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QUOTES OF THE MONTH
1. CLIMATE CHANGE: RALLY, NAIROBI, STERN AND MORE
2. PEACE: ANGER AT DREW AND DHANDA IRAQ VOTE, NORTH KOREA AND ISRAEL
3. NUCLEAR: PUBLIC INQUIRY SYSTEM TO BE ABOLISHED
4. STROUD'S ENVIRONMENT GREEN PAPER: GREEN VOICES TOO LOUD TO IGNORE
5. STOP CLOSURE OF GLOUCESTER SORTING OFFICE: SIGN PETITION
6. LATEST ON GM CROPS
7. GREEN AMENDMENT SUCCESS ON ETHICAL INVESTMENT
8.  'BEECHINGESQUE' CUTS TO RAIL SERVICES CONDEMNED
9. GREENS FIGHT BACK AT LABOUR'S CRITICISMS
10. ‘PLANET’S TOP ENVIRONMENTAL HEROES’: LIST PORRITT AND LUCAS
11. GREEN BLOG
12. OTHER NEWS: WEAR IT PINK, DAIRY FARMING, CHRISTMAS ARRIVES AT FELIXTOWE, BRIMSCOMBE AND MORE
13. NEW ON 'BIG ISSUES'
14. WEBSITES THAT MIGHT INTEREST
15. UPCOMING KEY EVENTS: COFFEE HOUSE GATHERING, STORYTELLING, CEILIDH AND MORE
16. FREE ADS: THE HEALING POWER OF CELTIC PLANTS & ETHICAL BUSINESS

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QUOTES OF THE MONTH

"All beings tremble before violence. All fear death, all love life. See yourself in others. Then whom can you hurt? What harm can you do?"
Buddha

"You can't find peace by avoiding life."
Virginia Woolf

"We have to move from a quantitative to a qualitative lifestyle. We have to move from more and global to less and local; from accumulation to enjoyment; from consuming to making; from illusion to imagination. This way, we can move beyond despair to joy."
Satish Kumar

"We should get ourselves out sometime soon because our presence exacerbates the security problems. We are in a Muslim country and Muslims' views of foreigners in their country are quite clear. As a foreigner, you can be welcomed by being invited in a country, but we weren’t invited certainly by those in Iraq at the time. The military campaign we fought in 2003 effectively kicked the door in."
General Sir Richard Dannatt

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1. CLIMATE CHANGE: RALLY, NAIROBI, STERN AND MORE

22,000 at the Climate rally in London - with Greens being easily the most visible political presence. Read more at:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1547&Itemid=115
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1530&Itemid=115

Stern report: will the Government act?
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1544&Itemid=116

Greens call for action at Nairobi:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1558&Itemid=115

Energy Efficiency Week 2006 began with the revelation that Britain wastes more energy than any other EU country. We urge people in the County to ‘Switch off’!
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1535&Itemid=115

Call for Climate Bill to be far-reaching:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1539&Itemid=116

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2. PEACE: ANGER AT DREW AND DHANDA IRAQ VOTE, NORTH KOREA AND ISRAEL

A shameful vote in the House of Commons: a motion in parliament demanding an inquiry into the Iraq war was lost by 25 votes. Incredibly only 12 Labour MPs not including David Drew or Parmjit Dhanda supported the call for an inquiry:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1552&Itemid=115

This week the American people voted overwhelmingly to reject President Bush’s war in Iraq, and yesterday the key architect of the war, US military chief Donald Rumsfeld, announced his resignation. The winds of political change are sweeping the US, and the US-led Coalition in Iraq may - finally - be realising that they cannot win the war, and that they lack the legitimacy to bring stability and peace to the country without more help from the international community. With a newly elected US Congress and a President who is finally in a listening mood, we now have a unique opportunity for a global public outcry to change the course of this disastrous war. It’s the perfect time to act. Please join Greens and others in signing the petition re Iraq at:
http://www.ceasefirecampaign.org/

UK hypocrisy over North Korea:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1520&Itemid=116

Greens are supporting calls for the Government to boycott all arms deals with Israel after news that weapons made in Britain were used illegally to target civilians in Gaza and Lebanon:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1521&Itemid=116

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3. NUCLEAR: PUBLIC INQUIRY SYSTEM TO BE ABOLISHED

Stroud District Green party have submitted a report condemning Government plans to dismantle the planning inquiry system and destroy local democratic accountability. Green councillors also managed to get Stroud District Council to put in a submission raising concerns:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1543&Itemid=115

On 28 November 2006 there is a mass lobby to oppose the Government’s proposal that ‘nuclear has to play a role in the future UK generating mix’ -  join leading experts on nuclear issues in persuading MPs to oppose some of the provisions in the forthcoming Energy White Paper. Details from: www.NewNuclearPowerNoThanks.org  01603 631007

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4.  STROUD'S ENVIRONMENT GREEN PAPER: GREEN VOICES TOO LOUD TO IGNORE

Stroud District Green party, along with others, challenged Stroud District Council two months ago to move beyond good intentions and to include tough targets and real actions in their Environment Green Paper (i).  At Full Council last week Greens welcomed the Councils draft targets - see also our response to the Environment paper:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1559&Itemid=115

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5.  STOP CLOSURE OF GLOUCESTER SORTING OFFICE: SIGN PETITION

Gloucestershire Green party is now listed, along with others, as supporters of the Gloucester Mail Office campaign. Please read Bryan Meloy's letter and sign the petition:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1546&Itemid=115

Join the debate on Philip's blog on 8th November at:
http://ruscombegreen.blogspot.com/

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6. LATEST ON GM CROPS

Although a consumer boycott and direct actions have largely seen off genetically modified foods in the UK, last year the area used for worldwide GM crops rose by more than 11%. Biotech revenues have increased tenfold between 1990 and 2005. Worse still Japan and the US have successfully stalled attempts by developing counties to wrestle back control of their indigenous genetic resources, paving the way for the continued privatisation of our ecosystem.

The UK supports the International Monetary Fund and World Bank strings attached to loans to developing countries such as forcing borrowers to open their borders to foreign investment i.e privatise. Countries are being forced to export cash crops to earn hard currency needed to meet repayments on the loans.  Argentina, for example, has increased its production of GM Roundup Ready Soya by more than 50% and exports more than 90% of the stuff. The growth of the soya bean has led to a fall in the growing of other staples, which are increasingly being imported. In what was once the 7th richest country in the world, the number of people going hungry has doubled since 2001.

By the mid 1970s it was already taking one calorie of energy to produce one calorie of food. 30 years later and it can take ten times the amount of fossil fuel. And beef can cost 300 calories of energy for every one calorie eaten. Energy consumption is on the increase, partly food miles, but also the growing demand for the fertilizers and pesticides which are derived from dwindling oil supplies. And as SchNEWS have noted it is "a pointless arms race - pests become resistant to the effects of pesticides, agribusiness develops new and more potent poisons, to which pests eventually become resistant as well... This toxic spiral degrades the soil, pollutes the water supply and is causing cancer amongst the poor farmers who spray crops and nearby downwind residents."

The UK is actively considering crop trials for GM potatoes next spring and have also just concluded another consultation on GM. Stroud District Green party have responded with a damning report that highlights how key facts are being ignored. Read more at:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1523&Itemid=115

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7.  GREEN AMENDMENT SUCCESS ON ETHICAL INVESTMENT

Green District councillor Martin Whiteside proposed an amendment to the motion to approve the Council treasury management activity report. His amendment calling for the Council to look into ethical investment for their finances was successfully passed:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1560&Itemid=115

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8.  'BEECHINGESQUE' CUTS TO RAIL SERVICES CONDEMNED

The public already endure irregular trains, crowding and extortionate fares.  The Government's attempts to cut the £6bn yearly subsidy to the railways is completely wrong:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1524&Itemid=116

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9. GREENS FIGHT BACK AT LABOUR'S CRITICISMS

Challenge to Drew re his criticism of Greens:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1529&Itemid=116

Response to attack re Green party policy on health:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1525&Itemid=116

Dhanda wrong: Inequality is rising under Labour:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1528&Itemid=116

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10. ‘PLANET’S TOP ENVIRONMENTAL HEROES’: LIST PORRITT AND LUCAS

Some 20 journalists and academics have listed the planet’s top environmentalists in a poll carried out by the Environment Agency:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1551&Itemid=115

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11.  GREEN BLOG

Use the search engine to view many local issues to Ruscombe, Randwick and Whiteshill including land banking, the latest on Ruscombe Brook, plans for The Lawns, bin bags and more at: http://ruscombegreen.blogspot.com/

See also more general items like:

12th Oct: Formula One goes green?
5th Nov: Ruscombe Green joins top 100 Green blogs
7th Nov: Countryfile plan to ask is Stroud the greenest town?
9th Nov: Letter re Israeli attacks
11th Nov: Why Philip wears both red and white poppies

Feel free to add your comments by clicking on "comment' after each item.

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12. OTHER NEWS: WEAR IT PINK, DAIRY FARMING, CHRISTMAS ARRIVES AT FELIXTOWE, BRIMSCOMBE AND MORE

Gloucestershire's Christmas arrives in Felixtowe: the world's largest container ship - the Emma Maersk - has docked at Felixtowe with 45,000 tonnes of Christmas gifts many of which are bound for Gloucestershire (i). Gloucestershire Greens argue this symbolises the increasing dominance of Chinese exports made cheap by poor labour and environmental standards:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1561&Itemid=2

Approach to dairy farming is unsustainable:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1542&Itemid=116

Wear It Pink Day: Gloucestershire Greens have repeated their calls on the EU to adopt tough rules to protect women from cancers caused by toxic chemicals during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which runs throughout October:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1537&Itemid=116

Green challenges developers plan for Brimscombe:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1536&Itemid=115

County waste policy gets cautious welcome:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1545&Itemid=115

Cautious welcome to County Care Strategy:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1555&Itemid=115

Greens call for Government to act after the House of Commons was found using plywood containing illegally logged rainforest timber from Papua New Guinea:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1526&Itemid=116

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13. NEW ON 'BIG ISSUES'

A selection of articles sent in my GNN readers over the last month. Find links to them under Big Issues or use key words in the search engine:

Damning truth about Brown and green taxes
Time to Replace Globalisation with Localisation
Biofuels – Climate Curse or Cure?
Food Mile debate needs careful look
Israel's Secret Bomb
US election results
Call for North Sea cod fishing ban ignored again
How cycling and walking can save NHS and Treasury
Road pricing?

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14. WEBSITES THAT MIGHT INTEREST

Great film re PVC at:
http://www.pvcfree.org/

World population is projected to rise from today's 6.6 billion to 9.1 billion by 2050. The Optimum Population Trust believes that Earth may not be able to support more than half its present numbers in the next century, and that the UK's sustainable population level in the 22nd century may be as low as 30 million. Research and policy are summarised on this website:
http://www.optimumpopulation.org/

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15. UPCOMING KEY EVENTS: COFFEE HOUSE GATHERING, STORYTELLING, CEILIDH AND MORE

Green party events include:

Friday 17th November - Storytelling and food £5 in Stroud 01453 750962

Friday 24th November - Good Food! Homegrown? Farmers Market? Or Organic? Fairtrade? Vegetarian? Cruelty Free? What's the best? How to kick the supermarket habit? Open to anyone - 7.30 and 9.30pm at Star Anise Arts Cafe at the Painswick Inn, Gloucester Street, Stroud.

9th December - Gloucester Green party party in Brockworth 0845 4562602

20th January - Ceilidh, Trinity Rooms, Stroud with Caractacus £7.50 01453 884092

27th January - Severn Barrage SW Green party debate - Bath/Bristol

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

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

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16. FREE ADS: THE HEALING POWER OF CELTIC PLANTS AND ETHICAL BUSINESS

Local author Angela Paine explains how to find, grow, preserve and prepare the herbs and wild fruits, also explains why St John’s Wort is an effective anti-depressant and Iscador, a fermented mistletoe product, alleviates the side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in cancer patients. £16.99

Your Ethical Business is a unique new ‘how to’ handbook covering everything you need to know about starting and succeeding in an ethical enterprise:
See more at: http://www.yourethicalbusiness.co.uk/

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More details about the Gloucestershire Green party, how to join and meeting times can be got from John Marjoram on 01453 751189.

 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