Editorial 17-07-2008
Not satisfied with the prospect of building a 'white elephant' in the shape of a third runway and 6th terminal at London Heathrow's airport, the British Government has just given the go ahead for the extinction of the elephant as a species.
Every animal lover in this country should be 'up in arms' and 'shouting from the rooftops' against such a criminal action against life on our planet. By voting to allow China to accept auctioned ivory it will open the flood gates of poachers who will decimate the elephant herds within 5 years. This nonsensical and abhorant act by the British Government should be condemned outright for the outrage it is. Why is it that only Government officials are ignorant of the fact that there aren't enough resources and manpower in the ranger service in Africa to protect elephants? Surely even the most junior viewers of children's tv programme Blue Peter would seem to have more sense and rationality than our Minister responsible. A black moment in the history of our planet and one perpetrated by a fast becoming discredited government, a truly sad collection of individuals, too embarassing to call people, sitting in their IVORY towers.
Editorial 31-05-2008
Today, 31st May 2008, many thousands will march from Hatton Cross tube station to Sipson village on the outskirts of Heathrow airport.
This is a key moment in our battle to save our planet from eco-destruction. The selfish purveyors of greed want to expand what is already one of the largest airports on the planet, so that it can dramatically increase the greenhouse gases we emit. This is utter madness when our agreed science points to this being the most likely future cause for destruction of our world as a habitable living planet.
If you have chance to get there to march and protest, PLEASE DO! Our Earth needs you!
See www.campaigncc.org
www.hacan.org.uk
www.make-a-noise.org
www.stopheathrow.org
www.airportwatch.org.uk
www.stopheathrowexpansion.com
www.notrag.org
Editorial 14-05-2008
NO THIRD RUNWAY for HEATHROW.
In an age where it is clear that we are living beyond our means as a species on this planet of ours, it is utter madness to increase the selfish attack on the planet that supports us by planning rapid expansion of air travel. If we are to survive we need to make a stand against this suicidal greed fest.
The battle to prevent unnecessary and unsustainable expansion of air travel with a third runway at London Heathrow is indeed becoming a fight for humanity's survival on this planet of ours. Claims from certain politicians that such expansion is necessary for economic wellbeing is is a declaration of pure greed and irresponsiblity and is a symptom of ballot box short termism.
Help ensure a future for us all and our children, come to the protest rally and festival on Saturday 31st May, 2008. Meet at Hatton Cross at 12 noon. March to Sipson village, threatened with its own extinction by this planned Heathrow expansion. Join the festival atmosphere there and join in the fight for our survival.
see also: www.campaigncc.org, www.notrag.org, www.hacan.org.uk, www.2mgroup.org.uk, www.stopheathrow.org, www.make-a-noise.org
This is an important issue for ALL OF US and not just residents around Heathrow.
Editorial 19-03-2008
Protest on March 20th - 5 years on.
If you're disgusted with what the likes of Bush'n' Blair have done with Iraq, stand up and show it.
Join the traffic light protests. Demand an end to the war and occupation.Here is the chance to show the planners of the Iraq tragedy how out of touch with the real world they are. Join in and give a visible sign that you care.
Appointment Blair.
Blair sees himself as a peace envoy to the Middle East. A more inappropriate appointment one could not imagine! Blair seeks the EU Presidential appointment, but the only official appointment in Europe Blair should be given is answering to the war crimes judges in the Hague!
Earth Hour Approaches.
Get ready for lights out! Sign up for the Earth Hour event on 29th March when you can turn out your lights for one hour from 8.00 p.m. to actually make a difference. Join millions of others worldwide. See Positive News or WWF on our 'Headliners'.
Editorial 11-03-2008
Saturday 15th March is the date of the march and rally in central London to mark the 5th anniversary of the commencement of the war on Iraq. We recommend that you attend if possible, for it is important that the suffering , carnage and consequential torture is not forgotten as the perpetrators wish.
However, we also ask this of you:
Thursday March 20th, 2008, is the actual 5th Anniversary of the commencement of the war on Iraq.
You CAN protest.
Close to home.
Individually or collectively.
And with a low carbon footprint too!
The simple traffic light is designated to symbolise the following message:
Stop war (red),
change to (amber),
a green planet (green).
Transform your local traffic light to a beacon of hope.
Tie a ribbon (of any colour) around a traffic light post near your home, so that it signifies this message and as the ribbons flutter they portray and remember the once colourful lives, that felt the wind on their faces and have been taken by this unjustified war and its aftermath.
The perpetrators of this war want us to forget. Don’t fulfil the warmongers intentions. Use this means as a constant reminder of what they have done, so that we don’t make the error of going down the warmonger’s road again.
Tie a ribbon on a traffic light pole.
A peaceful act.
Simple to do.
Remember today; in your time, in your place – not herded into designated roads or squares, but at a place of your choosing. Express your freedom. Defy oppression.
Remember on any day.
We will not forget.
May Peace be with you, never give up.
www.trafficlights4peace.com
Editorial 28-01-2008
Until we have an acceptable carbon unit in full use our chances of climate change damage limitation are nil.
Latest reports show that worldwide industry does not regard climate change as a priority and is waiting for governments to give a lead with mandatory controls. Profit is still king in the world at present and until sustainability takes over we have little hope of survival.
The calling of economic powers that be to set up an alternative voluntary control system for global emissions to the Bali one, as sought by Bush, will condemn us to practical inaction. The Hawaii talks he has set up are a dangerous diversion from the path we must take globally. Bush’s initiated talks must be viewed as an irrelevancy and emphasis and attention should be solely directed towards further global co-operation at the only ‘genuine’ talks planned this year at Poznan, Poland in December.
As for a carbon unit of relevance to people’s lives and one of a size that is imaginable to a human being’s personal experience, we suggest the CAV (carbon activity value) unit (as described on website: www.saveourplanetday.co.uk )
Editorial 23-01-2008
Poison Chalice and Meltdown.
As Bush serves out the last year of his Presidency, the President elect (whoever that turns out to be), is faced with the poison chalice of Bush’s misdemeanours. One can’t help wondering how the world might have progressed without the meddling of him and his guiding henchmen. The world now has to pick up the pieces and repair the damage.
One legacy that could prove useful however is the galvanising of anti-war support throughout the globe and the focus on acting in time on climate change. Since the present USA Administration is so insular and selfish in nature there is hope of a rebound reaction that stimulates global co-operation. That is our hope for the next few years.
Yesterday’s fall in stocks around the world highlights just what a pack of cards our economics are. Continual growth and use of the world’s resources at our present rate are unsustainable. The damage we are doing to the planet becomes harder to correct the further we carry on down the same path. The financial meltdown will hopefully shock enough to let the world gain its senses and look to a sustainable future for all and not pursue a future for just an elite rump of humanity.
We watch developments with bated breath.
