Recently in Campaigns Category

LOCAL authorities must see cycling as a vital part of integrated transport planning for tackling congestion, climate change and obesity, according to a group of senior council officials.

A letter signed by 20 council chief executives and transport directors, including Steve Kent, director of environment, Chester West and Chester Council and Steve Robinson, the authority's chief executive, says local transport plans will be crucial to tackling such challenges just as budgets will come under severe pressure.

CHESHIRE West and Chester Council is encouraging Chester's new students to recycle more by giving out special tins of baked beans.

PEOPLE who wish to learn to promote composting are wanted for a green community project.

The Cheshire East Master Composter scheme is aiming to recruit more volunteers who can promote the benefits of home composting to Cheshire East Council area residents.

Letter from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)

THE Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is asking everyone to consider the importance of the world's forests and to look for the FSC logo on wood and paper products.

Ancient forests are being destroyed around the world at an alarming rate. According to WWF, a forest the size of England is lost every year, destroying habitats, adding to climate change and affecting those who live and work in the forests.

Products of global deforestation can be found throughout the UK. FSC believes this is unacceptable and works to ensure people can buy forest products with the confidence they are helping to safeguard forests, not destroy them.

Background
Over the last two hundred and fifty years, since industrialization begun, the delicate balance in the earth's systems and atmosphere has been disturbed by pollution. One form of pollution is the release of the basket of greenhouse gases that are associated with the consumption of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas. Unfortunately in the twenty first century these forms of energy now underpin most societies.

Modern life with all its convenience like cheap air travel, centralised electrical power, endless gadgets, cheap inefficient housing, cars and mass production, in its current guise, is high carbon and is not sustainable. As we move into the new century, the reality of climate change is becoming clearer.

It is now beyond doubt that, with amongst other things the publication of the Inter-governmental Panel of Climate Change's Fourth Assessment Report, peoples collected activities are responsible for the release of vast amounts of carbon dioxide which are having a very negative impact on the planet that we live on. Moreover there has been a scientific consensus on this fact for over a decade.

We all know Britain is Great, but now we can make our green and pleasant land even greener - with the first Green Britain Day.

Friday is when everyone starts working together to cut our carbon footprint in time for the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

Among the celebrities taking part are Olympic hero James Cracknell and gold medal Paralympic swimmer Eleanor Simmonds. This time they are leading a race of a different kind - against climate change.

You recycle your carrier bags and turn off the TV at night, but how far would you go to really make a difference to the planet?

Eight streets around the country - all with the word Green in their names - spent the past year being as eco-friendly as possible in a bid to win thousands for local projects.

British Gas selected them from hundreds of entries and the AVERAGE street reduced its domestic energy use by 25%. The winning street, Green Lane in Leeds, saved a THIRD of its power, bagging £50,000 in funding.

OUTDOOR lovers are invited to help clean up the Chester city section of the Shropshire Union Canal.

Enthusiasts are invited to join local members of the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) and British Waterways (BW) representatives at 10am on Sunday March 29 at Cow Lane Bridge, Chester.

A spokesman said: "If you have a couple of hours to spare to help in looking after our local waterway and an important part of our nation's heritage all you need is a boatload of enthusiasm to join in."

The objectives of the event are to: improve sections of waterway before the summer season begins, increase volunteer numbers, promote the activities of IWA and demonstrate the value of the waterways in this area.

Works may include: graffiti removal, vegetation control, painting of timber, metalwork and lock gates as well as towpath works.

For more information contact Margaret Pitney, IWA Chester & District Branch Secretary on 0151 608 6487 or e-mail chesteranddistrict@waterways.org.uk

Low Carbon Blog: A FIGHT to block a controversial wind farm in Bickerton is stepping up a gear next month with a special meeting.

On April 7, Stop Bickerton Wind Turbines (SBWT) will address concerned residents on its successful fundraising efforts and the appointment of a team of professional advisors.

A scale model of an industrial wind turbine will also be on show.

A 60m wind monitoring mast is currently measuring wind strength and speed on the Bickerton hills.

If the beauty spot proves a viable site, applicant Banks Developments may proceed with a bid for a wind farm.

SBWT chairman Mike Voisey said: "Our action group remains committed to fighting this project, which continues to go ahead despite overwhelming objections from most local people, tourists and business people and the concerns of our democratically-elected councillors.

"One good point about the erection of the monitoring mast is that its height can now be fully appreciated and people can understand the threat to the area.

"Modern onshore wind turbines are twice the height of the mast, so this gives a very good indication of just how overpowering they would be."

The meeting is at Bickerton Village Hall on Tuesday, April 7, at 7pm.

NESS Botanic Gardens hosted an event to highlight the UK's dwindling bee population.
Family fun activities were held at the Neston attraction as part of the Save Our Bees campaign.

Natalie Cole, regional officer for the British Science Association in Manchester, said: "We have a national campaign each year, and this year we've focused on Save Our Bees with a family fun day.

"The aim of Save Our Bees is to raise public awareness of the plight bees are facing."
Billions of the UK's bees are dying due to mystery diseases, with a third of honey bee colonies lost in the UK during last winter.