Welcome
October 2008 Branch Line now out. Read it HERE
Test your Carbon Footprint (created by New Forest FoE)
Reducing C02 in Portsmouth
Sue and I attended a workshop recently hosted by Portsmouth City Council to look at ways in which Portsmouth's 1,277,000 tonnes of CO2 could be reduced. A formal climate change strategy is in the making and it involves the active partipation of the council, local industry, schools, public services and the community. The four elements of the strategy are:
- Reducing the city's carbon footprint to below the present average of 6.8 tonnes per capita ( Havant is 6.5 per capita, lower than Fareham but higher than Gosport -Winchester is a massive 10.1 and the New Forest even higher because of Fawley)
- Adapting to climate change by minimising its impact on the city
- Working out an energy strategy for the city starting with a carbonomics study showing the sources of carbon and the measures for reducing it
- Engaging the whole community in collective actions that make a greener Portsmouth a quality of life issue.
Details of the Portsmouth Strategy
CO2 Emissions by Hampshire Local Authorities (2005) (PDF)
Sue and I working towards inviting Havant Borough Council to set a climate change forum similar to Portsmouth's.
Ray
Are you having difficulty with the propaganda of Climate Change deniers?
The Motley Fool Blog has an excellent discussion of the issues. Motley Fool is a money based site rather than an environmentalist one.
Havant FOE organisers.
click to enlarge
Introduction to the Group
Havant Friends of the Earth is one of eleven groups in Hampshire and part of the nationwide network of campaigners caring for our world. We are first and last about taking action locally and nationally whether it be about protecting a tree or opposing major development. We work inclusively and non party politically with everybody who shares our values and who wants protect our natural assets. We are positive in our approach and will endeavour to put forward constructive alternative solutions.
South Downs Campaign Newsletter
How cuba survived peak oil. YOUTUBE link.
FOE' New Leader. Andy Atkins
Andy Atkins today (Monday 21 July 2008) becomes Executive Director of Friends of the Earth. Andy has worked in a wide range of international development charities and has a strong track record of campaigning on environmental and social justice issues.
Andy has a track record and commitment for finding solutions to environmental and social justice challenges and is an experienced leader, campaigner and communicator.
Local News and Events
Census Alert
The process of running the 2011 Census will be contracted out by the Office of National Statistics to a private company.
One of the two contractors in the final round of selection is the arms company Lockheed Martin, 80% of whose business is with the US Department of Defense and other Federal Government agencies.
Emsworth a plastic Bag Free town?
With help from Havant FOE treasurer Ray Cobbett, the Emsworth Business Association (EBA) is supporting the campaign to reduce plastic bag use. Modbury in Devon is the first town in the UK to do this.
Here is the reason why and what happened.
Ful details of the EBA initiative can be found at: Here on the EBA website
Carbon Map of Portsmouth and Southampton.
The Carbon Trust has produced a carbon map of 33 cities in Britian including Portsmouth and Southampton. http://www.carbonmap.co.uk/. The map shows that businesses produce more carbon than anybody else. Details will be posted in a few days.
Take the carbon test http://www.eco-st.co.uk/CarbonFootPrint.aspx.
AXE (Against eXpansion at Eastleigh) Update
:There is new infromation on the Campaigns Page
Freecycling
Do you have something you don't want but which is too good for the tip? Then FREECYCLE it, you can get free things you do want too. How it works Local Group
what does your holiday cost?
Shorthaul flights generate more carbon dioxide per passenger-kilometre than any other transportation.
The problem and the Alternative
Ban Plastic Bags
Modbury in Devon is the first town in Britain to ban the sale and distribution of disposable plastic bags according to this BBC report
Worldwide Issues
Climate Change
Katrina Gathers Pace
Climate change or global warming is caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide (C02) and other polluting gases like methane in our atmosphere. Scientists say these gases must be reduced The gases trap heat by forming a blanket around the Earth - like the glass of a greenhouse.
Once released the greenhouse gases stay in the atmosphere for many years. As they build up, the planet's temperature rises. 2006 was the warmest in Britain since records started 300 years ago Most greenhouse gases are released by burning fossil fuels - coal, oil and gas - livestock and by cutting down forests. The governments of rich countries, like the US and Australia, have been very reluctant to take action to stop climate change. Even now they only pay weak lip service to climate change and many are in denial regarding the causes
It is the most vulnerable people that are worse hit. In 2003, 25,000 people died during the heat wave, mostly elderly, sick and young people. More information.
Channel 4 documentary - The Great Global Warming Swindle, 8 March
This programme has created a stir with its allegations. Here is some evidence to refute these grossly distorted allegations. written by John Houghton, President, John Ray Initiative.
Other comments about the programme and it's director Martin Dirkin can be found on Booman Tribune. Press reports on the programme have been published by The Independent and The Guardian
This site is still evolving.
Return here for news of FOE campaigns and other activities in the area and for links to discussions of the major ecological issues of the day.
Topics covered will include
Environmental issues, climate change, global warming,genetically modified food, organic food and local production, pollution, and wildlife protection.