Just 100 months......

According to a report from the New Economics Foundation we have just 100 months to save the planet from climate change. That is 8 1/3 years which takes us to about 2017. Its well worth reading the article by Andrew Simms which explains why we have such a short time left to take effective action. Here is a quote from part of that article:

"The concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere today, the most prevalent greenhouse gas, is the highest it has been for the past 650,000 years. In the space of just 250 years, as a result of the coal-fired Industrial Revolution, and changes to land use such as the growth of cities and the felling of forests, we have released, cumulatively, more than 1,800bn tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere. Currently, approximately 1,000 tonnes of CO2 are released into the Earth's atmosphere every second, due to human activity. Greenhouse gases trap incoming solar radiation, warming the atmosphere. When these gases accumulate beyond a certain level - often termed a "tipping point" - global warming will accelerate, potentially beyond control".

In the UK we know that we can save 30% of our energy needs just by having effective insulation in all our homes. What is being done about this - nothing! While politicians prevaricate and appease their chums in the energy industry with promises of coal fired plants and nuclear reactors we are going to hell in a handcart. Even if the 100 months prediction is wrong, in a time where we have passed peak oil, energy conservation measures and greater use of renewables are essential measures, which we need to take to prevent fuel poverty, and to make us all more energy efficient.

If the 100 month prediction is correct be very afraid because at the rate we are going we have no chance of constraining atmospheric CO2 to 400 ppm by 2017 and we are heading for social breakdown. Our politicians are far too wedded to the kind of capitalist solutions that enable the energy industry to make big bucks to take energy conservation measures. The government's policy of shifting to nuclear is bad enough - now we have government support for coal in the form of the proposed Kingsnorth power station in Kent!

The Kingsnorth debacle has attracted the attention of climate change campaigners, who have set up camp near the proposed power station. The camp, which runs from 3-11 August, has already been subject to police harassment. The police have raided the camp, kept the campaigners awake at night and even stolen the campaigner's bicycles! This is typical of the increasing criminalisation of legitimate protest brought about by a New Labour government.

I wish the protesters at the camp every success and I hope that they manage to persuade the government to think again. But I doubt if they will. Energy conservation, de-centralised energy generation (e.g. using your own solar power) all threaten to reduce the massive profits of the energy companies in the long run, or that how they see it, so it can't be allowed to happen.

The energy companies could take a different tack. They could sell us insulation and renewables instead of fossil fuel alternatives,. Enlightened governments might even be able to push them down that road. But not ours - it will still be fiddling with itself while the planet burns.

Green Party local election website and broadcasts

Its well worth visiting our local government election website by following this link.

Also....don't forget to watch our election broadcasts (local election and GLA) which will air on Tuesday the 15th - 6.30pm on ITV and 6.55pm on the BBC (radio and television).

Green Party - Find Out More!

Want to find out more about the Green Party? Why not read some of our leaflets such as the mini-manifesto and our views on public services and climate change. Follow this link.

Green Party Local successes 2 - Norwich

The Green Party has had real successes in local government. We are making a real difference up and down the country.

In Norwich, where we have 10 councillors, The Green Party has been responsible for renewable energy in all new developments and protecting and promoting local businesses. To find out more, follow this link and watch the video.

Green Party Local successes 1 - Renewables in Kirklees

The Green Party has had real successes in local government. We are making a real difference up and down the country.

In Kirklees, West Yorkshire, The Green Party has been responsible for a free insulation scheme for householders and the installation of solar panels in Huddersfiled. To find ot abot this follow this link and watch the video.

Mr 10%

Gordon's at it again - bashing the poor..........

Here are the headlines from the 8th April on the BBC:-

"Ministers are coming under increasing pressure to rethink scrapping the lowest 10p rate of income tax, amid warnings it will hurt low earners.

The Commons Treasury committee said childless single people earning under £18,500 would lose up to £232 a year.

Some 73 Labour MPs have signed motions expressing concerns, among them David Hamilton, MP for Midlothian, who warned Gordon Brown could face a rebellion.

Treasury Minister Jane Kennedy said the government would not reverse the move.

She told the BBC's Newsnight programme: "I can't see us reversing this tax change at all."

This tax change was introduced by Gordon himself, when he was chancellor, in last years budget, to cheers from New Labour backbenchers. Now those same backbenchers are threatening to vote the measure down - which is odd because they had an opportunity when the budget was introduced - so why didn't they take it then?

What Gordon's change shows is that New Labour have now totally abandoned their traditional supporters in the working class. Yet another betrayal in the long years of betrayal from a New Labour government.

My Manifesto for Northwich West

If elected I will work to:

• Get Cheshire West and Chester to invest in small-scale locally owned renewable energy, saving you money and helping to fight climate change

• Promote local shops and businesses so that people can provide local services saving time, energy and money

• Build better public transport links to integrate local bus and rail services, and provide safe cycleways

• Oppose the construction of a waste incinerator in Lostock Gralam and promote waste reduction and recycling

• Introduce a 50mph speed limit on the A566 Northwich bypass in Davenham and Kingsmead

• Protect local schools, post offices and health services from cuts, closures, creeping privatisation and financially damaging PFI schemes

• Give local neighbourhoods a direct say in issues that affect them – devolving powers to neighbourhood forums and parish councils.