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Gordon Brown has created a new department for climate change and energy, and Ed Miliband has been appointed its head.

Up until now climate change and energy have been dealt with by two separate departments, so this is good news. Hopefully we will now see decisive action on climate change. Ed Miliband has the potential to bring fresh thinking to the substantial task of fixing the UK’s renewable energy strategy - and he’ll be a pivotal player in the government’s decision on whether or not to allow a new coal-fired power station to go ahead at Kingsnorth in Kent.

Please take a couple of minutes to send a letter now via the GreenPeace web site to Miliband, encouraging him to begin a green energy revolution, and oppose a new coal plant at Kingsnorth

Far from the eyes of the media, elected representatives in the European Parliament are writing a climate and energy plan for our continent. As citizens, we’ve campaigned hard for a global deal to stop catastrophic global warming, and Europe’s negotiators have driven progress in international talks — but if big polluters succeed in watering down Europe’s own climate action plan, all our momentum will be lost.[1] And that’s just what’s happening right now.

This Tuesday afternoon, European parliamentarians are gathering to finalise their proposals — but the whole plan is being undermined by industry lobbyists demanding they lock in massive “permits to pollute”, which would put emissions targets completely out of reach for 2020 and beyond.[2] Before it’s too late, in the next 48 hours, let’s deluge representatives from our own countries with emails and phone calls — urging them not to give in to the lobbyists, and instead to put forward strong plans to build a sustainable future for our societies, showing the world the way forward.

Just click the link below to see the names and phone numbers of the representatives from your own country — we’ve added a few “talking points” you can use in your emails and phone calls:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_our_future_europe/?cl=133761919&v=2246

68 people from 27 countries — the members of the European parliament on its environment committee — can fix this plan. And there are tens or hundreds of thousands of us in every one of these countries.

We’re told that the most effective thing we can do is for as many as possible of us to email or call the offices of those representatives in our own countries (particularly those from the conservative EPP umbrella party, who have shown most signs of giving in to the lobbyists), making the case for them not to compromise on permits to pollute and other backward-looking loopholes, and asking them to invest in building a cleaner, greener future for Europe. At a time of economic difficulty and high fossil fuel prices, efficiency and sustainability become even more vital.[3]

Just click the link below for everything you need — names, phone numbers, email addresses and suggestions about what to say. And don’t delay — we have hours, not days, to make a difference.

http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_our_future_europe/?cl=133761919&v=2246

With hope and determination,

Paul, Pascal, Veronique, Graziela, Ricken, Ben, Iain, Milena and the whole Avaaz team

Sources:

1. For Avaaz’s previous climate campaign successes, see http://www.avaaz.org/en/bali_report_back/

Reuters: “EU urged to agree on climate before UN talks open”:
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LU300512.htm

2. European Voice: “EPP-ED group split over carbon emissions”
http://www.europeanvoice.com/article/imported/epp-ed-group-split-over-carbon-emissions/62506.aspx

AFP: “WWF criticises attempts to water down EU’s green targets”
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hJvhQ9ClFitMa4husGWkUZRYJxQQ

Financial Times: “Climate change fears over industry lobbyists”
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4e47f656-88ba-11dd-a179-0000779fd18c.html

EUX.tv: “EU set for ‘Super Tuesday’ with controversial vote on climate”
http://www.eux.tv/article.aspx?articleId=20536

3. UK Stern Review: “Ignoring climate change will damage economic growth”:
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/4/3/executive_summary.pdf

EU carbon market will not raise power prices:
http://www.euractiv.com/en/climate-change/report-eu-carbon-market-raise-power-prices/article-175667

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ABOUT AVAAZ
Avaaz.org is an independent, not-for-profit global campaigning organization that works to ensure that the views and values of the world’s people inform global decision-making. (Avaaz means “voice” in many languages.) Avaaz receives no money from governments or corporations, and is staffed by a global team based in Ottawa, London, Rio de Janeiro, New York, Paris, Sydney and Geneva.

Click here to learn more about our largest campaigns.

A government funded report says that we should cut down on meat and meat products consumed in order to reduce the effects of climate change. There is a suggestion that meat and milk products may even need to be rationed in the future.

Livestock and the soil used to grow feed accounts for about 8% of Britain’s greenhouse gas emissions. Many people are already changing to vegetarianism, often for moral reasons. But if you feel you can’t do without meat, why not try having one or two meat- free meals a week. There are some wonderfully tasty vegetarian recipes. I know many meat lovers who are more than happy to experiment with veggie recipes when they eat out, although they would not have considered it at home. Why not give it a try?

As the National Grid struggles to maintain its energy reserves, we are now warned of possible power shut downs during the winter evenings. Obviously we all need to be reducing the energy we use as individuals and in our businesses, but we do also need to be prepared for some powerless evenings this winter. So what can we do? Firstly, we need to make sure that our elderly and disabled family, friends and neighbours are protected as much as possible.  Do they have the facilities they need to make them as comfortable as possible: extra blankets, hot water bottles, candles, torches? Perhaps we can all make an effort to call in to our neighbours and make sure they are alright.

And what can we do ourselves when faced with an evening without electricity. Hopefully enjoy it! It will be hardest for those of us who are dependent on electricity for our heating. How welcoming the thought of an open fire or, better still, an environmentally friendly log-burning stove. Perhaps now is the time for a conversion?

But we can add extra layers of clothes and blankets; we can light beautifully perfumed candles; we can talk and play games instead of watching the tv or playing computer games. Most importantly, as more and more people begin to realise that none of us are exempt from the effects of climate change and our excessive demands on power supplies, we can start to make real plans as to how we are going to provide a sustainable future for our children and for generations to come. Maybe it will be a hard lesson, but one we can use to our benefit in many ways.

What a wonderful weekend. Weren’t we lucky with the weather! Mike and I went to the Village Green event in Chalkwell Park on Saturday and thoroughly enjoyed it. We spent several hours wandering around - there was just so much happening.  I have to admit to being absolutely enthralled with the Capoeira Brasil group - its a mixture of dance, acrobatics, martial arts and music. I must try that - perhaps without the acrobatics!

We would have loved to watch the light and film shows in the evening but a night out with friends was already booked (a wine tasting evening - and very enjoyable too). 

We had intented to watch the Chinese puppets at the bandstage on Sunday, but we started working in the garden and lost track of time!

But well done Southend. Certainly the borough is coming alive again with a revitalised cultural emphasis. And there is more in October as we celebrate a month of cultutal diversity.

Did you know we are already half way through this year’s Organic Fortnight which runs from 6th to 21st September? The message for this year’s fortnight is ‘Love Your Planet, Choose Organic.’

Food costs continue to rise and there are concerns that some people who were buying organic will cut back on their weekly shopping bill by reverting to non-organic produce. The other option is for more people to start growing their own. If this is of interest to you, do sign up for our newsletter as articles on organic gardening will be included soon. You might also like to join a local organic gardening group such as South East Essex Organic Gardeners. They meet bi-monthly and will always be happy to welcome newcomers into the fold and help get you started on your organic gardening project.

We have frequently mentioned the benefits of vitamin D (see our article Sunshine) Vitamin D at its best is naturally obtained by exposing our bodies to the suns rays (yes, they have been elusive in the

Scientific studies continue to confirm the benefits of this natural ‘magic bullet’. Do have a look at the information on the web site of the Alliance for Natural Health for the full study and further information.

Once again, the food industry is playing dangerous games with our food. In an attempt to control disease-causing bugs the FDA has caved in to pressure and agreed that some of our food can be irradiated – started with spinach and lettuce. They are even considering relaxing the rules for labelling as this puts people off buying the products. What a surprise!!

Read the full story here.

The move away from plastic bags in many supermarkets has been phenomenal, although I do find it frustrating when assistants insist on putting people’s shopping straight into plastic bags - albeit they think they are being helpful.  Lots of educating still needs to be done I think, often from store management.
Another place that commonly uses loads of plastic is the dry cleaners (if you use them!)  A small independent dry cleaners in Southend may be one of the first establishments of its kind to change that. Exclusive Cleaners are offering their customers a particular type of long life garment cover bags made from recycled materials. The breathable fabric repels water and dust but lets air circulate, ideal for storage and travel. Each time you have something cleaned from them, instead of bagging your garments individually in plastic coverings, they are promoting these long life garment covers which can be re-used several times throughout the year, ultimately reducing the usage of plastic. It’s simple and practical.

So if you do use dry cleaners, tell them about this initiative from Exclusive Dry Cleaners in Southend-on-Sea and encourage them to do the same!