Transport - Chris Lees

Local Group urges Gordon Brown to stop ignoring aviation

 

A larger than life Gordon Brown covers his eyes while playing with an aeroplane – hoping aviation emissions will just go away.

When: 11:30am Saturday 5th April 2008
Venue: “The Prom”, Market Street, New Mills
Contact: Richard Body, coordinator, High Peak Friends of the Earth
AND
When: 2:30pm Saturday 5th April 2008
Venue: Norfolk Square, Glossop
Contact: Richard Body, coordinator, High Peak Friends of the Earth

High Peak Friends of the Earth has urged Prime Minister Gordon Brown to stop ignoring aviation today (Saturday 5 April). The group wants the Government’s new Climate Change Law to cover all sources of carbon dioxide emissions, including the UK’s share of emissions from international aviation and shipping. Tom Levitt MP for High Peak will have the opportunity to vote on the law when it is debated in Parliament later this month.

High Peak Friends of the Earth is taking action as part of a national day of action in support of The Big Ask, Friends of the Earth’s campaign for a strong Climate Change law. The group will be In New Mills and Glossop on Saturday.

Friends of the Earth has led the campaign for a strong Climate Change law through The Big Ask. The law, which is set to be introduced this summer, is groundbreaking but needs strengthening if the UK is to play its part in tackling climate change.

The Government’s proposed law does not count the UK’s share of emissions from international aviation and shipping. Friends of the Earth believes it’s ludicrous to pretend these emissions don’t exist, and unfair to treat aviation and shipping any differently to other sectors of the economy. The Government already publishes figures on aviation emissions and there is no practical reason why they can not be included from the outset. A way of including shipping emissions should worked out as a matter of urgency.

Aviation is a fast growing source of carbon dioxide emissions. Government figures published in January 2008 showed aviation accounts for 6.4 per cent of UK carbon emissions. The impact of aviation emissions is double that of carbon dioxide alone because of other gases that planes pump out at altitude

The Big Ask, Friends of the Earth climate campaign is calling on Tom Levitt MP to vote for a strong climate change law that:

• Includes the UK’s share of emissions from international shipping and aviation
• Commits the UK to cutting its emissions by 80 per cent
• Ensures steady progress by cutting emissions by at least 3 per cent a year

High Peak Friends of the Earth Mark Alix supporter and local resident said:

“It’s crazy for Gordon Brown to leave out climate changing emissions from planes and ships from the new Climate Change Law but that’s what he is doing. Why should our local industry and businesses be held to account for their carbon emissions but not the aviation industry? We hope our MP, Tom Levitt, will use his vote to call for a strong Climate Change law that covers all emissions.”

In Town Without My Car

In 2007, European Car Free Day is also known as 'In Town Without My Car' and will again take place on September 22nd. The theme for this year is Streets for People and takes the campaign into residential suburbs.

 

European Car Free Day

Planning is in place for the European car free day which is on Friday 22nd September 2006. We are looking at how we can help schools produce their 'travel plans'. School travel plans are a requirement for all schools in the coming year.

Looking into proposals by Translink freight company to reopen Woodhead railway line as a freight line. Worth looking at as an alternative to the proposed bypass in the area.

 

Mottram-Tintwhistle Bypass

See our news page for the latest on the proposed Mottram-Tintwhistle bypass.

 

Airport Expansion

There's going to be a conference for airport communities and campaigners Saturday 13th May in York. This will focus in particular on the UK's regional airports outside London, but all airport campaign groups are welcome - indeed encouraged! - to come.

It will be a great opportunity:

• to meet communities and campaign groups opposing airport expansion
• to exchange ideas and develop campaign techniques
• and to hear the latest national and European news

The day will include:

• updates from environmental specialists and the UK's top aviation campaigners
• workshops on a diverse range of topics, such as media-savvy campaigning; building effective networks; making the economic arguments; the ins and outs of noise; organising effective stunts and the place for direct action protests
• plenty of opportunities for questions and discussion

The Conference details:

• the venue is in historic York, an easy 10 minute walk from the railway station
• proceedings will start at 10.40am (registration from 10.00) and finish at 5.15pm
• Some people may want to stay in York on Friday night or Saturday night. We can provide accommodation lists. Social events may be arranged.
• for people travelling from a distance we might be able to help with expenses
• a perfect chance for new groups to 'skill up' and for existing groups to network
• the conference itself is free

To register email yorkconference@airportwatch.org.uk or Phone 0121 632 6909 Places will be limited. Book before 27th April.

2006 Road Block National Conference

The 2006 Road Block national conference is happening on Saturday 10 June in central Birmingham. For anyone campaigning against roads, this conference is not to be missed! Last year's was very successful, with a great buzz, and people coming from as far apart as Aberdeen and Cornwall!

This is a great opportunity for us all to get together as a movement and learn from one another, to share ideas, strategies and inspiration. We are booking up great workshop leaders to provide campaigners with invaluable skills and knowledge. Booking is essential.

Special guest speaker - Jason Torrance, Campaigns Director of Transport 2000

You can book your place by emailing conference@roadblock.org.uk

Or you can get more information and download booking forms here http://roadblock.org.uk/action/2006_conference.htm

Road Block Conference
c/o 48c High Street,
Stroud,
Glos GL5 1AN

www.roadblock.org.uk