28th April news round up

Here's my collection of stories from our twitter feed over this week. Putting the last one up on here had some good feedback, so I'll post it again:

Energy & Climate Change

ACTION: http://www.foe.co.uk/what_we_do/nuclear_27386.html

ACTION: http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/climate/press_for_change/energy_bill_30433.html

ACTION: http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/climate/press_for_change/nuclear_loophole_30408.html

Blog: Cameron's Climate Change Act under threat?: UK deregulation drive threatens Cameron's Climate Change Act: http://goo.gl/fb/1626k

RT @scccoalition: Fuel poverty has increased in recent yearshttp://cot.ag/hHGXch Is your MP working to banish #coldtimes ?#energybill

RT @wwwfoecouk: We've blown up a huge white elephant outside Parliament to say no to nuclear power - check it out:http://twitpic.com/4q2s5x

New post on our blog by Soraya about keeping it hot in the bedroom:http://bit.ly/eyrmKM

RT @HallGreenCND: Excellent Candlelit vigil for #Chernobyl, Victoria Square, yesterday. Blog post appearing soon.http://twitpic.com/4pqsn1

RT @carbonbrief: Carbon emissions 'hidden' in imported goods, the Beeb reports on Carbon Trust research http://cot.ag/gh2b9d

RT @foeint: [Blog] Say no to increase in 'safe' levels of radiation for children. http://bit.ly/eSXKI7

Food, Waste and Local Shops

ACTION: http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/biodiversity/press_for_change/rubbish_27135.html

News of our Big Green Spring Fair on 28th May is now up on the website: http://bit.ly/hoEQ7O

RT @buynothingday: Its OK for the free market to work for Tesco, but not for savvy shoppers? http://bbc.in/j3Ecye

RT @LocaliseWM: Just what we need. More CPOs wiping out BVSC & indie shop in Digbeth - for a **** #Tesco. Why can't BCC learn from past: http://s.coop/15ut

RT @wwwfoecouk: Supermarkets still using too much packaging – Govt must aim to halve waste by 2020 http://bit.ly/iLl9bS #talkingrubbish

Missed @res_publica report on localism & high street earlier this month. Good ideas on protecting retail diversity http://bit.ly/jcehWX

If Copenhagen are burning too much plastic, what about us? "Plastic surgery for Copenhagen’s recycling policy" http://bit.ly/iirZIm

RT @TheB44: @Bham_FOE you may like this article about local shops in Kingstanding: http://bit.ly/gwVVSt - Thanks, yes we do.

Transport

ACTION There is a ready-made response to the #HS2 consultation on the @wwwfoecouk website: http://bit.ly/efxFD5 - please use it if you agree.

The end of the age of speed? http://bit.ly/m3TDbD - would be nice for people to slow down and think about sustainability more.

A sign of the times for regional airports, hopefully; Plymouth airport is closing as financially not viable: http://bbc.in/ltShrE

Are any schools in Birmingham taking part in "Free Your Feet" week? http://bit.ly/dRIaBt

RT @RichardHebditch: Campaign for Better Transport press release on today's changes to transport appraisal system:http://bit.ly/gkL5Dk

RT @ptegSupportUnit: Abolition of Cycling England threatens cycling investment http://gu.com/p/2zk8x/tw see www.pteg.net for report & event

RT @BirminghamPress: Are parts of our public transport network a no-go zone? http://bit.ly/dG6m8x #transport #buses #midlandstravel

RT @the_ecologist: How trams could save us from the ‘tyranny of the car’ http://bit.ly/icNKgv

Birmingham Airport reported to the Serious Fraud Office:http://bit.ly/enERmE

£570 000 = a lot to add extra 164 parking spaces? RT @BBCBirmingham: Station near Birmingham gets park and ride revamp: http://bbc.in/gLlGLc

Others

RT @wwwfoecouk: Why we need stronger planning laws and a localism bill that allows local people to have their say http://bit.ly/ivSkHh

RT @peopleandplanet: Bham Anti-Sweatshop training days: learn, live link up with Dominican Republic activists, act.http://bit.ly/h5qMOb

Pleased to see that #donaldtrumpisabellend is trending. Very well deserved after what he says here: http://youtu.be/f6hsm81VXKY

The next social media surgery in central Birmingham is on 10th May:http://bit.ly/kjfxQ8

Please vote yes to AV and then we can all go to the pub to celebrate:http://bit.ly/frvwHn #yestoAV

This seems like a real shame: surely, some of the equipment would have been reusable: http://s.coop/15uh #castlevale #bcc

RT @jonwalker121: Interesting read from @politicalhackuk First fruits of the LEP - the Birmingham Enterprise Zonehttp://is.gd/qCT8oN

RT @LocaliseWM: 'Beyond Con-dem-nation' 24th May, B'ham. Planners Network UK meeting: future of planning & how to deal with it http://s.coop/qxf All welcome

Hot stuff… This is for free

Normally when something sounds too good to be true it is. Here’s an exception:

A couple of weeks ago I got an unexpected telephone call – the voice introduced himself as Mr Black and informed me that as a landlord, the property I rent is entitled to cavity wall insulation for FREE –not only that but I was also able to get my second home insulated for a mere 99 quid!

The whole process was so simple; Mr Black came round to my house to assess that the work could be done and then returned 2 days later with a couple of guys and completed the job in an hour.

Mr Black also mentioned that cavity wall insulation is free for 75 year olds as well as anyone that is currently claiming U.K. benefits/tax credit.

Personally I haven’t had to put the heating on once since he left - Happy days!

Whilst I’m not sure my tenants will be as “involved” as the couple in this video (they’re both approaching 90) I, on the other hand, remain optimistic :-)

For more information on cavity wall insulation and the benefits of energy efficient homes please contact: soraya@birminghamfoe.org.uk or visit http://www.foe.co.uk/what_we_do/warm_homes_25659.html

Soraya Hodgetts

The Week's News Gathered Together 15.04.2011

I send this collection of the things I've tweeted through the week to our campaigners, but thought it might be worth putting it up here too for anyone else who's interested. I hope you find it something of interest here, but please note that this is just a snapshot from what I manage to collect, not guaranteed to be fully comprehensive:

Energy & Climate Change

Excellent to see Good Energy supporting FoE's Energy Bill campaigning: http://bit.ly/hUGJW1

RT @guardianeco: Biodiversity cause still lags behind climate change - despite UN's attempts | Ben Bryanthttp://gu.com/p/2ze4n/tf

RT @TennerFilms: Ha! This made me chuckle :-) RT @UCSUSACARTOON: arguments against #nuclear, #oil, #coal & #wind energyhttp://goo.gl/ueDAM

Messages from Japanese citizens to the world.http://www.foei.org/en/blog #japan #nuclear

RT @wwwfoecouk: Join in the ongoing #nuclear debate live on @TheEconomist website http://econ.st/g9DBjj

RT @ali_mfoe: Kenneth Richer from @wwwfoecouk calls to scrap targets: RT @BBCNews EU's #biofuel targets 'unethical'http://bbc.in/gZrO22

RT @grist: Japan could rebuild faster with renewables, says reporthttp://ow.ly/4z04J

RT @HallGreenCND: Candlelight vigil to remember Chernobyl (or should that be Fukushima?) http://bit.ly/gMeroN 25.4. 8-9.30 pm, Victoria Sq.

There's a guest article from our newsletter about what Aston University are doing to go green: http://bit.ly/ghq8vT

Very strongly argued: RT @guardianeco: How nuclear apologists mislead the world over radiation | Helen Caldicott http://bit.ly/e2Y06M

Local Shops & Food

Good analysis of survey figures here: RT @bfpeas: Our Attitude to Sustainable Food: http://wp.me/p1gLkK-vW #agrichatuk

Our school children need basic food prep lessons.Unless we act NOW the gov will take off curriculum. Hours left onlyhttp://bit.ly/f3auAL

RT @the_ecologist: Milk: why the white stuff leaves a bad taste in the mouth http://bit.ly/hVY2zV

RT @birminghampost: Tesco supermarket plan for Stirchley causes fears among local residents http://tinyurl.com/44eoh4f

RT @Bebirmingham: Green restaurants: it's time to bid for awards!http://bit.ly/g0Xt7a

Good luck to Woodhouse Community Farm in their efforts "to give it sustainable and valuable future": http://bit.ly/f7O7lm

Learn more about guerilla gardening on our website:http://bit.ly/eF2UN3

Tesco Bullies its way into Moseley - article from this month's newsletter up on website: http://bit.ly/ffhGHS

A rather lovely new blog post by Roxanne our campaigns coordinator on #cider-making and tasting the fruits at last:http://bit.ly/hWG1H1

RT @wwwfoecouk: Fossil fuels and meat & dairy farming causing costly nitrogen pollution – new research http://bit.ly/gN9VEQ

Don't think this limited to supermarkets: RT @TEEB4ME: Food from the sky! The future of more sustainable supermarkets?http://bit.ly/eGPJK5

As well as rainforest areas: RT @guardianeco: Crops for animal feed destroying Brazilian savannah, WWF warns http://bit.ly/eefIu5

Transport

RT @wwwfoecouk: EU green fuel tax plans welcomedhttp://goo.gl/fb/xIsCK

“I hope the Govt’s new thinking will encourage others to take a fresh look at their travel habits” http://bit.ly/ex7LM0 - yes, fly less!

"Rising Oil Prices and the Threat to the Aviation Industry" - a new blog post by Danielle: http://bit.ly/ewSqQo

If you thought 400 km/h #HS2 trains were a bad idea, what about a 250 km/h bus? http://bbc.in/h6AFFQ

And another good post on cycling and urgent action needed to protect them from lorries: http://ind.pn/gSQsk0

Good post here on cycling, but despicable comments as usual. Some people have no sense of perspective! http://ind.pn/evcEiu

"Money is being taken from things that benefit everyone ... to benefit big corporations and business travellers": http://bit.ly/fZS9rz

Very odd figures! £2600 for each "working" family in the West Mids - how, when over what period? Need #factcheck: http://bit.ly/f1LzUI#HS2

RT @ENJOQUEEN: Public perceptions of aviation and the environment need to be turned around, says UK CAA chief on ..http://bit.ly/eu9RAW

New blog post by Danielle looking at the topic "Is Dangerous Cycling a Problem in Birmingham?" http://bit.ly/emoW2U

Good to meet @joelycett the other day and chat about buses. He's now got a blog going on his campaign - check it out:http://bit.ly/hti1EN

RT @SaveOurBuses_UK: Philip Hammond has written to tell us some bus cuts are ‘disappointing’. So what is he going to do?http://bit.ly/12Dpi

Wide ranging comment piece in @theeconomist on cycling, including the new law on dangerous cyclists and road space:http://econ.st/fly1Kb

One of many streets where traffic is travelling too fast in Birmingham: http://bit.ly/hkjWZe We need safer streets:http://bit.ly/aF1hjW

Waste
RT @wwwfoecouk: Increase in fortnightly bin collections welcomedhttp://goo.gl/fb/XWedQ #ignorepickles #talkingrubbish

Plastic-Bag Bans Gaining Momentum Around the World http://ow.ly/4vCgN #green #sustainability #zerowaste

Others

@Bham_FOE I'm organising a bike meet this Sunday, anyone welcome & bring a picnic. More info on http://renee.vanbaar.net/?p=194 pls RT?

Thanks for the promo: RT @BirminghamiNS Guerilla sunflower planting with FoE May 1st — http://is.gd/O2S8on

We agree with CBT about Enterprise Zones and ensuring they don't repeat previous mistakes: http://bit.ly/hwhGQM -tell @EricPickles if you do

The Week's News Gathered Together 15.04.2011

I send this collection of the things I've tweeted through the week to our campaigners, but

Energy & Climate Change

Excellent to see Good Energy supporting FoE's Energy Bill campaigning: http://bit.ly/hUGJW1

RT @guardianeco: Biodiversity cause still lags behind climate change - despite UN's attempts | Ben Bryanthttp://gu.com/p/2ze4n/tf

RT @TennerFilms: Ha! This made me chuckle :-) RT @UCSUSACARTOON: arguments against #nuclear, #oil, #coal & #wind energyhttp://goo.gl/ueDAM

Messages from Japanese citizens to the world.http://www.foei.org/en/blog #japan #nuclear

RT @wwwfoecouk: Join in the ongoing #nuclear debate live on @TheEconomist website http://econ.st/g9DBjj

RT @ali_mfoe: Kenneth Richer from @wwwfoecouk calls to scrap targets: RT @BBCNews EU's #biofuel targets 'unethical'http://bbc.in/gZrO22

RT @grist: Japan could rebuild faster with renewables, says reporthttp://ow.ly/4z04J

RT @HallGreenCND: Candlelight vigil to remember Chernobyl (or should that be Fukushima?) http://bit.ly/gMeroN 25.4. 8-9.30 pm, Victoria Sq.

There's a guest article from our newsletter about what Aston University are doing to go green: http://bit.ly/ghq8vT

Very strongly argued: RT @guardianeco: How nuclear apologists mislead the world over radiation | Helen Caldicott http://bit.ly/e2Y06M

Local Shops & Food

Good analysis of survey figures here: RT @bfpeas: Our Attitude to Sustainable Food: http://wp.me/p1gLkK-vW #agrichatuk

Our school children need basic food prep lessons.Unless we act NOW the gov will take off curriculum. Hours left onlyhttp://bit.ly/f3auAL

RT @the_ecologist: Milk: why the white stuff leaves a bad taste in the mouth http://bit.ly/hVY2zV

RT @birminghampost: Tesco supermarket plan for Stirchley causes fears among local residents http://tinyurl.com/44eoh4f

RT @Bebirmingham: Green restaurants: it's time to bid for awards!http://bit.ly/g0Xt7a

Good luck to Woodhouse Community Farm in their efforts "to give it sustainable and valuable future": http://bit.ly/f7O7lm

Learn more about guerilla gardening on our website:http://bit.ly/eF2UN3

Tesco Bullies its way into Moseley - article from this month's newsletter up on website: http://bit.ly/ffhGHS

A rather lovely new blog post by Roxanne our campaigns coordinator on #cider-making and tasting the fruits at last:http://bit.ly/hWG1H1

RT @wwwfoecouk: Fossil fuels and meat & dairy farming causing costly nitrogen pollution – new research http://bit.ly/gN9VEQ

Don't think this limited to supermarkets: RT @TEEB4ME: Food from the sky! The future of more sustainable supermarkets?http://bit.ly/eGPJK5

As well as rainforest areas: RT @guardianeco: Crops for animal feed destroying Brazilian savannah, WWF warns http://bit.ly/eefIu5

Transport

RT @wwwfoecouk: EU green fuel tax plans welcomedhttp://goo.gl/fb/xIsCK

“I hope the Govt’s new thinking will encourage others to take a fresh look at their travel habits” http://bit.ly/ex7LM0 - yes, fly less!

"Rising Oil Prices and the Threat to the Aviation Industry" - a new blog post by Danielle: http://bit.ly/ewSqQo

If you thought 400 km/h #HS2 trains were a bad idea, what about a 250 km/h bus? http://bbc.in/h6AFFQ

And another good post on cycling and urgent action needed to protect them from lorries: http://ind.pn/gSQsk0

Good post here on cycling, but despicable comments as usual. Some people have no sense of perspective! http://ind.pn/evcEiu

"Money is being taken from things that benefit everyone ... to benefit big corporations and business travellers": http://bit.ly/fZS9rz

Very odd figures! £2600 for each "working" family in the West Mids - how, when over what period? Need #factcheck: http://bit.ly/f1LzUI#HS2

RT @ENJOQUEEN: Public perceptions of aviation and the environment need to be turned around, says UK CAA chief on ..http://bit.ly/eu9RAW

New blog post by Danielle looking at the topic "Is Dangerous Cycling a Problem in Birmingham?" http://bit.ly/emoW2U

Good to meet @joelycett the other day and chat about buses. He's now got a blog going on his campaign - check it out:http://bit.ly/hti1EN

RT @SaveOurBuses_UK: Philip Hammond has written to tell us some bus cuts are ‘disappointing’. So what is he going to do?http://bit.ly/12Dpi

Wide ranging comment piece in @theeconomist on cycling, including the new law on dangerous cyclists and road space:http://econ.st/fly1Kb

One of many streets where traffic is travelling too fast in Birmingham: http://bit.ly/hkjWZe We need safer streets:http://bit.ly/aF1hjW

Waste
RT @wwwfoecouk: Increase in fortnightly bin collections welcomedhttp://goo.gl/fb/XWedQ #ignorepickles #talkingrubbish

Plastic-Bag Bans Gaining Momentum Around the World http://ow.ly/4vCgN #green #sustainability #zerowaste

Others

@Bham_FOE I'm organising a bike meet this Sunday, anyone welcome & bring a picnic. More info on http://renee.vanbaar.net/?p=194 pls RT?

Thanks for the promo: RT @BirminghamiNS Guerilla sunflower planting with FoE May 1st — http://is.gd/O2S8on

We agree with CBT about Enterprise Zones and ensuring they don't repeat previous mistakes: http://bit.ly/hwhGQM -tell @EricPickles if you do