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”

Climate Emergency on Council Agenda

Sheffield City Council have published the agenda for its meeting at 2pm on 7th February, the 5th Anniversary of the declaration of the Climate Emergency. The meeting will begin with petitions and questions from the public. If you would like to ask a question concerning the Council’s response to the Emergency, please get in touchContinueContinue reading “Climate Emergency on Council Agenda”

International Court rules it is plausible that Israel has engaged in genocidal acts against the Palestinian people in Gaza.

On the day of this important ruling, members of the Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid gathered at Sheffield Station. Hilary Smith pointed out that the UK is a signatory to the Genocide Convention. The finding puts a legal obligation on the UK and all states to cease funding and facilitating Israel’s military actions which are plausiblyContinueContinue reading “International Court rules it is plausible that Israel has engaged in genocidal acts against the Palestinian people in Gaza.”

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?”

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”

Sahar and Lena explain why they are camping outside Sheffield Town Hall.

Two Palestinian women, Lena Mussa and Sahar Awadallah, have started a week-long camp outside Sheffield Town Hall to raise awareness of the ongoing Genocide in Gaza. https://youtu.be/lUq2F-yJ_Vs Today they were joined by the Tadhamon Singers and the Well Dressed Band. Lena starts a hunger strike on Sunday night. Hear in their own words why theyContinueContinue reading “Sahar and Lena explain why they are camping outside Sheffield Town Hall.”

COP28. It’s hard to conclude it was anything but an unmitigated disaster.

Now COP has been put to bed for another year here is a quick round up of reactions to the Conference. This is how awful 2023 has been. https://twitter.com/WMO/status/1735689838324543846?s=20 https://twitter.com/EliotJacobson/status/1736038812445532669?s=20 Bill Mcquire, Climate Scientist and author of Hothouse Earth tweeted https://twitter.com/ProfBillMcGuire/status/1735971646467342811?s=20 Prof Stephan Rahmstorf (Head of Earth System Analysis @ Potsdam Institute for Climate ImpactContinueContinue reading “COP28. It’s hard to conclude it was anything but an unmitigated disaster.”

The richest 1% of humanity is responsible for more carbon emissions than the poorest 66%

We don’t tend to see many billionaires here in Sheffield. They are more likely to be in their mansions or travelling the world in their private jets or yachts. Their lives are insulated from the struggles of ordinary people, whom they are never likely to meet.  Yet this small number of people has a disproportionateContinueContinue reading “The richest 1% of humanity is responsible for more carbon emissions than the poorest 66%”

Ceasefire Now! We demand Sheffield MP’s vote for a ceasefire.

Today I joined with the Sheffield Coalition against Israeli Apartheid in a march from Louise Haigh MP’s office in Meesbrook to Paul Blomfield’s office on Edmund Road. https://youtu.be/EHRuXZqJMkE We handed in letters at both offices with a request to the staff to contact the MP’s before the vote. Unfortunately, no one was there to receiveContinueContinue reading “Ceasefire Now! We demand Sheffield MP’s vote for a ceasefire.”

Sheffield demands a Ceasefire on Armistice Day.

Saturday we experienced a very emotional march and rally calling for a Ceasefire and an end to the Israeli occupation of Gaza and the West Bank. News of continued atrocities in Palestine, especially the targeting of the al-Shifa Hospital, led to a sombre but determined mood. This song, led by the Tadhamon Singers, Socialist ChoirContinueContinue reading “Sheffield demands a Ceasefire on Armistice Day.”