I want to know when you see a hedgehog locally!!

It looks like we have a Hedgehog Warden for Whiteshill and Ruscombe. So I will soon only be temporary warden for Randwick. Anyone interested? See more details on my blog here. You get honorary membership to 'Help a Hedgehog Hospital' (HHH) near Brimscombe!

Photo: Photoshop from Russ - it made me smile as Annie Parfitt has been nick-named the Hog Mother of the hospital!

The HHH website is currently being redesigned and the intention is to upload the sighting data of hedgehogs so please Randwick folk keep sending me the info!! A postcode with the number of hogs you saw. While those in Whiteshill and Ruscombe please contact your new Hedgehog Warden, Claire Griffiths 0n 757348.

On another note, to assist with the raising of well needed funds for the Help a Hedgehog Hospital, Bev Jones the HHH Fundraising and Events Organiser has arranged for HHH to have a stall/street collection at various events over the next few months. Maybe folk would be interested in helping with the stalls? And look out for the stall at:

SEPT 12TH, SUN FRAMPTON COUNTRY SHOW 9-5PM
SEPT 26TH, SUN BULB AND PLANT SALE, 11-2PM - BUSSAGE VILLAGE HALL
OCT 16TH, SAT STREET COLLECTION IN STROUD - 9.2
NOV 20TH SAT STROUD, SUBS FORECOURT 9-3
DEC 3RD FRI STROUD GOODWILL EVENING 5-9 - TO BE CONFIRMED
DEC 4+5TH SAT/SUN SLIMBRIDGE WWT - 2 DAY XMAS FAYRE/WINTER FESTIVAL
DEC 11TH SAT STROUD STREET COLLECTION 9-2
DEC 18TH SAT STROUD SUBS FORECOURT 9.3

ClientEarth wins case

Using the law is a key way for activists to make the changes we need. I've said that before many times. Well here is news that will hearten all of those of us seeking environmental justice.

ClientEarth, are an organisation of activist lawyers working to bring change - well they recently won a landmark case. You can see the details here - the UK has breached the Aarhus Convention - we have the worst court fees in Europe making it hard to challenge decisions. We can now be hopeful that decisions will be easy to challenge.

“Today’s findings are game-changing for anyone fighting for their environmental rights. At the moment, the government and industries can ride roughshod over their environmental responsibilities, confident that the legal system’s failings will make challenges impossible. If the government’s word is to mean anything on the international stage, it must move effectively and decisively to remedy the gross unfairness of the UK legal system. For the first time citizens will be able to scrutinise and challenge environmental decisions from a fair position.” James Thornton, CEO ClientEarth speaking after the win

Green Economist website launched by Stroud blogger

Here's the comments below to the press that Molly and I sent out this last week re the recent blog poll - see more about poll here. But this blog entry is more about drawing attention to a great new Green Economics website that Molly (pictured) has set up...

The Green Economist has just been launched - see it at: www.greeneconomist.org

Take a look - it is a great simple introduction to some of the key issues we face - and why we cannot shy away from grappling with this issue. Indeed it is, of course, fundamental to Green Politics yet all too often can get sidelined by other debates and issues which dare I say are often trivial by comparison. The environmental crisis is caused by our economic system. It is there we need to look for some of the solutions.

TWO STROUD BLOGGERS MAKE TOP 10 IN TOTAL POLITICS POLL OF GREEN BLOGGERS

Stroud's bloggers Molly Scott Cato and Green party District councillor Philip Booth came away with positions 6 and 10. The poll results are based on more than 2,200 people who voted in the Total Politics Annual Blog Poll during the second half of July. There are now millions of blogs worldwide. They are a form of website or part of a website that is usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, debate, thoughts or reports.

Philip Booth, whose blog Ruscombe Green, sees over 3,000 visitors a month, said: "The poll is only a bit of fun, but I'm delighted with the result. I started the blog when I was first elected as a local Green councillor in May 2006 as a way to share what I was doing with local residents. The blog tries to give a flavour of what I'm doing as a local councillor, - it is a way to share stuff that interests me, local projects and campaigns. I get a number of emails daily about the blogs: some challenging, some supporting. It is another way to be in touch with people."

Philip Booth, who has over 2,500 blog entries to date, added: "In the last few weeks for example I've covered numerous campaigns and lots of local stuff like the Motorway Services, a biodiversity walk along the Ruscombe Brook, the Council's contract with Veolia, the Eco-Renovation Open Homes on 11th/12th September, the Bread Street Street party, the campaign for 20 mph and even a video of Kevin McCloud opening the Hamwell Leaze Boardwalk."

Molly Scott Cato, Economics spokesperson for the Green Party, who came in at number 6 with her 'Gaian Economics', ahead of Guardian blogger George Monbiot, said: "As Bloggers who share our inspiration in nature and our vision of a world of justice and peace, it is rather tricky when the annual competition of political blogs comes around. Perhaps the heartening news is that so many of the messages we put out this year become the big stories of next year. We may not have the most readers, but those we have will get the 'news' before everybody else."

Exploding Seeds set to Invade Ruscombe Brook

During our recent interesting walk along the Ruscombe Brook with the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group representative, Chantal Brown, members of the Ruscombe Brook Action Group were warned to look out for the invasive weed, Himalayan Balsam. This destructive weed is rapidly colonising river banks and other areas of damp ground.

In the light of this I did send a piece put together by a local resident. This is what they wrote:

"It is an annual plant which grows to about 2 metres with purplish-pink slipper shaped flowers in June–August. When the seed pods are mature, they explode when touched, scattering the seed up to 7 metres. Himalayan Balsam spreads rapidly, suppressing the growth of grasses and native British plants. Along river banks this leaves the banks bare of vegetation in autumn and winter and liable to erosion and flooding.

"Chantal advised that it should be pulled whilst in flower and before it has a chance to set seed, warning that many Gloucestershire river banks were becoming infested with the weed."

Ruscombe Brook Action Group are hoping to organise several work parties in the next few months to clear scrub and coppice trees along the banks of the brook. If you would like to get involved, contact me on 755451.

Painswick Arts Festival

The Painswick Arts Festival is on until the end of the month - I caught it on Thursday when I had an afternoon off work - see artists participating here:
www.artinpainswick.com/

I was particularly taken by Angela Mullen-Bryan's work - see pic below and her website: www.angemullenbryan.com

Her family live in Ruscombe - and her pictures are inspired by visits to Sweden - maybe with my partner being Norwegian I am biased but love the birch woods and all.

Anyhow it is getting late to catch the festival - on until end of August!! Also don't forget to stop for a coffee at Olivias - love that cafe!!

FWAG lead walk along Ruscombe Brook

What or who is FWAG? Well it is the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group and is the UK's leading independent and dedicated provider of environmental and conservation advice to farmers.

Photos: Chantal Brown from FWAG and below various photos from the walk

Well on Tuesday the Ruscombe Brook Action Group were fortunate enough to have Chantal Brown from FWAG join us on a walk along the brook. Local farmer Julia Currie had kindly organised the evening which was a chance to see what could be done to improve biodiversity along the brook. See also my previous blog on invasive species here - although the photos have since been removed - follow the links to the Plantlife website instead.

We also looked at various 'problem sites' along the brook. This photo left is of the fencing put in to reduce cattle poaching - see previous blog on this here - the problem has not been solved and it maybe that a water trough is the answer. The second photo left here is of clay exposed by the water rushing down the brook - there is a pipe which sends water at high pressure out - it has worn the bank away - is it the run-off from the Wheelers Walk estate? Previously RBAG members have put in gabions to prevent further erosion - it looks as if this cheap measure is working at least partly but further work is needed. This again is the subject of our next RBAG meeting along with possibilities of further attenuation of water up the valley.

We discovered an ash tree (left) that had come down that night - great shame - we tried to identify who was the landowner and we will look to alert them of the problem.We also saw further damage to the base of the pipe bridge (see photo) that was replaced some years ago - it is being worn away - not dangerous but not great!

Many issues were discussed. One was about the Himalayan Balsam threat to the valley - infact I've had it reported that someone is growing it in their garden despite being challenged - don't know where but we really do need to try and get it removed - it is a serious threat - see our press release here that we have just sent out.

This year is the UN's Biodiversity year - see my previous blog on that here - much is at risk but we can do lots to improve the situation. Infact our valley is pretty rich with largely organic methods by the farmers - however we can do more - Chantal pointed out that the brook is very dark and overshadowed much of the way - we could significantly improve water quality and the habitat for creatures like bats by opening it up a bit - bats are also at risk - see my blog here - they welcome some open water and coppicing some of the bank edges will improve light to the brook. Indeed bats seem to love the two ponds at Ruscombe Farm (see photo) - and live in the caves at the head of the valley - also going to Woodchester Mansion.

Anyway it looks like we are set to discuss at our next RBAG meeting how we can open the brook more with a work party later in the year - anyone interested in joining us??

We also wondered about whether a sewer pipe was leaking in the fields - see this photo - it has been reported to the Watercourse Warden but no reply yet. It needs checking.

Hamwell Leaze Boardwalk opens

Further along the brook the Broadwalk at Hamwell Leaze had just opened - see my movie here with a write up and photos about the opening. The press have also covered the story and if you look very carefully you can see I got into the photos of both SNJ and Stroud Life.

Anyway big thanks to Chantal and FWAG for all the advice - we now need to consider and see what is possible.

Exclusive: a campaign for a world-wide ban on military air shows

I recently covered the spoof Royal International Air Show Tattoo website which was taken down following demands on the internet provider (see here). Well now there are moves to set up a campaign for a world-wide ban on military air shows.

Some may have seen in The Guardian a piece by Kaye Stearman where she writes about the Farnborough Air Show (Photo taken from that site). It is worth a read if you want to understand what these shows are really about...as she says: "Farnborough sells itself as a great day out, but, like the wolf in Little Red Riding Hood, Farnborough disguises its deadly intent beneath a friendly exterior...The military delegations attending Farnborough are government invitees. They include repressive regimes such as Algeria, Iraq, Libya, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The presence of such countries makes a mockery of the UK's much-vaunted system of arms export controls, which supposedly restrict arms sales to "responsible countries"."

Kev's Climate Column has recently sent an email to Neil Carmichael - see it here - or read below. The jist of it is that he is starting a campaign for a world-wide ban on military air shows. Well such campaigns have to start somewhere - as a first step this will hopefully raise awareness about the realities....


Letter to Neil Carmichael from Kevin Lister:

Dear Neil Carmichael MP,


I have read with interest the offer in the Stroud News and Journal you made this week to adopt a charity that you wish to support in the coming year.

I offer you a proposition:

I am starting a campaign for a world-wide ban on military air shows and would welcome your engagement and support. To understand the seriousness of this proposal, I ask you to consider the wider picture and imagine of what would happen if we were able to make it a success, and the path that it could lead to. Please read on:

1. The inescapable conclusion is that runaway climate change which will lead to the loss of most life on this planet by the end of this century is inevitable with business as usual. Despite this, no country has succeeded in making the required deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions and no worthwhile international agreements have been achieved that have led to any carbon reductions. The appalling outcome from Copenhagen was but the latest in a series of disappointments and is made even worse by the revelation in the Guardian’s August 4th article that loopholes in the current agreement are so large as to make it worthless to the point that it will simply allow emissions to continue rising. The situation is so dire that the Copenhagen Accord is widely accepted to be a step backwards from the already ineffectual Kyoto agreement.

2. There are two interlocking and fundamental reasons that no worthwhile agreement has been made. Firstly no democratic government feels it has the mandate from its people to insist on the lifestyle changes necessary to allow the CO2 cuts we need - in fact none are even prepared to start the discussion. Secondly, agreeing to the cuts would compromise the power base that the developed world has over the developing, and that power base is delivered by the military-industrial complex which needs to be continually fed with vast amounts of fossil fuel.

The desire to hold on to this power base led directly to the “Danish text” at the Copenhagen Conference demanding that the developing world make cuts in their CO2 emissions in exchange for financial aid from the developed. This was a racist attempt to push for a two-tier emission world where the powerful continuing emitting whilst the weak are paid to die.

3. To have any realistic chance of combating climate change, we must make significant emission cuts now and at all levels of our society. The only way we can do this quick enough is to cut all unnecessary consumption. Whilst we may make progress on renewables and nuclear technologies in the long term, we no longer have the luxury of time on our side to implement these solutions. Even with the best possible scenarios, these much hyped new technologies will not provide the energy we need for our society to operate anywhere near its current standards and levels. Finally, unless there are restrictions to consumption, the fossil fuel savings made will simply be squandered elsewhere, such as the ridiculous sale of A380 Super Jumbos as private jets.

4. As our global society becomes increasingly unstable due to the combined effects of over population, resource shortages and climate change we will move towards a worldwide arms race which will exacerbate the underlying problems. These issues are already evident in the many conflict zones of today. As worldwide tension builds it will become increasingly unlikely that we will ever reach the international agreements that our survival depends on and which is already proving so hard to achieve. In the face of this continuing failure, rather than enlightening our population of the problems and seeking to educate them on the solutions, we do the opposite by glorifying war and fossil fuel consumption.

5. The glorification of war and fossil fuel consumption comes in many guises, from adverts for cruise holidays in the Caribbean, F1 racing and military air shows. However, it is the military airshows that stand out as a particularly pernicious target. They combine unwarranted displays of power and fossil fuel consumption together, with a government blessing that implies cutting CO2 emissions will always be someone else's job.

6. Given the above, achieving a worldwide ban on military air shows and other unnecessary displays of force is vital for the following reasons:

a. All long journeys start with a single step. To expect the worlds nations to agree on the massive cut backs necessary in a single step, such as that proposed at Copenhagen is fantasy. Better by far to try a series of small steps which lead to the end goal, and where each step allows confidence to be built up so the next step can be taken. So far, not a single significant step has been taken, not at Kyoto, not at Bali, not at Copenhagen.


b. Banning military air shows is an easy first step. No one suffers, all countries can be involved, it is verifiable and the logic is clear and obvious. Further more, it has precedent with the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and Strategic Arms reduction agreements which were made at the height of the cold war and which are credited with saving us from nuclear Armageddon.


c. Governments around the world, but especially those in the developed nations, would be able to determine if they have the mandate from the people to make cuts in living standards and expectations necessary to achieve the greenhouse gas reductions that we need.


d. As airshows are predominantly events carried out by the powerful nations, it would send a message to the developing world about our determination to cut emissions - it is an action that is the polar opposite to the destructive Danish text of the Copenhagen Conference. This single action will speak louder than all the words that can be delivered and will be heard by leaders and populations alike.


e. The Fairford Air Tattoo, like many other similar events, is a shameless attempt to glorify militarisation, to seek a mandate from the tax payers to continue funding the arms trade, and to recruit our young people into the forces. This leads to self fulfilling prophesies where governments of the day become infatuated with the war machine at their disposal and are more inclined to wage war. You may remember Hans Blix’s recent statement that “George Bush was high on military” prior to the second Gulf War. This attitude in both our leaders and population at large is especially dangerous when we are rapidly moving to the brink with critical resource shortages, mass migration and other mounting pressures around the world.


f. A ban on military air shows can quickly be followed by similar bans on provocative military exercises, such as those being held off the Iranian and Chinese coasts. These lead directly to increased tensions and arms races around the world, at a time when we can least afford such distractions. The recent reports of China's development of new anti-aircraft carrier capability in direct response to the US exercises off their coast is a case in point. These weapons which deliver mass death within seconds massively increase the chance of an accidental holocaust, whilst simultaneously diminishing the chance of achieving successful agreements on climate change.


g. If tensions can be reduced, then a space opens up for the kinds of intentional agreements that are so urgently needed, such as the introduction of carbon rationing or carbon taxation. Defusing of tensions is the first step to sapping the lobbying strength of the military-industrial complex that worked so hard on undermining the last Copenhagen agreement and it will allow recognition that we must enter a difficult era of international co-operation rather than international competition.


The global response to climate change is reaffirming the ferocious law which states, "To he that has, will be given; from he that has not, will be taken away." Failure to challenge this law will lead us to world wide chaos and anarchy, yet challenging it will be the first step toward a genuine solution to climate change. Providing the right governance that we need in a planet afflicted by limits requires courage to do the things we would never expect nor imagine and to have the vision to see the path ahead.

This initiative needs political and activist support. If you are willing to provide the political support that is needed, I will explain to you the next steps that we are taking.

Finally, it has widely been stated that we need a crisis to galvanise the world wide response to climate change. This summer we have witnessed the deaths of thousands and destruction of the way of life for millions. If now is not the time, then when is?

Regards,

Kevin Lister

Ruscombe Green is 10th in Top Green Blogs

Today, Total Politics has announced the results of the 2010-2011 blog poll. As you can see from the chart below Ruscombe Green has slipped one place to number 10 in the charts. Although I was delighted to read that in the Top Green Blogs done by Ice Rocket I feature at number one, ahead even of 'The Daily (Maybe)' - the 'Daddy' of Green blogs.

In this Total Politics poll, Dr Lawson's very excellent Mabinogogiblog leaps ahead of me one place, Stroud's Molly Scott Cato's 'Gaian Economics' blog storms into the charts at number 6 after last year not being listed as a Green blog. The Daily (Maybe) stays in it's rightful number one spot and Two Doctors, Barkingside 21 and Another Green World are all also up there. Weggis deservedly creaping up the charts - and new comer Bright Green Scotland is straight in at number 2!

All this is a bit of fun - a strange rivalry amongst many of us who are friends and know each other well - big thanks to all who voted for me - the drop in one place can I am sure be put down to the fact that my family didn't vote this year! My parents saying that it wouldn't be fair to judge as they didn't read the other green blogs! Anyhow enjoy having a read of some of these below.

View last years top 25 Green blogs here.

1 (1) The Daily (Maybe)
2 Bright Green Scotland
3 (2) Two Doctors
4 (5) Barkingside 21
5 (4) Another Green World
6 Gaian Economics
7 (21) George Monbiot
8 (8) Rupert's Read
9 (11) Mabinogogiblog
10 (9) Ruscombe Green
11 (19) Weggis
12 Jane's Political Ramblings
13 Suitably Despairing
14 Flesh is Grass
15 (10) Green Reading
16 Greens Engage
17 (15) Caroline Lucas MEP
18 Stuart Jeffery
19 (3) Peter Cranie
20 (14) Bloggy Blanc
21 Scottish Greens
22 Greening Kirklees
23 Greener Leith
24 Chadwell and Seven Kings Greens
25 A Week Is a Long Time

This list is the result of more than 2,200 people who voted in the Total Politics Annual Blog Poll during the second half of July. All these lists, together with articles from leading blog commentators, will be published in the TOTAL POLITICS GUIDE TO POLITICAL BLOGGING, in association with APCO Worldwide. It will be published in October at £14.99.

Weggis has just published here those missing from this years Total Politics Green bloggers Top 25. Green Ladywell is a particular loss - sadly Green councillors lost their seat there.

Number one Green Blog on Ice Rocket

I learnt from the blog Weggis that I was number one in the Ice Rocket Green blogging charts - see here - and more below. I also featured at number 15 in the Wikio Blog - see here. Later today we have the Total Politics poll results.

Some will remember I recently made 981st in the Euro Political Blog charts but that apparently puts me number 15th out of the Greens on that list. Green Reading, Adrian Windisch compiled a list of “Top Green Blogs” for 2010 from the rankings of the “Wikio” site. As Adrian says the site compiles the ranking from 'the number and weight of the incoming links from other blogs....Only links found in the RSS feed are included.'

As Adrian also rightly says: "Well that seems all rather incestuous doesn’t it? You link to your mates and they link back – that’s why Dale & Co remain where they are and why it is so difficult for Greens to break in to the big time."

Having said that I've never linked to another site as far as I know and am not sure who the folks are that are linking to my site....anyway do please keep doing it!!

Well here’s the Top 24 Green Blogs as per Ice Rocket. Weggis comments: "And what a surprise they are: The daddy of Green blogging has to settle for third place and NUMBER ONE is Cherie Booth’s brother [although he’s never admitted it] Philip at Ruscombe Green. Well done mate."

There is no truth in that of course - never met Cherie or Tony - but delighted to be in the number one spot!!

1 - 7963 Ruscombe Green
2 - 8281 Another Green World
3 - 12032 Daily (Maybe)
4 - 15107 Greenerblog
5 - 19145 Coventry Green Voice
6 - 22779 Barkingside 21
7 - 23145 Ruperts Read
8 - 24978 Scortched Earth
9 - 29047 Flesh Is Grass
10 - 32094 Green Reading
11 - 39219 Greenmans Occasional Organ
12 - 43950 The Third Estate
13 - 45291 Green Ladywell
14 - 46462 Dispatches from the cat
15 - 52484 The Green Room
16 - 78115 Gaian Economics
17 - 86933 George Monbiot
18 - 115226 Weggis
19 - 132072 Greens Engage
20 - 140199 Jonathan Poritt
21 - 162495 Mysterious World Matt Blackall
22 - 192762 Green Construction
23 - 225239 Green Gabbles
24 - 282045 Peter Cranie

5 questions on climate change

I recently covered the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s 10 answers to allegations that 'Climategate' disproves warming- see here. Well below is a bit more info that was largely put together by a Green party colleague to the five most common claims regarding our climate. I cover this issue again as I just had another conversation with someone who raised two of these questions with me. Some of these typical points have now been repeated so widely that
they are becoming accepted as fact and often go unchallenged, right
through the national media, even on the BBC.

Also just read 17 countries experience record temperatures; 2010 sees record highs in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine but also many African, Middle Eastern and Latin American countries. Anyway...

Photo: another poster produced by those disputing climate change

1. Climate changed peaked in 1998 and the world has been cooling since. Why is this happening when CO2 is still rising relentlessly?

2. Solar activity caused the warming.

3. The polar ice cap has recovered all its recently lost area.

4. Sea level is not rising.

5. The cold winter of 2009/10 in the UK and Europe disproves global warming.

Responses:

1. Climate changed peaked in 1998 and the world has been cooling since. Why is this happening when CO2 is still rising relentlessly?

1998 was an exceptionally warm year (global average) but several years in the 2000s were very similar, within the accepted margin of error of the measurements (ie about 0.1 C). It is true that since the late 1990s, the warming curve has flattened out, but it is totally untrue that global average temperatures have fallen back. Overall the 2000s were warmer than the 1990s showing that the decadal mean is still rising (UK Met Office). The sceptics do accept that CO2 levels are rising but try to de-link this with global warming. They fail to understand that the temperature curve will not exactly match the CO2 curve year to year (see 2 below). (Temperature data source NASA GISS).

2. Solar activity caused the warming.

The Sun, volcanic activity, changes in ocean currents, etc, etc, are all factors that must be taken into account when analysing past data and when trying to model future climate. The radiation received from the Sun can be accurately measured. Observed solar variability is not enough to explain observed global warming and in any case, total solar irradiance peaked about 1960 and has been marginally lower since - it does not fit the temperature curve. In the second half of the 2000s there has been a deep solar minimum and corresponding measurable drop in solar irradiance. It is possible that this has been a cause of the global warming trend flattening in the 2000s.

3. The polar ice cap has recovered all its recently lost area.

The northern polar ice cap has been consistently retreating (over and above the annual waxing and waning) over several decades and the area of sea ice has now been at (very briefly) or well below (most of the time) the long term average every month since early 2003 (Cryosphere Today; U. of Illinois). In late 2007 the summer melt reached over 2.5 million km2 below average. The curve has shown signs of flattening in the last few years, which is consistent with 1 and 2 above, but it is simply untrue that the ice area has recovered in the arctic. There is also evidence that the ice is thinning, as well as the area reducing.

For reasons that are not clear yet, antarctic sea ice is not retreating as it is in the arctic.

4. Sea level is not rising.

Sea level is rising as measured at tide gauges and by satellite.

5. The cold winter of 2009/10 in the UK and Europe disproves global warming.

The UK has just experienced its coldest winter probably since 1978/9 and northern Europe and large parts of Russia have also been very cold. Globally, January/February 2010 was the 3rd warmest in 131 years (NASA GISS). Whilst Europe froze, unsually warm conditions were prevalent over much of the rest of the planet with very high positive temperature anomalies over Canada and much of the arctic. Most of South America and Africa were also warm. The Middle East had a very warm winter. The fact that the UK had a cold winter does not disprove global warming because (a) the UK is a tiny part of the Earth's surface and (b) because such comments fail to distinguish between weather (short terms variations) and climate (30 years averages). Climate change does not mean that every year globally or locally will be warmer than the last. See my blog earlier this year "Weather is not climate".

Here is a last comment from my colleague:

As a final point we should add that good science is about keeping an open mind and seeking good evidence. We cannot say that it is 100% certain that the climate change science is completely correct and nor should we. However, the probability that it is correct is high and the actual observations do not suggest there is any significant error in the science. Sceptics will continue to try and cherry pick "facts" to try and undermine the science and in doing so confuse weather with climate, fail to understand the large number of factors that cause climate variations and fail to understand that climate change is a long term trend, not a sudden lurch (although there are triggers that could cause sudden change).

The bottom line is that the atmospheric concentration of CO2, the chief global warming gas we are changing, is rising relentlessly (now 40% above pre-industrial levels) and it would be one of the biggest science shocks of all time if that and predicted much higher levels of CO2 concentration had little or no warming effect as the sceptics claim.

Stroud Theatre Company to play 1984

A Northern Broadsides / Dukes Lancaster Production in Association with Stroud Theatre Company presents GEORGE ORWELL’S 1984.

Adapted by Nick Lane
Directed by Conrad Nelson

War is Peace. Freedom is Slavery. Ignorance is Strength.

Here is how the play is described: "In a totalitarian world at war, Big Brother watches over all and the Thought Police rule with an iron fist. A solitary figure, Winston Smith, clings to a vision of a different future. What begins as an act of rebellion and hope quickly descends into a nightmare of doomed love, personal betrayal and the terrors of Room 101. From the lies of the Ministry of Truth to the blind hysteria of the Two Minutes Hate, the manipulation of Doublethink, Newspeak and the capital offence of Thoughtcrime, George Orwell’s stark futuristic vision pulls no punches, and resonates now more than ever. In a world of dodgy dossiers, rendition, torture, Murdoch, spin and political corruption, truth has indeed become as strange as this chilling fiction that is frighteningly familiar."

“This is an outstanding adaptation. It brings the book startlingly to life and it enjoys a satirical edge” The Stage

"I think this is going to be a cracking show. Expect eerie soundscapes, animation and inventive multimedia from this critically acclaimed theatre company."
Megan, Marketing Manage

The play will be on tour finishing in Bristol at the Tobacco Factory Theatre: 23 – 27 Nov - tickets from:www.tobaccofactorytheatre.com

I have tickets for the Bristol performance - a great pity that no where in Gloucestershire was able to host the production. The last play by the Stroud Theatre Comapny was "The Amazing and Preposterous Constance Smedley" - brilliant - and before that "When the Lights Went Out".

See short video and more about play here. See more details about Stroud Theatre Company at: www.stroudtheatrecompany.co.uk

Adapted by Nick Lane Directed by Conrad Nelson Assistant Director Chris Garner Design by Sue Condie Lighting by Brent Lees Audio/Visual by David Phillips Animation by Rob Pointon and Karen Sayle

Hinkley petition and Oldbury's extension plans

The deadline on the petition against nuclear new build at Hinkley Point in Somerset has been extended to the end of October. Please encourage friends and others to sign the online petition or print off petition forms to collect signatures: www.stophinkley.org\PETITION.htm

Photo: new photoshop from Shepperdine group of the cooling towers proposed at Oldbury for the new nuke

A new leaflet has also recently been produced re nuclear. You can download a copy from No Need for Nuclear - see: http://www.stophinkley.org/NoNeed4Nuclear.pdf

I got a paper copy as well - sent to all councillors - the hope is to get folk to write to their MP re Early Day Motion 557. Here is my note which I sent to Neil, with a copy of edm 557: "You will no doubt be aware of this motion. It is not an anti-nuclear edm but asks for an inquiry into whether nukes are needed. Amazingly the government has never carried out an assessment of future power demands. Indeed January 2008 the Government said nukes would be necessary to satisfy demand, in November last year they announced that 10 nukes would be built then in December acknowledged they had made no long-term assessment of future electricity needs! This is a wholly perverse way of making policy. We must assess first whether these billions of pounds of nuclear infrastructure are really needed. Cllr Philip Booth"

Do please also write to Neil Carmichael.

Oldbury update

Meanwhile, as noted before, the UK’s only remaining operating Magnox nuclear power stations, Oldbury and Wylfa, are looking at operating well beyond their current scheduled closure dates - and those dates are years after the originally planned dates. Oldbury, on the banks of the River Severn in Gloucestershire, 16 miles from Stroud, is currently scheduled to close down in June 2011, but site manager Joe Lamonby told the recent stakeholder group meeting, that Angela Paine, a Stroud Green party member attended, that it is likely there will still be enough fuel to operate one of the plant’s two reactors beyond that. Indeed he apparently seemed excited by the prospect.

Regular blog readers will know I have very real concerns about the serious risks involved in extending still further the length of times these dinosaurs are operating - see recent post re graphite problems here.

Joe apparently told stakeholders that there would not be enough fuel to continue running both reactors - Magnox fuel is no longer being manufactured - but spare fuel from one reactor could be put into the other to keep it operating. He also talked about the new mini-stores of nuke waste that can be more easily shifted around the country - it is clear the waste problem is no where near sorted - see Angela's comments here and the concerns re transporting nuke waste on trains here.

Magnox North’s other operating station, Wylfa in North Wales, is formally scheduled for closure in December 2010, but like Oldbury, could well operate to 2012 with the NII’s consent. The plant is currently in the process of applying for extended operation beyond 2010. If the regulator gives it permission to continue, Magnox North is hoping to be able to operate the plant for at least two more years. A decision from the NII is expected in the autumn. See more at N-former 12th Aug 2010.

See also previous posts on nuclear by clicking on label below and scrolling down - it includes recent posts like PV now cheaper than nuclear, the Government's delay on nukes and about the need to stop subsidies.

The Movie: Kevin McCloud opens the Boardwalk!

Last night I reported here on the opening of the Hamwell Leaze Boardwalk in Cainscross Parish near Stroud - below is a quick video of the opening. It is only to give a flavour - I am no movie maker! Indeed this is only the second to be uploaded onto Youtube and was made in under 30 minutes! Click on the video title to take you to Youtube to watch or see below.

Kevin McCloud opens Boardwalk in Hamwell Leaze

I'm hoping a video of the opening will be uploaded soon but here are the photos from 6pm this evening - the opening of the new Boardwalk in Hamwell Leaze.

Photos: taken this evening

This boardwalk - made from recycled plastic - is a significant improvement to the area and opens up the marshy area to explore - it then loops back round. A collection of Cainscross Parish Councillors were there (Jenny Miles, Jo Elliot and Ron Smith) plus Stroud Valleys Project (Director Clare Mahdiyone and Ivi Szaboova-Baxendale who has been involved with many of the Hamwell Leaze biodiversity projects (see for example here) - various others were there - including me - partly with my role in the Ruscombe Brook Action Group (RBAG) - it is the brook that the boards go over!

As regulars to this blog will know RBAG have long been tackling issues like the sewage in the brook and have tried (with some success) to get more work done in this and other areas upstream to reduce silting at The Lake at the Lawns.

Anyhow we started off with a couple of speaches - first Cainscross Parish Chair Barry Pierce (pictured with papers in photo and with Graham Barton and Kevin McCloud cutting the ivy ribbon) - he gave particular thanks to former chair Graham Barton for his involvement in getting the project to fruition - then came Kevin McCloud who is now involved with the Cashes Green Hospital site (Hopefully his speech on the video) - I did bend his ear on a few issues like more allotments please....

The press took several pics then we had the chance to explore the new boardwalks - the kids loved it! The next part of project I hope will be to open up a path under the railway arches and meet up with the road by the fire station.

It is great that this area is being opened up more - Cainscross Parish has the highest population and smallest amount of green spaces in the whole of Stroud District - also the more people use this site the less likely it is to face vandalism.

Anyway a nice evening - and well done indeed to Cainscross Parish Council for getting this project off the ground. The last photo if you are wondering is Ivi from Stroud valleys looking at the slow worms! Excuse the hurried blog but just a taster of the opening....

Update 24th August 2010: well I've added the link at top of this page to the movie of the opening and already had an email saying, where is Hamwell Leaze. Well go the end of Hyett Road (off Cashes Green Road just after the railway bridge coming from Tricorn House) and then around the corner to the Sheltered Accommodation and it is the large area of green behind that.

Spoof Tattoo website forced to close

A wee while ago I covered the spoof website on the Royal International Air Tattoo - well as the Wilts and Glos Standard and Glos Echo both reported the website was removed following threats of legal action. Indeed Cotswolds Connect say: "RIAT bosses promptly sent a letter to Mr Lister's internet supplier, Tense Internet, threatening to take them to court unless the site was removed."

I've been meaning to blog on this as the comparison between this and the recent news reports about internet restrictions in countries like Iran and China immediately sprung to mind. You can read lots more about what is going on around the world on Index on Censorship. Coming soon on this blog is news of a campaign for a world-wide ban on military air shows.

Fake air tattoo claims posted on web - from the Wilts and Glos Standard

AN EXACT replica of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust website has been removed from the internet on the instructions of lawyers. On the front page of the phoney website was a letter that appeared to come from the Royal International Air Tattoo chief executive Tim Prince saying that the airshow this year was the final one.

Kevin Lister, who stood for the Green Party in the general election in the Cotswolds constituency, created the phoney website because he believes the airshow creates unacceptable amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

The website offered a full refund to those who had bought tickets for this year’s airshow. The fake website was on the internet for four days and was removed following a letter from the RAFCT’s solicitors to the internet service providers.

Mr Lister said he believed the website was obviously a spoof and said that airshow chiefs had no sense of humour. "It was obvious to everyone who read the page that it was a spoof and the worst that could happen to the Tattoo is that someone asks for their money back," he said.

RAFCT spokesman Richard Arquati said the website was removed to protect the interests of the company and beneficiaries of the charity.

"Last week we received reports that RAFCTE’s website had effectively been cloned, but altered to include a number of false statements wrongly attributed to the company’s chief executive. In order to protect the interests of the company, its donors and sponsors, its parent charity and, ultimately, the beneficiaries of that charity, notwithstanding the many thousands of people who plan to enjoy the event on July 17-18, we required the website to be taken down. This was duly done."

Neil Carmichael is a believer! But will he act on coal?

The Guardian recently carried out a survey of MPs and their views on Climate Change - see here - well they sent three "yes or no" questions by email to all 650 MPs. The result? Stunning apathy, mainly. Only 75, about 11%, answered. Virtually all who did reply – 71 – were believers and said yes to all three of the questions below. Two said no to all three – hard-core climate sceptics, in other words – and two objected to the phrasing of one of the questions – moderate climate sceptics, if you like. The party breakdown was as follows:

• 7 Conservative MPs: 5 believers, 1 hard-core and 1 moderate sceptic

• 16 Lib Dem MPs: all believers

• 48 Labour MPs: 46 believers, 1 hard-core and 1 moderate sceptic

• 2 Plaid Cymru and 1 SDLP MPs: All believers

• 1 Green Party MP: believer

Well I sent an email to Neil Carmichael and his assistant noted they get hundreds of questionnaires every week - I can understand it is difficult to answer but on this key issue I am surprised not more took time to respond. In fact Neil responded yes to all three questions below and I was able to send that info to the survey folk.

1. Does the MP agree that scientific evidence strongly suggests the world has been warming since the Industrial Revolution and will continue to do so? 2. Does the MP agree that scientific evidence strongly suggests that most of this warming is caused by emissions from human activities? 3. Does the MP agree the UK government should take urgent action to cut the nation's greenhouse gas emissions, in order to meet a target of at least 20% lower by 2020?

Infact Neil has been identified as one of six new 'green' Tories by his own party - see here. While I welcome this I do think it stands very much at odds with his failure to support wind turbines at Stinchcombe. However we can now add him to the believer category in The Guardian survey....but actions will be more important than words....

In reply I have asked if he will oppose new coal fired power stations.

In February Conservative and Lib Dem MPs backed the campaign to set limits on CO2 emissions from new coal fired power stations. Both Conservatives and Lib Dems promised that if they won the election, limits would be introduced in their new Energy Bill. But it's was reported they are planning to break their promise - and indeed it now seems they have - see Guardian here.

David Cameron made the introduction of new rules to stop the most polluting power stations one of his flagship green policies, and Nick Clegg helped ensure it was a key part of the coalition agreement. How can they possibly drop this now?

It seems that since the election, energy company lobbyists have piled pressure on the Tories and Lib Dems to do a U-turn. We must fight this. Click here to e-mail your MP and demand they support new rules to clean up new coal fired power stations: www.38degrees.org.uk/clean-up-coal

Time for a student questionnaire?

Update 31/08/10: This questionnaire is now closed

I was contacted by a local student in their last phase of an Environmental course at Oxford University - she is trying to determine people´s environmental awareness on contemporary environmental issues. The survey takes 10-15 mins to complete - the questions are pretty straight forward and she would love to hear from folk with lots, little or no environmental knowledge. To complete the questionnaire go to her website at: http://littlepoiesis.org/environmental-questionnaire/

Photo: grasshopper in garden yesterday

3rd Stroud Eco-Renovation Open Homes Weekend

Many will remember that I initiated and coordinated the Eco-Renovation Open Homes project - it is now in it's third year. Well I've been involved again this year but to a much lesser extent..helping get funds, planning meetings and more - it is looking to be another exciting weekend with new homes to view. Cotswold Life have just done a big feature on the event highlighting some of the homes (see first two photos).

The weekend September 11/12 is an opportunity to visit over 20 Eco-Renovation Open Homes around Stroud, see renewable energy in action, discuss energy efficiency and get advice on eco-renovations. A Preview Evening (Wednesday 8 September) will provide advice on first steps to a more sustainable home including information on the new feed-in tariffs.

At the Eco-Fair and Cafe (Saturday 11 September) there will be a number of eco-installing businesses on show – plus an organic, fair-trade café! There is also the national launch of the Transition Sustainable Housing book that features a bit on Stroud (see author, Chris Bird, left at last years Eco-Renovation Open Homes).

If you don't want to visit homes on your own then try the guided walks, minibus tours or cycle rides that will visit a range of Open Homes during the weekend.

Find answers to some of these questions:

* How does solar thermal work?
* Is a photovoltaic system the answer?
* How much money can I save?
* Why install rainwater harvesting?
* What are feed-in tariffs?
* Would a wood pellet boiler be worth it?

You can click on the 'label' below for previous years (including full reports) and go to the website for details of this year. Leaflets with details of homes are starting to appear in many locations around Stroud. Full details of homes and exact times of opening are on the website. This year Far Westrip Farm, Randwick is again included along with lots more of interest. See: www.stroudopenhomes.org.uk

Housing Benefit: cuts affect 1200 in Stroud

The Government announced cuts of £1.8bn to housing benefit in its emergency Budget soon after coming to power. According to an impact assessment by the Department of Work and Pensions, almost a million households reliant on Local Housing Allowance - the form of housing benefit paid to tenants in the private rented sector - will be affected. On average according to the national charity for single homelss people Crisis, over £600 a year will be lost from some of the poorest households in the country (download figures here).

I contacted Crisis and found that their research shows 1,200 households will be affected in Stroud District. While this is bad news it is worse in other areas where larger numbers of households are affected.

As Cllr Martin Whiteside, Green Party Parliamentary spokesperson, said in our news release (see here): “These cuts could create a surge in homelessness which would cause damage for generations to come. It is also counter-productive as the costs to society of somebody who has lost their home are huge compared to keeping someone in accommodation. The social problems of homelessness include health problems and providing expensive, emergency accommodation”.

I'm quoted saying; “According to the Department of Work and Pensions report, 1,200 households will be affected in Stroud by these changes. Residents will struggle to pay rent and could fall into debt, and worse, homelessness. We could avoid these cuts by properly tackling tax avoidance and tax evasion perpetrated by some of the wealthiest, which could raise billions of pounds a year.”

I've said before for those who still think cuts are necessary should read 'Cuts: The Callous Con Trick' by Caroline Lucas et al, http://www.financeforthefuture.com/TaxBriefing.pdf. See also Green Party news release of 19 June 2010, "Cuts ‘destructive and unnecessary’ says Green Party leader”, at http://www.greenparty.org.uk/News/2010-06-19-callous-cuts-report.html.

I applaud Crisis for raising this issue which has already led to concerns amongst residents locally. As the Crisis report warns cuts to housing benefit could have hidden costs in the future like the social problems of homelessness, including health problems and providing accommodation. It does not make sense to hit the most vulnerable members of our communities.

Housing benefit cut is equivalent to big increase in income tax for poorer people

As Caroline Lucas, Green Party Leader and MP said in her own constituency the cuts are equivalent to paying an income tax rise of over 4.5 per cent: “These particular Tory-Lib Dem cuts will leave more people struggling to pay the rent, more people falling into serious debt and ultimately more people becoming homeless. This is very unfair, coming at a time when many of these people are facing economic uncertainty or even redundancy. Once again we see the Conservative-Lib Dem coalition’s cuts hitting the poorer people in society. The government could avoid these cuts by properly tackling tax avoidance and tax evasion perpetrated by some of the wealthiest, which could raise billions of pounds a year.”

Caroline Lucas MP has written a strongly-worded private letter to David Cameron - she has accused the PM of dealing council and housing association tenants a double-whammy as he proposes to slash housing benefit while also attacking security of tenure (see letter here).

In the letter Caroline questions the PM’s evidence base and calls his proposals “ill-judged”. Mr Cameron has indicated publicly - but with no prior announcement from the Department of Communities and Local Government - that he would like to see fixed terms for all new council and housing association tenancies, lasting as little as five years (see Guardian here). She rightly accuses him of “coercion”, saying that “making continued occupation of a tenant’s home dependent on an official deciding whether or not the tenant deserves to remain there would both remove tenants' security and discourage social mobility.”

Caroline asks: “Why would I want to get a job and do well if this meant I might lose my tenancy?”

Plus what about the cost of the process of assessing who should and shouldn’t lose their home, including the inevitable appeals and possible court cases. As Caroline says: “These are people’s homes not just their houses”

The plain fact is that, there is a shortage of council house supply due to massive and continuous under-investment in council and social housing over decades - made worse by the disastrous policy of ‘right to buy’ which has decimated the council housing stock. I can hardly believe the LibCons are even suggesting these moves. Very depressing indeed.

Make an Insect House

What to do during the summer holidays? Well here's a project for children and adults. There are many different ways of making a bug house - basically you can't go wrong but to maximise the number of residents in your new home there are some steps you can take - the RSPB have a good page on how to make insect houses - see here - and the BBC Breathing Places website also has some advice here.

Photos: The Incredible Edible Todmorden is a great project - they have a photo of this first insect tower on their website. Clearly it doesn't have to be this big! The other photos below are of a stack of pallets made into an insect house with old bricks, slate and more for a wildlife garden in the corner of a large allotment site in Exmouth that I visited. However you can also make it in a log like the other photo or indeed pretty well anything.

The holes may be used by solitary bees such as Mason Bees or Leafcutter Bees, which are non aggressive and excellent for pollinating in the garden, helping to increase fruit yields. A durable roof and more solid timber or insulation materials will give excellent insulation for over wintering Ladybirds and Lacewings.

Folk who read this blog regularly will know about my wonderment at the leafcutter bees who took up residence in the beehouse I made - see movie of bee with leaf here, plus How to make a bee house.

End legal loan sharking

Britain has no ceiling on the amount that lenders can charge for credit? This has led to the UK's poorest paying the highest price for credit in Europe and some lenders are charging the equivalent of 3000% APR. This is legal loan sharking and I was delighted to see that a coalition of activists, campaigners and others are joining calls for an end to legal loan sharking.

As the campaign website says: "Irresponsible high cost lending played a key role in causing the economic crisis. Investors are now using high cost lending as a means to make profit from the most vulnerable in our society. It's another case of ordinary people picking up the tab for the mistakes of bankers. Some payday lenders are charging £83 in interest and collection charges for every £100 borrowed. The OFT calculated that high cost lenders are making £16,000 per hour of 'excess' profit. This is unacceptable profiteering; to help us bring it to an end, join our campaign."

Please join me by signing up to the Compass statement. Sign and read more at:
http://action.compassonline.org.uk/endlegalloansharking

But also please consider supporting our local Credit Union - see more here.

To my dismay I had sat in the RBS canoe!

This last week I went to Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust - a great place that gets folk thinking about our natural environment - but I do think prices are a little steep for food and snacks - maybe I'm out of touch but how do folks pay for a day out like this??

Photos: Me in RBS sponsored canoe and pic on Guardian website from Climate Camp

Anyhow I took my partner's granddaughter canoeing there - lots of fun - have done it before last year - see pics here. Well I found out that each boat is sponsored by a company. To my dismay it was only at the end that I discovered the boat that I was in was RBS-sponsored.....hence the dismay on my face in the photo! What a coincidence - you see this very weekend Camp for Climate Action occupied a site in Edinburgh directly adjacent to the headquarters of the Royal Bank of Scotland. Well I didn't sink the boat when I discovered but I did vow to blog on it.....

Why should RBS bother me - or indeed anyone?

Well the Camp for Climate Action is a grassroots movement taking direct action against the root causes of climate change. They have been involved in helping stop the proposed third runway at Heathrow and a new coal fired power station at Kingsnorth. This year they're targeting the Royal Bank of Scotland. This is from their website:

"Last year RBS were bailed out with £50 billion of public money. This bank is one of the world's largest investor in oil, gas and coal. From tar sands extraction in Canada to coal infrastructure here in the UK, we're paying to trash our future. These projects are not just causing catastrophic climate change, but destroying the lives and livelihoods of people across the globe. Meanwhile, we're told there is no money left and we should be braced for decades of public sectors cuts. Ecological destruction is built into the mechanics of the financial system, with communities disenfranchised from their own futures."

Is it only a few eco-activists and Greens that see that using public money to support banks in trashing our environment is wrong? It is beyond absurd.

If we are to reduce the catastrophic effects of climate change then we must stop our money from being used to finance tar sands, coal and all fossil fuels - and we need as the campaigners say "to have democratic financial institutions that serve the needs to people, communities and sustainability rather than just lining the pockets of greedy bankers."

Of course British banks such as Barclays and Lloyds TSB are also major investors in companies that extract and burn conventional and unconventional fossil fuels. RBS is first to be lobbied as they look to be taking part in some of the worst practices - it is estimated that they have stumped up $12.7 billion in loans and finance since 2007 to oil giants whose projects include the exploitation of tar sands in Alberta, Canada, described as 'the most destructive project on earth' - but hey we must surely stop all these banks disastrous investments - if fuels such as coal and the tar sands are fully exploited this will certainly lead to global climate catastrophe. RBS have responded saying they are supporting many renewable enrgy projects - great but that misses the point about the destructiveness of tar sands completely.

You can see more stuff about 'Why RBS, banks, and the fossil fuel industry?' here. Not necessarily in the words I would use but still making the point. Anyhow as some may have heard there were well over a 100 activists setting up the initial camp with an estimated 700 more participating - three activists were arrested during the takeover of the site but have since been released without charge. One of the arrests was a woman who glued herself to a desk at RBS (see Guardian report here). The site was apparently occupied a day earlier than originally planned in order to outmanoeuvre the authorities. The climate camp involves workshops and sustainable living and will culminate tomorrow with a day of mass direct action against RBS.