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

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QUOTES OF THE MONTH

"We cannot have peace ON the earth until we also have peace WITH the earth."
Julia Butterfly Hill

"The uncertainty of our times is no reason to be certain about hopelessness.”
Vandana Shiva

"Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us."
Nelson Mandela

Correction 24/02/07: A GNN reader notes that apparently this is often attributed to Nelson Mandela but no one has been able to confirm he used these words in a speech. The quote should be attributed to Marianne Williamson, Return to Love, 1992: "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our Light, not our Darkness, that most frightens us."

"Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its labourers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children. This is not a way of life at all in any true sense. Under the clouds of war, it is humanity hanging on a cross of iron."
Dwight D. Eisenhower

"Freedom of the press in Britain means freedom to print such of the proprietor's prejudices as the advertisers don't object to."
Journalist Hannen Swaffer in1928

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1. BLOGS UPDATE

Ruscombe Green by District councillor Philip Booth had it's usual high number of entries. Painswick Library's threatened closure has led to several blogs: one of these was picked up by a researcher in London that led to the editor of an international magazine meeting and writing an article on the campaign. The items re 20 mph have also been popular as Greens try and push for more across the County. Other topics for the last month include:

 Disability agenda launched: a much needed reminder
 Vote for Amnesty on Labour party site
 How can I reduce CO2 in my office? And One Bin Day on 21st Feb
 The way to go: Personal Tradeable Carbon Allowances?
 Greens challenge councillors on road pricing petition
 Branson & Bush - the new eco warriers?
 Chemtrails - conspiracy theory or not?
 Farm visit by Green District councillors
 Valentines Day: say no to flowers?
 Scientists offered cash to dispute climate study and research and media censored
 Councillors: white and average age 58
 Tory Gloucester candidate Richard Graham on health
 Tear up your Ramblers Assoc membership! Well maybe not but anger at their opposition to wind power
 Ruscombe Brook meeting success: potential horrors of sewage explored: Professor Hugh Barr supports brook bid for partnership
 Don't tell anyone about Data Protection Day
 Art: a bigger and bigger business
 Shell hypocrisy over photo exhibition
 Severn Tsunami 400 years ago
 Blood Diamond, blood Coltan and blood gold
 New Island appears! Greenland disappearing...
 Ethical Investment proposal rejected by local Tories
 Carbon plans that make you cut down: Transition Towns, footprints and more: a look at national scene
 Time for some smart water and energy metering
 Whiteshill and Ruscombe Garden Birdwatch

Read more at: http://ruscombegreen.blogspot.com

Stroud-based blog, Gaian Economics by Molly Scott Cato makes a fascinating read: the last month includes:
- Her new book
- Who will love the children?
- Globalisation comes home to roost
- How Green is Marks and Spencer's Valley?
- Bank money: source of debt and destruction
Read more at: http://gaianeconomics.blogspot.com

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2.  BOOK NOW: COACH TO TRIDENT AND TROOPS OUT OF IRAQ DEMO ON 24TH

If only Brown would be more like Ghandi:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1666&Itemid=124

Martin Whiteside writes to other local political parties in hope of a joint letter to Mr Blair to take actions to avoid a war in Iran:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1696&Itemid=2

Replacing Trident: 450 word comment by Martin Whiteside in last Saturdays Citizen:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1695&Itemid=123

We have organised a coach from Stroud departing at 9am from Cheapside and returning from London at 5pm. It will cost £10 return and you can be booked by phoning me on 01453 750962 please don't leave booking to the last minute:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1686&Itemid=123

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3. NUCLEAR: BERKELEY STORE AND HIGH COURT WIN

Regrettably an intermediate level nuclear waste store at Berkeley is the least worst option. Martin Whiteside spoke on BBC GLos while Philip Booth got a front page story in The Citizen on this:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1697&Itemid=2

Greenpeace, supported by the Green party have won a High Court bid to make the government rethink plans to build a new nuclear power:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1694&Itemid=123

Letter putting The Citizen straight:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1698&Itemid=124

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4.  STROUD GREENS GIVE £1.4M SPENDING PLAN GO-AHEAD

Stroud Town Council approved a budget featuring 14 new projects for this year including new energy efficiency measures:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1670&Itemid=123

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5. CLIMATE CHANGE: 1000 WORDS COMMENT, PARKWAY AND MORE

Gloucester Greens opposition to Parkway:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1683&Itemid=124

Two comment pieces including 1000 words on Climate Change for the Western Daily Press:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1699&Itemid=123
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1687&Itemid=123

Road pricing letter:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1693&Itemid=124

Current Climate changes are unlike other changes in past:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1690&Itemid=124

IPCC report: time is running out:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1682&Itemid=123

The government has admitted making no attempt to predict take up of renewable grants: the February's allocation is taken up within 12 hours:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1681&Itemid=123

Greens backed calls to dim lights on Thursday 1st February between 7.55 and 8.00 PM:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1679&Itemid=123

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6.  BIRD FLU: TIME TO END FACTORY FARMING

Increasing evidence that the appalling conditions in intensive poultry production could be the original source of the deadly H5N1 bird flu:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1692&Itemid=124

Greens have attacked DEFRA minister Ben Bradshaw’s ‘incredible ignorance’ over the causes of bird ‘flu after it emerged he ignored calls to study the link between the virus and factory farming in a report Greens had sent to his office last July:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1688&Itemid=123

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7. GREENS BACK PCS STRIKE ACTION

http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1678&Itemid=123

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8. PETITION TO CHALLENGE ANTI-GAY PETITION

Apparently the cut off date can be ignored so it is still open:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1674&Itemid=123

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9. WASTE: VISTA AND FOREST RECYCLING RATES

Green party slams Vista Landfill nightmare:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1676&Itemid=123

The Citizen claim the Forest are 'Rubbish at Recycling':
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1667&Itemid=123

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10. REGULATION OF SUPERMARKETS IS CRITICAL

The Competition Commission's long-awaited report into supermarkets failed to address the problems and even conceded they have no power to resolve issues crucial to the way in which supermarkets operate:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1669&Itemid=124

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11. HARRIET: GREEN CALL FOR COMMON SENSE

Read more about this case:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1677&Itemid=124

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12. OTHER LOCAL ISSUES

Cheltenham Green Cathy Green had the 'The One Tonners' launch on Friday 2nd February: it got off to a flying start with over 60 people attending the main presentation on how to calculate your Carbon Footprint:
http://theonetonners.blogspot.com/

Correspondence in the Stroud News and Journal: re Why rejoin Labour?
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1672&Itemid=124
And are Greens a single issue party?
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1680&Itemid=124
Brown's budget wasn't Green;
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1689&Itemid=124

Traders in Stroud are celebrating after the town's farmers' market was named the best in the west. Stroud market topped the league for Farmers Market of the Year 2007 in the South West beating scores of other markets in the region:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1691&Itemid=123

On Friday 26th January over 40 people joined the monthly Green party sponsored cafe discussion at Star Anise Cafe in Stroud - this month was on 'Image and Identity' and included very powerful and deeply personal accounts from 3 muslim women about their choice and experiences of wearing a veil or scarf:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1684&Itemid=123

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13. NEW ON 'BIG ISSUES'

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

If Tesco and Wal-Mart are friends of the earth, are there any enemies left?
A land tax is 200 years overdue
Challenge to Gordon Brown's corporate agenda
Over-50s 'worst carbon culprits' and Green Seniors
New Zealand aims to be first to go carbon neutral
Giant ice island breaks off Arctic shelf
Emissions trading is a red herring and won't work
Peak oil threatens UK food security
Pilger - Iran: A War Is Coming
The meat you eat is cranking up the heat
Are the Greens the new Left?

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14. WEBSITES THAT MIGHT INTEREST

Short cartoon film about climate change and earth recovery - available in a variety of formats:
See http://www.anitasancha.co.uk/home_sweet_home.php

Confederation of Cooperative Housing - the UK organisation for housing co-operatives, tenant-controlled housing organisations and regional federations of housing co-ops:
http://www.cch.coop/

Unlock Democracy website - a coming together of New Politics Network and Charter 88:
http://www.unlockdemocracy.org.uk/

Film about US meat being gassed with mono-dioxide to make it look fresh:
http://hightowerdownload.com/node/26

RTE TV coverage on fluoridation featuring Joe Gormley, Chairman of Ireland's Green Party:
http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0215/primetime.html

Website of Brian Haw, peace protestor - winner of Channel 4 Most Inspiring Political Figure Award 2007:
http://www.parliament-square.org.uk/

Human Rights Watch website:
http://hrw.org

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15. OTHER UPCOMING KEY EVENTS: COFFEE HOUSE, OIL AND CONFERENCES

WHAT IS REAL EDUCATION? Friday 23rd February - What is real education? 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

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

WHEN THE OIL RUNS OUT WHAT WILL YOU DO? On Friday 16th March 2007  Come and be inspired by:  FILM DOCUMENTARY - “The  Power  of  Community -HOW  CUBA  SURVIVED  PEAK  OIL”. Read more at:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1675&Itemid=123

SPRING CONFERENCE: at the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea. Use the booking form in the current Green World or you can print it out from: http://members.greenparty.org.uk/conferences.files&n=Spring_2007_Swansea. (Where you’ll also find lots of other conference info.). The first conference fringe / workshop sessions start at 1pm on Thursday March 22 and the conference finishes just after 2pm on Sunday  March 25. Wireless internet will be available; conferences committee asks for a voluntary donation of £5 if you use this

GREEN ECONOMICS: The Green Economics Institute is hosting a two-day Green Economics Conference (its second) in Oxford on April 3 and 4 (Tues-Wed). Themes include poverty, social and environmental justice, climate change and energy streams, China deregulation and special focus on China, speakers from Brunei, India, Nigeria, Bangladesh, and many more, a most exciting green conference with at least 10 professors working in alternative economics, such as ecological economics and Buddhist economics from round the world and top NGOs and campaigners. Attendees must pre-book: forms and more information can be obtained here: http://www.greeneconomics.org.uk or for more information contact Miriam Kennet on greeneconomicsinstitute@yahoo.com.

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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