiitake mushroom sushi, spanakopita, Thai vegetable Red Curry, Skewered Vegetable Kebabs with Brazilian Sauce, Indonesian Coconut Rice Pudding with fresh mango, Aztec Cayenne Chocolate Cake and much more.

Last night the meal at Woodruffs was a special fundraiser Vegan meal to celebrate Animal Aid's 30th birthday - Animal Aid is the UK's largest animal rights group and one of the longest established in the world, having been founded in 1977. Animal Aid also had a stall in town during the day -I was able to catch up with Chris who was at a Cafe Discussion on animal rights last year in Star Anise.

Chris was keen to do another discussion in Stroud looking at the different approaches to animal welfare. He didn't agree with many of the organisations that advocate animal welfare standards. I am intrigued to hear more as there is some evidence to suggest improved standards can lead to people feeling better about the animals they eat and therefore eat more and not question more the ethics. It is also true that many of the so-called standards like Red Tractor and Freedom Food are little better than a waste of space - however I am still convinced that we should be trying to increase those standards and expose the nonsense of some of them. The Ecologist magazine has some articles on this - see here.

While talking about food I must also give my brothers restaurant a plug: if in Bristol another place that is amazing to eat is the award winning cafe - Cafe Maitreya - see more on 2nd April blog.

Local election results - Greens hold 4 and just miss others

Yesterday morning I was at the Sub Rooms for the count. In short Greens held their 4 seats in Stroud District, missed Nailsworth by 12 votes and came a close second in Central ward and were only some 70 votes behind in Rodborough.

Photo: Sarah Lunnon returned to Valley ward

Infact at one point we were told unofficially we had won Nailsworth by 15 votes then another ballot box was found! A great shame indeed. A swing to Tories meant Lib Dems lost a seat and so we are now third largest group on Council with 5 seats out of 51, Labour have 9, Lib Dems 4 and Independents 2.

Photo: Nailsworth recount

On Stroud Town Council Greens gained 11 out of 18 seats- all the names we put forward plus we gained several Parish seats. Read report here.

Elsewhere in Gloucestershire results in Gloucester City and Tewkesbury Borough were somewhat disappointing - best result being 9.8% - but first time we have ever stood in Tewkesbury - plus our first Parish councillor in Gloucester.

In contrast the Forest of Dean District saw spectacular results but no wins. The party has only been running a few months there and a huge amount of work bought them to within 35 votes in one ward and also close in others - plus 2 Town seats.

See more here Glos results here.

Nationally it looks like we've grown from 93 Principal Authority councillors to 111. There are also now 8 new Green councillors in Scotland, in spite of the tragic losses in the Scottish Parliament. Incredibly a huge campaign was mounted by Catholic schools to stop parents voting Green - it is now admitted this breached guidelines - read Herald story here.

Given the increase in the size of a number of Green Groups more Green councillors will find themselves in balance of power situations on hung councils. Also some spectacular results including Lancaster where Greens are now the largest party in the City and in Brighton where Greens double their number of seats to 12. Elsewhere I hear Greens with Independents hold the balance in Morecombe - infact lots of good news coming in. In Norwich South, one of our target constituencies, we have now become the highest scoring party in these elections - with 31 per cent of the vote. This places us in pole position to fight for the Westminster seat - as the main challengers to Charles Clarke. Another great example is after 28 years of Green Party workers pounding the streets of Leicester, we have not one but two Green councillors elected for the first time.

Molly Scott Cato in her speech at the count made the point that our electoral system stinks - except she put it more politely. Just a quick look at the thousands who voted Green like in the Forest who have no representation on their Council. More of this in another post - see also Mollys letter to press here.

Photo: Molly talking to BBC afterwards

Overall it is very disappointing to see such a swing to Conservatives - part of it is about wanting to punish Blair - but more of that for another blog.

Local bits: Tai Chi, Ash Lane anger, Vicarage demolished, Lane closure

Election Day - don't forget to vote - I've just been 'telling' down at the Maypole Hall in Paganhill - that's ticking off numbers to see who has voted - the idea then is to chase up the Green votes - barely a handful of voters came when I was there so I had a good chat with the Conservative 'teller' about local history, politics and more! Below is a quick roundup of local news bits.

Photos: Standish woods this week

Tai Chi Qui Gong in Randwick

Qui Gong is a gentle form of Tai Chi which can be done standing or from a chair. This is being promoted by the local Village Agent project (see more on this on blog entry for 25th October 2006) as it is particularly suitable for the older age group - benefits include improvement to balance and improved sleep. There will be a complimentary taster session for anyone over 50 living in Whiteshill, Randwick or Ruscombe in the Village Hall, Randwick at 11.45am on Friday 18th May. All in this age group are welcome – ring Village Agent Pam Thorne if you haven't already put your name down: 01453 751915 or 07776 245791. Lifts can be arranged if getting there would be difficult. If enough people are interested after trying it out, we hope to arrange a regular class.

Ash Lane anger at threat to wall

The SNJ this week did a piece looking at the proposed removal of the Cotswold stone wall along Ash Lane, Randwick as part of a planning application for a new house. The developer is quoted as saying he doesn't want the wall down either but that it is a highways authority demand to improve access to the site.

Cashes Green Vicarage comes down

Photo: SNJ's pic of Vicarage coming down.

The 1929 vicarage was designed by renowned architect Thomas Falconer in the arts and crafts style. Last week it was demolished despite efforts by many to save it. The Gloucester Diocese has planning permission to replace the building, considered one of just two important heritage sites in the ward, with five houses and a new, smaller four-bedroom vicarage. The large house, vacated in January by The Rev David Sutch who moved to Spain, was the only red-brick house built by Falconer - who also designed the rear extension to Stroud Subscription Rooms. I made a last minute appeal in writing to the Diocese but this was not taken on board - I'll do another blog later this month to update on this.

The Lane to close 15th May

The Lane in Randwick will close at the point opposite the Old School House between 9.30 and 2.30 on 15th May for work by Severn Trent.

Safe Water AGM

What with the elections and all I'm getting behind on these blogs - last Saturday was the AGM in Stroud for the Safe Water Campaign for Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.

Photos: Our two speakers: Rissa and Bernard

You can see my report of the meeting on another blog site I run here. It includes some details of the presentations from Bernard Seward, Safe Water Campaign member and SERA member and Rissa Mohabir, a well-known local homeopath.

Both speakers were great - sadly only some 20 in the audience but it is hard to engage people in this important topic - there has to be some awareness about it and sadly too often people confuse fluoridation with chlorine being added - chlorine is of course added to make the water safe and there are certainly issues re that but fluoridation is a whole different ball game - see my leaflet that answers some of the common questions here.

Gloucestershire is not threatened at the moment by water fluoridation but other areas are and already 10% of the country is fluoridated - all this despite other countries stopping it due to health concerns and more. We need to build support for the campaign to keep our water safe.

Todays' SNJ also has a reasonable feature on water fluoridation with our beer mats and arguments for and against. It was also good to see the SNJ finally carried Derek Wall's visit to Stroud (see my blog for 16th April) and my letter in response to letters last week about being 'Green' (see my letter on 26th April blog).

In praise of WI

The National Federation of Women's Institutes (NFWI) is the largest voluntary organisation for women in the UK with 211,000 members - tonight I was invited to talk to the Randwick branch in the village hall on the topic of Council business and the Ruscombe brook - some 20 members were there on a glorious summers (??) evening.

Photo: WI leaving village hall

I only had an hour to talk so I raced through a hundred and one topics giving an overview of life on the District Council through my eyes - from anger at the loss of Cashes Green Vicarage to frustration that new developments still don't have renewable energy on them, to the Environment Strategy showing democracy at it's best to 20 mph zones, the Maternity Hospital latest, sanitary ware in the brook and much much more.

The WI has always had a radical edge - infact their website says: "The WI is as relevant today as it was when it was launched in 1915. And it's just as radical."

Many can remember when the WI hit the headlines when they slow clapped Blair back in 2000 when he delivered a speech - but not so many know all the other issues they are involved with - last year for example they attempted to get supermarkets to reduce the absurd, unnecessary and planet-damaging packaging - many WI members returned excess packaging to the supermarkets.

Infact at this evenings meeting there was a motion that past to call on the Government to protect Community Hospitals and a petition about farmgate milk prices - a shocking 17 dairy farmers a week have gone out of business each week over the last year - better than the 40 a week before but still grossly unacceptable - that's 900 million litres of milk lost over next 2 years. The supermarkets are moving to pay a better price but still wholly inadequate - I've been involved a fair bit locally on this issue and written lots to local press - see for example here and here re demo at Tesco - supermarket power is unacceptable and urgently needs tackling.

Coincidently I was invited today to join WI and WEN at Portcullis House in London for the launch of their Climate Change Manifesto on 15th May. I sadly can't make it but it is another example of how the WI takes on issues and pushes them forward - climate change unsurprisingly got a fair few mentions in my talk.

I did also get to mention some of the other WI campaigns that I've had a little to do with - 'Clear the Street Clutter' - ie get rid of unnecessary road signage and street furniture got a mention in the Better Streets for Stroud District report and my article in Resurgence. Other campaigns include chemicals and health, junk food advertising and the great Sustainable Communities Bill.

Certainly the WI appears to be facing a challenge at the moment as in many branches it's membership grows older - see article here - but in reality I can't see why it should not appeal more to all women - certainly the issues they are addressing are issues for all - we need more WI groups who are prepared to stand up and campaign for a better world.

Anyway it's late and I'm tired - the WI tea and cake was very welcomed afterwards - bed now!