Everything is linked to everything; the backstory to your mobile phone battery.

A guest blog by Karine Nohr This column has previously written about the links between Sheffield  Environmentalists and Congolese Environmentalists. This relationship started in 2021 when the UK hosted the annual global environmental COP meeting. Because the Congolese contributors were denied visas to attend the COP, some Sheffielders platformed their perspective for them, and haveContinueContinue reading “Everything is linked to everything; the backstory to your mobile phone battery.”

Progress on Climate Action at Sheffield Council

Following my article on the Work Place Parking Levy, I was very pleased to see that the Green Party motion (though amended) on climate action was passed by Full Council last week. This means the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Committee will consider a workplace parking levy. It could leverage funding for active and public transportContinueContinue reading “Progress on Climate Action at Sheffield Council”

5th Anniversary of Sheffield Council declaring a Climate Emergency

Today people from many different climate groups gathered for a rally to mark the 5th Anniversary of Sheffield declaring a Climate Emergency. We sang “Sing for the Climate” and had a die in. https://youtu.be/c1KGjnlR4vU Political Parties were asked to explain why the Council had only managed to cut carbon emissions by 3% when, if theyContinueContinue reading “5th Anniversary of Sheffield Council declaring a Climate Emergency”

Tell the Truth, so that we know what we need to do.

A guest blog by Karine Nohr   When I worked as a Sheffield GP, the breaking of bad news was hard. Often the response from patients was “Please tell me the truth”. This would allow people and their loved ones to fully engage, speak their own truths, show their love, and decide on their priorities, thusContinueContinue reading “Tell the Truth, so that we know what we need to do.”

Five years since Sheffield declared a Climate Emergency, they still need to act like it.

Wednesday, February 7th will mark the 5th Anniversary of Sheffield declaring a Climate Emergency. Activists from many groups will be gathering for a rally outside at 1 pm and some will be going inside to urge the Council to do more to address the climate and nature emergencies.  I have been working with a groupContinueContinue reading “Five years since Sheffield declared a Climate Emergency, they still need to act like it.”

Mayor evasive over flooding in Catcliffe.

Following the flooding in Catcliffe in October 2023 caused by Storm Babet, the second flood in 4 years, a resident asked me to contact the Mayor. He was concerned that the newly built foundations of the service station at Junction 33 of the M1 added to the flooding problem. He wanted to know why theContinueContinue reading “Mayor evasive over flooding in Catcliffe.”

How could our Councils raise money for Climate Action?

Last week I explained how our local Councils are way behind on their plans to reduce emissions. As austerity continues to bite they have no funds to put this right. Since 2010 Sheffield Council has lost 29% of its funding in real terms, representing a fall of £828 per dwelling. Zahira Naz, Finance Committee chair,ContinueContinue reading “How could our Councils raise money for Climate Action?”

Firefighters need more resources to cope with global heating.

Alistair Ulke wrote an important article about the urgent need for firefighters to have more resources (Star Jan 16th). Fatalities are rising as the cuts imposed by the Government continue to bite.  https://www.flickr.com/photos/grahammitchellphotography/52983224406/ Photo by Graham Mitchell https://www.flickr.com/photos/grahammitchellphotography/52983224406/ We must support the Fire Brigades Union campaign as we will need their services more in theContinueContinue reading “Firefighters need more resources to cope with global heating.”

 2023 was an unprecedented year for the climate, while climate action failed at local, national and international levels. 

The World Meteorological Organisation recently tweeted this graph, saying it gave a new meaning to “off the charts”. 2023 really was the year when the earth’s climate dramatically changed. We are now very close to the 1.5C of global warming that scientists have warned us about for many years, where many feedback loops may startContinueContinue reading ” 2023 was an unprecedented year for the climate, while climate action failed at local, national and international levels. “

Thursday evening at the Justice Now Camp for Palestine

There was a wonderful evening of song at the Justice Now camp, starting with the South African National Anthem in thanks for the great work South Africa is doing at the Hague International Court of Justice, bringing the case of Genocide against Israel. Shame on the UK and the USA as the only nations denyingContinueContinue reading “Thursday evening at the Justice Now Camp for Palestine”