Llangollen Friends of the Earth calls on UK government to end support for fossil fuels as part of global day of action for climate justice on 6th November.
Groups of walkers, cyclists and kayakers carried flaming Earth models into the centre of Llangollen this Saturday. Participants took in the beautiful landscape of the Dee Valley as the flaming earth models made their way to the town centre.
The local event was part of a global day of action during the UN climate talks, to demand the UK government end its support for fossil fuels.
With the message “Earth’s on fire” the campaigners highlighted the government’s hypocrisy in claiming to be a world leader on climate whilst continuing to support fossil fuels here and abroad.
Currently the UK government is supporting a new oil field off Shetland, it’s supporting investment in new oil in Mozambique (fueling conflict in the region), and supporting a new coal mine in Cumbria. Friends of the Earth are calling on the Government to drop their support for these projects, and to concentrate on securing a future for our young people.
Warren Davies, group coordinator said, “We’re asking people to write to their MP to express their concerns about government support for fossil fuel projects, to share their concerns about climate change, and to call for action.”
The group stated that fairness must be at the heart of action, and that the poorest people in our communities and around the world must not be disadvantaged.”
Warren went on to say,
“We all want less waste, we all want a healthier society and we all want to protect future generations. By taking climate action we can achieve these things, but the effort must be felt by all of society, that is in the UK and Globally.”
A YouGov survey found 67% of voters felt that the UK should strive to be a global leader on climate change.
“People have done all they can individually, they’ve reduced their energy use, they always recycle. But we’re at a brick wall. To get get further we need the government to lead and enable people to reduce their emissions”
Climate change solutions can bring many positives, especially to rural areas. Local energy generation, insulation businesses and local food production can all potentially create decent, secure jobs.
In recent years we have experienced unprecedented flooding and drought cycles. We’ve had flooding on the lower Dee and upland fires on Llantysilio mountain. During these times, the local population has pulled together, supporting local firefighters. But as these weather patterns get worse and more frequent, we will be spending more and more of our efforts sorting them out. Of course climate change is a global issue, and so every community will face similar or worse challenges.
Unique features of the valley including the beautiful Llangollen whitebeam tree are also under threat. The Llangollen whitebeam is unique to the area and is struggling to survive as a species. Climate change will only make its fate more precarious.
Our Government, as hosts of the UN climate talks, must take this opportunity to take decisive action.”
Notes
1. Friends of the Earth’s briefings on the Cumbria coal mine, the Cambo oil field, drilling for oil in Surrey and the Mozambique gas project are all available here: https://friendsoftheearth.uk/climate/4-cases-threaten-uks-climate-reputation
3. Link to COP26 coalition map of actions: https://cop26coalition.org/map/
The COP26 Coalition is the UK-based civil society coalition made up of thousands of organisations and individuals demanding climate justice at COP26. Coalition members include grassroots movements, the largest trade unions in the UK and NGOs, including Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace UK, Extinction Rebellion, Scottish Trade Unions Congress, UNISON, Tearfund, 350.org, Fridays For Future, Wretched of the Earth, and many more. https://cop26coalition.org/
]]>
Be part of Llangollen’s Spring Clean, come along on Sunday 4th March!
]]>Located in the picturesque Dee Valley, it is easy to assume that air pollution is something that doesn’t affect Llangollen. If you live alongside a main road in Llangollen, you may have guessed that things aren’t quite so rosey.
In January this year Llangollen Friends of the Earth deployed five Nitrogen Dioxide measuring kits. The kits measured this well known pollutant for three weeks. The results were surprising;
The European Union has set a legal average annual limit for NO2 at 40µg/m3 (micrograms per cubic metre). But even at low levels, short term and long term exposure to NO2 can have significant negative health effects.
One of the measurement sites is very close to the 40µg/m3 limit.
The levels displayed in Llangollen, especially those on the A539 Mill Street and by the A5 / Castle Street traffic lights are comparable to those found in certain locations in major cities. For example; Chester, the outskirts of Liverpool, Walsall and the dockland area of Cardiff.
Although generally lower, the increased average level at the school gate compared to the community garden is likely to be due to droppping off and picking up traffic at the school.
Group member Warren Davies stated, “These readings were taken during January and February when the traffic is pretty quiet. If the rest of the year was taken into account, the average values could be much higher.”
He went on to say “There is a lot of talk about reducing emissions in London and in cities, but localised air pollution in our towns can be just as unhealthy.”
Nationally outdoor air pollution is responsible for 40,000 premature deaths a year in the UK, according to the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.
NO2 is associated with vehicle traffic. Nationally Friends of the Earth is calling for restrictions of the dirtiest vehicles. Locally, Llangollen & District Friends of the Earth are calling on our local decision makers to consider our findings, and invest in schemes locally to reduce emissions by encouraging walking and cycling, and discouraging traffic-generating developments.
]]>
The second, in the lead up to the 2016 Assembly elections, we plan to make and distribute videos of all candidates providing us with a breif biography and setting out their priorities.
2015 is a crucial year for the climate. In December, governments will come together in Paris to strike a new deal for the climate – we must make our voices heard. Let’s show international solidarity in the fight for climate justice!
Join us on the North Wales Coach…
Where is the coach picking up from?
Pick up points starting at 6.30am Wrexham, Johnstown Vauxhall Industrial estate, Ruabon car park, Llangollen Market street, Oswestry Mile End roundabout, Shrewsbury Dobbies garden centre, Telford near M54. Returning around 9.30pm.
How much does a place cost?
Return cost per person is £25.
How do I book a place on the coach?
Please send a cheque for £25 per person payable to ‘Llangollen & District Friends of the Earth’, to the following address; Llangollen & District Friends of the Earth, C/O Haylaur, Regent Street, Llangollen. LL208HS. Please write your name, phone number and email address on the back of the cheque.
When is the booking deadline?
Your booking must be received by 20th November at the absolute latest. You will receive booking confirmation on 21st November. We must have 49 people by 20th November. If we do not, the coach will be cancelled and no money will be taken.
If you have any questions please contact Warren on 07525 016 503 or warren.davies@llangollenweb.co.uk .
]]>
Location: Nick Whitehead Theatre, Glyndwr University
Date: Weds 18th February
Time: 7pm
Details: A FREE screening of the “fracking” film Gasland 2 followed by a discussion on “fracking” and the local issues around Wrexham.
The event is being held in conjunction with Friends of the Earth Llangollen and Environment Glyndwr Network.
Hope you can make it.
Location: Nick Whitehead Lecture Theatre, Glyndwr University (By the main reception)
Prices : Free
Contact : foewrexham@yahoo.co.uk
]]>
This year the garden will focus on running skills workshops. Workshops may include; green woodworking, permaculture, herb growing and uses, and maybe even eco-building techniques.
Energy project
We will look again at energy generation in Llangollen and the Dee Valley. We will consider a variety of technologies, sites and company structures. Have an interest, any advice or experience in this area? Please come along!
Fracking campaigning
We will work with other groups in the area to campaign against Fracking.
Come along and join our campaign against Fracking!
]]>The day starts at 10am with a visit from Susan Elan Jones, who will be helping launch our new Bee World area. The BBQ will be serving food at around 1pm, with the day wrapping up around 5pm.
]]>http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.296534187049387.60921.189333207769486&type=1
]]>Hosted by Llangollen Friends of the Earth to celebrate the start of the UN Climate Talks in South Africa.
Open invite to all!
]]>