NI Environment Link - Latest News

Raising New Ideas

Thu, 11 March 2010 09:52:00 GMT

A Lecture by the Earl of Roden on Wednesday 24 March 2010 at 7.30pm in Annesley Hall, South Promenade, Newcastle, Co Down

Cost of lecture £10 payable at the door, to include a glass of wine and a copy of The Diaries of Lord Limerick's Grand Tour 1716-1723.

All proceeds from the lecture will be spent on the conservation of two of Lord Limerick's follies on the Bryansford to Hilltown road by The Follies Trust.

More information can be found here: The Follies Trust

Fuel Poverty

Thu, 11 March 2010 11:30:00 GMT

Impact of Belfast hill fires

Thu, 11 March 2010 10:25:00 GMT

Environmentalists say fires on Belfast's mountains are having a huge impact on the habitats of endangered native species.

Several times teenagers have set fire to the hillsides, destroying huge areas of ground.

Click on this link to watch the BBC NI news report: BBC

Farewell to Ivan

Thu, 11 March 2010 11:24:00 GMT

It is with great regret that we say 'goodbye' to Ivan Minnis, the Co-ordinator for the Northern Ireland Archaeology Forum, which was subject to funding cuts. We at Loopland Drive will miss his sense of humour, endless cups of tea and obsession with sausage rolls!

NIEL & NIEA Conference 2010

Thu, 11 March 2010 14:11:00 GMT

Right vs. Right

When there are two environmentally sound, but opposing, solutions

The joint NIEA-NIEL conference for 2010 will focus on environmental topics where there are "opposite 'right' views", i.e. topics where two opposite views both have strong environmental arguments in their favour. The proposal is to explore a number of case studies that epitomise environmental dilemmas and the idea that many environmental issues create a situation of ‘right versus right’.

Following the case studies there will be a general debate and discussion on the above situations of environmental conflict. The event will then close with a formal debate focusing on the issues surrounding electric cars, e.g. are the environmental benefits marginal or significant, are the short term benefits overcome by the long term costs, etc.

If you are interested in attending or want more information, please contact kevin@nienvironmentlink.org

Assembly News (Feb 10)

Tue, 09 March 2010 08:45:00 GMT

Oral Questions

Department of the Environment
http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/record/reports2009/100201.htm#7
Environmental NGO Funding (1 February)
In responding to questions on NGO funding, the Minister stated that he recognised the importance of NGOs, and engagement with local communities to manage our environment. The Minister had sought assurances from NIEA officials that cuts to the natural heritage grants programme will be minimised this year, despite the overall reduced level of funding available in 2010-11. The DoE, with a budget of little over £100 million, had to find £15 million in efficiency savings, lost over £7 million as a result of a reduction in planning receipts, and had to spend over £2 million on an equal pay settlement. Therefore, the Department is under severe financial pressure, and some difficult decisions had to be made. He added the Department is seeking to spread the pain and to keep everything going and once it gets over its current difficulties, and more planning receipts received, it will hopefully be in a better position to fully support vital NGOs.

Department for Regional Development
http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/record/reports2009/100208.htm#6
Belfast Rapid Transit System Update (8 February)
Following completion of the public consultation on the policy proposals to inform a new rapid transit Bill, the Department will produce a consultation report that will contain the finalised policy. The rapid transit division is currently preparing an outline business case for the project which will identify the preferred options for rapid transit with regard to the network routes, a procurement strategy, a commercial business model and a fare system. Identifying the preferred options will allow the Department to undertake the necessary public consultation, impact assessments and appraisals on the various options before recommending a final route alignment for each of the three routes. The Minister added that the rapid transit system is designed so that it could be upgraded to light rail, if numbers justified such a move. Although the initial proposal is for three pilot routes, the hope and intention is that the system will include further routes.

Committee Business

Statutory Committee Membership (1 February)
http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/record/reports2009/100201.htm#4
Thomas Buchanan has replaced Iris Robinson on the Assembly Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety; Jonathan Bell has replaced Thomas Buchanan on the Committee for Employment and Learning and Adrian McQuillan as a member of the Committee for the Environment.

DOE 2010-11 Spending Plans (9 February)
http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/record/reports2009/100209.htm#2
The Chairperson of the Committee for the Environment outlined the Committee's views on the DoE’s revised expenditure plans for 2010-11. Members acknowledged that the Department faces significant financial pressures and welcomed its commitment to reduce consultancy spend and running costs as well as the review of corporate services. Members supported the Department’s intention to focus staff cost savings on not filling vacancies and welcomed the decision to realign the Planning Service’s operating costs. However members were concerned about the proposed deferral of contracts and grant funding to external non-governmental organisations for the following reasons: it is unlikely that those who are affected by cuts will have the opportunity to relocate staff; the decision, unlike the one to realign the Planning Service, could lead to redundancies and the loss of expertise from the sector or the region; and some of the organisations that are affected by the decision deliver or contribute to statutory environmental protection obligations. The cutting of their funding may not be the most cost-effective approach in the longer term if it leads to a further deterioration of protected sites and/or EU infraction proceedings. The Committee welcomed the fact that the Department is liaising closely with the organisations that are affected but asked for a more detailed picture of the organisations that face cuts so that members can assess the real impact of the Department’s proposals.

Executive Committee Business

Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill
http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/record/reports2009/100215.htm#12
Extension of Committee Stage (15 February)
Members agreed that the Committee Stage of the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill be extended to 20 April 2010 so that further time is available to scrutinise the Bill.

Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill - Final Stage (23 February)
http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/record/reports2009/100223.htm#4
Following debate Members passed the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. The Bill is an important milestone as it clarified the powers of district councils and waste management groups to enter into long-term service contracts with the private sector; to enable councils to acquire land otherwise than by agreement for waste management purposes; to make preliminary arrangements for the reorganisation of local government; to establish statutory transition committees for the purpose of preparing for and giving full effect to the reorganisation of local government; and to enable the Department to make regulations to provide for severance payments to be made to councillors who resign during a specified period. The Bill is expected to come into operation in March 2010 as the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2010.

Draft CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme Order 2010 (23 February)
http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/record/reports2009/100223.htm#5
The Environment Minister sought and gained Assembly approval for the Draft Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) Energy Efficiency Scheme Order. The CRC requires participants to abate emissions or purchase allowances and encourages the implementation of energy efficiency strategies. The scheme is aimed at large public and private sector organisations, (roughly speaking to those who have an electricity bill of £500,000 a year) which account for 10% of the UK’s carbon emissions. It is estimated that 5,000 organisations will be full participants, with about 100 of them based uniquely in Northern Ireland. The UK Government and all Devolved Administrations will participate in the CRC. The scheme will be mandatory, and participating organisations will have to monitor their emissions and purchase allowances for each ton of CO2 that they emit. All revenue raised from the annual sale of allowances will be recycled back to participants according to how well they perform. While domestic housing and transport emissions are excluded, there are specific Northern Ireland aspects to the scheme. It is intended that schools will eventually participate as part of the education and skills authority when it is set up. Until then, the legislation provides for schools to be included with education and library boards or the Department of Education. Street lighting will be exempt in phase 1 of the scheme but will be included from 2013. All other public sectors, including health and water, will be treated consistently across the UK.

Written Questions

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment
http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/qanda/2007mandate/writtenans/2009/100212.htm#6
Geothermal Energy (12 February)
In responding to a series of questions on geothermal energy, the Minister reported that DETI is engaged with the Utility Regulator and other Departments on a project to examine the potential for renewable heat in Northern Ireland, which includes scoping out any potential contribution from geothermal energy to our energy mix. However the Minister recognised that there are a number of legislative, technical and financial barriers to the development of geothermal energy in Northern Ireland.

Minister of the Environment
http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/qanda/2007mandate/writtenans/2009/100212.htm#7
Planning Applications - Areas of High Scenic Value (12 February)
The Minister revealed the number of planning applications submitted within the last ten years where the proposed site was in an area of high scenic value i.e. areas which are designated to protect areas of landscape merit, were as follows: of the 1994 applications received during this period, 1495 were approved, 195 had been withdrawn, 231 refused and 66 still live.

Planning Reform (12 February)
http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/qanda/2007mandate/writtenans/2009/100212.htm#7
Following widespread consultation on the wide-ranging proposals for reform of the planning system the Minister has now formulated his final policy position, taking full account of the views expressed through the consultation, and subsequently submitted these policy proposals to Executive colleagues for consideration on 7 January 2010, with a view to seeking clearance at an Executive meeting as soon as possible thereafter. Subject to Executive agreement, the final policy position will be made public and the legislative process progressed. However the Minister added that given the extremely tight legislative timescale it is essential that Executive clearance of the final policy is secured in the coming weeks 'if we are to remain on course to deliver the reforms by the 2011 deadline’. On 25 February the Executive subsequently passed Minister Poots’ proposals for reform of the planning system. Further information can be found http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/news/news-doe/news-doe-250210-poots-outlines-final.htm.

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment
http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/qanda/2007mandate/writtenans/2009/100219.htm#6
Offshore Renewable Energy (19 February)
DETI have received 12 inquiries from organisations interested in developing the potentially significant offshore wind and tidal resources in Northern Ireland waters. In all cases, DETI noted that the completion of the SEA and finalisation of the Plan would enable DETI to work with The Crown Estate, as owner of the seabed, to launch a competitive call for offshore renewable energy projects. This call is planned for 2010-2011 and will enable developers to come forward with their specific proposals. The establishment of an Offshore Renewable Energy Forum has not yet happened. Following the public consultation on the draft Plan, the Minister will consider the views and comments from marine users on both the Plan and membership of the Forum. Meanwhile the Minister stated that while DETI currently has the legislative power to issue onshore Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) in relation to the Offshore Renewable Energy Certificate the powers to issue offshore ROCs currently lie with the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC). However, as outlined in the Department’s draft Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020, the department are seeking to transfer these powers to DETI.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development
http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/qanda/2007mandate/writtenans/2009/100226.htm#2
Assistance towards Renewable Energy by Anaerobic Digestion (26 February)
The Minister revealed that following receipt of a report from the Agriculture Stakeholder Forum on Renewable Energy, she was carrying out a review of DARD’s renewable energy policy and expects to publish the outcome of this review in May 2010. Meanwhile DARD has secured EC State Aid approval to implement a Biomass Processing Challenge Fund, which they plan to open in summer 2010. The objective of the Fund is to encourage investment in a range of Renewable Energy technologies at farm level, including Anaerobic Digestion (AD). CAFRE meanwhile also intend to deliver a course for farmers/ growers on AD during 2010.

Private Members’ Business

Local Government Reform (22 February)
http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/record/reports2009/100222.htm#7
The Minister of the Environment responded to Members’ concerns about ongoing uncertainty and delay in the local government reform programme and stated that significant progress has been made. Policy proposals for local government reorganisation have been with the Executive since June 2009, have been cleared by the First Minister, and, after they have been approved by the deputy First Minister and the Executive, the Minister intends to publish them for consultation. The Minister also stated that in delivering local government reform, he must ensure that benefits will be gained. Therefore, he has requested that NILGA, puts forward its proposals on how the local government sector intends to achieve the regional collaboration to realise the expected benefits. However in awaiting a response the Minister stated that ‘The time for prevarication on the issue is over’, adding I will not proceed with any proposal that does not reduce the cost to the ratepayer’.

Dates for the Diary (Mar 10)

Tue, 09 March 2010 09:01:00 GMT

Date	Event	Venue	Contact

10 Mar: 10.00	SCCNI	FOE	Sean

11 Mar: 10.30	Finance and Human Resources Committee	NIEL	Sue

11 Mar: 12.00	NIEL Executive Committee	NIEL	Sue

30 Mar: 9.00	NIEL and NIEA Conference: Right vs Right	NICVA	Kevin

Clean neighbourhoods

Thu, 11 March 2010 10:42:00 GMT

Environment Minister Edwin Poots has invited members of the public to have their say on plans to improve the quality of their local environment. The Minister was speaking as he launched a consultation on a draft Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill.

He said: "There is little doubt that local environmental quality issues such as litter, abandoned vehicles, dog fouling and fly-posting are major concerns for local residents which impact on the quality of life in our public places and local neighbourhoods. Neglect promotes further deterioration and this can lead to anti-social behaviour and higher levels of crime."

He added: "People want to live in neighbourhoods that are clean and safe. Our streets, parks, town squares and open spaces are great assets and places that form the heart of our communities. They are where people meet, where they travel to work, where they live and where our children play. They should be places of which we are all proud and which foster a sense of civic pride."

The proposed Bill contains provisions designed to improve the quality of the local environment by giving district councils additional powers, similar to their counterparts in England and Wales. These powers will enable them to deal more effectively with litter, nuisance alleys, fly-posting and graffiti, abandoned and nuisance vehicles, dogs, noise and other nuisance problems.

The Minister added: "It is now well understood that a cleaner neighbourhood is an integral part of ensuring a safer neighbourhood. We are proposing to help district councils to tackle problems at a local level more effectively by enabling them to address issues through more comprehensive and user friendly legislation and guidance."

The consultation can be viewed and downloaded from: Clean Neighbourhoods. The consultation runs until 23 April 2010.

CC communication

Tue, 09 March 2010 09:36:00 GMT

Successful communication of climate change needs to be tangible, relevant and tailored to its audience, according to new research. This study established 10 key principles for effective communication using a brainstorming exercise between scientists and local government.

Read more here: Science for Environmental Policy

Met Office newsletter

Tue, 09 March 2010 09:43:00 GMT

The latest issue of the Met Office newsletter has five articles related to the climate change debate and recent controversies surrounding the issue. These articles include a statement from the UK science community and further stories which aim to lay out the basic science and clarify key messages.

Read more here: Met Office

UKCP09 discussion forum

Tue, 09 March 2010 09:48:00 GMT

UKCP09 recently announced the launch of the UKCP09 online discussion forum. UKCIP are hoping that this will help to foster networking between projects / people using UKCP09 while also enabling a forum for people to discuss areas of concern while using UKCP09. The forum will be moderated by the UKCIP helpdesk.

The forum is in a somewhat pilot phase in that it has not yet been advertised to the wider UKCIP stakeholder network. However, interested individuals are encouraged to sign up and post discussion topics. In the interests of networking it is strongly recommended that you indicate your interests in the sign-in form in order for others with similar interests to find you.

More information here: UKCIP

UKCIP Climate Digest Feb 10

Tue, 09 March 2010 09:55:00 GMT

For the latest (February) UKCIP Climate Digest go to: UKCIP

IMF's climate change fund

Tue, 09 March 2010 11:10:00 GMT

The head of the International Monetary Fund says countries should adopt a quota system to raise money needed to adapt to climate change.

Waste Briefing Note

Tue, 09 March 2010 10:56:00 GMT

Successfully addressing waste management in Northern Ireland requires:

Full prioritisation of the waste hierarchy through appropriate collection and recycling
infrastructure coordinated across Northern Ireland.
Integration across all waste streams and sectors.
Flexibility to adapt to changes in behaviour, technology and waste composition.
Communication demonstrating what must be done, how, and why it is important.

NIEL’s new Waste Management Briefing Note is now available for download from the NIEL website.

SEL March eBulletin

Mon, 08 March 2010 09:27:00 GMT

SEL's March eBulletin is now up on their website at:

SEL March eBulletin

This month's bulletin includes information on how to organise a hustings for the upcoming General Election, a call to action to promote LINK's position at Scottish Government Land Use Strategy workshops being held throughout Scotland this month, and a short report on the launch of LINK's Working Together for Sustainable Development through Single Outcome Agreements document.

Rethink Waste launched

Tue, 09 March 2010 17:12:00 GMT

Environment Minister Edwin Poots, has launched the Department of the Environment's new waste prevention website, marking the first step in its Rethink Waste campaign.

The Rethink Waste campaign website, Rethink Waste, aims to raise awareness, encourage best practice and achieve behavioural change among households, and the business, community and education sectors. The campaign seeks to effect a cultural shift towards better waste prevention and resource management and improved environmental quality in Northern Ireland.

It also aims to raise awareness of the simple steps that people can take to help reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill and improve our environment for future generations.

The website contains carefully tailored information for each target group, and aims to engage the public through user-friendly, interactive features. It will also act as an effective portal and signpost to partner organisations, with a focus on sharing best practice across different sectors.

'Be Plant Wise’

Fri, 05 March 2010 11:56:00 GMT

The NIEA has urged gardeners to be aware of the dangers of planting Invasive Aquatic Plants in their ponds. The key message to ‘Be Plant Wise’, highlights how a range of plants in a garden pond can quickly choke other plants through their excessive growth and also spread to other areas.

John Early, Northern Ireland Environment Agency Biodiversity Unit, said: "Many Invasive Aquatic Plants spread easily by fragments. This means that just one fragment escaping from a pond or fish tank could lead to a whole river or lake becoming infested. In those situations they are very difficult and costly to control."

Invasive Aquatic Plants include the Curly Waterweed, Parrot's Feather, Floating Pennywort, Nuttall’s Pondweed, New Zealand Pigmyweed, Water Fern and the Fringed Waterlily. Originating from other countries, these have been found in garden ponds in Northern Ireland.

Mr Early continued: "If these species get out into the wild they can over-run waterways, damage habitats, out compete native species and harm wildlife. Some plants can even grow to such an extent they form dense mats which can appear to be dry land to livestock and people, leading to problems for recreational activities such as boating and fishing."

NIEA’s advice is to properly compost unwanted aquatic plants away from waterways and damp areas and not to throw out fish tank or pond water incorrectly, as this could accidentally introduce the species and pests into the wild.

Areas which have already been hit by the problem of Invasive Aquatic Plants include the Glastry Clay Pits on the Ards Peninsula, the Belfast Waterworks and the Balloo Nature Reserve in Bangor.

For guidance on how to manage a wide range of Invasive Aquatic Plants and information on other species access the Invasive Species Ireland website. Read the NIEA article here: NIEA

This story is also covered by Virgin Media and the Belfast Telegraph. Read these stories in full here: Virgin Media, Belfast Telegraph.

Irish firm bids to save bees

Fri, 05 March 2010 10:22:00 GMT

An Irish company has unveiled plans to tackle the dramatic decline of the bee population. Beemune claims its natural feed product can help save millions of pollinators from potentially deadly infections which threaten global food production.

The firm, a spin-off from the National University of Maynooth in Co Kildare, hopes to tap into the multi- million pound commercial bee industry which has sprung up as a result of the falling number of honeybees.

"The population decline is a major problem. If bees don't pollinate crops we will lose 40% of world food production," Beemune's chief scientific officer Dr Kevin Kavanagh said. “For many people bees mean honey, but if people look in their fruit bowl all of that fruit has been pollinated by bees.”

Dr Kavanagh said the company's food ingredients would improve the nutrition of bees and help them survive the stresses of modern farming.

This story is from the Belfast Telegraph. Read more: Belfast Telegraph

Tree plant at Burntollet

Mon, 08 March 2010 14:03:00 GMT

Nature lovers are invited to don welly boots for a special afternoon of tree planting. The Woodland Trust's Burntollet Wood - in the beautiful Faughan Valley, just outside Londonderry - awaits you on Saturday 20 March, from 12 to 4pm. A guided nature trail offers tree planters the chance to discover the natural treasures of Burntollet Wood, while bird expert Dot Blakely will share a wealth of bird identification tips.

The Woodland Trust has ambitious plans to plant over 43,000 native trees at Burntollet Wood. As the young trees grow, they will buffer the nearby precious ancient woods which dot the banks of the Burntollet River. And within as little as 12 years, today’s bare land will be transformed into flourishing woodland - a fantastic natural resource for the benefit of both people and wildlife.

For further information visit: Woodland Trust or telephone the Woodland Trust on 028 9127 5787.

EU vision for biodiversity

Fri, 05 March 2010 11:23:00 GMT

The European Commission has published a new Communication to start the debate on a renewed vision and target for combating biodiversity loss beyond 2010. This comes as the EU acknowledges that, despite some areas of progress - helped by initiatives such as LIFE and the 2006 EU Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) - it has not achieved the objective outlined in 2001 of halting the loss of biodiversity in the EU by 2010.

The new Communication Options for an EU Vision and Target for Biodiversity Beyond 2010 restates the case for biodiversity protection, highlights current trends, sets out the need for a vision for biodiversity up to 2050 and suggests possible targets for 2020. It warns that "global biodiversity remains under severe threat, with losses occurring at 100 to 1000 times the normal rate. More than a third of species assessed are facing extinction and an estimated 60% of the Earth's ecosystems have been degraded in the last 50 years..." The Commission also commits itself to presenting an EU biodiversity strategy by the end of 2010.

Humans caused climate change

Wed, 10 March 2010 14:15:00 GMT

BBC - Climate change human link evidence 'stronger'

Independent - Humans must be to blame for climate change, say scientists

Guardian - Met office analysis reveals 'clear fingerprints' of man-made climate change

Virgin Media - Humans 'caused global warming'

Surrey to dim street lamps

Fri, 05 March 2010 11:48:00 GMT

Work has begun to replace Surrey's 89,000 street lights with lamps linked to a dimmer switch. The current orange lamps will be replaced with brighter white lights to increase visibility. It is expected to reduce the amount of carbon emissions by more than 60,000 tonnes over 25 years, saving £12m in electricity bills and contract costs. The lights can be controlled from Guildford and can be dimmed in different areas and at dawn and dusk.

This story is from the BBC. Read it in full here: BBC

Heat waste increases bills

Fri, 05 March 2010 11:53:00 GMT

British households lost an estimated £500 million last year trying to heat homes which were not properly insulated as the country battled with the coldest winter for 30 years, figures showed.

According to research by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, hundreds of millions of pounds worth of wasted heat escaped from homes with insufficient loft and cavity wall insulation.

This story is from Virgin Media. Read it in full here: Virgin Media

Football clubs to go green

Fri, 05 March 2010 12:05:00 GMT

Funding for community work by Football League clubs will now be linked in part to the steps they take to help the environment, it has been announced.

In order to receive money from the £2.5 million annual pot from the Football League Trust, clubs in the Championship, League One and League Two will have to show they are being green.

This story is from Virgin Media. Read it in full here: Virgin Media

Banana is most wasted food

Thu, 04 March 2010 09:47:00 GMT

Fruit, salad and vegetables are the most wasted items in the weekly shopping basket with the banana in top place, closely followed by fresh milk, according to the latest research.

This story is from the Telegraph. Read it in full here: Telegraph

1st GM potato in Europe

Thu, 04 March 2010 09:57:00 GMT

Farmers will be able to grow fields of genetically modified potatoes in Europe for the first time after a controversial ruling by the European Commission.

The decision is the first approval for a GM crop to be grown on a commercial scale in Europe for 12 years and was criticised by environmentalists. But the EC insisted the crop was safe and will not be grown for human consumption.

This story is from the Telegraph. Read it in full here: Telegraph

Barroso urges climate action

Thu, 11 March 2010 10:38:00 GMT

President Barroso has written to EU Heads of State and Government informing them of the next steps in the Commission's work on climate action. In his letter, President Barroso underlines that the international process needs to continue, building on what could be agreed in Copenhagen and finding new ways to instil trust back into the process. He states that an important element in the strategy is the implementation of the fast start financing for developing countries agreed in December.

President Barroso states that the core goal must be to bring all partners closer to the EU's ambitions and commitment to a multilateral agreement and has asked Commissioner Hedegaard to undertake a consultation of key international partners to find new ways to reinvigorate the international process.

President Barroso will feed this first assessment into the Spring European Council and then in full into the Ministerial level negotiations and the June European Council. President Barroso will discuss with President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy on how best to prepare the discussions in the European Council and how to ensure a powerful and unified EU voice on these critical issues for the future.

Read more here: EU

Institute forced to clarify

Thu, 04 March 2010 10:55:00 GMT

Strongly worded submission to the parliamentary inquiry is being used to imply the institute questions the scientific evidence for climate change, statement says.

The Institute of Physics has been forced to clarify its strongly worded submission to a parliamentary inquiry into climate change emails released onto the internet.

This story is from the Guardian. Read it in full here: Guardian

Donate, Don't Waste

Thu, 04 March 2010 11:55:00 GMT

For the first time ever, 5000 charity shops, supported by the Association of Charity Shops, will urge people to donate all the unwanted clothes in their wardrobes and leave nothing to landfill. More than 100 of their member charities have joined together to raise awareness of the environmental benefits of giving unwanted items to charity shops.

Donate, Don't Waste encourages people to think again about what they do with their unwanted clothes. Instead of leaving them gathering dust or dumping them in the bin, our campaign asks them to take the items along to a charity shop.

If each UK household donated one extra black bin bag of clothing, we could save 25 million bags from landfill and raise over £740 million for charity. Clothes which cannot be sold in-store can be sold to textile merchants to raise money for good causes.

Learn more about this campaign here: Donate, Don't Waste

Do it yourself

Thu, 04 March 2010 12:11:00 GMT

Edited by The Trapese collective, this book is a collection of dynamic ideas which explore how we can build radical and meaningful social change, ourselves, here and now. It weaves together analysis, stories and experiences, combining in-depth analytical chapters followed by easy to follow "How to Guides" with practical ideas for organising collectively for change.

Read this publication online here: Do It Yourself