GREEN NEWS NETWORK

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. STROUD COUNCILLOR BLOG LAUNCHED
2. CLIMATE CHANGE: TURBINE SUCCESS PLUS AIRBUS, SEVERN BARRAGE AND MONSTER PIPELINE IN GLOS
3. NUCLEAR NOT THE ANSWER PLUS OUR ACCLAIMED WASTE SUBMISSION
4. EX-LABOUR MAYOR OF GLOUCESTER SINGS GREEN PRAISES
5. HEALTH CUTS: ACT NOW!
6. FAIRFORD RULED OUT FOR IRAN ATTACK  
7. RIGHTS: NEED FOR IMMIGRATION DEBATE PLUS SUPPORT FOR ACTION AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA
8. CHILDREN: DRUG TESTING NONSENSE AND TEWKESBURY TEEN REPELLANT
9. ELECTORAL REFORM NEEDED
10. DURSLEY: NEW SAINSBURY IMPACT ON COMMUNITY WILL BE HARSH
11. STONEHOUSE NEIGHBOURHOOD PROJECT NEEDS YOUR HELP
12.  GREEN APPROACH TO HAPPINESS!
13.  WATER COMPANIES NEED REFORM
14. NEW ON 'BIG ISSUES'
15. WEBSITES THAT MIGHT INTEREST
16. UPCOMING KEY EVENTS INCL NATIONAL COFFEE HOUSE COMPETITION, WALMART AND CHELTENHAM EVENTS
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QUOTES OF THE MONTH

"He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you."
Friedrich Nietzsche

"One thing is clear: the era of easy oil is over. What we all do next will determine how well we meet the energy needs of the entire world in this century and beyond."
David J O'Reilly, Chairman and CEO, Chevron Corporation, July 2005

"We're running the planet like a company in liquidation."
Former US vice-president Al Gore

"Isn't it strange that we supposed experts and healers of human relations give only passing notice to our extraordinarily unhealthy relationship to the planet as a whole, a relationship that will ultimately undermine our work completely?  What is the responsibility of a therapist on a dying planet?  Physician, heal thyself."
Terrence O’Connor

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1. STROUD COUNCILLOR BLOG LAUNCHED

Cllr. Philip Booth, the recently elected Stroud District councillor, who is also Coordinator of the 5-councillor Green group at Stroud District Council, has launched an online Blog - a personal collection of articles and news items about local issues. There are already over 20 local items that include changes to the local bus service, health service cuts, the local brook, developments in the area and more.

He said: "A Blog is a good way to communicate with some residents about local and wider issues. It also allows them to leave comments on the website and email me - but people can still phone me on 755451 if they have any queries." The Blog  can be found at: http://ruscombegreen.blogspot.com/

Daryl Hannah also launched her new eco-blog:
http://www.grist.org/news/maindish/2006/05/16/mcgrady/index.html?source=weekly

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2. CLIMATE CHANGE: TURBINE SUCCESS PLUS AIRBUS, SEVERN BARRAGE AND MONSTER PIPELINE IN GLOS

The new 420-tonne super jumbo is indeed an incredible feat of engineering that has the lowest fuel consumption per passenger of any large commercial airliner yet built. Gloucestershire companies involved with this can be proud of such an engineering feat, but for all the wonders in reality it is little more than a symbol of the abuse of our atmosphere:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1263&Itemid=116

The future for generating electricity from the severn estuary was discussed at Star Anise cafe in Stroud:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1281&Itemid=115

Planning permission for a wind turbine on the Mendip Hills has been allowed on appeal. Lone Stroud Green voice at Inquiry helps swing the decision to build a single 2 MW turbine at Shooters Bottom, Townsend Lane near Chewton Mendip;
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1265&Itemid=115

A monster gas pipeline which will carry 20% of UK gas is being built with a new terminal planned in Corse near the top part of the Forest of Dean. The 12 chimney terminal isplanned for the wrong location:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1272&Itemid=116

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3. NUCLEAR NOT THE ANSWER PLUS OUR ACCLAIMED WASTE SUBMISSION

Gloucestershire Green party have just made another submission to the Government's consultation about what should be done with our growing nuclear waste problem. They conclude again that this along with other safety and economic arguments mean that new nuclear power stations make no sense:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1279&Itemid=115

Greens have reacted with dismay to Tony Blair’s announcement that nuclear power is back on the agenda 'with a vengeance'.  Various letters and news releases tackling the issue:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1271&Itemid=116
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1257&Itemid=116
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1256&Itemid=115
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1262&Itemid=116
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1267&Itemid=116

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4. EX-LABOUR MAYOR OF GLOUCESTER SINGS GREEN PRAISES

Terry Haines, seven years a Labour councillor and still Labour nevertheless gives high praise to Greens in the recent elections.
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1255&Itemid=115

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5. HEALTH CUTS: ACT NOW!

Massive march this Saturday in Stroud. Plus details of how you can oppose cuts - In the Stroud area Weavers Croft is the priority - we only have a month of consultations - that means we must act now if we are to save this important in-patient assessment and treatment hospital for older people with mental health needs. Please see what you can do at:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1266&Itemid=115

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6. FAIRFORD RULED OUT FOR IRAN ATTACK  

The Green party welcomed the announcement by a Pentagon official that interceptor missiles for the US ‘Son of Star Wars’ missile defence system will not be sited in the UK, according to the Scottish Herald newspaper. The official cited the strong domestic opposition to the ongoing occupation of Iraq as a primary reason for this decision:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1269&Itemid=115

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7. RIGHTS: NEED FOR IMMIGRATION DEBATE PLUS SUPPORT FOR ACTION AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA

Racist incidents rose by 12% last year while national coverage of migrant workers has been relentlessly negative. There has been a complete failure to have a reasoned debate about immigration:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1278&Itemid=116

Greens have given their support to the second International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) and emphasized the importance of eliminating homophobia from the world completely.
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1254&Itemid=115
Soon after that the Green Party's Peter Tatchell was voted sixth greatest hero by New Statesman readers. He has also challenged the Mayor of Moscow's ban on Russia's first ever Gay Pride march in Moscow - despite considerable risks he led the march through Moscow with Michael Cashman MEP, other European parliamentarians, and human rights activists from across Europe.

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8. CHILDREN: DRUG TESTING NONSENSE AND TEWKESBURY TEEN REPELLANT

Gloucestershire Green Party is concerned at suggestions of drug testing in our schools. Sunday's News of the World (28.5.06) announced that the government plans to spread drug testing through schools nationwide. Drug testing has been shown to be both ineffective and counter-productive in the United States. Cigarettes and alcohol are bigger threats:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1273&Itemid=115

Greens unhappy about "Mosquito teen repellant" device to drive off teenagers from a street in Tewkesbury:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1249&Itemid=116

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9. ELECTORAL REFORM NEEDED

The Electoral Systems Bill (also known as the Electoral Choice Bill), is being re-introduced by David Chaytor MP into the Commons on Wednesday 14 June as a Ten Minute Rule Bill:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1282&Itemid=115

Despite increasing the number of elected Green Councillors at the recent election, Green voices are not represented on the Council in proportion to the number of people who vote Green, and as a result social justice and environmental issues are not being prioritised in the way many of us consider is vital:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1268&Itemid=116

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10.  DURSLEY: NEW SAINSBURY IMPACT ON COMMUNITY WILL BE HARSH

The new Sainsbury's store in Dursley will bring 200 jobs and that the Conservative administration believe the development will bring benefits to the community. However such claims fail to consider the wider picture of independent retailer bankruptcies:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1252&Itemid=116

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11. STONEHOUSE NEIGHBOURHOOD PROJECT NEEDS YOUR HELP

Stonehouse Neighbourhood Project has been a major force in Stonehouse town for almost a decade, but due to lack of funding we are sadly facing closure:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1270&Itemid=116
 

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12. GREEN APPROACH TO HAPPINESS!

A new BBC series found people were happier in the 1950s - despite being richer Britons are less happy now and 80% say the government should make people happier rather than wealthier:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1259&Itemid=116

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13.  WATER COMPANIES NEED REFORM

Drought fears have not been eased by the wettest May for 27 years:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1280&Itemid=116

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14. NEW ON 'BIG ISSUES'

The website has a 'Big Issues' section that covers articles and links to articles that have been sent in by Green party members and others. This month additions to the section include:

- Meacher on inadequate supplies of uranium
- Decentralized energy is 25% of new power generation output
- New Nukes: Blair's announcement
- Energy gap, what energy gap?
- Surviving Peak Oil and the Coming Decline of Oil
- Afghanistan: the role of corporations
- Bolivia and Chávez's threat because he offers the alternative of a decent society
- GM crops may produce herbicide in our intestines and GM trees are being grown secretly in UK
- The Constituency Link: Time to Cut the Umbilical?
- Awareness of problem is not enough to cause behaviour change

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15. WEBSITES THAT MIGHT INTEREST

Powerswitch.org.uk is dedicated to raising awareness & discussion of the impending & permanent decline of cheap oil & gas supply, the consequences of which will affect every corner of our lives:
http://www.powerswitch.org.uk/

The west country's Banksy: graffiti artist:
http://www.banksy.co.uk/

A new website which highlights the way in which Asda Wal-Mart treats its own staff and suppliers in developing countries:
http://www.asdawatch.org/

"The Children of Iraq Have Names" and other poems:
http://www.oregonpeaceworks.org/site/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=158&Itemid=86

Websites 'to counter the message that cheap flights are acceptable in the global warming age.'
http://www.easyclimatechange.com/
http://www.ryanairpollution.com/
http://www.virginclimate.com/

Flash movie about Iraqi Death Squads, asking questions about what is going on: WARNING - disturbing viewing:
http://www.cryingwolf.deconstructingiraq.org.uk/

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16. UPCOMING KEY EVENTS INCL NATIONAL COFFEE HOUSE COMPETITION, WALMART AND CHELTENHAM EVENTS

Thursday 22nd June: Gloucestershire public meeting in Stroud to discuss community decline, health cuts and the Sustainable Communities Bill 7:30pm – 9:30pm at St Laurence Church Hall, The Shambles with Kevin Cranston chairing and Clare Gerbrands (Made in Stroud), Steve Shaw (Local Works Campaign Co-ordinator) and David Drew (MP for Stroud and one of the Bill’s cross-party sponsors). This Bill has enormous potential to radically alter politics by empowering local communities to make their areas sustainable.

Friday 23rd June: Has Stroud a future? Will Stroud become a speck on a globalised landscape wracked by shortages and conflict? Can Stroud pioneer approaches towards a sustainable and better future? What can we do now to make a difference? This evening will be part of the national Coffeehouse Challenge organised by the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) to promote discussion and debate. Open to anyone - 7.30 and 9.30pm at Star Anise Arts Cafe at the Painswick Inn, Gloucester Street, Stroud. 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

Sunday 11th June 2006; Cheltenham Green party are leafleting at the 'Climate Change' Lecture at the Science festival. Meet us outside the entrance to Cheltenham Town Hall at 1.30pm.
 
Saturday 15th July: "Walmart: The High Cost of Low Price" film, drinks, music and discussion starting at 6.00pm at The Space - £5 (£4 concessions) in aid of Green party - details: Simon 01452 770846
 
Saturday 15th July 2006: International Day of action against Climate Change: meet at the entrance to Staverton Airport 12 noon (for further info email cathyclimatechange@yahoo.co.uk). Nationally there are demonstrations this Saturday at many airports like Bristol. See our Report section for the economic and other arguments against airport expansion. Green Party MEP Caroline Lucas who will be joining the airport demonstrations at Gatwick was told last month by Gatwick staff that they would be prevented from taking photos – even in public areas – to illustrate the issue of air travel’s growing impact on climate change. Caroline said: "BAA and the airlines dare not face up to the fact that we will have to fly less if we are to prevent devastating climate change. 85 bags of sugar, or 85 kg of carbon (the average persons flying carbon debt), may sound small but with 16.5 million passengers departing from Gatwick that means 1,400 million kg of carbon polluting the sky each year."

Saturday 23rd September 2006; Cheltenham Green Party Social: details from party contacts on our website.

Details of the various other Gloucestershire and local party 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