tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9977797340814250162024-03-19T04:24:43.392+00:00Birmingham Friends of the EarthEnvironmental Issues, campaigns and events in Birmingham and UKBirmingham Friends of the Earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15248357313448918333noreply@blogger.comBlogger287125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997779734081425016.post-19848230011074021682012-03-27T12:51:00.001+01:002012-03-27T12:52:07.186+01:00Change of blog locationWe have now switched the location of our blog to be integrated into our website, so it all feels and looks like our space. There is still the facility to comment on posts there and we hope everyone will find their way to <a href="http://www.birminghamfoe.org.uk/blog">www.birminghamfoe.org.uk/blog</a>Birmingham Friends of the Earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15248357313448918333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997779734081425016.post-90717656257353912392012-03-13T13:44:00.000+00:002012-03-13T13:44:03.869+00:00City of the Future - 1 week to goOne of the most exciting parts of my job is to see a plan come together and an event take place.<br />
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Next Tuesday will see our City of the Future public debate on a better economy for Birmingham take place in the Council House, Birmingham. The number of people registered for it has been rising steadily since the web page went live and we are confident of getting to capacity, so please make sure you <a href="http://www.birminghamfoe.org.uk/other/city-of-the-future">book your place</a> if you haven't already.<br />
Last year we did a debate on HS2, which went really well and attracted a lot of attention, but that was a very hot, very controversial issue on which passions run very high (and still is). This time, we are hoping to generate some really positive ideas and inspire people on a topic that used to be considered a bit dull and abstract to many, but is now starting to gain more attention - economics.<br />
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I've admired the work of the New Economics Foundation for a long time, so am very much looking forward to seeing what three ideas Julia Slay will put forward.<br />
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The idea that economic growth is what makes people more prosperous and therefore people's lives better has not been challenged enough in the mainstream media. We are very much looking forward to hearing the argument for a successful economy without growth from Oliver Bettis from the Centre for the Advancement of a Steady State economy.<br />
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Dr Helen Borland from Aston Business School has her main research interest in <span style="color: black;">Strategic Business Sustainability</span><span style="color: black;">, which focuses on how firms can adopt an
ecologically sustainable approach to their strategic decision-making,
senior management and leadership activities. She will provide the local academic perspective and expertise.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Also, we have David Powell from Friends of the Earth's economics team. His knowledge is integral to how we can campaign on issues such as Feed-in-Tariffs, green investment and the value that is put on the natural environment. He also writes some very readable <a href="http://www.foe.co.uk/blog/lawson_shale_gas_34688.html">blog posts on the Friends of the Earth website</a>.</span><br />
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I have also been busy writing articles for local press and blogs on the event. Firstly, was a big piece in the <a href="http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/2012/03/02/joe-peacock-finding-a-new-economic-path-to-shape-our-city-of-the-future-65233-30439980/">Birmingham Post </a>(whose editor, Alun Thorne is chairing the event for us). Then I wrote a short piece for my local (hyperlocal) <a href="http://www.karmadillo.co.uk/b31/?p=6233">blog B31 Voices</a>. I was also asked to contribute<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1537897077"> a piece for the Chamberlain</a><a href="http://thechamberlainfiles.wordpress.com/2012/03/09/time-to-slay-the-sacred-cow-of-economic-growth-guest-post-by-joe-peacock/"> Files</a>, a new political blog for Birmingham run by former journalists of the Birmingham Post.<br />
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Now I have 7 days to wait and see what comes out of this event, but luckily I'm so busy the time should pass very quickly. Bring it on.<br />
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Joe PeacockBirmingham Friends of the Earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15248357313448918333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997779734081425016.post-51905111216488234182012-03-12T16:10:00.001+00:002012-03-12T16:17:39.015+00:00Weekly compilation 09.03.12Our compilation of stories for this week is a little shorter than usual, but there are still some important stories there to read if you missed any of them:<br />
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<b>Biodiversity</b><br />
Our ocean's wealth & how to protect it <a href="http://t.co/2EE6ErJ9" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://ow.ly/9hfrW">http://ow.ly/9hfrW</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23futurewewant" target="_blank" title="#futurewewant"><s>#</s><b>futurewewant</b></a>” <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23marine" target="_blank" title="#marine"><s>#</s><b>marine</b></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23oceans" target="_blank" title="#oceans"><s>#</s><b>oceans</b></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23pollution" target="_blank" title="#pollution"><s>#</s><b>pollution</b></a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/globaldimension" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>globaldimension</b></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/WorldBank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>WorldBank</b></a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23Wildlife" target="_blank" title="#Wildlife"><s>#</s><b>Wildlife</b></a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23Countryside" target="_blank" title="#Countryside"><s>#</s><b>Countryside</b></a> Link's red lines on <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23planning" target="_blank" title="#planning"><s>#</s><b>planning</b></a> reform. In short, stop messing with <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23sustainabledevelopment" target="_blank" title="#sustainabledevelopment"><s>#</s><b>sustainabledevelopment</b></a> <a href="http://t.co/G1DMuzsl" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.wcl.org.uk/docs/Link_red_lines_for_the_NPPF_Feb_2012.pdf">wcl.org.uk/docs/Link_red_…</a><br />
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<b>Energy & Climate Change</b><br />
Videos about our <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23finaldemand" target="_blank" title="#finaldemand"><s>#</s><b>finaldemand</b></a> campaign on <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23bigsix" target="_blank" title="#bigsix"><s>#</s><b>bigsix</b></a> from <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/GiselaStuart" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>GiselaStuart</b></a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23FITs" target="_blank" title="#FITs"><s>#</s><b>FITs</b></a> from Mark Clemson of New World Solar: <a href="http://t.co/vHQjKiif" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/xiKESh">http://bit.ly/xiKESh</a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/greenbirmingham" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>greenbirmingham</b></a>: “<a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/BCCNewsRoom" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>BCCNewsRoom</b></a>: Birmingham City Council backs WWF Earth Hour: <a href="http://t.co/gQJT9fhU" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/yxzrlb">http://bit.ly/yxzrlb</a>" Could more be turned off, anyway?<br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/wwwfoecouk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>wwwfoecouk</b></a>: After raking in 1.8bn Euros profits, nPower owner under pressure to slash <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23energy" target="_blank" title="#energy"><s>#</s><b>energy</b></a> bills <a href="http://t.co/SWJcKcmn" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://tinyurl.com/852kj2a">http://tinyurl.com/852kj2a</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23bigsix" target="_blank" title="#bigsix"><s>#</s><b>bigsix</b></a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/northfieldeco" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>northfieldeco</b></a>: save up to £750/yr on bills & 2 tonnes CO2/yr -get a home energy makeover at no upfront cost. Apply: <a href="http://t.co/32g9cuDq" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://s.coop/81d1">http://s.coop/81d1</a><br />
The number of people dying as a result of <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23fuelpoverty" target="_blank" title="#fuelpoverty"><s>#</s><b>fuelpoverty</b></a> is three times higher than government estimates: <a href="http://t.co/Re9gJZqH" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://ind.pn/w1yI0t">http://ind.pn/w1yI0t</a><br />
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<b>Planning</b><br />
Shirley park corporate vandalism <a href="http://t.co/1Q0efEE6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://vimeo.com/38181756">http://vimeo.com/38181756</a><br />
This is a park, in the middle of a densely populated town: <a href="http://t.co/TbmvJIYL" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/AF7uus">http://bit.ly/AF7uus</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23asda" target="_blank" title="#asda"><s>#</s><b>asda</b></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23shirley" target="_blank" title="#shirley"><s>#</s><b>shirley</b></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23trees" target="_blank" title="#trees"><s>#</s><b>trees</b></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23vandalism" target="_blank" title="#vandalism"><s>#</s><b>vandalism</b></a><br />
Places for the Future - let them know what you think: <a href="http://t.co/6FPbPFr3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/zew6LT">http://bit.ly/zew6LT</a><br />
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<b>Transport</b><br />
New briefing by <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/20splenty" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>20splenty</b></a> on who's to blame when pedestrians die: <a href="http://t.co/KjCNPiuM" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/zWI2x5">http://bit.ly/zWI2x5</a><br />
Our outdated transport system is running on empty - Richard Dyer of <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/wwwfoecouk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>wwwfoecouk</b></a> on why we need revolution in transport: <a href="http://t.co/sKdJAAdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/zH1wuL">http://bit.ly/zH1wuL</a><br />
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<b>Waste & Resource Use</b><br />
Introduce a tax on waste incineration - what a good idea! - e-petitions <a href="http://t.co/QDg092pz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/2642">http://epetitions.direct.gov.<wbr></wbr>uk/petitions/2642</a><br />
Mobile phones have become a seemingly indispensable accessory for modern life, yet behind their success lies... <a href="http://t.co/f4diZGUF" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/zl8JG2">http://bit.ly/zl8JG2</a><br />
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<b>Others</b><br />
less than 2 weeks until our "city of the future"
event and there are still a few free places left. Register now, don't
miss out: <a href="http://t.co/Y6GG58oU" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/z10Ilu">http://bit.ly/z10Ilu</a><br />
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RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/ChamberlainFile" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>ChamberlainFile</b></a>: Time to slay the sacred cow of economic growth – guest post by Joe Peacock: <a href="http://t.co/Vim66i3u" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/xggy1j">http://bit.ly/xggy1j</a> re City of the Future<br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/theneweconomics" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>theneweconomics</b></a>: What moments are best for encouraging behaviour change? ... from parenthood to oil prices <a href="http://t.co/Ezb0m8GL" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/ydSerC">http://bit.ly/ydSerC</a><br />
MT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/wwwfoecouk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>wwwfoecouk</b></a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/powellds" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>powellds</b></a> is quoted in Guardian article on <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23GIB" target="_blank" title="#GIB"><s>#</s><b>GIB</b></a> <a href="http://t.co/NRe9x083" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/AA0u2E">http://bit.ly/AA0u2E</a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/LocaliseWM" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>LocaliseWM</b></a>: How does economic localisation contribute to inclusion, resilience & redistribution? Sources anyone? <a href="http://t.co/4aPEABBZ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://s.coop/81cz">http://s.coop/81cz</a>Birmingham Friends of the Earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15248357313448918333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997779734081425016.post-46992065201412715872012-03-08T12:07:00.000+00:002012-03-08T12:07:11.541+00:00Video messages about our Final Demand campaign<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Last week, we met Gisela Stuart, MP for Edgbaston, at Martineau Gardens to talk about our Final Demand campaign.</div>
There's a <a href="http://www.birminghamfoe.org.uk/bfoe-on-climate-change/mp-to-question-government-over-lack-of-support-for-community-energy">press release on our website</a> about it and we also asked her to record a video message, so here it is:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/x1Uf3s1AobQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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The previous week we were in Summerfield with Shabana Mahmood, MP for Ladywood, and while she wasn't prepared to record a message for us, we did speak to Mark Clemson of New World Solar, who said the following about what MPs can do to support the solar industry:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/eZluNTrJP2A?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Birmingham Friends of the Earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15248357313448918333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997779734081425016.post-76084782731446614162012-03-06T18:31:00.000+00:002012-03-06T18:31:12.697+00:00Places for the Future - let them know what you think.Next Monday, we won't be having a meeting here at the Warehouse as usual, but will be at the Council House for the Sustainability Forum meeting looking at the Place for the Future planning document.<br />
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You can respond to it online <a href="http://consult.birmingham.gov.uk/portal/sustainability/places_for_the_future">by following this link</a>, but if you want to help give feedback in a room full of other people who are interested in sustainability, you need to register by emailing<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJb09foMrGA_a5nm4BPvrQO-D1j38Y_5jmN9l5LRFY52uB1frOv8nHZ6ZR6t5Kq5qimAiIux3ylC3g8MRXlAuB536P3utaKgiKgp8kfAuaiOP0AGkQ8Fh8FW4kp6EU5eZIPspDKlVaIis/s1600/susforumpftf.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">sustainabilityteam@birmingham.gov.uk</a><br />
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See you there.<br />
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Joe PeacockBirmingham Friends of the Earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15248357313448918333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997779734081425016.post-84552032886886138932012-03-02T18:22:00.000+00:002012-03-06T18:31:48.062+00:00weekly compilation 02.03.2012Here's our weekly round up of the stories in the news that are relevant to our campaigns:<br />
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<b>Biodiversity</b><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/dpcarrington" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>dpcarrington</b></a>: Video: George Osborne's green dream. Friday fun from RSPB <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/Natures_Voice" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>Natures_Voice</b></a> <a href="http://t.co/GrY6MwsY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/yUHtpM">http://bit.ly/yUHtpM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23eg" target="_blank" title="#eg"><s>#</s><b>eg</b></a><br />
GM wheat? NO THANKS! <a href="http://t.co/NOoPEciS" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/zo30b5">http://bit.ly/zo30b5</a><br />
Oliver Letwin: environmental rules could be 'great deal simpler' <a href="http://t.co/oO5iTm9M" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/A7sKkL">http://bit.ly/A7sKkL</a> - so many contradictions in this!<br />
Funding boost to help restore habitats in West Midlands: <a href="http://t.co/4M3ODk6K" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/x2ibly">http://bit.ly/x2ibly</a> - well done Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust!<br />
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<b>Energy & Climate Change</b><br />
What a cheery thing to read at the end of Friday: "Oil prices: 10 reasons to be fearful" - why are we still hooked? <a href="http://t.co/jeselxCk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/y8Z3GW">http://bit.ly/y8Z3GW</a><br />
MP <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/giselastuart" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>giselastuart</b></a> to question government over lack of support for community energy: <a href="http://t.co/lDKx215w" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/xPCEiD">http://bit.ly/xPCEiD</a><br />
MT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/MartynWilliams2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>MartynWilliams2</b></a>: Telegraph don't get <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23renewable" target="_blank" title="#renewable"><s>#</s><b>renewable</b></a> subsidies *should* taper - meant to fall as costs come down <a href="http://t.co/cE5SK4iM" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://tgr.ph/AuiCef">http://tgr.ph/AuiCef</a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/Martin_Abrams" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>Martin_Abrams</b></a>: Melting Arctic link to cold, snowy UK winters <a href="http://t.co/UQcZ8aNp" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bbc.in/yXxdIt">http://bbc.in/yXxdIt</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23climate" target="_blank" title="#climate"><s>#</s><b>climate</b></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23arctic" target="_blank" title="#arctic"><s>#</s><b>arctic</b></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23emissions" target="_blank" title="#emissions"><s>#</s><b>emissions</b></a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/the_ecologist" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>the_ecologist</b></a>: Are the 'Big Six' energy companies blocking renewables in the UK? <a href="http://t.co/KnXVS5DG" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/xcIk53">http://bit.ly/xcIk53</a> - we'd say yes.<br />
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<a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/Bham_FOE/status/175180298248654848" target="_blank" title="11:26 AM - 1 Mar 12"></a></small>RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/dpcarrington" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>dpcarrington</b></a>: Exclusive new data reveals folly of betting UK's <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23energy" target="_blank" title="#energy"><s>#</s><b>energy</b></a> future on <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23gas" target="_blank" title="#gas"><s>#</s><b>gas</b></a> over <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23wind" target="_blank" title="#wind"><s>#</s><b>wind</b></a> <a href="http://t.co/KSrOI6ue" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://gu.com/p/35zcd/tw">http://gu.com/p/35zcd/tw</a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/dpcarrington" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>dpcarrington</b></a>: UK gives five times more public subsidies to <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23fossil" target="_blank" title="#fossil"><s>#</s><b>fossil</b></a> fuels than to <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23wind" target="_blank" title="#wind"><s>#</s><b>wind</b></a> power <a href="http://t.co/0XMPQeMs" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://gu.com/p/35mmd/tw">http://gu.com/p/35mmd/tw</a><br />
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<b>Planning</b><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/digbeth" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>digbeth</b></a>: New DiG blog post, The Future of Localisation and Devolution - <a href="http://t.co/llns0x5K" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://tinyurl.com/7y6sjs9">http://tinyurl.com/7y6sjs9</a><br />
Serious questions for the council to answer about how they're allowing <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/QuintainPLC" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>QuintainPLC</b></a> to demolish <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23saveislandhouse" target="_blank" title="#saveislandhouse"><s>#</s><b>saveislandhouse</b></a> <a href="http://t.co/6TfE7hAn" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/Ad7Ha4">http://bit.ly/Ad7Ha4</a><br />
"Cabinet singles out planning system as 'blockage' to growth" Frightening, despite all evidence, they still believe it! <a href="http://t.co/B2f2uFQt" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/w5OgDS">http://bit.ly/w5OgDS</a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/KCSharedSpace" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>KCSharedSpace</b></a>: Shared space key to the future of urban centres <a href="http://t.co/3JlFV1jW" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/wCdzeF">http://bit.ly/wCdzeF</a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/RachelGillies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>RachelGillies</b></a>: There is now a website for developing a <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23BalsallHeath" target="_blank" title="#BalsallHeath"><s>#</s><b>BalsallHeath</b></a> Neighbourhood Plan. <a href="http://t.co/Mj5FbN6D" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/y3b8JE">http://bit.ly/y3b8JE</a><br />
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<b>Transport</b><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/AirportWatch" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>AirportWatch</b></a>: Excellent analysis of airport jobs "Airport jobs false hopes cruel hoax" by Brendon Sewill in 2009: <a href="http://t.co/uJAqjaTS" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/A4n57V">http://bit.ly/A4n57V</a>
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Green Light for More Noise and Pollution: <a href="http://t.co/szRTDDfI" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/xDlIt3">http://bit.ly/xDlIt3</a> Sadly Australian & Canadian pension funds invest in climate change and noise.<br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/AirportWatch" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>AirportWatch</b></a>: AEF reports that global aviation emissions up by 11% in 5 years despite recession: <a href="http://t.co/xkA4k0ab" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/whKBqJ">http://bit.ly/whKBqJ</a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/jrf_uk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>jrf_uk</b></a>: Transport poverty is hitting the headlines – it’s time for fair thinking on fuel <a href="http://t.co/v23YEBum" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/yPNPrb">http://bit.ly/yPNPrb</a> via@leftfootfwd<br />
"Even if people prefer a 3rd runway to Boris Island, doesn’t mean they like either" <a href="http://t.co/4EyljuJl" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/xmUtF5">http://bit.ly/xmUtF5</a> excellent blog post by John Stewart<br />
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<b>Waste & Resource Use</b><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/greenbirmingham" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>greenbirmingham</b></a>: “<a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/GuardianSustBiz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>GuardianSustBiz</b></a>: ticking time bomb: minerals/metals scarcity in manufacturing <a href="http://t.co/CPCQ94mn" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/AChu79">http://bit.ly/AChu79</a>”<br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/Greenpeace" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>Greenpeace</b></a>: Oil companies are risking the future of the Arctic for only 3 years worth of oil. <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23savethearctic" target="_blank" title="#savethearctic"><s>#</s><b>savethearctic</b></a> <a href="http://t.co/fnsrOqOR" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/w3m4oy">http://bit.ly/w3m4oy</a><br />
Who is profiting at the planet's expense? <a href="http://t.co/CHatGcmC" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/zcApPh">http://bit.ly/zcApPh</a><br />
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<b>Others</b><br />
Davey promises steady hand and aggressive growth for green sector: <a href="http://t.co/GfBC8dWD" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/x68vWv">http://bit.ly/x68vWv</a> - some interesting stuff in here & from <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23Letwin" target="_blank" title="#Letwin"><s>#</s><b>Letwin</b></a>
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Joe Peacock: Finding a new economic path to shape our city of the future: <a href="http://t.co/Lq7GkHa0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/AzBSet">http://bit.ly/AzBSet</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/birminghampost" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>birminghampost</b></a><br />
Make sure you register here for "City of the Future" public debate. 4 experts will give new hope for a better economy: <a href="http://t.co/ck6QEf17" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/A6EeX3">http://bit.ly/A6EeX3</a><br />
We've added a blog post about the Sustainability Spring Fair now: <a href="http://t.co/TnmgAn90" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/yr0zZM">http://bit.ly/yr0zZM</a><br />
Back Fairtrade Fortnight – and fair prices for British food producers: <a href="http://t.co/B2CKhL3c" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/Aq84Ms">http://bit.ly/Aq84Ms</a><br />
FoodCycle Birmingham Need Your Help! <a href="http://t.co/UiEIQ3dj" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/yy2OQn">http://bit.ly/yy2OQn</a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/colebagski" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>colebagski</b></a>: I blogged: Streaming council meetings - what's the point?: <a href="http://t.co/GRxCliSv" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/xs3ny6">http://bit.ly/xs3ny6</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23localgov" target="_blank" title="#localgov"><s>#</s><b>localgov</b></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23gov20" target="_blank" title="#gov20"><s>#</s><b>gov20</b></a> - We appreciate it.<br />
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"protecting our environment and driving economic prosperity are two sides of the same coin." <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/CraigBennett3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>CraigBennett3</b></a> - we agree: <a href="http://t.co/ku85jHm7" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/wHFNZR">http://bit.ly/wHFNZR</a><br />
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New post on our blog "Positive Money is coming to the City of the Future" <a href="http://t.co/bYLeYlPV" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/yonkpa">http://bit.ly/yonkpa</a><br />
Here's something to whet your appetite for 20th March: <a href="http://t.co/jq9S0YSU" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/w1LJbp">http://bit.ly/w1LJbp</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/theneweconomics" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>theneweconomics</b></a><br />
This Saturday, Take a Fairtrade step and celebrate Fairmined Gold in the Jewellery Quarter: <a href="http://t.co/dYQaNSrF" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://yfrog.com/nx2twp">http://yfrog.com/nx2twp</a><br />
Maureen has been volunteering with us for 5 years, so here's a blog post to say thanks for all she's done: <a href="http://t.co/OcV7qJUL" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/yP1dYl">http://bit.ly/yP1dYl</a><br />
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West Mids comes 2nd lowest in terms of life satisfaction. Well-being data reveals stark differences across the country: <a href="http://t.co/3CD9GH5K" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/zITBW2">http://bit.ly/zITBW2</a><br />
Full line up of speakers confirmed for our "City of the Future" event: <a href="http://t.co/FfmwJqYp" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/AzFNbh">http://bit.ly/AzFNbh</a> - it will be great so sign up while spaces left.Birmingham Friends of the Earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15248357313448918333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997779734081425016.post-47742423861438847622012-03-01T12:38:00.000+00:002012-03-01T12:38:03.820+00:00Sustainability Spring Fair<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvgSwY33kIMvzg7EwrspsDMKx7bnLfQtZzqlQ8ZE0LVRDaioE9ZsevlIElPkX4ZKUyJrSzr3_qogW6o1biqlzwLj6RTTbAsa1Xb9qRc6hmKXuqmUkoEQHV_dczoc_i3JLGSqhyv5PE6sg3/s1600/springfair1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvgSwY33kIMvzg7EwrspsDMKx7bnLfQtZzqlQ8ZE0LVRDaioE9ZsevlIElPkX4ZKUyJrSzr3_qogW6o1biqlzwLj6RTTbAsa1Xb9qRc6hmKXuqmUkoEQHV_dczoc_i3JLGSqhyv5PE6sg3/s320/springfair1.png" width="225" /></a></div>
The council are putting on their annual Spring Fair on March 10th and we'll be there supporting the event as always.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU04_vgcOiREyHuBKNNeR8peek9RxAV0udRzX-xLau55fqn0I-hh3NfkpXIRLacZcdxK8eJDQldMD4km1iXALWQApby7Vkur9N2VQDizFrHhFvHhDqFhIw-nJhlQdlkSzg6eKe49NnsXTh/s1600/springfair2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU04_vgcOiREyHuBKNNeR8peek9RxAV0udRzX-xLau55fqn0I-hh3NfkpXIRLacZcdxK8eJDQldMD4km1iXALWQApby7Vkur9N2VQDizFrHhFvHhDqFhIw-nJhlQdlkSzg6eKe49NnsXTh/s320/springfair2.png" width="225" /></a></div>
We're not sure why they use quotation marks on the literature around things such as "electric cars" and "organic carrots", or why they used such an odd picture at the top of the second page to illustrate it, but I'm sure these minor details shouldn't detract from an excellent event.<br />
We hope to see lots of people there learning about all the excellent things that are going on around Birmingham. The idea being that they will then be inspired to live more sustainably themselves.<br />
You won't be able to miss it if you're around Victoria Square on March 10th, anyway - see you there.<br />
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Joe PeacockBirmingham Friends of the Earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15248357313448918333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997779734081425016.post-63084277731716299152012-02-29T12:38:00.000+00:002012-02-29T12:39:02.772+00:00Positive Money is coming to the City of the FutureI am keen for people to grasp what <a href="http://www.positivemoney.org.uk/">Positive Money</a>
is saying; i.e. that banks create almost all of our nation's money supply
and that it is a big problem.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKE1aTvfikDnZxhyrk3bTV_dpa3CxmjE3Orour4x14879ohFt64yV2krNRxefmVvp0XvGgHES4MHSrQqpNEpKsDHKLejfHsjc553Muj5g7YDVRYBJDp50GIGMzsrJMV0Su44ndW4r95WDB/s1600/posmoney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKE1aTvfikDnZxhyrk3bTV_dpa3CxmjE3Orour4x14879ohFt64yV2krNRxefmVvp0XvGgHES4MHSrQqpNEpKsDHKLejfHsjc553Muj5g7YDVRYBJDp50GIGMzsrJMV0Su44ndW4r95WDB/s320/posmoney.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Most people seem to think that the
government creates our money and that we all deal in it for the things
we need for our daily lives. Unfortunately, this is not so.<br />
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Almost all
the money in circulation apart from the tiny amount that is bank notes
and coins is money created by commercial banks when they issue loans.
This makes banks the owners of almost all our money and they get to
decide where it goes in the economy. They put it into raising the
price of houses which hurts people.<br />
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Instead, new money should be created
in measured amounts, that won't cause inflation, by the Bank of England,
as an asset of the nation. Then the Bank of England (I personally
think) should give it to the elected government who should spend it on
things that help us run a lively export economy and earn our living in
the world by doing stuff that actually makes the world better for
people; i.e. infrastructure, university and technical education, science,
research, product development and power generation research etc. <br />
<br />
It
is a crucial change that could actually take place to take the power to
create money from the banks and give it to public authority i.e. the Bank
of England. Then we'd stand a chance of getting on our feet as a nation
and having a good influence on the world. There would be good satisfying
jobs and a point to getting a good education so as to be useful players
in such a great and honourable endeavour.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJPP8mKG48vUmb_vTRkyP6yTWU01HG26uX0snADBKlPwKJMtPtinsRKc5NuVd8lreN6-T7A0_Hk5VvmPGaPPeuoSjQ231bALdAEujAPXiYvIfGmQia-OtMjhv2lNJwBnxKg2fMyaxNJHC/s1600/cotfposter.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJPP8mKG48vUmb_vTRkyP6yTWU01HG26uX0snADBKlPwKJMtPtinsRKc5NuVd8lreN6-T7A0_Hk5VvmPGaPPeuoSjQ231bALdAEujAPXiYvIfGmQia-OtMjhv2lNJwBnxKg2fMyaxNJHC/s320/cotfposter.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm really glad that Birmingham Friends of the Earth are putting on the "<a href="http://www.birminghamfoe.org.uk/other/city-of-the-future">City of the Future</a>" event where ideas like this can be discussed and there will be plenty more on this at our stall on 20th March at the Council House in Birmingham. See you there.<br />
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Dick RogersBirmingham Friends of the Earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15248357313448918333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997779734081425016.post-90917989070387006092012-02-28T17:09:00.003+00:002012-02-28T17:15:29.334+00:00Goodbye to an amazing volunteerMaureen Kirkbright has been volunteering here for over 5 years, but today, sadly, was her last day, as she decided to retire from her role as membership secretary.<br />
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She'll be very much missed for her sterling work making sure our financial supporters are kept up to date with what we're doing and making sure they are reminded to send us money when needed.<br />
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She was a real pleasure to have around the office and we were very lucky to be one of the charities she chose to give her time to. A genuinely warm-hearted woman, you could always rely on her to turn up smiling no matter how dull the tasks she had to perform were.<br />
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Every charity like ours depends on people like Maureen and we hope that she will be back soon to help us celebrate 35 years in our building, The Warehouse, on April 1st along with a lot of the other volunteers who've helped make those 35 years so successful.<br />
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Here's to amazing volunteers everywhere - thank you for the last 5 years, Maureen!<br />
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If you'd like to sign up as a member, you can do so <a href="http://www.birminghamfoe.org.uk/support.html?view=Contributions">here</a> and we'll have a new volunteer to process your details soon.Birmingham Friends of the Earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15248357313448918333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997779734081425016.post-50203321630397979222012-02-24T18:27:00.001+00:002012-02-24T18:27:32.675+00:00weekly news compilation 24.02.2012Here's our weekly round up from the world of twitter of what's been in the news:<br />
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<b>Biodiversity</b><br />Moss Brook Growers: is there a Birmingham counterpart? <a href="http://t.co/Lmqm9I0Q" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/zIg9or">http://bit.ly/zIg9or</a> nice story of cooperative organic food growers to replicate.<br />
<b></b>Seed Event Sat 3 March at Martineau Gardens: <a href="http://t.co/gDokOJqn" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/wnwqfx">http://bit.ly/wnwqfx</a> - grow something new this year.<br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/pauldezylva" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>pauldezylva</b></a>: "If our pollinating insects disappear most of our favourite foods will too" <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23Bees" target="_blank" title="#Bees"><s>#</s><b>Bees</b></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23Butterflies" target="_blank" title="#Butterflies"><s>#</s><b>Butterflies</b></a>, Blooms <a href="http://t.co/rtSdTYfb" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bbc.in/AuGb33">http://bbc.in/AuGb33</a><br />
<br /><b>Energy & Climate Change</b><br />RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/sarcasmcat" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>sarcasmcat</b></a>: Guarantee our profits or the lights go out, warns <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23Centrica" target="_blank" title="#Centrica"><s>#</s><b>Centrica</b></a> boss as he holds nation to ransom <a href="http://t.co/SICJGVqs" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://tgr.ph/ySUcwb">http://tgr.ph/ySUcwb</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23bigsix" target="_blank" title="#bigsix"><s>#</s><b>bigsix</b></a>
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RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/GreenLibDems" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>GreenLibDems</b></a>: Lucy Lawless—a.k.a Xena the Warrior Princess—Occupies a Shell Oil Drilling Ship <a href="http://t.co/N8HryhJh" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://fb.me/1CDAyyFC1">http://fb.me/1CDAyyFC1</a><br />
New blog post by Sara on coming to meet an MP with us today to talk <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23finaldemand" target="_blank" title="#finaldemand"><s>#</s><b>finaldemand</b></a> with <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/shabanaMahmood" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>shabanaMahmood</b></a> <a href="http://t.co/8tYJOGjZ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/z18PTq">http://bit.ly/z18PTq</a><br />
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UK urged to support tar sands ban: <a href="http://t.co/UoBkj0U7" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/wgkZM6">http://bit.ly/wgkZM6</a><br />
MT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/CraigBennett3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>CraigBennett3</b></a>: British Gas £500m profits, call on Govt to "slow down" free insulation 4 poorest households: <a href="http://t.co/yPFvzfBw" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/ySoRTW">http://bit.ly/ySoRTW</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23bigsix" target="_blank" title="#bigsix"><s>#</s><b>bigsix</b></a><br />
British Gas bosses reap rich rewards for failure: <a href="http://t.co/qZSKCzsu" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/zuiXlr">http://bit.ly/zuiXlr</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23finaldemand" target="_blank" title="#finaldemand"><s>#</s><b>finaldemand</b></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23ripoff" target="_blank" title="#ripoff"><s>#</s><b>ripoff</b></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23energy" target="_blank" title="#energy"><s>#</s><b>energy</b></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23bigsix" target="_blank" title="#bigsix"><s>#</s><b>bigsix</b></a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/RichardBurdenMP" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>RichardBurdenMP</b></a> Will you support EDM number 2730 to End the Big Six Energy Fix? <a href="http://t.co/VX7Cvjkn" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/wFfSLn">bit.ly/wFfSLn</a><br />
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RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/leohickman" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>leohickman</b></a>: UK gas demand in 2011 at lowest level since 1995 due to mild weather, says DECC <a href="http://t.co/DBMkruqS" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://is.gd/ccsEJN">http://is.gd/ccsEJN</a><br />
Energy Act could make Birmingham buildings 'virtually unlettable': <a href="http://t.co/ACelemvr" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/AvOzP9">http://bit.ly/AvOzP9</a> - need to get them up to standard urgently.
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RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/DECCgovuk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>DECCgovuk</b></a>: Edward Davey welcomes Ofgem proposals for reform of energy market, <a href="http://t.co/klV9fre8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/wXs3gH">http://bit.ly/wXs3gH</a> - Is there going to be progress?<br />
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<a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/Bham_FOE/status/172983714966548480" target="_blank" title="9:58 AM - 24 Feb 12"><span></span></a></small><b>Planning</b><br />
Problem with <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23saveislandhouse" target="_blank" title="#saveislandhouse"><s>#</s><b>saveislandhouse</b></a> - Quintain sold plot with outline planning permission for hotel, 106 not enforceable? <a href="http://t.co/9IZIARLP" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://yfrog.com/obccdmp">http://yfrog.com/obccdmp</a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/digbeth" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>digbeth</b></a>: New DiG blog post, Connaught Square Site Sold - <a href="http://t.co/3f9JYT60" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://tinyurl.com/6ohsqrs">http://tinyurl.com/6ohsqrs</a> - keep fingers crossed 4 good developer <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23notquintain" target="_blank" title="#notquintain"><s>#</s><b>notquintain</b></a><br />
Latest from <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/birminghampost" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>birminghampost</b></a> on attempts to <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23saveislandhouse" target="_blank" title="#saveislandhouse"><s>#</s><b>saveislandhouse</b></a> - seems increasingly unlikely to succeed: <a href="http://t.co/BZpdKnGh" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/wT3Wg0">http://bit.ly/wT3Wg0</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23greedydevelopers" target="_blank" title="#greedydevelopers"><s>#</s><b>greedydevelopers</b></a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/getgood" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>getgood</b></a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23saveislandhouse" target="_blank" title="#saveislandhouse"><s>#</s><b>saveislandhouse</b></a> RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/digbeth" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>digbeth</b></a>: Worrying developments for those looking to Save Island House - <a href="http://t.co/iifeeaI0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://tinyurl.com/86gm7je">http://tinyurl.com/86gm7je</a><br />
See you there: RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/BhamEnvironment" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>BhamEnvironment</b></a>: Sustainability Forum on draft planning document 'Places for the Future' on 12/3/12: <a href="http://t.co/YuzWqfB9" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/woFu6a">http://bit.ly/woFu6a</a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/BhamEnvironment" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>BhamEnvironment</b></a>: Bham's draft planning document 'Places for the Future' out for public consultation until 22/3/12: <a href="http://t.co/kOsDeI05" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/yh7qpF">http://bit.ly/yh7qpF</a><br />
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<b>Transport</b><br />RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/birminghampost" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>birminghampost</b></a>: Washwood Heath sites could be blighted for 20 years if set aside for <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23HS2" target="_blank" title="#HS2"><s>#</s><b>HS2</b></a> depot, claims cllr <a href="http://t.co/kPpGQEfY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://tinyurl.com/8yxz83m">http://tinyurl.com/8yxz83m</a>
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RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/bengoldacre" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>bengoldacre</b></a>: Cameron backs the Times <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23cyclesafe" target="_blank" title="#cyclesafe"><s>#</s><b>cyclesafe</b></a> campaign, great stuff <a href="http://t.co/oFbT65FX" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://thetim.es/xM71vH">http://thetim.es/xM71vH</a> - Whitby? Bham Post sticking up for cars!<br />
Poor car drivers seem to need sticking up for in Birmingham. Could have fooled us: <a href="http://t.co/MWXsIZCP" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/wTXnG3">http://bit.ly/wTXnG3</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23waroncyclists" target="_blank" title="#waroncyclists"><s>#</s><b>waroncyclists</b></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23allmoneygoesonroads" target="_blank" title="#allmoneygoesonroads"><s>#</s><b>allmoneygoesonroads</b></a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/london_cycling" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>london_cycling</b></a>: Ian Austin MP - spend per person on cycling - Netherlands £20, London £5, rest of UK 79p. <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23cyclesafe" target="_blank" title="#cyclesafe"><s>#</s><b>cyclesafe</b></a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/birminghampost" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>birminghampost</b></a>: Give Midlands fair share of transport cash, demand MPs <a href="http://t.co/lRU3GPnE" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/xw6zGq">http://bit.ly/xw6zGq</a> & let's have local rail & bus rapid transit<br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/walkitcom" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>walkitcom</b></a>: Still Walking - Birmingham festival of walking 15th March - 1st April 2012: <a href="http://t.co/K9MTFmqz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://stillwalking.org/">http://stillwalking.org/</a><br />
Traffic chaos after six vehicles crash at Swan Island, Sheldon: <a href="http://t.co/oN5UTzS8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/ydwKYC">http://bit.ly/ydwKYC</a> - seems to have been a lot since the new Tesco opened!<br />
Half of people in UK fear our <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23roads" target="_blank" title="#roads"><s>#</s><b>roads</b></a> are unsafe for <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23cycling" target="_blank" title="#cycling"><s>#</s><b>cycling</b></a>: <a href="http://t.co/anA6i8ha" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/w51oEP">http://bit.ly/w51oEP</a> - We thought it was more than that in <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23Birmingham" target="_blank" title="#Birmingham"><s>#</s><b>Birmingham</b></a>.
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<br /><b>Waste & Resource Use</b><br />MT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/ProfTimLang" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>ProfTimLang</b></a>: fossil fuel use by world agriculture grew 50x in last 60 years. Wholly unsustainable: Cornerhouse p20 <a href="http://t.co/wU0GadP3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/w66Ky0">http://bit.ly/w66Ky0</a>
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New blog post: Ethical Shopping - Hard on the High Street? <a href="http://t.co/qAVvYa3n" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/AllLM7">http://bit.ly/AllLM7</a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/poshbirdlikeyou" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>poshbirdlikeyou</b></a>: Firms urged to save <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23water" target="_blank" title="#water"><s>#</s><b>water</b></a> SE <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23drought" target="_blank" title="#drought"><s>#</s><b>drought</b></a> declared - <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/wwwfoecouk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>wwwfoecouk</b></a>; stop ignoring problem (& solutions) <a href="http://t.co/C8ZI8vjL" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/yjcFRG">http://bit.ly/yjcFRG</a><br />
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"Let’s ban toilet paper" <a href="http://t.co/LHHY90eI" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/zX3JCp">http://bit.ly/zX3JCp</a> - not sure we can see that campaign taking off. Really should be made from recycled paper.<br />
Nectar trial in Birmingham ‘a great success’: <a href="http://t.co/zEt5PeH9" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/wK0FDp">http://bit.ly/wK0FDp</a> - strangely it doesn't say how much <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23recycling" target="_blank" title="#recycling"><s>#</s><b>recycling</b></a> has gone up by.<br />
Sharp rise in waste-fed Anaerobic Digestion plants in UK: <a href="http://t.co/WB13GFzv" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/yRXhtq">http://bit.ly/yRXhtq</a> how long until Bham has some <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/EBRI_UK" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>EBRI_UK</b></a>?<br />
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<b>Others</b><br />RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/FinanceBham" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>FinanceBham</b></a>: Birmingham City Council 1st local authority to take an equity stake in a business <a href="http://t.co/Wl0n4oo4" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://ow.ly/9eXg3">http://ow.ly/9eXg3</a> - interesting move.<br />
Approaching a quarter of the places gone for our "City of the Future" event. Don't miss out, register now: <a href="http://t.co/ck6QEf17" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/A6EeX3">http://bit.ly/A6EeX3</a><br />
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RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/TheBrummie" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>TheBrummie</b></a>: Events: Volunteer at TheOldPrintWorks, Moseley <a href="http://t.co/iTO5k6kv" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/oBjlBN">http://bit.ly/oBjlBN</a><br />
Who you gonna call? <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23growthbusters" target="_blank" title="#growthbusters"><s>#</s><b>growthbusters</b></a> <a href="http://t.co/HpXIo3R8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.growthbusters.org/">http://www.growthbusters.org/</a><br />
Interesting and thoughtful piece; "Do we have time to shift values?" <a href="http://t.co/X2nQziqR" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/yCxTNA">http://bit.ly/yCxTNA</a> from the common cause project.Birmingham Friends of the Earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15248357313448918333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997779734081425016.post-28913133573546111992012-02-24T17:11:00.000+00:002012-03-01T15:22:36.370+00:00Visiting Summerfield Eco Village with Shabana Mahmood<style type="text/css">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,serif;">Today, as
part of my year volunteering with Friends of the Earth, I had the
opportunity of attending a meeting with MP Shabana Mahmood. Members
of Birmingham Friends of the Earth, representatives of New World
Solar and Family Housing Association, and local residents met at
Memorial Hall on Summerfield Crescent to inform Shabana about Friends
of the Earth’s Final Demand campaign and encourage her to support
us.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8L0JEd8nSL9le4KhD7f4eEf1e4-NXC34Xqj8kYdawuYCcqQ0AYa92B1Bwp93rG3QMp1YFwUdp1tBRmgfQZXesLd0-pu7Y2-f4EqEnUPQDfsnw5nrmxHQQ5EaJsaUi5QmcGm6DNgvtTSg8/s1600/final_demand_313.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8L0JEd8nSL9le4KhD7f4eEf1e4-NXC34Xqj8kYdawuYCcqQ0AYa92B1Bwp93rG3QMp1YFwUdp1tBRmgfQZXesLd0-pu7Y2-f4EqEnUPQDfsnw5nrmxHQQ5EaJsaUi5QmcGm6DNgvtTSg8/s1600/final_demand_313.gif" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,serif;"> The campaign
calls on the Government to help fix our broken energy system. We are
urging David Cameron to launch a public inquiry into the power and
influence of the big six energy companies that provide us with 99% of
our household energy. We also want the Government to stop axing
support for smaller, clean energy companies and community energy
projects.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,serif;">It was great
to be able to experience the eco-village of Summerfield first hand
and see the innovative energy saving processes that have been
installed in the parish office. Examples of these were the light
wells that let daylight in through the roof and work as well as
electric lights (and look even nicer). Around the walls were displays
of the types of insulation used in the walls, including sheep wool.
The effects of this were clear immediately on entering the invitingly
warm building.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDoCw7IH7urLUTE-rtPo5RWvyacvyyuwb0rSIC3w-t2cARvxhN7H0kR4EL11GZ6YVHKqv-JPTAtzvvgSQEUcqs5WqU8T1HVoI7ZXYEe8xlGxfMUbB-ovGrdPF2SAEFynjgvLhd5-zxzKO/s1600/parishoffice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDoCw7IH7urLUTE-rtPo5RWvyacvyyuwb0rSIC3w-t2cARvxhN7H0kR4EL11GZ6YVHKqv-JPTAtzvvgSQEUcqs5WqU8T1HVoI7ZXYEe8xlGxfMUbB-ovGrdPF2SAEFynjgvLhd5-zxzKO/s320/parishoffice.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,serif;">The meeting
opened with a brief history of the Summerfield area from local
resident Chris Vaughan, who explained that the idea for the parish
eco office developed as part of the regeneration of Summerfield, and
was unanimously pushed forward by those involved in the project.
Chris believes that the renovation of Summerfield is a main factor in
making the area a desirable place to live.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,serif;">Kara Moses
and Joe Peacock (Birmingham Friends of the Earth) introduced the
Final Demand campaign. Kara talked about the power of the big six,
the public’s outrage at the rocketing prices despite a fall in gas
prices and the enormous profits of the energy companies despite a
fall in sales. Joe spoke about the cuts in Feed in Tariffs and the
unstable future of the solar industry that has come about as a result
of the Government’s decisions.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,serif;">Overall,
Shabana seemed positive and enthusiastic about a greener future for
the West Midlands. She understood the need to start a green
revolution, and was aware that the West Midlands is the most fuel
poor region in the UK. She expressed particular interest in New World
Solar, asking director Mark Clemson for a history and briefing of the
company.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,serif;">Shabana
agreed to take away the joint statement for further discussion, and
those who attended the meeting had a photo taken outside the parish
office.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCpn9d_36C5UC4cJDhiH39-RYSIoBD2-GRNs1oVyHu-fVJIwkzvxBHFTyg08vVv0v5oxf8RjxiIyhW73YBFzogaS7QwsVf5cnAyraIYEJvXCY6OLO_gW13Gz6si02a7H3N_JB8wTkxenD/s1600/shabanagroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCpn9d_36C5UC4cJDhiH39-RYSIoBD2-GRNs1oVyHu-fVJIwkzvxBHFTyg08vVv0v5oxf8RjxiIyhW73YBFzogaS7QwsVf5cnAyraIYEJvXCY6OLO_gW13Gz6si02a7H3N_JB8wTkxenD/s320/shabanagroup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,serif;">Sara Linton</span></div>Birmingham Friends of the Earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15248357313448918333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997779734081425016.post-74247734500295423922012-02-22T12:29:00.001+00:002012-02-22T12:29:08.579+00:00Ethical Shopping - Hard on the High Street?On Monday, we held a discussion meeting on ethical shopping and where we draw the line when it comes to choosing what we buy.<br />
<br />
The
consensus was that it's very hard to find fair trade/organic lines for a
lot of the clothes people need for everyday wear. You can go on <a href="http://www.ethicalconsumer.org/">ethical consumer</a>
to check out a lot of the retailers and some producers, but still
there's very little information for most people to make an informed
choice about how the products they buy are made.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROwbn0o3wWgQulP5nt5ooZWTpmKnBDhZa_zqen1sSQCMS_IynWQikiI2CZH4MYy-0PozcDN7n33dPsmuHPVOSnWH822hWKoPITcOZxgxZPAKU26Gxrt5h-aANoYEtn3SU_0ayuJ6qbPiH/s1600/childrencotton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROwbn0o3wWgQulP5nt5ooZWTpmKnBDhZa_zqen1sSQCMS_IynWQikiI2CZH4MYy-0PozcDN7n33dPsmuHPVOSnWH822hWKoPITcOZxgxZPAKU26Gxrt5h-aANoYEtn3SU_0ayuJ6qbPiH/s320/childrencotton.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Most people would
not buy things if they knew that children suffered as a result, but
ignorance removes their ability to make that choice and people like to
think that reasonable behaviour is adopted by most businesses (even when
it is not the case).<br />
<br />
Emma, who was leading the meeting, has
posted round this list of websites where you can buy new clothes online
from ethical producers:<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 458px;">
<tbody>
<tr height="20"><td height="20" width="248">
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 458px;">
<tbody>
<tr height="20"><td height="20" width="248"><b>Women</b></td>
<td style="border-left: none;" width="210"> </td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" style="border-top: none;">Annie
Greenabelle</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><a href="http://www.anniegreenabelle.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.anniegreenabelle.com</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" style="border-top: none;">Johari</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><a href="http://www.johari.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.johari.co.uk</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" style="border-top: none;">Bibico</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><a href="http://www.bibico.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.bibico.co.uk</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" style="border-top: none;">Ethics Girls</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><a href="http://www.ethicsgirls.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.ethicsgirls.co.uk</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" style="border-top: none;">Chinti and
Parker</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><a href="http://www.chintiandparker.com/index.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">http://www.chintiandparker.<wbr></wbr>com/index.html</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" style="border-top: none;">Nancy Dee</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><a href="http://www.nancydee.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.nancydee.co.uk</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" style="border-top: none;"> </td>
<td style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><u> </u></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" style="border-top: none;"><b>Men &
Women</b></td>
<td style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><u> </u></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" style="border-top: none;">Rapanui</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><a href="http://www.rapanuiclothing.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.rapanuiclothing.com</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" style="border-top: none;">Environmental
Justice Foundation</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><a href="http://www.ejfoundation.org.uk/shopforejf/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">http://www.ejfoundation.org.<wbr></wbr>uk/shopforejf/</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" style="border-top: none;">Komodo</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><a href="http://www.komodo.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">http://www.komodo.co.uk/</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" style="border-top: none;">Wear Chemistry</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><a href="http://www.wearchemistry.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.wearchemistry.com</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" style="border-top: none;">Frank &
Faith</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><a href="http://www.frankandfaith.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.frankandfaith.com</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" style="border-top: none;">Pants to
Poverty</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><a href="http://www.pantstopoverty.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; text-decoration: none;">www.pantstopoverty.com</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" style="border-top: none;">Regenerate</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><a href="http://www.regenerateclothing.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; text-decoration: none;">www.regenerateclothing.com</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" style="border-top: none;">people tree</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><a href="http://www.peopletree.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; text-decoration: none;">www.peopletree.co.uk</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" style="border-top: none;">Howies</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><a href="http://www.howies.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.howies.co.uk</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" style="border-top: none;">Braintree</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><a href="http://www.braintreehemp.co.uk/index.php?cPath=28" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">http://www.braintreehemp.co.<wbr></wbr>uk/index.php?cPath=28</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" style="border-top: none;">Monkee Jeans</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><a href="http://www.monkeegenes.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">http://www.monkeegenes.com/</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" style="border-top: none;"> </td>
<td style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><u> </u></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" style="border-top: none;"><b>Men</b></td>
<td style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><u> </u></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" style="border-top: none;">Hot Pot Eco
Clothing</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><a href="http://www.hotpotecoclothing.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.hotpotecoclothing.com</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" style="border-top: none;"> </td>
<td style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"> </td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" style="border-top: none;"><b>Shoes &
Accessories</b></td>
<td style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"> </td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" style="border-top: none;">Bourgeois
Boheme</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><a href="http://www.bboheme.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; text-decoration: none;">www.bboheme.com</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" style="border-top: none;">Ethletic</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><a href="http://www.thefaircorp.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.thefaircorp.com</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" style="border-top: none;">Katcha Bilek</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><a href="http://www.re-collect.net/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.re-collect.net</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" style="border-top: none;">beyond skin</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><a href="http://www.beyondskin.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.beyondskin.co.uk</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" style="border-top: none;">Simple Shoes</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><a href="http://www1.simpleshoes.com/gb/index.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">http://www1.simpleshoes.com/<wbr></wbr>gb/index.aspx</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td><td style="border-left: none;" width="210"><br />
</td><td height="20" style="border-top: none;"><br />
</td><td style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><br />
</td><td height="20" style="border-top: none;"><br />
</td><td style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><br />
</td><td height="20" style="border-top: none;"><br />
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</tbody>
</table>
<br />
Of course, we also have to think about second hand instead
of new as being a good solution environmentally and also supporting
local businesses which may not be branded fair trade, but don't exploit
workers and have traceable supply chains.<br />
<br />
There is a
lot of greenwash about, but we need to make sure the bad practices are
stopped in the longer term to protect people and the environment -
voting with your wallet is a good way to start.<br />
<br />
Joe PeacockBirmingham Friends of the Earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15248357313448918333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997779734081425016.post-13981941057037982592012-02-17T18:30:00.000+00:002012-02-20T15:36:07.089+00:00weekly compilation 17.02.2012This week's most important stories (that we've seen) are listed below:<b><br /></b><br />
<br />
<b>Biodiversity</b><br />“<a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/BumblebeeTrust" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>BumblebeeTrust</b></a>: Heading to the garden centre this weekend? Don't forget to get plants good for <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23bees" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#bees"><s>#</s><b>bees</b></a>. Check our list <a href="http://t.co/biLfta8N" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/AfTMDl">http://bit.ly/AfTMDl</a>"<br />
MT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/TheNatureCentre" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>TheNatureCentre</b></a>: Celebrate Edgbaston Reservoir becoming Local Nature Reserve. Special event Sat 10-3 tel: 675 3278 <a href="http://t.co/nPUAtyGV" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/wd6Sow">http://bit.ly/wd6Sow</a><br />
Court finds Monsanto guilty of poisoning: <a href="http://t.co/QZW2JJNx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/xKgiEc">http://bit.ly/xKgiEc</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23GM" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#GM"><s>#</s><b>GM</b></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23pesticides" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#pesticides"><s>#</s><b>pesticides</b></a><br />
<br /><b>Energy & Climate Change</b><br />Are you a bit confused about what's happening with Feed-in-Tariffs. Here's a DECC FAQs page that may be of help: <a href="http://t.co/UbBAXs5g" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/xow0iI">http://bit.ly/xow0iI</a><br />
MT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/AirportWatch" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>AirportWatch</b></a>: Interesting website showing changes in oil price by day, 5 days, month, year, 3 years, 5 years: <a href="http://t.co/WIeefVpM" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/zOUnL4">http://bit.ly/zOUnL4</a><br />
Great video by <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/ecotricity" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>ecotricity</b></a> saying goodbye to cooling towers and hello to wind turbines: <a href="http://t.co/kFDBPfxA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://youtu.be/ggg3C87UVCY">http://youtu.be/ggg3C87UVCY</a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/wwwfoecouk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>wwwfoecouk</b></a>: EDF profits from sky-high energy bills: Energy company EDF's 2011 profits jumped due to high… <a href="http://t.co/yw8Xx4jB" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://goo.gl/fb/SN7PX">http://goo.gl/fb/SN7PX</a><br />
MT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/RichardBurdenMP" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>RichardBurdenMP</b></a>: Useful meeting with <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/Bham_FOE" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>Bham_FOE</b></a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/northfieldeco" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>northfieldeco</b></a> this am on issues raised in <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23FinalDemand" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#FinalDemand"><s>#</s><b>FinalDemand</b></a> Campaign: <a href="http://t.co/hmxq6mGI" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/ADQ7iJ">http://bit.ly/ADQ7iJ</a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/wwwfoecouk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>wwwfoecouk</b></a>: Why has Cameron signed up to expensive new UK <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23nuclear" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#nuclear"><s>#</s><b>nuclear</b></a> plants we don't need? <a href="http://t.co/84TZKzlS" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://tinyurl.com/7k46ckn">http://tinyurl.com/7k46ckn</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23energy" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#energy"><s>#</s><b>energy</b></a><br />
EDF comes under fire for jump in profits: <a href="http://t.co/svSiTF1m" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/yOjCmm">http://bit.ly/yOjCmm</a> by <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/graeme_brown" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>graeme_brown</b></a> for <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/birminghampost" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>birminghampost</b></a><br />
<br />
EDF Under Fire For Stitching Up Consumers – Local Group Seeks Help From <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/RichardBurdenMP" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>RichardBurdenMP</b></a> - press release: <a href="http://t.co/73Dc31uh" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/whevS4">http://bit.ly/whevS4</a><br />
Wow, that's quite a leap! RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/grist" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>grist</b></a>: Sales of solar panels for Japanese homes are up 30.7% in 2011 <a href="http://t.co/cBgmpLXY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/xkOf4R">http://bit.ly/xkOf4R</a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/BCABS5" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>BCABS5</b></a>: We're referring <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23fuelpoverty" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#fuelpoverty"><s>#</s><b>fuelpoverty</b></a> clients to Brum's <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23staywarmstaywell" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#staywarmstaywell"><s>#</s><b>staywarmstaywell</b></a> scheme. Freephone 0800 0337967 to access free support & advice<br />
"the big energy companies in the UK have come through another year with big profits" & fuel poverty rises: <a href="http://t.co/ykKW0K5Z" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/wL99BP">http://bit.ly/wL99BP</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23finaldemand" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#finaldemand"><s>#</s><b>finaldemand</b></a><br />
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Average Arctic temperatures in 2011 were 2.28 degrees above those recorded 1951-1980 - concern now over tipping points: <a href="http://t.co/sOUywlzt" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/x5OpUG">http://bit.ly/x5OpUG</a><br />
"If you like your hypocrisy sandwiches served with a side order of double standards": <a href="http://t.co/742nZKAJ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/x8pbmx">http://bit.ly/x8pbmx</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23deniergate" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#deniergate"><s>#</s><b>deniergate</b></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/leohickman" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>leohickman</b></a><br />
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On Tuesday, public meeting to discuss biofuels and biomass "Burning Crops and Breaking Rocks 7.00pm, council house: <a href="http://t.co/b4xpYrdC" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/zsySwY">http://bit.ly/zsySwY</a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/wwwfoecouk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>wwwfoecouk</b></a>: Good news: Co-op cuts emissions by 35% & saves £40m per year <a href="http://t.co/P5tjA2ba" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/y5kTn8">http://bit.ly/y5kTn8</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23supermarkets" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#supermarkets"><s>#</s><b>supermarkets</b></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23climatechange" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#climatechange"><s>#</s><b>climatechange</b></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23economy" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#economy"><s>#</s><b>economy</b></a><br />
Call to embrace community energy: <a href="http://t.co/XaXIjrXm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/zm9rkH">http://bit.ly/zm9rkH</a><br />
New blog post by Kara Moses on the Birmingham Energy Savers New Deal consultation last week: <a href="http://t.co/Zis4YibE" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/vZwKo4">http://bit.ly/vZwKo4</a><br />
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<b>Planning</b><br />This is what <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/quintainplc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>quintainplc</b></a> thinks of Birmingham's heritage and legal section 106 agreements with the planning cttee: <a href="http://t.co/UYGNbGpk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://twitpic.com/8k808e">http://twitpic.com/8k808e</a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/digbeth" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>digbeth</b></a>: John Bull and John Hemming MP demonstrate their love for Island House - <a href="http://t.co/4OAjfk1r" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://tinyurl.com/75zsrep">http://tinyurl.com/75zsrep</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23saveislandhouse" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#saveislandhouse"><s>#</s><b>saveislandhouse</b></a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/ReStirredForum" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>ReStirredForum</b></a>: See Re~Stirred Forum re: Connaught Square or Digbeth Park ? <a href="http://t.co/tIC4rJl9" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/zFAC5w">http://bit.ly/zFAC5w</a><br />
On the day of the Digbeth Summit, here's some good news; awful Connaught Square plans dropped - let's have a park :-) <a href="http://t.co/v6saVAFe" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/ySJmxB">http://bit.ly/ySJmxB</a><br />
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Great letter in the <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/birminghampost" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>birminghampost</b></a> today by Rob Sutton about Island House. We'll post a link when it's online <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23saveislandhouse" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#saveislandhouse"><s>#</s><b>saveislandhouse</b></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/letters-to-the-editor/2012/02/17/developers-rule-the-roost-democracy-is-a-sham-65233-30344449/" target="_blank">http://www.birminghampost.net/<wbr></wbr>comment/letters-to-the-editor/<wbr></wbr>2012/02/17/developers-rule-<wbr></wbr>the-roost-democracy-is-a-sham-<wbr></wbr>65233-30344449/</a> <br />
Land use in a rebalanced Birmingham economy: a kindred concern: <a href="http://t.co/jSF97khv" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/xUJly8">http://bit.ly/xUJly8</a><br />
Glad <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/theneweconomics" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>theneweconomics</b></a> responded to this rubbish by Sainsbury's <a href="http://t.co/KmLsGvJD" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/yfQl9G">http://bit.ly/yfQl9G</a> about killling off the high street: <a href="http://t.co/0qR152t9" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/xEWCbx">http://bit.ly/xEWCbx</a><br />
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<br /><b>Transport</b><br />MT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/StopCityAirport" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>StopCityAirport</b></a>: A farmer in Java needs to pick seeds for 18 days for one person to fly from Frankfurt to Hamburg: <a href="http://t.co/m9NJYBo9" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/yyPfrQ">http://bit.ly/yyPfrQ</a><br />
New report out on the damaging impacts of aviation biofuels - only solution is to cut the number of flights taken: <a href="http://t.co/m9NJYBo9" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/yyPfrQ">http://bit.ly/yyPfrQ</a><br />
Air pollution linked to heart attack risk - so can we do something about it in Brum, please: <a href="http://t.co/P9sLPGG2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/y70jnD">http://bit.ly/y70jnD</a><br />
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MT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/sionsimon" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>sionsimon</b></a>: (20mph) on suburban streets has always been my inclination. A bigger change would be if 30 limits were actually enforced.<br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/PostBusiness" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>PostBusiness</b></a>: David Bailey Blog: Electric car era off to a slow start <a href="http://t.co/eU6i3nVD" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/zOmXyj">http://bit.ly/zOmXyj</a> - not very surprising in a recession.<br />
<br /><b>Waste & Resource Use</b><br />RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/KarenCannard" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>KarenCannard</b></a>: Comedian Mark Thomas tells shoppers to take action on 'bloody packaging' <a href="http://t.co/97SMBkxy" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/w2cQD9">http://bit.ly/w2cQD9</a>
<br /><br /><b>Others</b><br clear="all" />What can an elected Mayor do for a city and region? What does it mean for city democracy? debate <a href="http://t.co/sDFknNg2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/zIhKOC">http://bit.ly/zIhKOC</a> (via <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/Dan_Bridgewater" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>Dan_Bridgewater</b></a>)<br />
Excellent, a rush of people signing up for our city of the future sustainable economics event. Book your place now: <a href="http://t.co/ck6QEf17" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/A6EeX3">http://bit.ly/A6EeX3</a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/beaubodor" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>beaubodor</b></a>: I believe the Government is rebranding Job Seekers Allowance as 'Tesco Value Wages' <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23supermarkets" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#supermarkets"><s>#</s><b>supermarkets</b></a><br />
Why profit-led growth is a myth: <a href="http://t.co/p4YFaRxr" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/yPix5T">http://bit.ly/yPix5T</a> - more interested in such stories ahead of our economics event: <a href="http://t.co/ck6QEf17" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/A6EeX3">http://bit.ly/A6EeX3</a><br />
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Investors call on European Central Bank to address “carbon bubble” risk: <a href="http://t.co/924mVRMI" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/wiytFV">http://bit.ly/wiytFV</a><br />
Seconded: MT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/jonwalker121" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>jonwalker121</b></a> Congrats <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/podnosh" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>podnosh</b></a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23brumbloggers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#brumbloggers"><s>#</s><b>brumbloggers</b></a> & other vols on Big Society award 4 Social Media Surgeries <a href="http://t.co/ts5sce3Z" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://blogs.birminghampost.net/news/2012/02/nick-booth-receives-big-societ.html">http://blogs.birminghampost.<wbr></wbr>net/news/2012/02/nick-booth-<wbr></wbr>receives-big-societ.html</a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/pauldezylva" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>pauldezylva</b></a>: David Miliband MP says the <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23GreenestGovtEver" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#GreenestGovtEver"><s>#</s><b>GreenestGovtEver</b></a> is not "even pretending to greenwash anymore." <a href="http://t.co/mOGgRFhA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://labourlist.org/?p=28008">http://labourlist.org/?p=28008</a><br />
Ever wondered why economic growth is a threat to the environment and to economic sustainability? Answers here: <a href="http://t.co/8kmCoDNV" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/zgLNYl">http://bit.ly/zgLNYl</a><br />
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Julia Slay of <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/theneweconomics" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>theneweconomics</b></a> has been looking at effects of austerity measures in Bham: <a href="http://t.co/zIJdRZCI" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/AdtWcv">http://bit.ly/AdtWcv</a> - she'll also be speaking.<br />
Know what a steady state economy is and why it is desirable? We'll have a speaker talking about it on 20th March: <a href="http://t.co/y3eKw3WL" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/zsWrv1">http://bit.ly/zsWrv1</a><br />Birmingham Friends of the Earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15248357313448918333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997779734081425016.post-86390965983412107172012-02-13T15:21:00.003+00:002012-02-13T15:24:08.803+00:00Birmingham Energy Savers consultation<div class="MsoNormal">
As part of my work as a BFOE volunteer working on the Final
Demand campaign, this week I attended a consultation event on delivering the
Green Deal in Birmingham, organised by the pioneering Birmingham Energy Savers
project. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2rwri0Alh58FaD2YbRYHydeH9FZ_hsxtJGblUUEolxLE1RkR6xaadfmccZ5unM-mQz4xyMJR4y0vMtQC3tYvqUxqkZ44f9JFWCZtrI76KWgjakuGMSMOe7kvNkly3l37lh8itxzwrnDC/s1600/BES-H-Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2rwri0Alh58FaD2YbRYHydeH9FZ_hsxtJGblUUEolxLE1RkR6xaadfmccZ5unM-mQz4xyMJR4y0vMtQC3tYvqUxqkZ44f9JFWCZtrI76KWgjakuGMSMOe7kvNkly3l37lh8itxzwrnDC/s320/BES-H-Logo.jpg" width="306" /></a></div>
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In a nutshell, the Green Deal is a new government initiative
aimed at reducing people’s energy use, thereby reducing their carbon emissions and
alleviating fuel poverty, as well as creating jobs, in one fell swoop. </div>
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Through the scheme, people are able to improve the energy
efficiency of their homes without having to pay for the costs upfront. Loft-
and cavity-wall-insulation and efficient boilers are among the measures that
can be taken to reduce energy wastage in the home, which of course reduces
energy use. The work is paid for through people’s fuel bills, but with the ‘Golden
Rule’ of the Green Deal – that the cost of the retrofit will not be more than
the savings made on the bills – a net saving is still made. </div>
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Birmingham
is the first local authority to be offering the Green Deal. Birmingham Energy
Savers (BES) is a city council initiative which offers solar pv installations and
energy advice to the people of Birmingham,
aiming to reduce the city’s carbon emissions and create local jobs. Amazingly,
it is the second largest refurbishment programme in the world! </div>
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BES is currently gearing up to start delivering the Green
Deal later in the year when it goes live. Already they have conducted pilot
tests and been finding partners to work with. Right now they are hammering out
the finer details of how the real deal will work – and that is why they
organised the consultation event that I went to. </div>
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The event was attended by a varied bunch, including housing
associations, energy companies, consultants, contractors, renewable energy
companies, councillors, business people – and BFOE!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIDfcIfhEFaNCZx6UpTAds9aApADgpwG9YnV2q861t1MxlEWEsUa0WJBVJv2zG-n2byWVJpvWTJ9j-Kc2_TCAGCMretzmW8p1icAZ98Iqqe7pULL67LO6lynJ0fpntgkzZ76szXOWj65AV/s1600/solar_panel_house_green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIDfcIfhEFaNCZx6UpTAds9aApADgpwG9YnV2q861t1MxlEWEsUa0WJBVJv2zG-n2byWVJpvWTJ9j-Kc2_TCAGCMretzmW8p1icAZ98Iqqe7pULL67LO6lynJ0fpntgkzZ76szXOWj65AV/s1600/solar_panel_house_green.jpg" /></a></div>
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We started with a presentation explaining the project and
some of the potential problems it may face – such as the numerous very old
properties that don’t meet the required standards. For example, some Victorian
houses only have one wall layer, so can’t have cavity wall insulation (as they have
no cavity!). I was pleased to hear that extra subsidies may be available for
these houses. </div>
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We then broke out into three focus groups. BES asked us all for
our input on three areas, to feed it into their continuing development of the
project. Firstly my group focused on behaviour change – why it’s important,
what can be changed and what resources are needed. With a representative of a
housing association in our group, we spent some time discussed potential problems
of offering the deal to social housing tenants, in particular people
questioning why they have to pay for the work themselves – should the housing
association not provide them with energy efficient homes in the first place? </div>
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We all acknowledged the need to maintain a dialogue with ‘customers’,
providing ongoing support rather than simply going in, doing the work, and then
disappearing. This could be done with six-month follow-up consultations. With
the installation of solar pv panels that provide free electricity, there is a
danger that some people may actually become more frivolous with how they use that
electricity. Smart meters – which allow people to clearly see how much energy
they are using – may be a good way to engage people with how much energy they
are actually using and encourage them to be more careful with it. </div>
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Our group then moved on to discuss customer satisfaction. Having
work done on your house can be extremely disruptive, and if a house is having a
full retrofit the tenant may have to move out of it while the work is being
done, so ensuring minimal disruption is a high priority for ensuring customer
satisfaction. We suggested that complimentary services such as free storage
space may help to make the process smoother. </div>
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We agreed that the energy advisor making the initial contact
will need to be multiskilled to put the customer at ease, explain the technical
details but not present the work as a ‘sale’, as this may be off-putting for
some people and even arouse suspicion of the scheme. A national website and
hotline will be provided for people to follow up on the initial visit and confirm
the project as bona fide and not a scam. </div>
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Finally we discussed awareness-raising and engagement. We
built upon the previous discussion of potential suspicion, and agreed that clear
endorsement by Birmingham City Council and/or central government was required
to put people’s minds at ease that the project is for real </div>
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I raised the point that in communicating with people about the
scheme, the environmental message needs to be as strong as the financial one. For
many people it will be the financial incentive that attracts them, but the reason
the deal exists is to reduce carbon emissions and that message should not be
lost. If it is then a precious opportunity to raise awareness of the direct
links between day-to-day behaviour and climate change would be lost. Some people
will also be attracted by the environmental incentive too, so there is a need
to understand people’s drivers. </div>
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I found the consultation interesting and informative, and it
was great to be representing BFOE ‘out there’. It felt like a responsibility
and a privilege to be championing the green perspective and engaging with
people with very different perspectives, such as business, housing and even
energy (I was sat next to a man from one of the big six energy companies, who
we are currently campaigning against with our Final Demand campaign!). This was
both challenging and enjoyable, and felt very necessary. </div>
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Kara Moses<br />
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<br /></div>Birmingham Friends of the Earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15248357313448918333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997779734081425016.post-33303280015764572902012-02-10T18:30:00.000+00:002012-02-13T15:26:57.881+00:00weekly compilation 10.02.2012Here's a summary of what's been in the news across our main campaign areas over the last week:<br />
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<b>Biodiversity</b><br />Bees Butterflies & Blooms on iPlayer <a href="http://t.co/fNuuz470" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0152fty/Bees_Butterflies_and_Blooms_Villages_Farms_and_Countryside/">http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/<wbr></wbr>episode/b0152fty/Bees_<wbr></wbr>Butterflies_and_Blooms_<wbr></wbr>Villages_Farms_and_<wbr></wbr>Countryside/</a> great programme explaining why we want to get Britain Buzzing!<br />The Badger Trust prepares legal challenge on <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23Badger" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#Badger"><s>#</s><b>Badger</b></a> cull. <a href="http://t.co/qRIAsAgA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.badgertrust.org.uk/_Attachments/Resources/638_S4.pdf">http://www.badgertrust.org.uk/<wbr></wbr>_Attachments/Resources/638_S4.<wbr></wbr>pdf</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23Wildlife" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#Wildlife"><s>#</s><b>Wildlife</b></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23Science" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#Science"><s>#</s><b>Science</b></a><br />Are tuna + mackerel stocks close to collapse? <a href="http://t.co/yCTMxi5M" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120208103226.htm">http://www.sciencedaily.com/<wbr></wbr>releases/2012/02/120208103226.<wbr></wbr>htm</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23fish" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#fish"><s>#</s><b>fish</b></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23marine" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#marine"><s>#</s><b>marine</b></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23biodiversity" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#biodiversity"><s>#</s><b>biodiversity</b></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23business" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#business"><s>#</s><b>business</b></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23EcosystemServices" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#EcosystemServices"><s>#</s><b>EcosystemServices</b></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/ProBiodiversity" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>ProBiodiversity</b></a><br />
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"If, God forbid, there were no pollinators it would cost economy £400m pa to substitute for that." <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23bees" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#bees"><s>#</s><b>bees</b></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23Rioplus20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#Rioplus20"><s>#</s><b>Rioplus20</b></a> <a href="http://t.co/YsHejqSy" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/uk-to-press-for-global-green-accounting-system-6699781.html">http://www.independent.co.uk/<wbr></wbr>environment/climate-change/uk-<wbr></wbr>to-press-for-global-green-<wbr></wbr>accounting-system-6699781.html</a><br />
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George <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23Osborne" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#Osborne"><s>#</s><b>Osborne</b></a> is wrong in saying protecting our environment is a burden. <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23Wildlife" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#Wildlife"><s>#</s><b>Wildlife</b></a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23Countryside" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#Countryside"><s>#</s><b>Countryside</b></a> Link shows why: <a href="http://t.co/uxnsypEN" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.wcl.org.uk/docs/Link_response_to_Nature_Directives_060212.pdf">http://www.wcl.org.uk/docs/<wbr></wbr>Link_response_to_Nature_<wbr></wbr>Directives_060212.pdf</a><br />
<br /><b>Energy & Climate Change</b><br />Well, that's nice of them! Only1/3: RT <a href="https://twitter.com/IVSolarUK" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>IVSolarUK</b></a>: DECC predicts a third of UK solar workers will lose their jobs: <a href="http://t.co/CqAlGJS4" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/xcJBgi">http://bit.ly/xcJBgi</a><br />Response by <a href="https://twitter.com/wwwfoecouk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>wwwfoecouk</b></a> to Government announcement on plans to reform solar subsidies: <a href="http://t.co/kAeoDvMs" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/xLZXiC">http://bit.ly/xLZXiC</a><br />World's biggest wind farm opens, but it's just a drop in the ocean: <a href="http://t.co/apxJbGy5" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/wHrpmV">http://bit.ly/wHrpmV</a><br />RT <a href="https://twitter.com/powellds" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>powellds</b></a>: DECC proposal is that tariff rates will fall by ANOTHER 25% - from 21p - as soon as July 2012 <a href="http://t.co/tRMnMilk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/zUi0UE">http://bit.ly/zUi0UE</a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/wwwfoecouk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>wwwfoecouk</b></a>: Ed Davey speech on energy efficiency - Friends of the Earth reaction: New Energy Secretary… <a href="http://t.co/Hq0ex4c3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://goo.gl/fb/IMR4n">http://goo.gl/fb/IMR4n</a><br />
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<a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/Bham_FOE/status/167270392917008384" target="_blank" title="3:35 PM - 8 Feb 12"><span></span></a></small>RT <a href="https://twitter.com/Good_Energy" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>Good_Energy</b></a>: BBC <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23Panorama" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#Panorama"><s>#</s><b>Panorama</b></a> accepts it should have been clearer that it's gas prices that are pushing up fuel bills <a href="http://t.co/ThKL5rLE" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bbc.in/yVf8BK">http://bbc.in/yVf8BK</a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/FOE_Scotland" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>FOE_Scotland</b></a>: Every windfarm mapped - and the MPs who hate them | News | <a href="http://t.co/XErdjOCH" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://guardian.co.uk">http://guardian.co.uk</a> <a href="http://t.co/zyoIhZmA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/z21Fvx">http://bit.ly/z21Fvx</a><br />
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<a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/Bham_FOE/status/166925342353784833" target="_blank" title="4:44 PM - 7 Feb 12"><span></span></a></small>Oil man is new chairman of Carbon Trust - really? How does that work to build trust? <a href="http://t.co/aFztKV6z" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/wRMicK">http://bit.ly/wRMicK</a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/Martin_Abrams" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>Martin_Abrams</b></a>: Why Tory MPs opposition to wind power will put your energy bill up: <a href="http://t.co/b0yAwrNE" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://gu.com/p/359ft/tw">http://gu.com/p/359ft/tw</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23Wind" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#Wind"><s>#</s><b>Wind</b></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23Energy" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#Energy"><s>#</s><b>Energy</b></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23Climate" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#Climate"><s>#</s><b>Climate</b></a><br />
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<b>Planning</b><br />RT <a href="https://twitter.com/getgood" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>getgood</b></a>: Set of pics of Island House covered in plastic today <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23saveislandhouse" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#saveislandhouse"><s>#</s><b>saveislandhouse</b></a> <a href="http://t.co/D4r7trzS" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/y2YCSA">http://bit.ly/y2YCSA</a><br />RT <a href="https://twitter.com/BCCNewsRoom" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>BCCNewsRoom</b></a>: Consultation on <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23green" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#green"><s>#</s><b>green</b></a> guidance for development in Birmingham: <a href="http://t.co/37axpnCJ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/wHkXwt">http://bit.ly/wHkXwt</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23brum" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#brum"><s>#</s><b>brum</b></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23localgov" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#localgov"><s>#</s><b>localgov</b></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23planning" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#planning"><s>#</s><b>planning</b></a><br />RT <a href="https://twitter.com/LocaliseWM" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>LocaliseWM</b></a>: Birmingham City Council - a poor landlord for the Wholesale Markets <a href="http://t.co/8Apdcqxd" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://s.coop/7yyf">http://s.coop/7yyf</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23supportourmarkets" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#supportourmarkets"><s>#</s><b>supportourmarkets</b></a><br />RT <a href="https://twitter.com/jonwalker121" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>jonwalker121</b></a>: Mayoral hopeful Sion Simon on his campaign to protect Birmingham's wholesale markets <a href="http://t.co/McJ7fDKf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/x1xJmh">http://bit.ly/x1xJmh</a> >His campaign?<br />£1 million Government funding announced for 'Portas Pilots': <a href="http://t.co/u2tJkViV" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/wYbOkf">http://bit.ly/wYbOkf</a> our article on Portas review: <a href="http://t.co/LgYOa8mh" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/wyFVGq">http://bit.ly/wyFVGq</a><br />
<br /><b>Transport</b><br />RT <a href="https://twitter.com/AirportWatch" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>AirportWatch</b></a>: Planes & pollution: Trouble in the air, double on the ground | The Economist <a href="http://t.co/HxiNqNlO" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://econ.st/w4L7fc">http://econ.st/w4L7fc</a><br />RT <a href="https://twitter.com/AirportWatch" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>AirportWatch</b></a>: UK carbon emissions up 3.1% in 2010 compared to 2009. Aviation 6.4% of UK total in 2010. <a href="http://t.co/rzo0ay4f" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/xadSRi">http://bit.ly/xadSRi</a><br />RT <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCPolitics" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>BBCPolitics</b></a>: The Times cycling campaign in Commons debate in fortnight. Peers have already debated safety options: <a href="http://t.co/UNSPbWOD" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bbc.in/A2LfSg">http://bbc.in/A2LfSg</a><br />
Don't agree with this at all - re-open stations: RT <a href="https://twitter.com/the_ecologist" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>the_ecologist</b></a>: Why closure of lines is vastly preferable to <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23HS2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#HS2"><s>#</s><b>HS2</b></a>: <a href="http://t.co/1DSLEUKJ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/wACgre">http://bit.ly/wACgre</a><br />
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Airport is "morbidly obese gourmand giving up a weekly tube of Smarties & pretending this will help him lose weight." <a href="http://t.co/pwioA7Hb" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/zfxZl3">http://bit.ly/zfxZl3</a><br />
Rebel Tory alliance to mount legal challenge to £34bn high-speed rail scheme: <a href="http://t.co/tQ7ENbtU" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/zPh5PX">http://bit.ly/zPh5PX</a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/ModeRange" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>ModeRange</b></a>: I just asked my councillor to take action on icy, slippery streets via <a href="https://twitter.com/livingstreets" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>livingstreets</b></a> <a href="http://t.co/0tx8rsAQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/uBzKcQ">http://bit.ly/uBzKcQ</a><br />
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<b>Waste & Resource Use</b><br clear="all" />Designing out waste is not only at the core of a circular economy but crucial in society's transition towards it: <a href="http://t.co/tETjVlBj" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/yzxeuI">http://bit.ly/yzxeuI</a><br />Terrapins thrown in rubbish are rescued from waste plant: <a href="http://t.co/SpGsnbkZ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bbc.in/xyeswK">http://bbc.in/xyeswK</a> - good job it wasn't an incinerator - would've had no chance!<br />RT <a href="https://twitter.com/James_BG" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>James_BG</b></a>: So has Pickles u-turned on bin collections or was it always going to be more progressive than it sounded? <a href="http://t.co/c40tlLA2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/xc4ffO">http://bit.ly/xc4ffO</a><br />
<br /><b>Others</b><br />For people who want to be kept informed about our "City of the Future" public debate, sign up on facebook: <a href="http://t.co/WTogRehs" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://on.fb.me/A7W9Qt">http://on.fb.me/A7W9Qt</a><br />MT <a href="https://twitter.com/LocaliseWM" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>LocaliseWM</b></a>: Call for up to £70bn Green Quantitative Easing to stabilise flagging UK economy: <a href="http://t.co/qgsH3Y66" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://wp.me/p1ckC8-Ul">http://wp.me/p1ckC8-Ul</a> Agree<br />MT <a href="https://twitter.com/escapethecheese" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>escapethecheese</b></a>: Escape Valentine’s day & raise money to help <a href="https://twitter.com/northfieldeco" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>northfieldeco</b></a> plant trees at <a href="https://twitter.com/urbancoffeeco" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>urbancoffeeco</b></a> on 14th. <a href="http://t.co/xTN9Xamy" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/ztsaZC">http://bit.ly/ztsaZC</a><br />Are we going to get a bill for a supermarket adjudicator as recommended by the competition commission? <a href="http://t.co/z62EpCez" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/xUUdPs">http://bit.ly/xUUdPs</a><br />Good work Roger. Thanks for backing our ask RT <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerGodsiff" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>RogerGodsiff</b></a> I call for supermarket watchdog in the next Queen's Speech <a href="http://t.co/rYxGl0sK" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/wK1bzS">bit.ly/wK1bz</a><br />Read about our exciting public debate coming up in March: Cities of the Future: <a href="http://t.co/6juYz3vK" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/zydJXh">http://bit.ly/zydJXh</a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/jrf_uk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>jrf_uk</b></a>: 'Why economic inequality leads to collapse' <a href="http://t.co/S00YtWNb" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://j.mp/AatSXn">http://j.mp/AatSXn</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/guardian" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>guardian</b></a><br />
New blog post about the West Midlands regional gathering on Saturday: <a href="http://t.co/zp158tv1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/xAkTYU">http://bit.ly/xAkTYU</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23foegath" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#foegath"><s>#</s><b>foegath</b></a>Birmingham Friends of the Earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15248357313448918333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997779734081425016.post-67520633199452479562012-02-06T18:56:00.002+00:002012-02-13T18:35:43.509+00:00City of the FutureRecently we've all been a little miffed about the current economic situation, with a circulating question of:<br />
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Can we shift to a healthier economy? If so, what would it look like?<br />
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At Birmingham FOE, we are organising an eye-opening event which aims to<br />
capture the current economic debate, discussing what it currently provides for us and identifying the real-life tools which would be required to have a better, more sustainable economy.<br />
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I was excited enough about this to volunteer to help organise it.<br />
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The Idea:<br />
A panel of four economic experts will each present three ideas that would inspire new hope for young people and their chances<br />
for future employment and a better environment.<br />
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A second panel of representatives from local groups, cross-examine the presented cases.<br />
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Discussion will be opened up to the audience. ← this is your part!<br />
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The Date:<br />
Tuesday 20th March 2012 is the time and the place to stop being miffed and start being active!<br />
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Pop it in your diaries and I hope to see you there (keep an eye out for details of our amazing panel).<br />
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Rachel Tyson<br />
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Edit: Registration is now open on our website: http://www.birminghamfoe.org.uk/other/city-of-the-futureBirmingham Friends of the Earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15248357313448918333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997779734081425016.post-61989609527051990152012-02-06T18:01:00.001+00:002012-02-06T18:03:53.068+00:00Gathering together the Midlands familyOn Saturday, we had our regional gathering for FoE campaigners in the West Midlands.<br />
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As always it was a great opportunity to swap stories, exchange knowledge and tips or just generally moan about the bad things going on with the environment.<br />
Our biggest campaign at the moment is Final Demand, so we had Donna Hulme up from London to give us some detail on the plans for how that will develop, as well as explaining what's going on with FiTs - why the government wants to kill the solar industry.<br />
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The question I really wanted to put was how we counter <a href="http://www.monbiot.com/2010/03/01/a-great-green-rip-off/">the arguments put by Monbiot</a> that solar can't deliver very much and is a tax on the poor for middle class people to get eco-bling. The answers were very convincing and it's a bit puzzling that Monbiot has refused to have a public debate on it, as our policy team are very confident they would be able to counter any points he makes. This <a href="http://www.foe.co.uk/blog/simpson2_34707.html">blog post by Alan Simpson</a> does a good job of it, but a few quick snippets of solar's positives are:<br />
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<li>we could generate a third of the electricity we need from domestic roofs</li>
<li>solar and wind complement each other very well</li>
<li>the behaviour changes you get from those with PV on their roofs are very marked</li>
<li>community or social housing schemes can really benefit the most vulnerable, including fuel poor</li>
<li>It's still well worth putting PV on your roof with the 21p FiT, but community schemes need more </li>
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My understanding has also been much improved by the emphasis that it's not just the rate which is the problem with the government's tinkering, but having to have <a href="http://www.thepositivechoice.co.uk/?page_id=42">band C</a> energy performance, which takes out about 90% of the housing in this country. That makes far less sense for generating electricity than for heat, but there's no connection with the <a href="http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/meeting_energy/renewable_ener/incentive/incentive.aspx">Renewable Heat Incentive</a> and efficiency.<br />
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We also spoke about new campaigns on biodiversity and greener products, but these campaigns are still in development and also had a session where we looked at lobbying MPs.<br />
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On a lighter note I also won some chocolate for the following pretty awful limerick - it was the only entry in the poetry competition:<br />
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Chris Huhne's sped away from DECC<br />
Where he was always a pain in the neck<br />
He tried to kill solar<br />
And melt all the polar<br />
Icecaps, but his plans were wrecked.<br />
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Joe PeacockBirmingham Friends of the Earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15248357313448918333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997779734081425016.post-65484034537449415672012-02-03T18:48:00.002+00:002012-02-03T18:48:40.990+00:00weekly compilation 03.02.2012<b>Biodiversity</b><br />If you want to do something non-cheesy on Valentine's day, here's a fundraiser for Northfield's community orchards: <a href="http://t.co/UyN5fn1I" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/zsfxky">http://bit.ly/zsfxky</a><br />
<br />RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/Earth_News" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>Earth_News</b></a>: Hedgerows direct the flight of the bumblebee <a href="http://t.co/oeUJ2MaW" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/xRW6jI">http://bit.ly/xRW6jI</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/guardian" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>guardian</b></a><br />
<br />End Monsanto's campaign of fear and intimidation against America's farmers <a href="http://t.co/cwPEKAAF" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/Ack1Wa">http://bit.ly/Ack1Wa</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/food_democracy" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>food_democracy</b></a> Pls RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23stopMonsanto" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#stopMonsanto"><s>#</s><b>stopMonsanto</b></a><br />
<br />“<a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/scales_project" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>scales_project</b></a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23biodiversity" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#biodiversity"><s>#</s><b>biodiversity</b></a> crisis is worse than <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23climatechange" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#climatechange"><s>#</s><b>climatechange</b></a> <a href="http://t.co/4PEcAuuj" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://goo.gl/RxCQV">http://goo.gl/RxCQV</a> < or, as flip sides of same coin, as important.<br />
<br /><b>Energy & Climate Change</b><br />Please object to E.On’s mega-biomass plans at Ironbridge: <a href="http://t.co/QSNfIJdT" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/waet69">http://bit.ly/waet69</a><br />
<br />"Once, men abused slaves. Now we abuse fossil fuels" Jean Francois Mouhot former climate campaigner here in Guardian: <a href="http://t.co/HdeMV5uo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/yaHyyx">http://bit.ly/yaHyyx</a><br />
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Chris Huhne resignation - Friends of the Earth reaction: <a href="http://t.co/sg1RDHob" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/Aolxw0">http://bit.ly/Aolxw0</a><br />
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RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/Modern_Greenery" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>Modern_Greenery</b></a> As FoE & others have long asserted: Ministers 'misled MPs over need for nuclear power stations' - <a href="http://t.co/08goSfTd" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2142852/ministers-misled-mps-nuclear-power-stations">http://www.businessgreen.com/<wbr></wbr>bg/news/2142852/ministers-<wbr></wbr>misled-mps-nuclear-power-<wbr></wbr>stations</a><br />
<br />RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/heatoreat" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>heatoreat</b></a>: have u played heat or eat yet? <a href="http://t.co/Kv2WxsVB" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/zU7JRS">http://bit.ly/zU7JRS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23fuelpoverty" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#fuelpoverty"><s>#</s><b>fuelpoverty</b></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23climatechange" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#climatechange"><s>#</s><b>climatechange</b></a><br />
<br />RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/vickihird" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>vickihird</b></a>: Watch 131 Years of Global Warming in 26 Seconds | Climate Central <a href="http://t.co/htpCZdxA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://shar.es/fvPnk">http://shar.es/fvPnk</a><br />
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RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/dpcarrington" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>dpcarrington</b></a>: EC says cost of upping CO2 cuts 20 to 25% is €18bn. Savings in fuel costs €20bn + less air pollution <a href="http://t.co/Gs2lDbnB" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/w6AjuL">http://bit.ly/w6AjuL</a><br />
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<br /><b>Planning </b><br />Portas Review Looks To High Street Renaissance - Great article from one of our new volunteers, Raquel: <a href="http://t.co/LgYOa8mh" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/wyFVGq">http://bit.ly/wyFVGq</a><br />
<br />Support small entrepreneurs, not retail giants - our letter in yesterday's <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/birminghampost" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>birminghampost</b></a>: <a href="http://t.co/kZzODRUf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/xY8166">http://bit.ly/xY8166</a><br />
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It looks like we actually have until 23.02.2012 to respond to section 106 consultation on <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23saveislandhouse" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#saveislandhouse"><s>#</s><b>saveislandhouse</b></a> <a href="http://t.co/ri8vC1yc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://yfrog.com/obx9urkj">http://yfrog.com/obx9urkj</a><br />
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The council is to raise Wholesale Market service charges by 50%: <a href="http://t.co/PlgOkU73" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/xCxKbG">http://bit.ly/xCxKbG</a><br />
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<a href="http://t.co/PlgOkU73" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/xCxKbG">RT </a><a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/neilelkes" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>neilelkes</b></a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23saveislandhouse" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#saveislandhouse"><s>#</s><b>saveislandhouse</b></a> protest <a href="http://t.co/Z6RXvLYc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://lockerz.com/s/179682338">http://lockerz.com/s/179682338</a> not flattering as we were all blinded by the sun - still cold, though.<br />
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Here's our official statement on <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23saveislandhouse" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#saveislandhouse"><s>#</s><b>saveislandhouse</b></a> ahead of Wednesday's demonstration: <a href="http://t.co/IKe1fRjf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/xcDXO3">http://bit.ly/xcDXO3</a> (<a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/BhamCommunities" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>BhamCommunities</b></a>)<br />
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RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/birminghampost" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>birminghampost</b></a>: Birmingham historian Carl Chinn joins fight to save Island House from demolition <a href="http://t.co/apL3NKUH" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/wrNCuH">http://bit.ly/wrNCuH</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23saveislandhouse" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#saveislandhouse"><s>#</s><b>saveislandhouse</b></a><br />
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RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/wwwfoecouk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>wwwfoecouk</b></a>: MPs warn over UK flood management: Flooding threatens millions of homes next to our coastlines <a href="http://t.co/HwqgOx9f" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://goo.gl/fb/FWTFy">http://goo.gl/fb/FWTFy</a><br />
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Huge amount of waste through large retail stores & their "standardisation" - wouldn't happen in markets: <a href="http://t.co/hVGfJzZc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/y9turp">http://bit.ly/y9turp</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/dpcarrington" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>dpcarrington</b></a><br />
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Have you emailed your MP to stop supermarket bullying yet? <a href="http://t.co/aqHwy0Rc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/ye06Or">http://bit.ly/ye06Or</a><br />
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Successive Birmingham councils finish what the Luftwaffe started: <a href="http://t.co/qyaJbhiy" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/wLAERF">http://bit.ly/wLAERF</a> good article on <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23saveislandhouse" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#saveislandhouse"><s>#</s><b>saveislandhouse</b></a> by Barbara Panvel<br />
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Also, by same author "Cllr Clancy urges council to place the Wholesale Markets at the heart of Birmingham’s economy": <a href="http://t.co/YCnp7Guk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/zbaS5K">http://bit.ly/zbaS5K</a><br />
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Another neglected old building: RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/birminghammail" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>birminghammail</b></a>: Residents demand action on eyesore Moseley tram office building: <a href="http://t.co/KNsHWcSa" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/z13jkm">http://bit.ly/z13jkm</a><br />
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<b>Transport</b><br />RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/birminghampost" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>birminghampost</b></a>: Alister Scott Blog: Will HS2 contribute to a West Midlands brain drain? <a href="http://t.co/y4fkUViW" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/xRgeEg">http://bit.ly/xRgeEg</a> - good points<br />
<br />New blog post on "New opportunities to do free cycling activities in Birmingham" <a href="http://t.co/i82bSoDY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/xQNu95">http://bit.ly/xQNu95</a><br />
<br />MT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/AirportWatch" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>AirportWatch</b></a>: Bankwatch & FoE Europe: EU funds ‘environmentally harmful’ projects including 2 Polish airports. <a href="http://t.co/36f8WuUE" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/zim5VC">http://bit.ly/zim5VC</a><br />
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RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/wwwfoecouk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>wwwfoecouk</b></a> Drop <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23biofuels" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#biofuels"><s>#</s><b>biofuels</b></a> targets & invest in transport solutions that save fuel AND cash, says Kenneth Richter: <a href="http://t.co/aFtD2mLF" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/x9qJXj">http://bit.ly/x9qJXj</a><br />
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The Times support 20mph speed limits for all residential areas where there are no cyle lanes. <a href="http://t.co/HE1JoR8f" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://brooklynspoke.com/2012/02/01/how-20-mph-speed-limits-benefit-drivers/">http://brooklynspoke.com/2012/<wbr></wbr>02/01/how-20-mph-speed-limits-<wbr></wbr>benefit-drivers/</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23cyclesense" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#cyclesense"><s>#</s><b>cyclesense</b></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%2320splenty" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#20splenty"><s>#</s><b>20splenty</b></a><br />
<br />RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/AirportWatch" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>AirportWatch</b></a>: poor environment, not lack of airport capacity, threatens London’s status as top city to do business: <a href="http://t.co/GOF9ZaCR" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/w7JZlC">http://bit.ly/w7JZlC</a><br />
<br />MT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/brumcyclist" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>brumcyclist</b></a>: Road rage driver got £25 fine and 2 week driving ban for abusing cyclist: <a href="http://t.co/KgtXhp0M" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/x3AwGE">http://bit.ly/x3AwGE</a><br />
<br />When do we get ours? RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/thisbigcity" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>thisbigcity</b></a>: New Post: Five Cities with Bus Rapid Transit Systems <a href="http://t.co/35aaQcNt" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/x2hY9n">http://bit.ly/x2hY9n</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23urban" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#urban"><s>#</s><b>urban</b></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23cities" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#cities"><s>#</s><b>cities</b></a><br />
<br />More public money invested into Birmingham Airport? Already far too much: <a href="http://t.co/ZfaJQTTp" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/yrZ1Od">http://bit.ly/yrZ1Od</a><br />
<br />Eco-damaging white elephant RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/paulmdale" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>paulmdale</b></a>: Brum Airport extension A45 Corridor improvements on verge of final approval. <a href="http://t.co/Ftd2lZGn" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/ztPLhy">http://bit.ly/ztPLhy</a><br />
<br /><b>Waste & Resource Use </b><br />An update on how our waste campaign has been going: <a href="http://t.co/vVtP8oqT" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/xXt2sP">http://bit.ly/xXt2sP</a><br />
<br />RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/poshbirdlikeyou" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>poshbirdlikeyou</b></a>: Eric Pickles banging on about chicken tikka masala again! <a href="http://t.co/HxBxx2u1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://tgr.ph/xcPNaB">http://tgr.ph/xcPNaB</a> >waste of money. Invest in solutions.<br />
<br />Northern Ireland follows its neighbours with a plastic bag tax. When will it come to England? Could Brum lead? <a href="http://t.co/9q4QBsPU" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bbc.in/AaghzB">http://bbc.in/AaghzB</a><br />
<br /><b>Others</b><br clear="all" />Here's our latest volunteer in the spotlight, Kara Moses, from this month's newsletter: <a href="http://t.co/B03dATf0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/AessWZ">http://bit.ly/AessWZ</a><br />
<br />RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/digbeth" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>digbeth</b></a>: New DiG blog post, Goodbye Eastside Cafe! - <a href="http://t.co/zFG4KQfV" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://tinyurl.com/6o8ez24">http://tinyurl.com/6o8ez24</a><br />
<br />Gosh we have a hashtag for our regional gathering tomorrow - <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23foegath" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#foegath"><s>#</s><b>foegath</b></a> - look forward to seeing everyone there.<br />
<br />RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/birminghampost" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>birminghampost</b></a>: Birmingham baker Loaf to raise money through 'bread bonds' <a href="http://t.co/sYqvBnWf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://tinyurl.com/7qn77y5">http://tinyurl.com/7qn77y5</a> - good one <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/loafonline" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>loafonline</b></a><br />
<br />Would you join a coalition for a better economy? A coalition for a great transition? <a href="http://t.co/eOEJ59Sr" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://wp.me/p1ckC8-U2">http://wp.me/p1ckC8-U2</a><br />
<br />RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/moveyourmoneyuk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>moveyourmoneyuk</b></a>: Watch our campaign video see what Mary Poppins has to say about building a better banking system! <a href="http://t.co/qMdHk9XU" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://fb.me/MSVREDm8">http://fb.me/MSVREDm8</a><br />
<br />"Governments must bring sustainable development to the forefront of
their agendas and budgets" <a href="http://bit.ly/wNjW7v" target="_blank">bit.ly/wNjW7v</a> - come on then Mr Cameron<br /><br />Very bad news as much needed: RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/birminghampost" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>birminghampost</b></a>: Birmingham Citizens Advice Bureau hit by new funding cut <a href="http://t.co/LKQFaFkn" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://tinyurl.com/6m9znn7">http://tinyurl.com/6m9znn7</a><br />Birmingham Friends of the Earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15248357313448918333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997779734081425016.post-65239679234634690532012-02-03T14:51:00.002+00:002012-02-03T14:51:59.196+00:00New opportunities to do free cycling activities in BirminghamI've been asked to help publicise this scheme, which will hopefully get more people cycling. So here is the information from the <a href="http://www.goskyride.com/birmingham">Sky Ride Birmingham website</a>.<br />
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"<strong>Be Active by Bike is an exciting new initiative funded by the
NHS and delivered by British Cycling which encourages people to start
cycling in Birmingham.</strong><br />
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<strong> </strong>Cycle Hubs have been set up to provide free access to bikes and
cycling activities for those who don’t currently cycle. The hubs are
perfect if you're new to cycling, or haven’t been on a bike for ages, as
they're designed to help beginners gain confidence.<br />
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Hubs have been set up at the following locations:<br />
Handsworth Leisure Centre (0121 464 6336)<br />Court Road Health and Fitness (0121 303 1700)<br />Nechells Community Sports Centre (0121 464 4373)<br />Ackers Adventure (07799 454181)<br />The HUB – Bromford Drive (0121 448 3739)<br />Ward End Park (07834 517347)<br />
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Each hub has 15 adult bikes and includes the following free activities*: <a href="http://www.goskyride.com/Content/downloads/Be-Active-by-Bike-Calendar.pdf" target="_blank">led rides</a>, cycle training with qualified Bikeability instructors, community group bike hire.<br />
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To access any of these facilities contact your nearest hub. For more information about the scheme, email <a href="mailto:dawnrahman@britishcycling.org.uk">dawnrahman@britishcycling.org.uk</a>.<br />
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*You must have a <a href="http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/beactive" target="_blank">Be Active</a> leisure card to take part in any activities.<br />
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I know Digbeth Residents association were keen to find somewhere local to here for a hub, but hopefully these locations will all be well used and get communities cycling together.<br />
If anyone has cycling events planned, please let us know and if you want to help us launch more <a href="http://www.birminghamfoe.org.uk/transport-news/birmingham-bike-trains">bike trains</a> this year, also get in touch.<br />
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Joe PeacockBirmingham Friends of the Earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15248357313448918333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997779734081425016.post-118792091992133322012-01-27T17:46:00.002+00:002012-01-27T17:46:47.552+00:00Weekly compilation 27.01.2012Here are the news stories we've gathered through twitter over this week:<br />
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<b>Biodiversity</b><br />“<a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/PlanBee1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>PlanBee1</b></a>: Help Bumblebee Conservation Trust + bumble <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23bees" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#bees"><s>#</s><b>bees</b></a> by filling in a survey about bees visiting your garden: <a href="http://t.co/V5WYxM2F" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bee-gardening">http://svy.mk/xOSkS8</a>"<br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/mwarhurst" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>mwarhurst</b></a>: "almost everything that is happening on the environment is now happening because of <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23EU" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#EU"><s>#</s><b>EU</b></a> level decisions" <a href="http://t.co/CBbgksB9" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/25/europa-wildlife-protection-london-gateway">http://bit.ly/zQ78sF</a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/pauldezylva" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>pauldezylva</b></a>: "Bee decline should concern us all, because their wellbeing affects us." <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23bees" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#bees"><s>#</s><b>bees</b></a> <a href="http://t.co/zrZ4D4Zi" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.metro.co.uk/news/888085-how-will-the-decline-in-bee-numbers-affect-the-human-race?ITO=socialnet-twitter-button">http://bit.ly/A0XWji</a><br />
<br /><b>Energy & Climate Change</b><br />Just been sent this poster which will be going up around Birmingham to help people stay warm: <a href="http://t.co/AdHzn76A" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://yfrog.com/klo69zp">http://yfrog.com/klo69zp</a>
<br /><b></b>Tomorrow we're launching our Close the Door campaign in Kings Heath to get retailers to save energy and money: <a href="http://t.co/mKWci5Dd" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.closethedoor.org.uk/content/view/45/44">http://bit.ly/ywvSwg</a><br />
Read more about our Close the Door campaign here: <a href="http://t.co/T02kCcqz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.birminghamfoe.org.uk/bfoe-on-climate-change/keep-it-behind-closed-doors">http://bit.ly/fF3Zcw</a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/dpcarrington" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>dpcarrington</b></a>: by me: Leaked data: Palm <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23biodiesel" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#biodiesel"><s>#</s><b>biodiesel</b></a> dirtier than fuel from <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23tarsands" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#tarsands"><s>#</s><b>tarsands</b></a> <a href="http://t.co/1BE3A0cs" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2012/jan/27/biofuels-biodiesel-ethanol-palm-oil?CMP=twt_gu">http://gu.com/p/353ne/tw</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23biofuel" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#biofuel"><s>#</s><b>biofuel</b></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23oilsands" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#oilsands"><s>#</s><b>oilsands</b></a><br />
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RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/WoodbrookeUK" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>WoodbrookeUK</b></a>: Did you know that Woodbrooke now has solar PV panels? Read details in this week's Good Lives blog: <a href="http://t.co/C5xETiNZ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://woodbrookegoodlives.blogspot.com/2012/01/woodbrooke-has-solar-pv.html">http://bit.ly/zrC7Bz</a><br />
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Hydro-power in Wiltshire, Yorkshire, Somerset, Devon – and now Hall Green, Birmingham? <a href="http://t.co/Ueg78thU" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://antidotecounteragent.wordpress.com/2012/01/26/hydro-power-in-wiltshire-yorkshire-somerset-devon-and-now-hall-green-birmingham">http://bit.ly/zxeIhe</a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/BirminghamPress" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>BirminghamPress</b></a>: the realities of a 'low carbon' economy: "What's in it for me?" <a href="http://t.co/a1dhv0Sm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.thebirminghampress.com/2012/01/26/light-or-wind-does-money-talk">http://bit.ly/zVDMcw</a> - agree communities need benefits<br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/guardianeco" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>guardianeco</b></a>: Climate change: threats and opportunities to the UK - graphic <a href="http://t.co/vH1SWNk9" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/interactive/2012/jan/26/climate-change-threats-opportunities-uk-graphic?CMP=twt_fd">http://gu.com/p/3527e/tf</a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/guardianeco" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>guardianeco</b></a>: Climate change set to hit the UK hard and the poorest hardest | Damian Carrington <a href="http://t.co/Gh5rCU7x" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2012/jan/26/flooding-climate-change-heatwave-impact-risk?CMP=twt_fd">http://gu.com/p/3529y/tf</a><br />
It would be brilliant if this attempt to reveal where GWPF's funding comes from were successful: <a href="http://t.co/XkWYVGaM" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/jan/23/climate-sceptic-lawson-thinktank-funding">http://bit.ly/wvw6b7</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/leohickman" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>leohickman</b></a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/wwwfoecouk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>wwwfoecouk</b></a>: Blog: George has got it wrong on Feed-in Tariffs: What Alan Simpson (former MP) thinks: <a href="http://t.co/pjx0ii2Z" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.foe.co.uk/blog/simpson2_34707.html">http://goo.gl/fb/GCmHd</a><br />
Ask David Cameron for a Bright Solar Future: <a href="http://t.co/mXOEdW8T" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/climate/press_for_change/solar_future_34704.html">http://bit.ly/w76Erc</a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/WarwicKnowledge" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>WarwicKnowledge</b></a>: Climate Change: Going Beyond Dangerous <a href="http://t.co/Q3h2ROrz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/knowledge/culture/climatechange">http://bit.ly/w7cVro</a><br />
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Quite impressive nonsense: RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/wwwfoecouk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>wwwfoecouk</b></a>: Blog: Nonsense on stilts: Policy Exchange's numbers don't add up, again: <a href="http://t.co/N9r1Lb8T" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.foe.co.uk/blog/policy_exchange_nonsense_34709.html">http://goo.gl/fb/XJVxE</a><br />
<a href="http://t.co/N9r1Lb8T" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.foe.co.uk/blog/policy_exchange_nonsense_34709.html">RT </a><a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/olliehayes" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>olliehayes</b></a>: Friends of the Earth: Government Loses Appeal Over 'Unlawful' Solar Cuts <a href="http://t.co/iO3Nl2xo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/government_loses_appeal_over_unlawful_solar_cuts_25012012.html">http://bit.ly/z1lWtN</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/wwwfoecouk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>wwwfoecouk</b></a><br />
“Burning crops and breaking rocks: Biofuels, shale gas fracking and other ways NOT to save the planet” <a href="http://t.co/b4xpYrdC" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.birminghamfoe.org.uk/bfoe-on-climate-change/burning-crops-and-breaking-rocks-biofuels-shale-gas-fracking-and-other-ways-not-to-save-the-planet">http://bit.ly/zsySwY</a><br />
Excellent blog post for <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/wwwfoecouk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>wwwfoecouk</b></a> on "What Lord Lawson didn't tell you about shale gas" by <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/powellds" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>powellds</b></a>: <a href="http://t.co/iv0emcSe" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.foe.co.uk/blog/lawson_shale_gas_34688.html">http://bit.ly/wqZ4lb</a><br />
Lawson spouting his usual rubbish on climate change in debate with <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/Tonyjupiter" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>Tonyjupiter</b></a> on shale gas 2 hrs 42: <a href="http://bbc.in/wmLPBS" target="_blank">bbc.in/wmLPBS</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/dpcarrington" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>dpcarrington</b></a><br />
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<b>Planning</b><br />RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/digbeth" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>digbeth</b></a>: New DiG blog post, Statement from Quintain Estates regarding Island House - <a href="http://t.co/cGamWlXE" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://digbeth.org/2012/01/statement-from-quintain-estates-regarding-island-house">http://tinyurl.com/87bg2qe</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23saveislandhouse" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#saveislandhouse"><s>#</s><b>saveislandhouse</b></a>
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Friends of the Earth: Don't let Oliver Letwin bin green regulations <a href="http://t.co/wkMQPLNY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/biodiversity/press_for_change/red_tape_challenge_34717.html">http://bit.ly/wuDePs</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/wwwfoecouk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>wwwfoecouk</b></a><br />
"Unfortunately, planning process is highly permissive & designed to encourage development" <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/neilelkes" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>neilelkes</b></a>: <a href="http://t.co/JfKfScqe" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://blogs.birminghammail.net/neilelkesbirminghamcitycouncilblog/2012/01/the-strange-tale-of-island-hou.html">http://bit.ly/z6JtEQ</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23saveislandhouse" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#saveislandhouse"><s>#</s><b>saveislandhouse</b></a><br />
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RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/ReStirredForum" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>ReStirredForum</b></a>: Follow & join the ongoing discussion on Island House on Restirred Form See: <a href="http://t.co/TG786kqK" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.restirred.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&p=37546&t=2189">http://tinyurl.com/7c8ttdz</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23saveislandhouse" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#saveislandhouse"><s>#</s><b>saveislandhouse</b></a><br />
So, should we organise a 100th birthday party for Island House? It'll be something to celebrate if it reaches it in 2013 <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23saveislandhouse" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#saveislandhouse"><s>#</s><b>saveislandhouse</b></a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/birminghampost" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>birminghampost</b></a>: Legal contract could save 100-year-old Island House from demolition: <a href="http://t.co/gY43Iz2A" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.birminghampost.net/news/west-midlands-news/2012/01/26/legal-contract-could-save-birmingham-s-100-year-old-island-house-from-demolition-65233-30206495">http://tinyurl.com/893jbdl</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23saveislandhouse" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#saveislandhouse"><s>#</s><b>saveislandhouse</b></a><br />
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RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/digbeth" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>digbeth</b></a>: New DiG blog post, The fight to Save Island House is far from over! - <a href="http://t.co/V6cLzoaY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://digbeth.org/2012/01/the-fight-to-save-island-house-is-far-from-over">http://tinyurl.com/76ncuw6</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23saveislandhouse" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#saveislandhouse"><s>#</s><b>saveislandhouse</b></a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23saveislandhouse" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#saveislandhouse">MT </a><a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/paulmdale" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>paulmdale</b></a>: Legal conundrum for Brum planners over Island House demolition row. My blog post: <a href="http://t.co/U4weqXWF" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://thechamberlainfiles.wordpress.com/2012/01/26/eastside-planning-row-could-provide-big-pay-day-for-lawyers">http://tinyurl.com/6lub7gp</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23saveislandhouse" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#saveislandhouse"><s>#</s><b>saveislandhouse</b></a><br />
We need to get everyone to object to application 2012/00182/PA to change sec106 planning conditions and allow demolition: <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23saveislandhouse" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#saveislandhouse"><s>#</s><b>saveislandhouse</b></a><br />
Joe's take on what happened in the Planning committee meeting today to <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23saveislandhouse" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#saveislandhouse"><s>#</s><b>saveislandhouse</b></a> - confusion reigns: <a href="http://t.co/M0ADOAzz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://birminghamfoe.blogspot.com/2012/01/confusion-reigns-in-planning-committee.html">http://bit.ly/AtB6tp</a><br />
New post on our blog about planning in Birmingham and why it's important to <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23saveislandhouse" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#saveislandhouse"><s>#</s><b>saveislandhouse</b></a> not carry on demolishing: <a href="http://t.co/1nuaMBqg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://birminghamfoe.blogspot.com/2012/01/planning-time-for-some-sense.html">http://bit.ly/xpxnhf</a><br />
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A common agenda for retail and wholesale markets: <a href="http://t.co/dla3EPYk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://ourbirmingham.wordpress.com/2012/01/25/a-common-agenda-for-retail-and-wholesale-markets">http://bit.ly/yvE4Y7</a> - good post on the need to work together and promote benefits.<br />
This rubbish about supermarkets helping regeneration: <a href="http://t.co/wj9aAXg4" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/commercial-property-birmingham/2012/01/24/supermarkets-have-key-role-in-west-midlands-regeneration-claims-property-group-gva-65233-30185550">http://bit.ly/ArvUYS</a> Their practices are v damaging 4 suppliers: <a href="http://t.co/5q9ylX9c" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/biodiversity/press_for_change/supermarket_bullying_34636.html">http://bit.ly/z7uVvY</a><br />
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<b>Transport</b><br />RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/AirportWatch" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>AirportWatch</b></a>: WWF report “Moving on. Why flying less means more for business”: <a href="http://t.co/3eTLWMRQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.aef.org.uk/downloads/Moving_on_report_WWF_March2011.pdf">http://bit.ly/yJVPM9</a> to fly less = saving time & cash.<br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/AirportWatch" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>AirportWatch</b></a>: Proportion of business passengers fell between 2005 and 2010 at 5 main UK airports. <a href="http://t.co/FxsuO2Ev" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.airportwatch.org.uk/?p=7535">http://bit.ly/w385vT</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23tourismdeficit" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#tourismdeficit"><s>#</s><b>tourismdeficit</b></a><br />
How about a bit of enforcement of parking rules, then? RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/bournvillenews" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>bournvillenews</b></a>: Police blast lazy parents <a href="http://t.co/SkO3mxzV" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bournvillevillage.com/community-news/police-blast-lazy-parents">http://goo.gl/fb/bjwNz</a><br />
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The cost of <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23HS2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#HS2"><s>#</s><b>HS2</b></a> today versus the cost of building the Trent Valley Railway in 1847: <a href="http://t.co/QfW2UggQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.dblogic.co.uk/Blogs.aspx?v=45&visitor=49ddbcec-ec85-df11-8314-000c29bc7d1c">http://bit.ly/xYWLuN</a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/RichardHebditch" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>RichardHebditch</b></a>: Government to repeat M6 Toll failure? <a href="http://t.co/fx1tcmAX" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.bettertransport.org.uk/blogs/roads/repeat-of-M6-failure">http://bit.ly/y2Bp7I</a> (blog post from <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/Roads2Nowhere" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>Roads2Nowhere</b></a>)<br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/Channel4News" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>Channel4News</b></a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23Fuel" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#Fuel"><s>#</s><b>Fuel</b></a> supply fears as <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23oil" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#oil"><s>#</s><b>oil</b></a> refinery stops deliveries: <a href="http://t.co/qNJs9d8Y" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.channel4.com/news/fuel-supply-fears-as-oil-refinery-enters-administration">http://bit.ly/yc8RHh</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23Coryton" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#Coryton"><s>#</s><b>Coryton</b></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23c4news" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#c4news"><s>#</s><b>c4news</b></a><br />
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<b>Waste & Resource Use</b><br />RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/BhamCityCouncil" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>BhamCityCouncil</b></a>: Green waste collections restart from 06.2.12. You can still recycle your green waste. Here’s how: <a href="http://t.co/LXXhXLtS" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/refuse">http://bit.ly/tb47Ge</a>
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RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/EBRI_UK" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>EBRI_UK</b></a>: A power plant that is carbon negative? Find out how EBRI are making this a reality in our short video at <a href="http://t.co/8ZhaRz0l" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bioenergy-midlands.posterous.com/a-carbon-negative-power-plant">http://bit.ly/AmBrIg</a><br />
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Parliament calls for urgent measures to halve food wastage in the EU: <a href="http://t.co/BjjWRb1l" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/pressroom/content/20120118IPR35648/html/Parliament-calls-for-urgent-measures-to-halve-food-wastage-in-the-EU">http://bit.ly/wRouJW</a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/agaqueen" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>agaqueen</b></a>: Making AD plants more attractive to small-scale farms | Features | Farmers Guardian: <a href="http://t.co/5FgSFVzS" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.farmersguardian.com/home/renewables/making-ad-plants-more-attractive-to-small-scale-farms/44290.article">http://bit.ly/wkhrRR</a><br />
Health Protection Agency confirms new incinerator study into affects on human health: <a href="http://t.co/GrRFKqh3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.hpa.org.uk/NewsCentre/NationalPressReleases/2012PressReleases/120124Incineratorstudystatement">http://bit.ly/xShXnv</a><br />
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<a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/Bham_FOE/status/162156829294608386" target="_blank" title="12:56 PM - 25 Jan 12"><span></span></a></small><b>Others</b><br />Only risks? RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/guardianeco" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>guardianeco</b></a>: David Cameron's eco-friendly image risks 'retoxification', warns WWF chief <a href="http://t.co/utgw0oIZ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/jan/27/david-cameron-eco-image-retoxification?CMP=twt_fd">http://bit.ly/zOYS66</a><br />
.<a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/DowChemical" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>DowChemical</b></a> should NOT be 2012 Olympics sponsors until they take responsibility for <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23Bhopal" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#Bhopal"><s>#</s><b>Bhopal</b></a>. Tell <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/sebcoe" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>sebcoe</b></a> to drop Dow <a href="http://t.co/QMuzLtnk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.change.org/petitions/drop-dow-chemical-as-partners-for-the-london-2012-olympic-games-bhopal">http://chn.ge/dowbhopal</a><br />
We think there needs to be a serious re-think of economics, otherwise <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/katecooper" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>katecooper</b></a> will be right about mass unemployment <a href="http://t.co/jjFyJiEB" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://thechamberlainfiles.wordpress.com/2012/01/24/an-elephant-in-the-room-the-future-is-mass-unemployment">http://bit.ly/AwVwe8</a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/pauldezylva" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>pauldezylva</b></a>: "Capitalism in its current form no longer fits the world around us." World Economic Forum debate Davos <a href="http://t.co/YbsjIrtH" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16670718">http://bbc.in/yBniIO</a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/pauldezylva" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>pauldezylva</b></a>: Govts may be ambivalent on <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23sustainability" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#sustainability"><s>#</s><b>sustainability</b></a> but power behind thrones (World Econonic Forum) seems keen <a href="http://t.co/nnAAN6Hr" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.weforum.org/reports/more-less-scaling-sustainable-consumption-and-resource-efficiency">http://ow.ly/8CCBc</a><br />
We need a supermarket watchdog - urgently: <a href="http://t.co/5q9ylX9c" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/biodiversity/press_for_change/supermarket_bullying_34636.html">http://bit.ly/z7uVvY</a>Birmingham Friends of the Earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15248357313448918333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997779734081425016.post-89539263935649868682012-01-26T15:26:00.003+00:002012-01-26T15:31:20.750+00:00Confusion reigns in the planning committeeWell, I've been to a few planning committee meetings in my time, but never anything quite like this.<br />
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All the councillors on the committee wanted to save the lovely Island House from demolition. There were some excellent speeches both from those who opposed it from the floor and from councillors, particularly Clancy, Smith and Henley. However, the planning officers seemed determined that there was nothing they could do. The hearing today was only over whether they should have to approve the method of demolition and then what is done afterwards.<br />
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There were proposals to say they should agree they need to approve it, but then not approve the conditions for 8 weeks to allow more time for building a case against demolition, but this was another of those cases where the council feared legal costs from a challenge by the developer, so they chickened out.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNs6GIBx-fCfzlJ5F5TrXOIIHSK80hf1cTUYZNcM8s38nTo1KvcT0kGo4FYiyw6VSsTJSTWBIwHHXRjAqyOhfTr4L-l6tkNvVOEHbotLIVj9fJSCl2oQLSF-CFQX7jYsffpF_48lBGylxF/s1600/island_house_big.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNs6GIBx-fCfzlJ5F5TrXOIIHSK80hf1cTUYZNcM8s38nTo1KvcT0kGo4FYiyw6VSsTJSTWBIwHHXRjAqyOhfTr4L-l6tkNvVOEHbotLIVj9fJSCl2oQLSF-CFQX7jYsffpF_48lBGylxF/s320/island_house_big.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The biggest saving grace that should play in favour of saving this historic building is a section 106 agreement which the developer signed with the council that they had a duty to retain and renovate it. <a href="http://eplanning.birmingham.gov.uk/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/Generic/StdResults.aspx?PT=Planning%20Applications%20On-Line&SC=Date%20Validated%20is%20between%2001%20January%201937%20and%2031%20December%202012%20and%20Development%20Description%20contains%20ISLAND%20HOUSE&FT=Planning%20Application%20Search%20Results&XMLSIDE=/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/SiteFiles/Skins/BirminghamNew/Menus/PL.xml&XSLTemplate=/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/SiteFiles/Skins/BirminghamNew/xslt/PL/PLResults.xslt&PS=10&XMLLoc=/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/generic/XMLtemp/1qgao32aqvb45n3rc0q0lt55/f58bb9e0-00bf-40c2-8784-b645d97fa0d8.xml">Follow this link</a> to the consultation or search for <span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">2012/00182/PA on the Birmingham City Council planning website </span>- it is now taking comments as to whether they should alter this agreement on retaining the building and will close on 6th Feb.<br />
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Scaffolding is going up around the building as I type, so who knows what will happen in the next few days. Will they just knock it down and pay whatever fine the council imposes? It probably wouldn't be a huge amount for a developer.<br />
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Accountability around planning in this country seems rather muddled and it seems agreements are struck behind closed doors that even democratically elected members are unable to do anything about. I hope that the developers don't just rise roughshod over public opinion and legal agreements, but nothing would shock me.<br />
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Joe PeacockBirmingham Friends of the Earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15248357313448918333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997779734081425016.post-46086568833804340302012-01-25T14:21:00.000+00:002012-01-25T14:55:44.243+00:00Planning - time for some senseTomorrow, the planning committee will hear an application to demolish one of the last buildings to survive the demolition job that has been BCC's "regeneration" of Eastside.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEias5Ng3QE3b3FUoq4gypUMlCr4MAzEMvyY3GcpWjNDcqmlHb55Sc9zMeHGU0ewAs9aNm58Aw-4blP6IRmZ769ohF8Fdc_oh53UEFE1V5oCkIbSNVMcnyhl8kOJwFPc5UQsOgx73-Ox5Nfr/s1600/island+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEias5Ng3QE3b3FUoq4gypUMlCr4MAzEMvyY3GcpWjNDcqmlHb55Sc9zMeHGU0ewAs9aNm58Aw-4blP6IRmZ769ohF8Fdc_oh53UEFE1V5oCkIbSNVMcnyhl8kOJwFPc5UQsOgx73-Ox5Nfr/s320/island+house.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Flattening Island House for no good reason sends out totally the wrong signal. Eastside has been decimated already and it's time that Birmingham learned a lesson that flattening everything and starting again is not always the best way to go about making places better. We really should not allow one of the last buildings of note there to go, too.<br />
The original Big City Plan had Island House as an important building leading on to the new city park, but things now seem to have changed - why? Is it something to do with HS2? <br />
Luckily, people are <a href="http://www.occupybirmingham.co.uk/save-island-house-digbeth-2">kicking up a fuss</a> about this one.<br />
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Digbeth Residents are up in arms about it, as are various conservation groups and also Occupy Birmingham, who've done the call to arms above. The hearing is at 11am tomorrow and people will be gathering outside the council house to protest. If you are able to come along and show support, that will be really great.<br />
Only those who have registered to do so may speak at the planning committee meeting, but public may attend.<br />
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Joe PeacockBirmingham Friends of the Earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15248357313448918333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997779734081425016.post-66900206152664981072012-01-20T17:09:00.000+00:002012-01-23T17:10:15.343+00:00weekly compilation 20.01.12Here's our regular round up of the key stories in the news by campaign areas:<br />
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<b>Biodiversity</b><br />RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/guardianeco" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>guardianeco</b></a>: Conserving biodiversity hotspots 'could bring world's poor $500bn a year' <a href="http://t.co/yqUKdlDW" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/jan/20/conserving-biodiversity-poor-economic-value?CMP=twt_fd">http://gu.com/p/34q5d/tf</a>
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Really horrible - ignoring evidence: RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/Earth_News" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>Earth_News</b></a>: Badger kill zones revealed: <a href="http://t.co/hc959rxK" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/badger-cull2012.html">http://bit.ly/we10CF</a> :<a href="http://t.co/82dttN6J" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.wildlifeextra.com/">http://bit.ly/6js1T</a><br />
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RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/SimonBowens" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>SimonBowens</b></a>: BASF pull GM out of Europe - potentially great news for campaigners against GM potato trials at Hedon: <a href="http://t.co/X8T1XL8A" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-12-109">http://bit.ly/zzRvCo</a><br />“<a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/Buzz_dont_tweet" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>Buzz_dont_tweet</b></a>: '<a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23UKGov" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#UKGov"><s>#</s><b>UKGov</b></a> must ban neonicotinoids now before further damage is done to our fragile ecosystems' <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23bees" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#bees"><s>#</s><b>bees</b></a> <a href="http://t.co/48ZH49Ei" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/environment/scientists-link-mass-death-of-british-bees-to-farm-pesticides.1326596745%EF%BF%A2%EF%BE%80%EF%BE%9D">http://bit.ly/wouEyK</a><br />RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/foeeurope" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>foeeurope</b></a>: Another nail in the coffin for genetically modified foods in Europe as <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23BASF" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#BASF"><s>#</s><b>BASF</b></a> quits Europe <a href="http://t.co/addOJJ1P" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-12-109">http://bit.ly/ylPlc1</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23gmo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#gmo"><s>#</s><b>gmo</b></a> ^FG<br />
<br /><b>Energy & Climate Change</b><br />News just in: Judgement on Govt appeal against High Court solar ruling will be made on Weds 25th January at 10am <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23FITs" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#FITs"><s>#</s><b>FITs</b></a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/DeborahDoaneWDM" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>DeborahDoaneWDM</b></a>: So now high carbon investments are "sub-prime". You have been warned: in <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/guardian" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>guardian</b></a> <a href="http://t.co/VD5Sd4dW" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/jan/19/fossil-fuels-sub-prime-mervyn-king?CMP=twt_gu">http://bit.ly/zKhKaD</a><br />
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<a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23FF" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#FF"><s>#</s><b>FF</b></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/GreedyLyingBast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>GreedyLyingBast</b></a> Greedy Lying Bastards: US filmmaker attacks oil industry <a href="http://gu.com/p/34pe3/tf" target="_blank">gu.com/p/34pe3/tf</a><br />Light at end of the tunnel for solar industry: <a href="http://t.co/wrMGOSfv" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.foe.co.uk/news/solar_plan_b_34638.html">http://bit.ly/zV85s6</a><br />RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/dpcarrington" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>dpcarrington</b></a>: UK: <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23Wind" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#Wind"><s>#</s><b>Wind</b></a> power passes 6GW in UK, can now supply 3.3m homes <a href="http://t.co/e4g5AVLu" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.bwea.com/media/news/articles/pr20120118-2.html">http://ow.ly/8zinG</a> >Chief Sec to Treasury calls for more<br />RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/powellds" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>powellds</b></a>: Looks like <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/Policy_Exchange" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>Policy_Exchange</b></a>'s report is not doing their reputation with Govt economists much good... <a href="http://t.co/pXiO8nI9" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2139578/government-rejects-flawed-report-cost-renewable-energy-policies">http://bit.ly/yevLKb</a><br />RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/BBCBirmingham" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>BBCBirmingham</b></a>: Solar panels are installed on Wolverhampton Civic Centre at a cost of £123,00. <a href="http://t.co/T7xgQPtv" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-16590732">http://bbc.in/zbeyLz</a> - good to see.<br />
<br /><b>Planning</b><br />RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/CPRE" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>CPRE</b></a>: Want to know how planning works and how to respond to a local application? <a href="http://t.co/Rbh7t7Wi" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.planninghelp.org.uk/">http://www.planninghelp.org.uk</a> - planning explained.<br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/digbeth" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>digbeth</b></a>: Support <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/OccupyBrum" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>OccupyBrum</b></a> in their campaign to <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23saveislandhouse" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#saveislandhouse"><s>#</s><b>saveislandhouse</b></a> <a href="http://t.co/92PPVvjc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.occupybirmingham.co.uk/save-island-house-digbeth">http://www.occupybirmingham.<wbr></wbr>co.uk/save-island-house-<wbr></wbr>digbeth</a><br />
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MT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/wwwfoecouk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>wwwfoecouk</b></a>: New roads, nuclear power stations and biomass plants can be stopped. Free training day on 25 February: <a href="http://t.co/u22N862m" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.foe.co.uk/news/training_day_mips_34569.html">http://bit.ly/yd4r1E</a><br />Brighton and Bolton Councils are investing in their markets . . . Birmingham next? <a href="http://t.co/37HcXc4A" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://ourbirmingham.wordpress.com/2012/01/16/brighton-and-bolton-councils-are-investing-in-their-markets-birmingham-next">http://bit.ly/ybVli6</a><br />
<br /><b>Transport</b><br />RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/doug_parr" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>doug_parr</b></a>: Reduce CO2 emissions and get better school performance from kids. Would beat any Gove initiative. <a href="http://t.co/8Z5JXPYt" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.sustrans.org.uk/resources/in-the-news/active-travel-and-improved-learning-at-school?dm_i=6EB,NVTV,4VT6US,1XGPG,1">http://bit.ly/xtA4bD</a>
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Estuary airport would be an environmental disaster: <a href="http://t.co/rFpDsMSM" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.aef.org.uk/?p=1375">http://bit.ly/xI9DbC</a><br />
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Thames Estuary would mean no expansion at any other airport if we want to hit legally binding CO2 reduction targets: <a href="http://t.co/KcPosdLR" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2012/jan/18/boris-island-airport-economy-environment-thames-estuary?CMP=twt_gu">http://bit.ly/zOZ2nR</a><br />
Excellent article by John Stewart on Cameron's support for Boris Island Airport: <a href="http://t.co/kJLFGTFt" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.leftfootforward.org/2012/01/cameron-i%E2%80%99m-backing-boris-island?m-backing-boris-island/">http://bit.ly/AhIieQ</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23notoaviationexpansion" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="#notoaviationexpansion"><s>#</s><b>notoaviationexpansion</b></a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/leftfootfwd" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>leftfootfwd</b></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/donnahume" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>donnahume</b></a>: FoE: Support solar to help low-income families cut energy bills <a href="http://t.co/KLEB9Z0X" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.leftfootforward.org/2012/01/foe-support-solar-to-help-low-income-families-cut-energy-bills">http://bit.ly/zCUjyn</a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/carbonbrief" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>carbonbrief</b></a>: A new book suggests climate models inaccurate as they fail to include effects of trees <a href="http://t.co/M2NwwtN6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.scidev.net/en/agriculture-and-environment/forestry/news/include-trees-in-climate-modelling-say-scientists.html">http://bit.ly/wbiL7O</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/SciDevNet" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>SciDevNet</b></a><br />
New post on the blog about Big Energy Week and what <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/BCABS5" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>BCABS5</b></a> Birmingham Citizens Advice Bureau are doing to help people: <a href="http://t.co/3d13pxWi" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://birminghamfoe.blogspot.com/2012/01/birmingham-citizens-advice-bureau-helps.html">http://bit.ly/z5LxgR</a><br />
Guard rails on Kings Heath High Street - we say they're a bad idea and other measures should be looked at: <a href="http://t.co/LUx0cXUq" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/West-Midlands/Birmingham/B14/News/Local-News/214178-High-Street-railings-will-make-pedestrian-crossing-more-dangerous-claims-campaign-group">http://bit.ly/zocjNm</a><br />
BAA believes that by 2032 HS2 will cut Heathrow domestic flights. Numbers have been falling for past 10 years, anyway: <a href="http://t.co/NhTekSvT" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.airportwatch.org.uk/?p=826">http://bit.ly/wn0GDY</a><br />
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<b>Waste & Resource Use</b><br clear="all" />RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/EBRI_UK" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>EBRI_UK</b></a>: Biochar is a by-product of the bionergy process which has a number of useful properties. Find out more: <a href="http://t.co/TqtmUxd1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bioenergy-midlands.posterous.com/the-benefits-of-biochar">http://bit.ly/x5dT0z</a><br />RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/gasstreetworks" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>gasstreetworks</b></a>: Oooh Apple are offering you cash for your old tech as part of their new 'reuse or recycle' scheme. <a href="http://t.co/RdfhiBTI" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/16/apple-recycling-programme-UK-reuse">http://engt.co/yBMQqJ</a><br />Talking Rubbish on the Radio Again - our piece is at 6 mins 30 seconds: <a href="http://t.co/fzk34HOI" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p00mq2z1/Adrian_Goldberg_16_01_2012">http://bbc.in/ymFroW</a> and there's a blog post: <a href="http://t.co/KZugmM7T" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://birminghamfoe.blogspot.com/2012/01/talking-rubbish-on-radio-again.html">http://bit.ly/y7SjWn</a><br />RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/EBRI_UK" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>EBRI_UK</b></a>: Check out our latest video on producing bioenergy from waste <a href="http://t.co/V0cgNQoP" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bioenergy-midlands.posterous.com/a-short-video-on-producing-bioenergy-from-was">http://bit.ly/AzCCtu</a><br />
<br /><b>Others</b><br />Govt "takes a step backwards & offers scant hope in facilitating
UK’s move to a truly sustainable economic & environmental future" <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/CIWEM" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>CIWEM</b></a> You can read their full report on mainstreaming sustainable development here: <a href="http://t.co/TbUkebeh" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.ciwem.org/policy-and-international/current-topics/sustainable-development.aspx">http://bit.ly/Ad6arb</a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/birminghampost" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>birminghampost</b></a>: Comedian Rob Newman takes part in Birmingham environmental event <a href="http://t.co/yNZaCNCg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.birminghampost.net/news/west-midlands-news/2012/01/19/comedian-rob-newman-takes-part-in-birmingham-environmental-event-65233-30158856">http://tinyurl.com/7zo69rp</a><br />
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RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/dailybirmingham" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>dailybirmingham</b></a>: Eating Your Greens: The Birmingham Green Restaurant Awards for 2012 have been launched. <a href="http://t.co/Xt7ZPfpI" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.thebirminghampress.com/2012/01/19/eating-your-greens">http://dlvr.it/15zZcp</a><br />If you're looking for a short-term part time job getting experience in energy advice, <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/northfieldeco" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>northfieldeco</b></a> are recruiting: <a href="http://t.co/5GcK10Da" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.northfieldecocentre.org/contact-us/jobs">http://bit.ly/rDIVZI</a><br />
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/Localfoodhere" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>Localfoodhere</b></a>: Want to work for HEFF? A full time job vacancy for someone to run our exciting Local Food Store! <a href="http://t.co/H7Y7CTFm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.heff.co.uk/news/INDUSTRY-JOBS/Retail-Support-for-the-Local-Food-Store.htm">http://bit.ly/ySXRp0</a><br />
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RT <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/MikeChilds1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>MikeChilds1</b></a>: Why I disagree with Fred Pearce and <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/GeorgeMonbiot" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><s>@</s><b>GeorgeMonbiot</b></a> on solar & rail <a href="http://t.co/Dhv8q71S" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.foe.co.uk/blog/friends_34580.html">http://tinyurl.com/792qd65</a> (as much as I love them too!)<br />"A sustainable start to the year at Aston University" and we'll be there as usual: <a href="http://t.co/tRiww5cN" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www1.aston.ac.uk/about/news/releases/2012/january/a-sustainable-start-to-the-year-at-aston">http://bit.ly/xA8t37</a><br />
<br />Birmingham Friends of the Earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15248357313448918333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997779734081425016.post-71626876914855963242012-01-17T11:27:00.002+00:002012-01-17T11:29:09.287+00:00Birmingham Citizens Advice Bureau helps people to cut their fuel bills in Big Energy Week<style type="text/css">
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<span lang="en-US">As we are well aware through our work on the Final Demand Campaign, rising fuel bills
are stretching household finances and people are looking for ways to
save money on their energy bills. Supporter of our campaign, </span><span lang="en-US">Birmingham
Citizens Advice Bureau, is here to help.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNHVxnsNKzi8RJy9ZygSpps_OzZNQplnynI9NYwd0x8DJgueu-Z_SAgXO9Gv11kJm9Lfk82zAbOjFo-QHQ7c4_xiJOxjf3CYS35u3U8tleFr-x-Pdlu1bZNGZFvgXQrPt8-GL6a71qJUW/s1600/cab.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNHVxnsNKzi8RJy9ZygSpps_OzZNQplnynI9NYwd0x8DJgueu-Z_SAgXO9Gv11kJm9Lfk82zAbOjFo-QHQ7c4_xiJOxjf3CYS35u3U8tleFr-x-Pdlu1bZNGZFvgXQrPt8-GL6a71qJUW/s320/cab.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=997779734081425016" name="OLE_LINK3"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=997779734081425016" name="OLE_LINK4"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=997779734081425016" name="OLE_LINK2"></a><span lang="en-US">They</span><span lang="en-US"> will give practical advice and help throughout Big
Energy Week (16-21 January 2012) to help people cut their fuel bills
and get all the financial support they are entitled to. They will
also be putting on a special event at the Tyseley bureau on Thursday
19 January (09:30-18:30). Staff will be on hand to help people reduce
their energy bills, and will be signposting those who qualify for
additional support and home improvements. </span>
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<span lang="en-US">Financial Inclusion
Manager Florence Betts</span><span lang="en-US"> said: “More and
more people are coming to us for advice on how to spend less on their
fuel bills. Through Big Energy Week we want to tell people that help
is at hand and that there are things they can do to cut their fuel
bills.”</span></div>
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<span lang="en-US">Birmingham </span><span lang="en-US">Citizens
Advice Bureau is urging people to speak to their energy supplier to
check that they’re getting the best deal and are on the cheapest
payment method - and to save energy by insulating your home – most
energy companies are offering free and/or discounted insulation.</span></div>
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<span lang="en-US">You could save more
by switching energy suppliers and an accredited switching website can
help you do this. </span>
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Plus it’s important to
check that you are getting all of the benefits and tax credits that
you’re entitled to – as you could be missing out on money that
could make it easier to pay your fuel bill.</div>
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<span lang="en-US">You can pick up a
leaflet with tips and advice on cutting your fuel bills at Birmingham
Citizens Advice Bureau.</span></div>
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<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Big Energy Week is an
advice campaign coordinated by Citizens Advice to help consumers
spend less on heating their home.
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<span lang="en-US">A new website –
</span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.bigenergyweek.org.uk/"><span lang="en-US">www.bigenergyweek.org.uk</span></a></u></span><span lang="en-US">
- is full of tips on how to cut your energy bills. And as part of
Big Energy Week there will be events up and down the country where
people can get practical advice on how they could spend less on
heating their home. </span>
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We are also continuing to gather support for our campaign for a public enquiry into the power and influence of the ‘big six’ energy companies, to assess whether our current system is fit for purpose to deliver the clean, affordable and secure energy we need. You can sign the petition <a href="http://www.foe.co.uk/what_we_do/final_demand2_32882.html?redir=finaldemand">online here</a> or on paper in the reception of our building.</div>
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Joe Peacock</div>Birmingham Friends of the Earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15248357313448918333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997779734081425016.post-55727751503801641532012-01-16T15:56:00.000+00:002012-01-16T18:08:02.387+00:00Talking Rubbish on the Radio AgainThis morning I was asked to go on BBC Radio WM to defend councils' abilities to fine people for not recycling or persistently putting waste in the wrong place after Caroline Spelman said the government were going to <a href="http://www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?id=21691&title=Bin+fines+to+be+scrapped+for+householders++">put a stop to bin fines</a>.<br />
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Up against "Big Brother Watch" (another of those right-wing libertarian organisations set up by Matthew Elliot of Tax Payers' Alliance), I was presented with a view of a world when councils send people out to spy on innocent residents, handing out fixed penalty notices every time a wheelie bin is a couple of inches from where it should be.<br />
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Now, going on to defend councils fining people wouldn't be everyone's favourite thing to do, so it was important to make points on cost above all else. Fines are (or certainly should be) a last resort, but the government is just playing to certain parts of the press with this latest announcement.<br />
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The real issue should be that we are no longer living in a world where waste management is about disposal. Resources are too valuable for that and prices are going up all the time, so recycling is not just an environmental imperative, but a financial one too. This means that in fiscally stretched times, it is more important than ever that people do recycle and recover value, rather than costing the council more money by chucking everything into the bin to be burnt or buried.<br />
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Last week we gave evidence to the scrutiny committee review on this and are very determined that Birmingham should transform services to a "resource recovery system". This means mainly working with communities and companies that can give us the best value and environmental outcomes possible. If fines are removed, it simply gives the wrong message to people about the value of doing the right thing. It should never be near the top of actions to be taken and I think it is very unlikely that it ever is.<br />
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People want their streets to be clean and their bills to be lower. Councils need to work together with residents and recycling companies to achieve this, reduce carbon emissions and create jobs.<br />
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Joe PeacockBirmingham Friends of the Earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15248357313448918333noreply@blogger.com0