IPCC launch 6th Assessment Report

Today the IPCC launched their report. The IPCC press release is a good summary of the findings and here is an excellent report in the Guardian. “For the tipping points, it’s clear that every extra tonne of CO2 emitted today is pushing us into a minefield of feedback effects tomorrow,” says Prof Dave Reay, atContinueContinue reading “IPCC launch 6th Assessment Report”

Why would an 11 year old decide to walk to London?

Why would an 11 year old boy from Hebden Bridge decide to walk all the way to London? Youth activist Jude Walker recently passed through Sheffield on a 200 mile journey to drive support for a petition to introduce charges on carbon emissions.  He is desperately trying to  raise awareness of the urgent need toContinueContinue reading “Why would an 11 year old decide to walk to London?”

Extreme weather continues but the media are still not telling the truth.

This week we have seen further extreme flooding in Belgium, China, India, Panama and Russia. London is flooding as I write. https://twitter.com/Inspecteurdusud/status/1419226096554348545 Watch how a peaceful road in Belgium turns into a raging a torrent in less than a minute. The famine in Madagascar has been recognised as the first to be caused solely byContinueContinue reading “Extreme weather continues but the media are still not telling the truth.”

How should Sheffield react to the events in Germany and Canada?

As I write this it’s 30oC outside and I’m sweltering. Extreme heat is very debilitating, and for some can be fatal, especially if it continues for several days. Heat can cause dehydration and heatstroke. Over the course of several days, extreme heat affects the internal organs and puts extra strain on the cardiovascular system. TheContinueContinue reading “How should Sheffield react to the events in Germany and Canada?”

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”