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Newsletter
The latest newsletter for Spring - Summer 2008 is available by
clicking here.
Sheffield Green Days
Stall
Maureen, Shaun and Amyan
helped run a stall at Mayfest's replacement - Sheffield
Green Days. Maureen displayed her electric car during
the 2 day event over the bank holiday on Sunday and
Monday 25-26th May 2008. The stall was present just for
the Monday event.
HSBC
Steve gave a talk to HSBC staff last year for World
Environment Day, but we were unable to accept this
year’s invitation due to the event being in working
hours.
Green Fair
Sheffield FoE will be attending the Green Fair on
Saturday 28th June. We have purchased a double outside
stall so we’re hoping for nice weather. We’ve also
decided to place a 1/4 page advert in the booklet handed
out to all attendees. This event will cost the group
£35. If you can help out on the day for a few hours then
please contact Steve.
Totley Festival
There is a festival in Totley’s Green oak Park on Sunday
22 June from 11am until 5pm. If you are able to help out
on the stall for a few hours then please contact Steve.
Peace in the Park
Sheffield Friends of the Earth has been invited to take
part in the Peace in the Park event on 14th June. If you
can help out then please let us know.
Plane Crazy
On 5th April 2008 Sheffield
Friends of the Earth staged a publicity stunt outside
the Town Hall together with members of Sheffield
Campaign Against Climate Change. A volunteer
dressed up as Gordon Brown and members flew planes about
his head while he covered his eyes and ducked.
 This
action was part of a week of events organised by Stop
Climate Chaos and focussed on the international aviation
part of the Big Ask. The Climate Change Bill will
become law this year. Currently the Bill is not
strong enough to realise the carbon dioxide emission
cuts that are needed to ensure global emissions are kept
below dangerous levels. The three key amendments
requested by Friends of the Earth are:
An increase in the overall target for 2050 from 60% to
80% reductions in carbon dioxide
The inclusion of the UK’s share of international
aviation and shipping emissions
The adoption of annual targets rather than the 5 year
budgets currently suggested
So far 172 MP’s have signed the Early Day Motion (EDM
736) including MP for Attercliffe Clive Betts: “My
constituents tell me they are worried about climate
change and want to see the government take action. That
is why I will support a strong Climate Change Law which
commits the UK to cutting its emissions by at least
three percent annually and which covers all emissions –
including the UK’s share of emissions from international
aviation and shipping.”
Maureen Edwards was
interviewed by Gareth Evans on Radio Sheffield and made
the following points:
Aviation is the economic
equivalent of the sewage industry and yet it receives
tax breaks and concession of at least £9.2 billion per
year.
All international forms of transport should operate
under the same rules, trains to Paris will have to
reduce their emissions and yet planes won't have to if
the current bill becomes law.
Most frequent flyers don't come from low-income
households and can afford the increased costs. A
survey in 2006 at Stanstead airport showed the average
household annual income of leisure passengers to be
£47,000.
Maureen Edwards said: to the Sheffield Star, "It's crazy
for Gordon Brown to leave out climate changing emissions
from planes and ships from the new Climate Change Law.
"Why should our local
industry and businesses be held to account for their
carbon emissions but not the aviation industry?"
The World Development
Movement, Friends of the Earth and Sheffield Campaign
Against Climate Change are all hoping that as a result
of this and other actions more local MP's support The
Big Ask, particularly Heeley MP Meg Munn.
Read the article in the Sheffield Star at
www.thestar.co.uk/headlines/Greens-tell-PM-to-come.3954699.jp
Loscar Windfarm
In December 2004 plans were submitted for
a small wind farm consisting of three turbines at Loscar
Farm near Harthill, Sheffield . A change of developer
from Npower to Cornwall Light and Power Limited caused
some delay and the Planning Board meeting finally took
place on 27th March 2008.
A member of Harthill’s Women’s Institute
and Maureen Edwards from Sheffield Friends of the Earth
spoke in favour of the application. Each turbine would
be capable of generating 1.3MW of electricity – enough
for 2000 homes. This form of electricity will offset
8,000 tonnes of green house gases that would otherwise
take one million trees to remove. There were several
people from the locality spoke against the application
with reasons ranging from noise, flickering (sun shining
between rotating blades), damage to local bird
population and danger to learner flyers from
Netherthorpe Airfield. Several councillors spoke in
favour of the application, many referring to the recent
flooding in the borough.
The council has a target of 10.6MW of
electricity from renewable sources by 2010 and only 2%
of land within the Rotherham boundary is suitable.
3.9MW of this would be produced from this development.
Another councillor pointed out that if the Romans had
used nuclear power, Harthill would still be dealing with
the radioactive waste. When the turbines are no longer
viable they can be moved without a trace. Only two
councillors voted against the application and it was
passed. It now has to go to the government for
approval.
Maureen Edwards commented: ”This is
terrific news. Harthill and the surrounding area will be
assured a localised supply of energy for many years to
come. Their children and grandchildren may not have to
suffer devastating climate change as a result of this
decision today. It is strange to be thanked by the
developer for speaking on their behalf but I sincerely
thank Cornwall Light and Power and Mr and Mrs Wilks for
persisting with this application. The turbines will be
a majestic sight in a few years’ time and I look forward
to watching them turn.”
Peak Oil
Some Sheffield Friends of the Earth protestors joined
other environmental campaigners to demonstrate outside a
Sheffield petrol station in April to highlight society's
dependence on fossil fuels.
Clowns descended on the Shell Garage on Ecclesall Road
as part of an International Day of Action against
Climate Change.
Robert Slade, of pressure group Rising Tide, said:
"Climate change is no joke, but we're hoping that
highlighting the foolishness of our fossil fuel
consumption might be a wake up call."
Shaun attended the “Last Oil Shock” presentation at
Sheffield Hallam University by David Strahan. David has
worked for the BBC as a investigative journalist
producing programs for Horizon and the Money Program.
Walking Bus
Morwenna Foden from Sheffield City Council’s Walking Bus
scheme came to our group’s April meeting to explain what
she was doing with the walking bus project.
WDM Conference
Martin volunteered to be the link person for the WDM
inter-agency conference to be held in the autumn.
Ethical Food
We had an invite to participate in an Ethical Dilemma
Seminar that the Co-operative Group were holding at
Sheffield Hallam University on Tuesday, 8 April 2008
(7-9pm). The hook for the evening was their recently
launched Food Ethical Policy, which they hope will lead
to our wider discussion around the sometimes confusing
world of living an "Ethical Life".
Green Roofs
Peter Burgess came to talk to the group about the green
roofs he has installed. So far these have been
outbuilding/shed roofs although they can be installed on
any roof with a slope of 30o
or less. The main concern is that the roof is able to
support the weight of the liner, plants and growing
medium. If you are interested in having a green roof or
just want to know more contact Peter on
p.burgess-allen@virgin.net
or look on the website
www.ba-gardendesign.com
or
www.livingroofs.org
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