Action, Living Lightly

A Rocha UK Directors' Challenge

Sun, 04 Jul 2010 21:00:23 GMT

The Directors of ARUK have taken up a challenge to raise funds and awareness of the work that ARUK does. See the different things that they're doing here: http://www.arocha.org/gb-en/makeadifference/individual/8875-DSY/8803-DSY.html

Topic started by Ruth Valerio

1 replies. Last reply from on 04/07/2010 21:00

Greenpeace: Concern over green commitment in Queen's Speech

Wed, 26 May 2010 09:57:42 GMT

You can find the article here: http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/queens_speech_24052010.html and if you would like to take up any of the things they are callinf for with your MP, you can find them here: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/

Topic started by Karen_T

1 replies. Last reply from on 26/05/2010 09:57

British Rain Forest

Mon, 24 May 2010 13:57:22 GMT

We do have a large area of habitat that is being destroyed, HELP:

http://www.lancswt.org.uk/index.php/save-chat-moss.php .

Topic started by David Beattie

1 replies. Last reply from on 24/05/2010 13:57

Another petition or sign up

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 17:32:53 GMT

Found this other pledge - apologies if it has been on the forum at all before. Found it whilst looking at a nature reserve down on the Lizard in Cornwall, which had a connection to Plantlife which had a connection to this: http://www.wildlifepledges2010.org.uk/

Topic started by Rob Marshall

2 replies. Last reply from Pete Hawkins on 13/04/2010 17:32

ivory trade petition

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 08:20:03 GMT

Please sign this urgent petition calling on nations to protect elephants from poachers. There's a risk they will weaken the global ban on the lethal ivory trade -- it's being discussed at a UN convention this weekend!

The petition will be delivered directly to the convention, so I thought you might be interested in standing up for the elephants too -- just click here:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/no_more_bloody_ivory/96.php?CLICK_TF_TRACK

Topic started by Ruth Valerio

3 replies. Last reply from David Beattie on 14/03/2010 08:20

Write please

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 10:26:04 GMT

Not sure whether this should be action or nature but here goes anyway: I have just had this sent by a colleague and wondered if you could sign this. please

Dear Sir/ Madam

I feel that I need to inform you about the petition below on the Number 10 petitions website intended to draw attention to the plight of urban bird and bat species and which therefore has a large degree of overlap with the work of your organisation.

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/BirdsBats/

The petition has until July to run .

--
David Beattie

Topic started by David Beattie

1 replies. Last reply from on 15/01/2010 10:26

would you like to be self-sufficient for a year?

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 11:07:07 GMT

I am looking for couples who would be interested in taking part in a new programme we are developing. We need to find couples who would jump at the chance to leave their lives in the city to forge a new self-sufficient life in the countryside and spend a year getting back to a simpler way of life. My name is Sophie Andrews and I am a researcher at the tv production company Tiger Aspect

Below is a flyer that I would very much appreciate you giving out to anyone you know that may be interested and if you could post the message below on your website I would be very grateful.

DO YOU FEEL THAT MONEY RULES YOUR LIFE?

WANT TO GET BACK TO A SIMPLER WAY OF LIVING?

TV COMPANY LOOKING FOR COUPLES WHO WANT TO GIVE UP THEIR LIFE IN THE CITY FOR ONE YEAR AND FORGE A NEW SELF-SUFFICENT LIFE IN THE COUNTRY.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING PLEASE CONTACT SOPHIE ANDREWS sophieandrews@tigeraspect.co.uk

Topic started by Ruth Valerio

1 replies. Last reply from on 14/01/2010 11:07

community shops

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 21:21:12 GMT

The number of communities clubbing together to save village shops has soared since BBC Radio 4's "Archers" serial featured residents attempting to take over a shop threatened with closure. The Plunkett Foundation supports rural communities to set up & run a community-owned shop. They said that shop closures have been higher than ever this year, but that communities can save them.
www.plunkett.uk.net

Topic started by Ruth Valerio

1 replies. Last reply from on 05/01/2010 21:21

do this today please!!

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 10:24:26 GMT

If you only do one thing today do this quick superbadger thing from Tearfund. This is the email I got from Tearfund's Helen Heather in Copenhagen.

I'm in Copenhagen following the climate talks for Tearfund. With just a few days of climate negotiations remaining we need to see much more progress.

Gordon Brown arrived in Copenhagen yesterday. With the arrival of more world leaders from today we must push them to show leadership to seal a fair, ambitious and binding deal.

Please take action today: Badger Gordon Brown to show leadership. http://apps.facebook.com/superbadger/

For blogs and photos from Tearfund see http://www.facebook.com/l/120f3;www.tearfund.org/Campaigning/Climate+change+and+disasters/Climate+action+news.htm

Thanks for your support

Helen

Topic started by Ruth Valerio

1 replies. Last reply from on 16/12/2009 10:24

phone Gordon!

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 11:32:54 GMT

See this note below to see how you can talk to Gordon Brown on wednesday to help the climate negotiaions.

"Ruth,

I’ll be heading out to Copenhagen for the climate change conference soon - but the part I’ll be playing there is bolstered by the difference you and thousands of other people are making by taking part in Ed's Pledge.

That’s why I’ll be taking part in a mass phone call in association with Avaaz this coming Wednesday (16 Dec) at 4.30pm – taking questions, listening to people’s views and making sure that the opinions of people across the country get a hearing at Copenhagen.

Why not give me a call?

Ed has been keeping me up to date with the Ed’s Pledge campaign and I wanted to thank you for all the work you’ve been putting in.

The thousands of letters to lo cal newspapers, the thousands co-signing Ed’s letter to David Cameron and all your efforts to spread the word about climate change have truly been a sight to see.

Sign up to take part in the phone call

People can’t be spectators to important events – the power to change the world comes from people working and fighting for what’s right together.

Tell me the message you’d like me to give to world leaders – sign up for the phone call

I hope to speak to you on Wednesday

Gordon"

Topic started by Ruth Valerio

1 replies. Last reply from on 14/12/2009 11:32

copenhagen update

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 21:11:12 GMT

Following progress of the Climate Bill in the US this week-todays news flash is a welcome boost for negotiators in Copenhagen. The money on offer is not perceived to be high enough-but it is a meaningful and credible start:

FLASH: BBC 11.59am FRIDAY 12th.... (thanks Lisa)

EU leaders have agreed to pay 7.2bn euros (L6.5bn; $10.6bn) over the next three years to help developing nations adapt to climate change. Announcing the deal, Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt said all 27 EU member nations would contribute and that the EU was doing its "fair share".
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the UK's promise, at L500m ($800m; 553m euros) a year was the highest.
EU leaders hope the deal may boost the current UN climate talks in Copenhagen.
"What we are seeing today is a very significant move forward in the search for a Copenhagen agreement," said Mr Brown.
Speaking at the end of the two-day EU summit in Brussels, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said he was confident the agreement could kick-start the final negotiations in Denmark.

Topic started by Ruth Valerio

1 replies. Last reply from on 12/12/2009 21:11

copenhagen

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:48:28 GMT

We're going to try to keep you up-to-date with how things progress in Copenhagen, so watch this space over the coming week...

Topic started by Ruth Valerio

1 replies. Last reply from on 02/12/2009 21:48

a critical few days

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:47:39 GMT

This headline (below) appears today in the Daily Telegraph-and summarises the importance of the next few days. Despite its headline grabbing nature-the threat to The Maldives is real and now-and is at a micro-level a reflection of the fear, uncertainty and scale of the challenge facing all of us. On the day after new climate models predicted the sea-level rise could be 1.4metres by 2100- (as against 0.88 m predicted in 2005), we are facing touch choices:

Whether you are able to join Dave Bookless and others or not this weekend- I would ask that you join in to pray over the next few days; and fast if you are able. Predicted numbers for the march are impressive-and the predicted turn out of leaders at the summit continues to increase by the day.....will this be a moment of historic significance-a start of something new- or will it be a grand-standing event with little substance?
PRESS RELEASE:Climate change special: Twelve days to save the worldWednesday, 2 December 2009/Daily Telegraph/J Hari

We face a threat as terrible as the rise of fascism, says Johann Hari. Now we must rise to the challenge

Mohammed Nasheed knows what global warming means, because he sees it every day. He survived years of imprisonment and torture to lead his country – the Maldives – to democracy. But now, as its President, he is being forced to watch as his homeland is wiped from the map. With each year that passes, the rising sea claims more land, and at the current rate it will claim everything.
He knows why. We know why. It is because we have released massive amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, and we aren't stopping. Unless we turn around – fast – the Maldives will be gone.

Today, he has a final plea. President Nasheed says: "Copenhagen can be one of two things. It can be an historic event where the world unites against carbon pollution in a collective spirit of co-operation and collaboration, or Copenhagen can be a suicide pact. The choice is that stark."

Topic started by Ruth Valerio

1 replies. Last reply from on 02/12/2009 21:47

copenhagen update

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:59:37 GMT

As you will no doubt be aware the leaders of over 70 countries have now confirmed their attendance. This will include a flying visit from Obama and from the Chinese President. There continues to be a scaling up of rhetoric suggesting that Copenhagen will not be the success that has been billed. Ironically this may be good news-(and much of the scaling down has been US led). See the flash below from the US ClimateProgress site:
'The admittance that Copenhagen is a failure even before it starts seems to be part of a strategy to lower expectations so that a non-time-sensitive negotiation session can take place. Joseph Romm over at ClimateProgress stated, "The new plan for Copenhagen makes the prospects for a successful international deal far more likely, and at the same time increases the chance for Senate passage of the bipartisan climate and clean energy bill".'
Please pray for the real movers ahead of Copenhagen: the US, China and India. The noises from the former two are good; India has yet to play its cards. In the mean time polls in the US continue to suggest support for a tough stand on controlling EGHG emissions remains democrat led-with the Republicans continuing to drag their feet. The reality is that many on both sides of congress remain nervous.

Topic started by Ruth Valerio

2 replies. Last reply from David Beattie on 01/12/2009 19:59

Advent action

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:29:13 GMT

the C of E have given over their Advent reflections to environmental care. You can see their web site and sign up for emails here: http://www.whywearewaiting.com/index.php

Topic started by Karen_T

1 replies. Last reply from on 30/11/2009 17:29

Scotland

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 06:43:47 GMT

If you live in Scotland, don't forget to go to the "Wave" in Glasgow: http://www.the-wave.org.uk/scotland/

Topic started by David Beattie

1 replies. Last reply from on 28/11/2009 06:43

Call to Prayer & Action

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:58:26 GMT

There is an urgent call to prayer and action regarding the Copenhagen talks from Sir John Houghton and Bishop James Jones on the JRI website (www.jri.org.uk). Please read and pray and encourage others to do the same.

Peter

Topic started by Peter Lornie

5 replies. Last reply from Karen_T on 26/11/2009 14:58

do you live in the Yorkshire and Humber area?

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:03:18 GMT

If you live in the Yorkshire and Humber area you might be interested to read this email that has been sent to me and see if it's something you would like to be a part of.

Dear Ruth,

“It's quite plausible we could get a rise of 4°C by 2070 or even 2060. If greenhouse gas emissions are not cut soon then we could see major climate changes within our own lifetimes" - Richard Betts of the Met. Office Hadley Centre

Friends of the Earth works in partnership with many organisations nationally on the issue of climate change. In order to collaborate on the work we are doing in the Yorkshire & Humber area, in March this year we set up a network of groups, organisations and businesses in this region who are taking action on climate change. The network has already grown to almost 140 member organisations, plus a number of individual members. We would like to invite Living Lightly 24.1 to be part of the Climate Action Network Yorkshire & Humber (CANYH).

This Network works to -
· bring better publicity to climate change-related events, campaigns and success stories by groups, businesses and other organisations, small and large,
· raise awareness and create action amongst the general public,
· help us share knowledge of scientific developments, political and legal progress etc.,
· ensure we work most efficiently, building a low-carbon Yorkshire & Humber together.

CANYH has its own e-newsletter containing information on campaigns and events in the region, and action by businesses with a commitment to sustainability, courses and job/volunteering opportunities. The network website, http://canyh.wikispaces.com, has more information about what CANYH is and does, and is also where copies of the current and past newsletters can be found.

We hope that you will be able to use this network as your first port of call for information, resources and potential partners in your climate change related activities. The more people who join the network, the more successful it will be. So please join and let other organisations in your area who are taking action on climate change know about the network.

Please let us know if your group / organisation / business would like to be involved in this Network. You will receive only one email per month notifying you when either a new bi-monthly newsletter has been published or reminding you to check for content updates on the website. You will also be able to share any success stories, useful information, upcoming events or campaigns in the newsletter and on the website. If you would like to publicise anything, please send it to us by 29th November for inclusion in the next newsletter.

Yours,

Bryony Wilford

Voluntary Co-ordinator, Climate Action Network Yorkshire & Humber (CANYH)
http://canyh.wikispaces.com

c/o Friends of the Earth
Devonshire House
37 York Place
Leeds
LS1 2ED
bryony.wilford@foe.co.uk

Topic started by Ruth Valerio

1 replies. Last reply from on 19/11/2009 11:03

copenhagen update

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:53:35 GMT

For those of you who have not picked up the news today-according to the UK government this morning a climate treaty in Copenhagen is described as "very unlikely". Although "Some level of political agreement is likely".
The Independent (6th Nov) covers the story in more detail.
This is not good news. The key stumbling blocks appear to include a rift in views between East and West Europe, continued difficulties in the US; and continued wrangling over the share the LEDC nations would have to pay.
The one glimmer of hope is a congress "leak" suggesting Obama may yet attend the summit to break the impasse. But this has not been officially announced. See also:
en.cop15.dk/news/view+news?newsid=2491
This comes against a background of deepening concern about coral reefs-with many scientists agreeing that their demise in the next 15-20 years is now inevitable. Harvesting samples of coral species to ensure they can one day be "re-cultivated" is one technique being looked at. Another is to fast track reef protection-see:
latimesblogs.latimes.com/.../coral-reefs-threatened-with-extinction.htm
So still much praying required.
Andy
Conservation Director
A Rocha UK

Topic started by Ruth Valerio

1 replies. Last reply from on 06/11/2009 10:53

please pray today

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:51:13 GMT

Today is the final Major Economies forum in London before Copenhagen. From 10am to 3pm Gordon Brown will be pushing the Worlds leading industrial economies to come to a consensus on tough limitations well ahead of the December Summit.

His focal point will be "today we have 50 days left to save our climate" - he is going to give all he has got to push a result. He also states that "today is the day-there is no plan B".

Please pray for him-another behind the scenes day-but again very critical. It comes off the back of scientific evidence last week that suggests the last few years have actually seen some cooling-leaving sceptics a free hand to say that it is all hype. The reality is that the change isn't linear and we will continue to see some cooler years-but the general trend is still upwards.

Topic started by Ruth Valerio

1 replies. Last reply from on 19/10/2009 09:51