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 messagesContinue 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 changesContinue 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 toContinue 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 areContinue reading "Major changes have been the result of protest."
I declare a Nature Emergency
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCVNpZSEDqQ Today I am declaring a Nature Emergency. More than 1 in 10 of over 8,000 species are at risk of extinction – with 1 in 4 UK mammal species at threat of being lost. The planet is experiencing the 6th mass extinction of species. Globally, populations of mammals, birds, fish, amphibians and reptiles haveContinue reading "I declare a Nature Emergency"
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 GilliganContinue 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.Continue reading "Christian fined for climate protest."
Solidarity with Palestine
May 15th is marked every year as Nakba (Catastrophe) Day. It commemorates the expulsion, during 1948-9, of 700,000 Palestinians from their land. Today Israel's oppression has become so entrenched that Human Rights Watch report in April 2021 states "Abusive Israeli policies constitute crimes of Apartheid. Here's my video from the vigil. https://youtu.be/NaulIZRFwMA Please sign thisContinue reading "Solidarity with Palestine"
It’s our economic system that is in need of a psychiatrist
To the Editor of the Sheffield Star Your correspondent S Thompson was highly amused that Dr Bing Jones is so terrified of the dangers of climate change he chose to sit in Ecclesall Road to warn us all about it. Let's think for a moment why he is so terrified. When CO2 concentrations were lastContinue reading "It’s our economic system that is in need of a psychiatrist"
Labour Councillors and the Green New Deal
A group of Sheffield Labour candidates have been promoting their support for the Green New Deal This Tweet really saddened me because it is so obviously untrue. Green Councillors and candidates have been campaigning for a Green New Deal for many years. All the Green Party candidates support a Green New Deal for Sheffield. NationallyContinue reading "Labour Councillors and the Green New Deal"
