GNN - GREEN NEWS NETWORK - ISSUE 18: 11-February-2006

A free monthly newsletter that provides green news and views from the Gloucestershire Green party so that together we can create a better world.

QUOTES OF THE MONTH
1. MARTIN CONFIRMED AS PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATE
2. THE REAL COSTS OF COSTA COFFEE: WRITE TO EBLEY MILL NOW
3. CLIMATE CHANGE: LOVELOCK, SHAMELESS ADMISSIONS, RAMPANT CONSUMERISM AND MORE
4. WAR AND PEACE: TRIDENT AND ID CARDS
5. WASTE AND RECYCLING: ACTION, INCINERATION AND GLOS RECYCLING RATES
6. NHS: GLOS GREENS SUBMISSION AND ANGER AT WHITE PAPER
7. LABOUR'S WELFARE REFORMS WILL HIT HARD
8. FARMING: UNDEMOCRATIC GM RULING AND BADGER POLICY
9. BUILDING COMMUNITIES: POST OFFICES, RESPECT, CO-HOUSING AWARD, 312 HOUSES THREATENED IN CHELTENHAM AND MORE
10. MASTS AND MOBILES FOR 4 YEAR OLDS
11. STUNNING TWIGWORTH PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION: 2 ONLINE ACTIONS AGAINST SHELL
12. OTHER ITEMS: PARKWAY, ASTON DOWN, 2007 ELECTIONS AND WATER FLUORIDATION
13. NEW ON 'BIG ISSUES'
14. WEBSITES THAT MIGHT INTEREST
15. UPCOMING KEY EVENTS: NEXT COFFEE HOUSE GATHERING AND CONFERENCES

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QUOTES OF THE MONTH

"An invasion of armies can be resisted, but not an idea whose time has come."
Victor Hugo (1805-1885)

"As human beings our greatness is not so much in remaking the world  as in remaking ourselves."
Mahatma Ghandi

"Become intimate with your own backyard, with a bit of riverbank, with a pond or hill. The rest of the watershed, the meta-landscape, the continent, planet and universe will be naturally drawn into this intimacy."
John McClellan, in "The Many Voices of the Boulder Creek Watershed"

"When the forms of an old culture are dying, the new culture is created by a few people who are not afraid to be insecure"
Rudolf Bahro

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1. MARTIN CONFIRMED AS STROUD PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATE

Martin has already done a radio interview and had some press coverage. Read more by clicking on his name on our home page or see a brief statement following his talk at the Green party AGM at:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1039&Itemid=115

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2. THE REAL COSTS OF COSTA COFFEE: WRITE TO EBLEY MILL NOW

Today Greens organised a few people for a photograph in Stroud to highlight opposition to the Costa Coffee planning application. Costa want the old 'New Look store at the top of the High Street. We have until the end of the month to send in our Planning objections: please sent them in - they already have 30.

Philip Booth, a spokesperson for the Stroud District Green party commented to the SNJ: "As a Green I am unhappy with Costa's planning application, as being a chain it will suck money out of the local economy and it risks turning Stroud into a 'clone' town where all the shops are the same as elsewhere - but let's face it, opposition to this application goes much further than that - and I hope will be cross-party. It is about getting the retail and non-retail mix right and quite simply this is a shopping area that already has too many cafes: most people don't go to town just for coffee, we must keep some shops for people to visit. There are also concerns that the Costa application may adversely effect market traders stalls in the Shambles."

- Dave Cockcroft's letter that got the press interested:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=992&Itemid=116

- Broader comment re the wonder of Coffee Houses and Costa:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1033&Itemid=2

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3. CLIMATE CHANGE: LOVELOCK, SHAMELESS ADMISSIONS, RAMPANT CONSUMERISM AND MORE

Many Greens will have seen in The Independent James Lovelock's recent apocalyptic vision of the earth's future is both defeatist and unproductive. We already have the technology, expertise and financial resources to drastically reduce carbon emissions and limit the extent of climate change. It is, therefore, important that we take from Lovelock's view, not a gloomy fatalism or an abdication of responsibility, but a determination to recognise his warning as a call to arms.

Keith Taylor, the Greens Principal Speaker said: "The government must take a dynamic and committed stance on investing in renewable energy sources. According to the Environment Agency, the UK has the largest resources for wind, wave and tidal energy in Europe, but currently performs badly. Other European countries generate significantly more electricity from renewable sources - Denmark 20 per cent, Sweden 47 per cent, and Spain 16.2 per cent."

More on Climate change this month:

- Isabelle Cockcroft's moving letter that got in the Independent, 'Stop Killing my future':
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=996&Itemid=116

- Government’s shameless admission: 'The Government’s chief scientific advisor Sir David King has admitted this week that to reduce atmospheric CO2 levels to those stated by a new peer-reviewed scientific report would be 'politically unfeasible'. I cannot imagine our government claiming that defending the country from invasion would be preferable but politically unfeasible?':
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1013&Itemid=115

- Challenge to rampant consumerism and call for relook at economics:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1006&Itemid=116

- Investment in Glos airport shows councillors have already forgotten climate change strategy:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1011&Itemid=116

- Government admits climate change worse than they thought:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1014&Itemid=115

- Blair - little more than a climate criminal:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1038&Itemid=116

- Are we ready for another oil shock? We must prepare:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=993&Itemid=115

- Smaller firms could trade Carbon:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1032&Itemid=115

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4. WAR AND PEACE: TRIDENT AND ID CARDS

- Call for debate on Trident: 'How can we hope to persuade states like Iran to abandon their nuclear ambitions whilst we invest in our own nuclear weapons capacity in what appears to be a direct breach of the Non-Proliferation Treaty':
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1041&Itemid=116

- Statistics on European terrorism fatalities not found
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1027&Itemid=116

- Gloucester Greens call for ID card audit to cut through confusion:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=999&Itemid=115

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5. WASTE AND RECYCLING: ACTION, INCINERATION AND GLOS RECYCLING RATES

- Take action re waste centre that will have impact on all Gloucestershire: please write to Gloucestershire County councillors:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1037&Itemid=72

- 183 tonnes daily of toxic ash will be bound for Wingmoor Farm, Bishops Cleeve if plans for an incinerator in Newhaven go ahead. Greens in both Gloucestershire and Sussex are encouraged that following their objections a new inquiry is being reconsidered:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1005&Itemid=115

- Government plans for incineration are bad news:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1010&Itemid=116

- Congrats to South Glos on recycling - second in their class:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=997&Itemid=116

- Gloucester recycling rates pitiful but improving:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=995&Itemid=116

Read more about £8bn waste revolution at:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1021&Itemid=112

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6. NHS: GLOS GREENS SUBMISSION AND ANGER AT WHITE PAPER

Labour putting budgets before treatment in health care is a false economy and threatens to undermine preventative care. If adopted the quality of care will plummet and people's health will suffer. The new 'rulebook' will lead to people dying from bad case of balance sheets. Hospitals that are punished financially for failing to attract customers will have to cut corners to balance the books. The health service is sick, according to the damning survey of trust chief executives. It is displaying all the symptoms of a target-based health system: closed wards, long-term understaffing, increased pressure on employees, and ultimately an inferior service.

Was it really New Labour who warned in their 1996 criticism of the Tory government “The future of health services will be driven by the short-term priorities of the companies involved”?  How true. Labour’s denial of its socialist roots leaves the Green Party as the only party against privatisation of the health sector.

- Gloucestershire Greens submission on the reorganisation to SHA: 'This upheaval is the 24th major restructuring of the NHS in the past 32 years and comes only 3 years after the creation of PCTs. Our health service is being put through yet more changes without any regard for the consequences for staff or patients. Patricia Hewitt hopes to save money on administration, but perpetual changes are not conducive to the successful provision and improvement of health services and will be highly disruptive to an already demoralized work force.' Greens go on to highlight better ways to save money - read news release and link to submission report:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1002&Itemid=115

- Health White paper will turn NHS cash into private profit:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1015&Itemid=115

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7. LABOUR'S WELFARE REFORMS WILL HIT HARD

- Greens comment on welfare reforms: 'This Green Paper simply reinforces the government's obsession with forcing people into work - regardless of the effect on overall quality of life':
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1012&Itemid=115

- Cut numbers on Incapacity Benefit by cutting stress at work:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1009&Itemid=115

- Benefit reform unfair: Citizen's Income a better approach:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1003&Itemid=116

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8. FARMING: UNDEMOCRATIC GM RULING AND BADGER POLICY

- WTO ruling on GM undemocratic: 'This ruling effectively forces open our grocers' shelves to GM imports from the US' - Greens call for appeal:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1040&Itemid=116

- Greens anger at GM approval:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1008&Itemid=116

- Our Badger policy just published on our site - put together by Stroud District Green party member Chris Keppie, it looks set to be adopted in the SW then taken to national conference next month. Chris has already attended the debate at the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and was recored by BBC Gloucestershire. Locally we are looking at launching the policy officially:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1036&Itemid=72

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9. BUILDING COMMUNITIES: POST OFFICES, RESPECT, CO-HOUSING AWARD, 312 HOUSES THREATENED IN CHELTENHAM AND MORE

- Ending Post Office card will be blow to communities: 'Social justice and equality is expensive, but in the long run we are all better off with a more just society. We need politicians who value our communities and are not afraid to call for the long-term measures that are necessary':
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1030&Itemid=116

- Tewkesbury Borough threat to Churchdown Sports centre:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=998&Itemid=115

- Response to a new website entitled 'Clean-up Stroud' - a look at litter and Blair's respect agenda:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1004&Itemid=115

- Stroud 'Co-housing' in line for Sustainable Communities award:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1007&Itemid=115

- Cheltenham Greens join demonstration over 312 houses to be pulled down:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=990&Itemid=115

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10. MASTS AND MOBILES FOR 4 YEAR OLDS

- Stroud Greens concern at 6th mast in small area:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1042&Itemid=115

- Greens call for ban on mobile phone marketing at 4 year olds:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1028&Itemid=115

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11. STUNNING TWIGWORTH PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION: 2 ONLINE ACTIONS AGAINST SHELL

- Greens welcome the photographic celebration of wildlife but question the new sponsorship and rebranding of the competition by Shell (for next year) - online action at:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1034&Itemid=115

- Online demand that Shell obeys the law in Niger Delta
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=991&Itemid=115

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12. OTHER ITEMS: PARKWAY, ASTON DOWN, 2007 ELECTIONS AND WATER FLUORIDATION

- No to Parkway - better places to open a station:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1035&Itemid=116

- Concern re Aston Down site and a major new investment in sewage disposal when planning permission has still not been granted - and that such works could be dangerous due to the radioactive materials found there:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1044&Itemid=115

- 2007 Elections to be cancelled: Green response, although since then the Government has indicated they may go ahead. No one appears to have guaranteed this:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1043&Itemid=116

- Greens welcome end to councillors water coolers but express concern that if Government plans for water fluoridation go ahead Gloucestershire County Council will have to reverse this decision:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1031&Itemid=115
See more about water fluoridation under 'Reports'.

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13. NEW ON 'BIG ISSUES'

These are the articles that Green members and supporters have suggested we post links to on our site. A sample of some of the excellent and interesting 'reads' from this month are listed below:

- 'Green Economics': read Mark Braund's excellent article: "We will never make poverty history until we rip up the tax system"
- 'Climate change': read "How can we meet British Energy needs?"
- 'Peak Oil' : for the excellent article: "It's capitalism or a habitable planet - you can't have both" - Our economic system is unsustainable by its very nature. The only response to climate chaos and peak oil is major social change.
- 'Peace, Justice and Security':  read updates on Iran, Iraq and more plus a chilling article: "Bush is updating USA's capabilities for preemptive strike and planning for "20 year war."
- 'Food we can Trust'; read "Scientists link pesticides to Parkinson's disease."
- 'Education, Health and Housing': see "Treatment of council tenants exposes a blatant disregard for democracy an "Update on water poisoning at Camelford."
- 'Democracy and Community':  read "200 more years for women to win equality."
- 'Lucky Dip':  See "Tree-sitter Julia Butterfly Hill: where is she now?"

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14. WEBSITES THAT MIGHT INTEREST

- The wisdom of the wombat - For an entertaining reminder of truths you know already, see the Foundation for a Global Community website at:
http://www.globalcommunity.org/flash/wombat.shtml

- For an inspiring example of what a group of Norwich activists have been able to get into their local paper,
see http://www.oneworldcolumn.org/
Recent columns have commented on the UK energy review and the handover of Iraq’s oil to multinational companies.

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15. UPCOMING KEY EVENTS: NEXT COFFEE HOUSE GATHERING AND CONFERENCES

- Coffee House Discussion: Does science have all the answers? Should the NHS provide alternative' treatments? Local homeopath, Green and author Peter Adams will be one of the speakers.
Friday 24th February between 7.30 and 9.30pm - at Star Anise Arts Cafe. Read more about the previous coffee house discussions at:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=606&Itemid=96

- Bristol Green Conference on Sunday 19th February. Read more at:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=994&Itemid=115

- Green party Spring conference at Spa Pavilion, Scarborough: 16th to 19th Mar 2006. read more at:
http://www.greenparty.org.uk/nextconference

- Details of other Gloucestershire Green party meetings can be got from John Marjoram on 01453 751189

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GNN has grown out of a Green news service first established on 13th November 2001. To contribute to this news service (or to subscribe or unsubscribe) - contact the editor Philip Booth on  press@glosgreenparty.org.uk