weekly compilation 02.03.2012

Here's our weekly round up of the stories in the news that are relevant to our campaigns:

Biodiversity
RT @dpcarrington: Video: George Osborne's green dream. Friday fun from RSPB @Natures_Voice http://bit.ly/yUHtpM #eg
GM wheat? NO THANKS! http://bit.ly/zo30b5
Oliver Letwin: environmental rules could be 'great deal simpler' http://bit.ly/A7sKkL - so many contradictions in this!
Funding boost to help restore habitats in West Midlands: http://bit.ly/x2ibly - well done Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust!

Energy & Climate Change
What a cheery thing to read at the end of Friday: "Oil prices: 10 reasons to be fearful" - why are we still hooked? http://bit.ly/y8Z3GW
MP @giselastuart to question government over lack of support for community energy: http://bit.ly/xPCEiD
MT @MartynWilliams2: Telegraph don't get #renewable subsidies *should* taper - meant to fall as costs come down http://tgr.ph/AuiCef
RT @Martin_Abrams: Melting Arctic link to cold, snowy UK winters http://bbc.in/yXxdIt #climate #arctic #emissions
RT @the_ecologist: Are the 'Big Six' energy companies blocking renewables in the UK? http://bit.ly/xcIk53 - we'd say yes.

RT @dpcarrington: Exclusive new data reveals folly of betting UK's #energy future on #gas over #wind http://gu.com/p/35zcd/tw
RT @dpcarrington: UK gives five times more public subsidies to #fossil fuels than to #wind power http://gu.com/p/35mmd/tw

Planning
RT @digbeth: New DiG blog post, The Future of Localisation and Devolution - http://tinyurl.com/7y6sjs9
Serious questions for the council to answer about how they're allowing @QuintainPLC to demolish #saveislandhouse http://bit.ly/Ad7Ha4
"Cabinet singles out planning system as 'blockage' to growth" Frightening, despite all evidence, they still believe it! http://bit.ly/w5OgDS
RT @KCSharedSpace: Shared space key to the future of urban centres http://bit.ly/wCdzeF
RT @RachelGillies: There is now a website for developing a #BalsallHeath Neighbourhood Plan. http://bit.ly/y3b8JE

Transport
RT @AirportWatch: Excellent analysis of airport jobs "Airport jobs false hopes cruel hoax" by Brendon Sewill in 2009: http://bit.ly/A4n57V

Green Light for More Noise and Pollution: http://bit.ly/xDlIt3 Sadly Australian & Canadian pension funds invest in climate change and noise.
RT @AirportWatch: AEF reports that global aviation emissions up by 11% in 5 years despite recession: http://bit.ly/whKBqJ
RT @jrf_uk: Transport poverty is hitting the headlines – it’s time for fair thinking on fuel http://bit.ly/yPNPrb via@leftfootfwd
"Even if people prefer a 3rd runway to Boris Island, doesn’t mean they like either" http://bit.ly/xmUtF5 excellent blog post by John Stewart

Waste & Resource Use
RT @greenbirmingham: “@GuardianSustBiz: ticking time bomb: minerals/metals scarcity in manufacturing http://bit.ly/AChu79”
RT @Greenpeace: Oil companies are risking the future of the Arctic for only 3 years worth of oil. #savethearctic http://bit.ly/w3m4oy
Who is profiting at the planet's expense? http://bit.ly/zcApPh

Others
Davey promises steady hand and aggressive growth for green sector: http://bit.ly/x68vWv - some interesting stuff in here & from #Letwin

Joe Peacock: Finding a new economic path to shape our city of the future: http://bit.ly/AzBSet via @birminghampost
Make sure you register here for "City of the Future" public debate. 4 experts will give new hope for a better economy: http://bit.ly/A6EeX3
We've added a blog post about the Sustainability Spring Fair now: http://bit.ly/yr0zZM
Back Fairtrade Fortnight – and fair prices for British food producers: http://bit.ly/Aq84Ms
FoodCycle Birmingham Need Your Help! http://bit.ly/yy2OQn
RT @colebagski: I blogged: Streaming council meetings - what's the point?: http://bit.ly/xs3ny6 #localgov #gov20 - We appreciate it.

"protecting our environment and driving economic prosperity are two sides of the same coin." @CraigBennett3 - we agree: http://bit.ly/wHFNZR

New post on our blog "Positive Money is coming to the City of the Future" http://bit.ly/yonkpa
Here's something to whet your appetite for 20th March: http://bit.ly/w1LJbp via @theneweconomics
This Saturday, Take a Fairtrade step and celebrate Fairmined Gold in the Jewellery Quarter: http://yfrog.com/nx2twp
Maureen has been volunteering with us for 5 years, so here's a blog post to say thanks for all she's done: http://bit.ly/yP1dYl

West Mids comes 2nd lowest in terms of life satisfaction. Well-being data reveals stark differences across the country: http://bit.ly/zITBW2
Full line up of speakers confirmed for our "City of the Future" event: http://bit.ly/AzFNbh - it will be great so sign up while spaces left.