Category Archives: Climate emergency

The Council declaring a Nature Emergency should be on the front page!

A letter to the Sheffield Star Dear Editor Sometimes I am perplexed by your choice of front-page story. Today you lead on another revamp of Fargate, but on reading the article there are few details of the plan apart from the Council takeover of one shop. On page 16 in a single column, you hideContinueContinue reading “The Council declaring a Nature Emergency should be on the front page!”

COP26 Coalition Rally, Sheffield Town Hall, 12th June 2021

Many different groups joined together in Sheffield City Centre to send a clear message to the G7 leaders meeting in Cornwall and those preparing to go to COP in Glasgow in November. ACT NOW! I was particularly pleased to hear the Extinction Rebellion Justice Group “pass the mic” to the global south, by reading messagesContinueContinue reading “COP26 Coalition Rally, Sheffield Town Hall, 12th June 2021”

Can we fit 200,000 heat pumps in Sheffield homes by 2030?

In my last column I wrote about the report Pathways to Zero Carbon Sheffield, commissioned by Sheffield Council from Arup. The final part of the report is due soon. I have been gauging opinions about it. Does it go far enough? Will it be possible to meet its targets?  One of the most significant changesContinueContinue reading “Can we fit 200,000 heat pumps in Sheffield homes by 2030?”

Pathways to Zero Carbon Sheffield

The report “Pathways to Zero Carbon Sheffield” is a detailed document showing how Sheffield can dramatically reduce its carbon footprint. Following protests and petitions by Extinction Rebellion, the Council declared a Climate Emergency in 2019. At last there is now a plan to achieve big cuts in our carbon emissions. This report is going toContinueContinue reading “Pathways to Zero Carbon Sheffield”

Major changes have been the result of protest.

My reply to S Thomson in the Sheffield Star S Thomson thinks I didn’t understand his/her letter. Maybe the reverse is true. I am very aware that telling people the truth about the climate and ecological emergencies we are facing is a dangerous thing. Climate anxiety is now a recognised condition as many people areContinueContinue reading “Major changes have been the result of protest.”

Labour and Greens join together in Cooperative Cabinet

Today was a momentous day for Sheffield. It has been announced that the Labour Party and the Green Party have reached an agreement to work together in a cooperative Cabinet. Here Cllr Peter Garbutt shares his thoughts on the new agreement. There will be an Inquiry into the Tree Dispute. https://youtu.be/1mUFk2v5nrU New Councillor Tina GilliganContinueContinue reading “Labour and Greens join together in Cooperative Cabinet”

Christian fined for climate protest.

Sheffielder Sam Wakeling, a father of two children, was arrested with six friends whilst taking part in a prayer vigil outside London City Airport. It was part of an Extinction Rebellion protest in October 2019. He was convicted and fined £796 for failing to provide his name and address when asked by a police officer.ContinueContinue reading “Christian fined for climate protest.”

Green Jobs campaign to get people working to save the planet

My day job is as a lecturer in Further Education. I am acutely aware of the importance of training our young people for the jobs and skills they will need in the future. That is why I have thrown my weight behind the new Green Jobs for All campaign. In South Yorkshire, we want toContinueContinue reading “Green Jobs campaign to get people working to save the planet”

How should I vote to save the planet?

The local elections are on May 6th. If you live in Sheffield you have 3 votes.  One for the referendum, where you will be asked if you want the Council to continue with its “strong leader” model whereby the 10 cabinet members make the decisions or change to a more inclusive, democratic committee system thatContinueContinue reading “How should I vote to save the planet?”