One wind turbine doesn't make a power station
Much fuss followed a report in the local newspaper that Langstone Bridge could be the site of a 60 metre high wind turbine. Under the emerging Local Development Framework the council must find sites for renewable energy. The site near Langstone is thought to have an acceptable wind profile for the viable production of electricity for local homes. The down side is that the site is part of Langstone Harbour which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, an internationally important Wetland in Farlington Marshes under the Ramsar Convention, a Special Protection Area under the Birds Directive and part of the Solent Maritime Special Area of Conservation under the Habitats Directive.
So does it make sense to put this site into a plan without an in depth environmental risk assessment? The council says that one would be carried out. The Langstone turbine debate typifies the conflict between perceptions of the natural world and our demand for energy and energy usually wins.

Ray Cobbett

The year for the Havant group started well. The January, February and March meetings were surprisingly full - but the last few have been disappointing.  Since the Spring newsletter, the 'energy crisis' has bitten us all. There appears to be some confusion about the role of FoE particularly with the proliferation of community-based greening groups. We will have to re-think our aims and objectives to take account of the changed situation.
FoE groups in other areas are working with Transition Towns and other community-based groups. Ray and I attended one such group in Petersfield to talk about banning plastic bags, it does seem to be getting people together and there is a lot of energy and desire for change out there. For more information see http://www.greening-campaign.co.uk.
As a beginning of a similar initiative in our Borough, we are planning a 'Greening Havant' (working title) conference day at the end of October. The idea is for a wide variety of groups to get together to share aims, skills and ideas in order to make things happen and encourage people to help themselves live a truly sustainable life-style. This will mean focusing on local sustainable resources and the measures needed to make our homes as nearly zero carbon as possible. Also how we can work with the local authorities to reduce local carbon emissions and ensure new building regulations and standards match the EU ones.
Havant FoE Meetings
Monthly meetings are no longer necessarily held on the third Wednesday of the month. Please check overleaf in the newsletter, on the website and/or email to get the correct day.
Would more people be able to come if we held the monthly meeting on a different day of the week? If changing the day would be better for you, please let me know. Also what would you would like to see in the meetings? Do you want more themed meetings? We still need to hold six business meetings a year. Please let me know any ideas you may have.      Sue Holt

Night flight ban at Eastleigh retained

AXE (Against eXpansion of Eastleigh) has welcomed the decision of Eastleigh Borough Council to retain the Flying Controls Agreement, despite a request from Royal Mail for the landing of scheduled night mail flights at Southampton Airport. As well as opposing any relaxation of the ban on night flights, AXE believes that domestic mail should not be transported by air, as road and rail options have far lower environmental impacts.

Royal Mail sought a relaxation in the Flying Controls Agreement to allow a mail flight to land at around 2.15 am every weekday whilst Bournemouth runway was being resurfaced.
For more information, contact Chris Bluemel: 02380 550246/07985 982288.

LUSH cuts use of palm oil
LUSH is a cosmetics company with an outlet in East Street, Chichester. They have now switched all their UK soap production to a new palm-free base, developed in partnership with soap manufacturer KAY'S; reducing their palm oil use by approx. 250,000 kg a year. They are involved with FoE, the Orangutan Society and others to urge producers to cut their palm oil use by at least half, as a step towards stopping the deforestation of the last refuge of the Orangutan. They have produced a leaflet, obtainable from their Head Office - Lush Ltd 29 High St Poole BH15 1AB (www.lush.com) or from their Chichester shop.Why not pick one up from there next time you're in Chichester and congratulate them on their campaigning.

Patricia