Stuffistan

Adidas

2012-07-20T23:36:00.000+01:00

Another win for people power! On Wednesday, a worried-sounding man from Coca-Cola called the 38 Degrees office to say they wouldn’t be using the Olympic tax dodge. [1]

But it didn’t stop there. Later in the day, VISA, General Electric and EDF all confirmed that they were out too. [2] That’s five big companies down - and nine to go.

The bigger our petition has grown, the more companies have hurriedly announced they won’t be dodging the tax. Can you help this campaign go all the way by sending the petition past 200,000 signatures?

Please sign the petition now to make sure the sponsors pay their fair share:

SIGN THE PETITION

The more companies that say they won’t dodge the tax, the harder it is for the others to stay silent. Let’s target Adidas next. They’re already under fire this week after revelations that they may have exploited third-world workers making Olympic sports clothes. [3]

When Coke phoned up to confirm, what worried them most was the idea of a high energy petition hand-in staged outside their London headquarters. Well, Adidas has a massive flagship store in central London.

If we can push the petition past 200,000 names we’ll organise a high-profile hand-in - a PR nightmare they’ll be desperate to avoid. The Olympics should be about sports - not tax-dodging. So let’s wrap this up before the Games begin.

Can you help cross Adidas off the list next by signing the petition now?

SIGN THE PETITION

Thanks for being involved,

David T, Robin, Belinda and the 38 Degrees team

NOTES
[1] Ethical Consumer: The Great Olympic Tax Swindle http://www.ethicalconsumer.org/commentanalysis/corporatewatch/thegreatolympictaxswindle.aspx
[2] The Guardian: McDonald's to decline London 2012 tax break http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/jul/18/mcdonalds-decline-london-2012-tax-break
London 2012: Olympic sponsors waive tax break http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/jul/18/london-2012-visa-olympic-tax?newsfeed=true
[3] Metro: Adidas hit by price tag protest over third world workers http://www.metro.co.uk/news/905166-adidas-hit-by-price-tag-protest-over-third-world-workers

McDonald's: One down

2012-07-16T18:45:00.000+01:00

It’s working! Moments after launching the petition calling on companies like McDonald’s to give up their Olympic tax breaks, their rattled PR team were on the phone. [1] Minutes later they publicly confirmed they wouldn’t be taking up the tax dodge. [2]

If you didn’t sign the petition because you weren’t sure it would work, now you know it can. It’s an exciting start. But there are lots of other sponsors who still haven’t budged. Let’s turn up the pressure by keeping the petition growing. Every name helps.

Can you sign the petition now and tell the other sponsors to pay their fair share?
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/olympic-tax-dodging

Next in our sights is Coca-Cola. They’ll be supersizing their profits at the Olympics, expecting to sell 23 million drinks. [3] Together let’s make sure that they’re paying their fair share in tax. Their close relationship with McDonald’s will make dodging the issue even harder for them now.

The petition’s already got nearly 100,000 names. If you can help push it past that target we’ll organise a high profile hand-in to Coke’s London headquarters and a simultaneous people-powered flood of messages to them via Facebook and Twitter. Together, we’ll make a splash they can’t ignore!

38 Degrees members have been campaigning against tax dodging because things get cut when businesses don’t pay their fair share. The Olympics is a powerful global symbol. Taking on this particular tax dodge won’t fix the whole problem but it’ll send a strong message that we expect these massive multinationals to do the right thing.

If we can get to 100,000 signatures, we’ll organise a hand-in at Coke’s London headquarters this Friday. Click below to add your name now: https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/olympic-tax-dodging

Thanks for being involved,

David T, Robin, Belinda and the 38 Degrees team

PS: The secretive nature of these companies’ tax arrangements makes it difficult to figure out exactly how much this Olympic tax dodge is worth. Let’s use people power to shine a light on what they’re up to. Can you call on Coca-Cola to front up? Sign the petition here: https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/olympic-tax-dodging

NOTES
[1] Ethical Consumer: The Great Olympic Tax Swindle http://www.ethicalconsumer.org/commentanalysis/corporatewatch/thegreatolympictaxswindle.aspx
[2] McDonald’s: Olympic Tax Exemption Clarification http://www.mcdonalds.co.uk/ukhome/Aboutus/Newsroom/news_pages/Olympic_Tax_Exemption.html
[3] Coca-Cola: What does Coca-Cola’s sponsorship bring to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games?
http://www.coca-cola.co.uk/faq/olympic-games/what-does-coca-cola-sponsorship-bring-to-london-2012.html

Shell petrol stations closed to stop Arctic drilling

2012-07-16T15:19:00.001+01:00

Hi there,

Right now, Shell petrol stations are being shut down across London and Edinburgh.

Teams of Greenpeace volunteers are fanning out across the two cities, going station to station shutting down the pumps. In total, over 100 forecourts will be out of action. We're broadcasting live throughout the day on a special online TV channel - watch live now.

Why are we doing this? Because Shell is lining up a fleet of huge oil drilling vessels and later this month, for the first time, will start drilling for oil in the Arctic, off the coast of Alaska.
You can protect the Arctic from Shell's dangerous plans. We're declaring a global sanctuary around the pole, to become enforceable by international law, that will mean a ban on oil drilling and other activities that threaten the Arctic.

There isn't much time to stop Shell's plans. Sign up now to help us create an Arctic sanctuary, safe from Shell and other reckless oil companies. Over 850,000 people have already signed up - join them!

The Arctic is a dangerous place to go drilling - an oil spill would wreak havoc on the fragile, vulnerable environment. Shell's own plans show how difficult it will be to mop up if a spill happens in the Arctic.

By chasing after hard-to-reach oil in remote and dangerous places, Shell is putting polar bears, walruses and other Arctic wildlife at risk.

That's why we're shutting down the pumps at so many Shell petrol stations.
You can stop Shell. Join us in declaring a global Arctic sanctuary.

Let's go!

Jamie Woolley

PS Tune in to our live online TV channel to get the latest updates from the closed Shell forecourts, throughout the day.

1 million to save lions

2012-06-30T23:29:00.003+01:00

Dear friends,

South African lions are being slaughtered for their bones, just to make bogus sex potions for men. But if we show President Zuma that this hurts South Africa’s image as a tourist destination, he could stop this cruelty by banning the trade in lion bones and organs. Sign the petition below -- we’ll take out ads in major tourism magazines and websites:

Hundreds of South African lions are being slaughtered to make bogus sex potions for men. But we can stop this cruel trade by hitting the government where it hurts -- the tourism industry.

A global ban on tiger bone sales has traders hunting a new prize -- the majestic lions. Lions are farmed under appalling conditions in South Africa for "canned hunting", where rich tourists pay thousands to shoot them through fences. Now experts say lion bones from these killing farms are being exported to phony 'medicine' makers in Asia for record profits. Trade is exploding and experts fear that as prices rise, even wild lions -- with only 20,000 left in Africa -- will come under poaching attack.

If we can show President Zuma that this brutal trade is hurting South Africa's image as a tourist destination, he could ban and punish the trade in lion bones. Avaaz is taking out strong ads in airports, tourism websites and magazines, but we urgently need 1 million petition signers to give the ads their force. Sign below to build our numbers fast:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/stop_lion_slaughter_for_sex_aides_d/?bFrVubb&v=15578

'Tiger bone wine' and other tiger-part medicines were banned after massive international outrage -- now traders have shifted their attention to lions' bones to make all kinds of bogus remedies. Experts say unless governments act now, lions could be the next in line -- after tigers and rhinos -- to face extinction.

There is a solution: banning and punishing the trade of lion bones and organs. South Africa is currently the largest exporter of lion trophies, bones and organs -- it is also the only African country actively breeding lions in large numbers to supply trophy hunting. But if we can show that allowing this senseless trade can hurt South Africa’s booming tourism industry and make visitors flee, President Zuma could be forced to act.

Let’s build a thunderous global roar for the lions. Avaaz will show the cruelty of the lion bone trade with stinging ads -- sign now:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/stop_lion_slaughter_for_sex_aides_d/?bFrVubb&v=15578

Avaaz members across the world have come together to demand strong protection for elephants and rhinos, save the world’s bees from poisonous pesticides and achieve huge marine reserves in Chagos and Australia to safeguard vulnerable marine species. Lets come together once again and stand up for Africa’s lions.

With hope, and determination,

Jamie, Alex, Antonia, Mia, Alice, Ricken, Luca, Emily and the entire Avaaz team

More information:

Lion Bone Trade Fuels Breeding Business in Africa (Al Jazeera)
http://allafrica.com/view/resource/main/main/id/00040108.html

South Africa continues to support the lion bone trade (LionAid)
http://www.lionaid.org/blog/2012/06/south-africa-continues-to-support-the-lion-bone-trade.htm

Quenching a thirst for lion bones (Mail & Guardian)
http://mg.co.za/article/2012-04-20-quenching-a-thirst-for-lion-bones/

Born to be killed (Carte Blanche)
http://beta.mnet.co.za/carteblanche/Article.aspx?ID=4226

The Lion Bone’s Connected to the … Rhino Horn? (Rhinoconservation.org)
http://www.rhinoconservation.org/2012/05/12/the-lion-bones-connected-to-the-rhino-horn/

Wildlife trafficking trail leads to SA safari man (News 24)
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Bloody-rhino-poaching-trail-leads-to-SA-safari-operator-20110721

Support the Avaaz Community!
We're entirely funded by donations and receive no money from governments or corporations. Our dedicated team ensures even the smallest contributions go a long way.

ACE News

2012-06-30T22:28:00.000+01:00

 
ACE MONTHLY MEETING
7.30pm Wed 4 July at ACE
Help sustain the Autonomous Centre of Edinburgh www.autonomous.org.uk  ACE
meetings are the first Wed every month at 7.30pm
All welcome – we need more volunteers to keep ACE thriving and organise
lots of stuff.....

---

Slutwalk Edinburgh 2012
Meet Parliament Square off Royal Mile 1.30pm Saturday 7th July

Marching to call for an end to Slutshaming and victim blaming. We need
change! We are tired of being shamed for our choices and feeling unsafe as
a result.
Most rapists can't remember what their victim was wearing. Rape is not a
crime of passion. It is a crime of violence.
Starting at Parliament Square on the Royal mile, and marching down to the
Parliament building, where we hope to have some speakers for you.

---

Take Back the Land! 12-18 July Douglas Valley action camp

Opencast coal mining in the Douglas Valley is about the ruling class
destroying communities for their own financial gain. Its about ecological
destruction on a massive scale for capitalism’s unquenchable thirst for
cheap energy. Its about absentee fat-cat land-lords making millions off
land that shouldn’t be theirs. Its about morally corrupt local (and
national) government putting profit before people.

Join us 12-18 July in the Douglas Valley, South Lanarkshire, to build on
20 years of community struggle and four years of direct action against the
UK’s biggest opencast mining company. It’s time to Take Back the Land!

Coal Action Scotland  contact@coalactionscotland.org.uk
More info http://www.indymediascotland.org/node/27202
http://takebacktheland.org.uk/

---

ACTION AGAINST WORKFARE

No to Slave Labour!
Meet 12 noon Saturday 14 July
Holland and Barrett, Hanover Building, Rose St, Edinburgh
(in between Hanover St and Frederick St)
Join the uk-wide week of action against workfare!

The Queens Jubilee has seen the disgrace of exploiting the unemployed
through workfare. The ‘ethical’ company Holland & Barrett who are due to
be signed up to 1100 workfare places will receive its deserved focus of
this week of action. Up and down the country groups will been taking
action against workfare providers – A4E, Maximus, Reed etc… including
those who have signed up on workfare – Holland & Barrett, Tesco, Shoe Zone
etc…

Join us and take part in creative actions against workfare.

Organised by Edinburgh Coalition Against Poverty
ecap@lists.riseup.net
www.edinburghagainstpoverty.org.uk and on Facebook
Part of the UK-wide Week of Action against Workfare
http://www.boycottworkfare.org/?p=1154   and
http://www.facebook.com/events/481490495199880/

ECAP meets at ACE the last Monday of every month at 7pm
ECAP runs advice and solidarity sessions at ACE every tuesday 12-3pm – if
coming for advice best to come early as it is often very busy.

Save Richard

2012-06-26T13:48:00.000+01:00

Two years ago, Richard O'Dwyer was studying for a multimedia degree at Sheffield Hallam University. In his spare time he ran a website that acted as a search engine for users to find links to watch TV and films online.

He respected the rules -- deleting content when he received requests to remove it. But despite this, he’s now been accused of copyright violation and could face 10 years in a US prison, after the British Home Secretary, Theresa May, signed an extradition order in March.

Richard is not a US citizen, he's lived in the UK all his life, his site was not hosted there, and most of his users were not from the US. America is trying to prosecute a UK citizen for an alleged crime which took place on UK soil.

Given the thin case against him, it is an outrage that he is being extradited to the US to face charges. That's why I've just launched a petition on Change.org to stop his extradition -- and why I hope you will sign it today. Click here to sign the petition.

When I met Richard, he struck me as a clean-cut, geeky kid. Still a student, he reminds me of many great entrepreneurs and the kind of person I can imagine launching the next Wikipedia or YouTube.

Copyright matters but from the beginning of the internet, we have seen a struggle between the interests of the "content industry" and the general public.

Richard is the human face of that battle, and if he's extradited and convicted, he will bear the very real human cost.

The internet as a whole must not tolerate censorship as a response to mere allegations of copyright infringement. As citizens we must stand up for our rights online.

Together, the public won the battle against SOPA and PIPA. We proved that when we work together we can protect freedom on the internet. Together, I know we can win this battle too.

Join me and sign my petition to stop the extradition of UK citizen Richard O'Dwyer.

Thanks,

- Jimmy Wales, Wikipedia Founder

---------------------------
More information:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jun/24/richard-o-dwyer-my-petition

Jimmy Carr?

2012-06-25T13:04:00.000+01:00

If David Cameron thinks Jimmy Carr's tax dodge was morally wrong, why isn't he using his powers as prime minister to stop this kind of thing happening? New, tough, anti-avoidance laws could save the UK millions in lost tax. Let's use this latest scandal to push Cameron to act.

A big petition, signed by thousands of us, will prove that the public demands a real clampdown on tax dodging. At the moment Cameron seems to hope that a few soundbites on TV will be enough to make the fuss die down. We need to make him realise he'll lose votes if he fails to act.

Please take 30 seconds to add your name to the petition demanding a strong tax-dodging law:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/ban-tax-dodging

Tax-dodging costs the rest of us billions of pounds - money that could be spent on hospitals, schools, policemen. But whilst David Cameron talks tough, the truth is he could be doing much more to stop it. Leading tax experts say what we really need is a legally enshrined “general anti-avoidance principle” - giving courts tough new powers to force dodgers to pay up. [1]

Over the past year, 38 Degrees members, together with groups like UK Uncut, have helped shine a light on the scandal of tax-dodging. [2] Actions like our hard-hitting adverts depicting George Osborne as the artful dodger helped make the government realise they can no longer stay silent. Even more public pressure could push them to launch a real crackdown.

David Cameron could do more to stop tax-dodging. But he'll only do that if we put him under enough pressure. So please add your name to the petition today:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/ban-tax-dodging

Thanks for being involved,

Marie, David T, Hannah, James, David, Cian, Becky, Belinda and the 38 Degrees team

PS: Here’s what Sarah Hurley, a 38 Degrees member said on Facebook: “Carr only did what a lot of people would do, and probably just followed his accountant's advice. If Cameron thinks tax-dodging is so wrong he needs to close the loop-hole, then have a good look at multi-national companies who fail to pay a lot more tax than one TV comedian.” If you agree, add your name: https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/ban-tax-dodging

NOTES
[1] Tax Justice Network is a global alliance of economists, tax and financial professionals, accountants, lawyers, academics and writers who work to analyse and explain the role of harmful impacts of tax evasion and tax avoidance. They support a broad-based general anti-avoidance principle to tackle tax evasion in the UK - as opposed to the narrowly focused rule proposed by the government. http://www.taxjustice.net/cms/front_content.php?idcat=2

[2] Telegraph: Budget 2011 - “Jammy tax dodgers” protest in Whitehall http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/budget/8400804/Budget-2011-Jammy-tax-dodgers-protest-in-Whitehall.html
Guardian: UK Uncut allowed to challenge Goldman Sachs tax deal http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/jun/14/uk-uncut-challenge-goldman-sachs-tax-court
38 Degrees blog: Tax Dodging - Hand-in to HMRC http://blog.38degrees.org.uk/2012/04/05/tax-dodging-hand-in-to-hmrc/

BBC

2012-06-19T13:41:00.002+01:00

This week, BBC trustees are interviewing for the most important job at the BBC - Director General. Politicians are leaning on them hard, demanding they hire someone with party political bias. [1] We can use the next few days to help stop this happening.

Over 40,000 of us have already added our names to the letter demanding the BBC Trust safeguards the independence of the BBC. The campaign is even getting talked about in national newspapers. [2]

Together, we're proving that protecting the BBC from political interference is really important to the public. If enough of us sign our name, the Trust will feel the pressure of public opinion and this could influence their decision when deciding who to appoint as the next Director General.

Please take half a minute to add your name to the letter by clicking here:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/protect-bbc-independence

The BBC is loved and respected all over the world. People rely on its news reporting. If it loses its independence, that reputation is put at risk.

We know we can influence the BBC Trust. Two years ago, we helped save BBC 6Music by convincing them to drop their plans to close the station. [3] Let's do it again and show that the public wants a Director General who's loyal to public service broadcasting, not a political party.

We are planning to deliver the letter by Wednesday, so let's aim to get past 60,000 signatures before then.

Please take half a minute to add your name to the letter by clicking here:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/protect-bbc-independence

Thanks for being involved

Hannah, Belinda, Marie, James, David T, Cian, Becky, David and the 38 Degrees team

NOTES
[1] The Telegraph: Next head of BBC must be a Tory says Boris Johnson http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/bbc/9263603/Next-head-of-BBC-must-be-a-Tory-says-Boris-Johnson.html
[2] The Guardian: BBC director general petition gets more than 35,000 signatures http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/jun/08/bbc-director-general-petition?newsfeed=true
[3] The Independent: BBC 6 Music saved from closure http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/bbc-6-music-saved-from-closure-2018728.html
38 Degrees Blog: BBC Announcement: They listened to us https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/6Music-saved-blog

Storm the Net to end polluter aid

2012-06-15T22:17:00.000+01:00

Take Action

Sign the petition:

Join the Twitter storm (6/18/12): #EndFossilFuelSubsidies

Support Earth Day Network

Your donations help power the movement.

Dear Friend,

Rio+20 is less than a week away, and Earth Day Network already has a team of advocates on the ground in Rio de Janeiro to make sure that your voices are heard.
We’re showcasing the successes of A Billion Acts of Green® and our campaigns for Earth Day 2012 and using them to call on world leaders to commit to:

A binding plan to transition to renewable energy that includes phasing out fossil fuel subsidies in the near-term;
Zero deforestation by 2020 and a binding plan to end policies and subsidies that encourage the purchase of wood obtained illegally;
A plan to engage women and young people in defining and designing the green economy;
A plan to make cities more sustainable through green building standards, recycling requirements, and other initiatives that help reduce cities’ carbon footprint; and
Incorporate sustainability education in all primary schools and provide the necessary funding and support for education centers to green their facilities.

And on Saturday, June 16, we’ll hold the latest event in our Women and the Green Economy (WAGE®) global consultative process: a forum in Rio that will bring together scores of influential women in business, government, and NGOs to refine policy proposals to increase women’s participation in the green economy.
There are still opportunities for YOU to take action too.
The petition to end fossil fuel subsidies now has well over a million signatures, but we need more. Add yours. Tell your friends.
While the results of the petition will be delivered offline, you can also make some noise online. On Monday, June 18, join the global Twitter storm to #EndFossilFuelSubsidies. Simply tweet using the hashtag #EndFossilFuelSubsidies anytime on Monday to help us drive home this message to world leaders gathered at Rio+20.
Make sure to stay tuned to www.earthday.org/rio for daily blog and Twitter updates from our team in Rio.
- The Earth Day Network Team

KFC are talking rubbish

2012-06-15T19:38:00.002+01:00

Hi
Since we exposed KFC for using rainforest fibre to make its packaging, the company's response has been to just repeat the same statement: that its packaging is "100% sustainable or recycled".
Sounds good, right? If only.

We commissioned forensic testing on KFC packaging bought in the UK that showed it contains rainforest fibre and is not recycled. We traced KFC UK's supply chain and it led us straight back to Asia Pulp and Paper, one of the world's most notorious rainforest destroyers.

You've given KFC a chance to come clean but now they are just lying to you, so it's time to tell them we know the Colonel's real secret recipe.

Email KFC UK's managing director to tell KFC to own up and get rid of rainforest fibre from their packaging for good.

Our investigations revealed that KFC UK's packaging starts life as rainforest on the island of Sumatra, home to the critically endangered Sumatran tiger. From here the logs went to APP's mills* where they are pulped and turned into paperboard. This was sold through APP's UK outfit Calington to KFC's packaging manufacturer St Neot's Packaging.

This is a clear link from KFC in the UK to the destruction of the rainforest.
Testing by independent experts showed that, as recently as March this year, KFC UK's packaging was made from up to 50% rainforest fibre and that it did not show fibre damage - the tell-tale sign of recycled paper.

KFC needs to rid its supply chain of deforestation. Email the UK's managing director now to demand he stops turning rainforests into rubbish.

Greenpeace supporters will be emailing KFC offices around the world to demand that KFC and their parent company YUM! Brands remove rainforest fibre from their supply chains for good.
Thanks
Franziska Grobke
Greenpeace UK
* One of these mills was exposed earlier this year as having illegally logged ramin trees in the yard waiting to be pulped.

Stop the African hunger games

2012-06-14T23:29:00.001+01:00

Dear friends,

18 million people are desperate for food in Africa’s drought-struck Sahel, but urgent appeals for help are being met with deafening silence by governments worldwide. Senegalese musician Baaba Maal has started a petition to get the US, Japan, France and Germany to pledge their fair share of aid. Let’s join him -- sign the urgent petition below and sound the massive alarm needed to shake these leaders into action:

My name is Baaba Maal, and I’m a Senegalese musician writing with a personal plea for help. I live in Africa’s drought-struck Sahel region where 18 million people are on the brink of disaster, including 1 million children at risk of starvation. But our urgent appeals for help are being met with deafening silence. Only a targeted and overwhelming demand for action can stop this catastrophe from turning deadly.

The UN says millions of lives could be destroyed unless $1.5 billion in aid is channeled in immediately, but governments have pledged less than half the required sum. The countries who can make all the difference are the US, Japan, France and Germany, but they’re stalling -- that's why I started a petition on Avaaz's Community Petitions website to appeal to the world for help.

In days, world leaders will gather in Brussels to discuss the Sahel -- if they decide right there and then to pledge their fair share, we can avert disaster. Sign this urgent petition now -- Avaaz, Africans Act 4 Africa, and Oxfam will deliver it in a coordinated stunt when we reach 1 million signatures:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/The_grain_sacks_are_empty/?bFrVubb&v=15195

Terrible drought, political unrest, and sky high food prices have wreaked havoc on an area the size of the US, stretching from Senegal in the west all the way to Sudan in the east. People here are doing everything they can to survive, but the crisis has hit so hard that it’s difficult to stay hopeful. I’ve seen women and children trying to grow food in patches of land that are bone dry. They know that people are talking about what is happening in the Sahel, but they don’t know if aid will ever arrive.

The UN has only received 43 percent of the $1.5 billion needed -- it’s a shortfall of gargantuan proportions. But this gap must be filled, and can be filled by the world’s richest countries, if there’s political will. We don't have much time to avert mass suffering, and I'm determined to speak on behalf of the people here until they get the help they need.

The world has turned a blind eye to crises like this before, but this time we can make the difference between life and death by forcing our governments to respond. Sign this urgent petition now:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/The_grain_sacks_are_empty/?bFrVubb&v=15195

Avaaz members have come together time and time again to respond to natural disasters, saving thousands of lives by ensuring that crucial aid was delivered to Burma, Haiti, Somalia and Pakistan. We have the power to force our leaders to stop idling away in the face of a crisis we can prevent. Let's stand together now to demand that the world respond to the pleas of the millions living in the vast Sahel region.

With hope and determination,

Baaba Maal, with the Avaaz team

MORE INFORMATION

A distress call from Africa's Sahel: Millions might starve (CNN)
http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/05/world/africa/sahel-hunger/index.html

UN: 18 Million in West Africa to Go Hungry in 2012 (The Associated Press)
http://news.yahoo.com/un-18-million-west-africa-hungry-2012-142100935.html

Meeting of like minds can save the hungry millions in Sahel (Sydney Morning Herald)
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/meeting-of-like-minds-can-save-the-hungry-millions-in-sahel-20120529-1zgm8.html

Baaba Maal: people in the Sahel region need food and water now (The Guardian)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/poverty-matters/2012/may/25/baaba-maal-sahel-food-water

Coming weeks critical to tackle Sahel hunger – U.N. humanitarian chief (AlertNet)
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/coming-weeks-critical-to-tackle-sahel-hunger-un-humanitarian-chief

Support the Avaaz Community!
We're entirely funded by donations and receive no money from governments or corporations. Our dedicated team ensures even the smallest contributions go a long way.

Urgent friend request from a fisherman

2012-06-11T18:38:00.000+01:00

Hi there,

Today, many of our local fishermen are facing an uncertain future. I recently met with with Julian and Jeremy Brown in Cornwall, whose family has been fishing in a sustainable way for generations. Many fishermen like them are now in danger of losing their livelihoods due to unfair fishing laws that favour the more destructive parts of the industry.

Tomorrow, UK fisheries minister Richard Benyon is going to critical European talks about the reform of these fishing laws.

Send this sea shanty video petition now to make sure Richard Benyon stands up the rights of sustainable fishermen like Ben and John and fishing communities across the UK.

Let’s make sure that ministers meeting this week put the health of our seas above the vested interests of the destructive fishing fleets. So far, 1500 people have signed our sea shanty petition and become a fisherman's friend. Let's see if we can get this number up to 5,000 before Benyon leaves tomorrow.

In the UK, even though 77 per cent of all fishermen are local and small-scale, they only get access to a measly 4% of fishing rights or quota. Meanwhile, often, the more destructive vessels are awarded more rights and subsidies to hoover up our seas. That's bad for our fishing communities and bad for our fish.

Over the next few months, these laws (the Common Fisheries Policy) will go through a once in a decade reform process. Let’s send a clear message to Richard Benyon ahead of his meeting tomorrow that we support fishermen who fish in a sustainable way.

Send this sea shanty as a petition via Facebook now.

(It’s simple – just watch the video in the Facebook app, then send the video link to Benyon in an email.)

Thank you,
Hayley Baker
Greenpeace UK

PS Not on Facebook, not a problem. Follow the campaign and take the action on our website.

CROP CIRCLES, UFOs & WORLD TRANSFORMATION - presentation

2012-06-10T13:29:00.003+01:00

We are entering a crucial phase in human evolution. The growing occurrence of Crop Circles and UFOs is connected to a major shift in the consciousness of humanity, and to a fundamental turning point on our evolutionary path. They relate to the return among us of the Masters of Wisdom and Maitreya the World Teacher, and to the awakening of humanity to the spiritual basis of life. This is a time of tremendous importance and signals a new world in the making based upon co-operation and unity.

This presentation offers a message of hope by affirming that despite the current global crises, we are about to enter a golden age of peace and justice for all humanity. This golden age is being heralded by an increasing number of unusual phenomena, occurring worldwide, including crop circles.

This event also brings together a diverse range of topics:

The harmless nature of UFOs and the peaceful work of our Space Brothers on behalf of humanity.
The 'star' heralding Maitreyaâ's emergence into our everyday world and on-going interviews on international television. (60 interviews as of April 2012)
The unseen and deadly danger of nuclear radiation; the reality of the etheric planes of matter and the limitations of current science.
The future Science of Light.
What the 'New Age' and 2012 really means for humanity; the creation of right human relationships involves the end of greed and competition and the beginning of a new era of co-operation with sharing, justice and freedom as its hallmarks.

Admission free and everyone welcome to debate and discuss the various issues raised.

Theosophical Society, 28 Great King Street, EH3 6QH
7:30pm - 9:30pm

Tuesday 12 June
Tuesday 24 July
Tuesday 21 August

Thank you,

Volunteers with Share International
www.share-international.org
SHARING = JUSTICE = PEACE

David Davis

2012-06-09T09:57:00.002+01:00

Our right to privacy is under threat. The government has confirmed it wants new powers to snoop on all of us whenever we use the internet. Soon they’ll start pushing the plans through Parliament. [1]

We can stop these Big Brother plans - if enough MPs feel enough pressure to vote against them. So now’s the time to get clued up. We need to work out how to persuade every MP to vote to protect our privacy.

David Davis MP is a senior Conservative, a former shadow Home Secretary and a long-time supporter of civil liberties. He’s hugely opposed to the government’s plans. He’s agreed to hold an online question and answer session with 38 Degrees members. It’s a chance to hear more about the snooping plan and how we can stop it.

The live internet briefing will take place on Tuesday 12th June at 7pm. You can take part from in front of your computer, all you’ll need is an internet connection. Click to reserve your place and get instructions on how to join in:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/David-Davis-live-briefing

If we’re trying to persuade MPs, where better to get insider knowledge than direct from an MP? And David Davis isn’t just any MP – he’s a prominent Conservative and a former minister. [2] He’s been on the receiving end of many 38 Degrees campaigns before. He'll be able to tell us what works and how to best respond to government spin.

David Cameron claims his new plans to invade our privacy will make us safer. But really this is about Big Brother powers to spy on all of us, not just serious criminals. It’s the difference between treating all of us as citizens, and treating us as suspects. [3]

38 Degrees members know better than anyone that the internet can be a force for good. It would be a disaster if the government got more powers to spy on it. So let's come together on the internet next week and prepare to stand up for our privacy online.

Click here to reserve your place and get instructions on how to join:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/David-Davis-live-briefing

Thanks for being involved,

Marie, David, Becky, Hannah, James, Cian, Belinda and the 38 Degrees team

PS: 38 Degrees members and David Davis MP probably wouldn't agree about absolutely everything. But 38 Degrees works with politicians of any stripe or party where they agree with our campaign aims. On the question of internet privacy, David Davis is on our side – so please join in next Tuesday and hear what he has to say: https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/David-Davis-live-briefing

NOTES
[1] Draft Communications Bill paper issued by government:
http://www.dehavilland.co.uk/PoliticalUploads/Draft_Communications_Data_Bill.pdf

Telegraph: Queen's Speech 'Surveillance of the entire nation'
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/9255201/Queens-Speech-Surveillance-of-the-entire-nation.html

[2] Wikipedia page for David Davis MP
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Davis_%28British_politician%29

[3] Liberty briefing on the new snooping plans
http://www.liberty-human-rights.org.uk/campaigns/no-snoopers-charter/no-snoopers-charter.php

Stop Syria's death dealer

2012-06-08T12:52:00.000+01:00

Dear friends,

Today another 27 children's bodies were found massacred in Syria. India and the US can cut off the arms supply to Syria's brutal regime by threatening to boycott Syria’s main weapons supplier, Russian arms company Rosoboronexport. This financial pressure could end the massacres. Sign the petition now to stop Russia’s deadly supply to Syria!

Today another 27 children's bodies were found massacred in Syria. To stop this horror, we need to cut off the flow of arms to the regime. There is one way to do it, but it's going to take all of us working together to make it happen.

Here’s how: India and the US are key clients to Syria’s main weapons supplier -- the state-owned Russian company Rosoboronexport. If we can get the two countries to threaten to halt all deals unless the Russians stop supporting Syria's murder machine, the arms dealers could be forced to stop their Syria sales. Both the US and India want to stop the violence in Syria, but diplomacy is failing. This is their best chance -- let's give them a massive mandate to act.

The US has already persuaded the company to stop light weapons sales to Syria. Now if we can build up the pressure on India and get both countries to speak out, Rosoboronexport could be forced to cut Syria's arms supply completely. Click here to sign the urgent petition to stop dealing death to Syria and tell everyone -- our call will be delivered to both countries and Rosoboronexport at a massive arms fair in Paris in 3 days:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/us_and_india_stop_syrias_merchants_of_death/?vl

International political solutions are failing to stop the bloodshed in Syria -- just last week the world was stunned by the brutal al Houla massacre where 49 children were executed, and today there is another mass killing. Why? Assad is protected by his old friend Russia, which has blocked international action while profiting in arms sales -- Rosoboronexport is Russia's biggest arms dealer, bringing the government billions in revenue per year. President Assad is only clinging to power through military might and sowing fear. If we can convince Russia that supporting the Syrian regime is not worth it, and end arms sales to Assad, his killing arsenal will wane and his command will slip away.

India and the US make up over 50% of Russia’s arms sales, and they both want strong action on Syria. The US has led efforts to stop the violence, and a group of US Senators is right now calling on the Pentagon to cancel a massive helicopter contract with Rosoboronexport. India already voted to stop the violence in Syria at the UN Security Council. Now, experts say if there’s even a hint that the Indian government might reconsider its patronage of Rosoboronexport because of Syria, sales to the regime could end, and the Russians could ditch their support for Assad.

Rosoboronexport could be held legally responsible for war crimes for sending weapons to the Syrian regime, but due to huge profits and a sense of impunity, they continue their bloody business as usual. Diplomatic pressure is mounting on Russia right now, but it is this financial threat that could be the deciding card. We have to act now and make sure hundreds of thousands of us speak out before Rosoboronexport arrives in Paris next week. Click to call on the US and India to stop Russia’s deadly deals now and forward to everyone:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/us_and_india_stop_syrias_merchants_of_death/?vl

Over the past year, Avaaz members have supported the Syrian spring and an end to the violence -- we have broken the blackout, exposed hidden atrocities and provided critical lifelines to Syrians under siege. Today we are delivering our petition to the UN to call for more monitors. Now, let's do all we can to cut off the weapons at the source that are killing the Syrian people.

With hope and determination,

Alice, Joseph, Denis, Luca, Emma, Ricken, Stephanie, Wissam, Dalia and the entire Avaaz team

MORE INFORMATION

Isolate Syria’s Arms Suppliers (Human Rights Watch)
http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/06/03/isolate-syria-s-arms-suppliers

Russia Said To Halt Syrian Arms Supplies After U.S. Pressure (Bloomberg)
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-04-18/russia-said-to-halt-some-syrian-arms-supplies-as-fighting-ebbs.html

Houla Massacre: Russia's Tipping Point On Syria? (Reuters)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/30/houla-massacre-russias-ti_n_1556394.html

Russian Arms Shipment Reached Syria, Says Rights Group, U.S. Condemns Supplying Weapons (Reuters)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/31/russian-arms-ship-syria_n_1560097.html

Troubling Rosoboronexport Contract Examination Mandated by New NDAA Provision (Human Rights First)
http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/2012/05/29/troubling-rosoboronexport-contract-examination-mandated-by-news-ndaa-provision

Syria army stockpiling Russian arms, report says (AP)
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2012/03/19/syria-weapons-fighting.html

Eurosatory Arms Fair. Paris June 11-15.
http://www.eurosatory.com

Rosoboronexport says India remains Russia's largest strategic partner (RIA)
http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20110923/167056339.html

Russia revs up arms exports
http://english.ruvr.ru/2012_02_22/66659787/

Support the Avaaz Community!
We're entirely funded by donations and receive no money from governments or corporations. Our dedicated team ensures even the smallest contributions go a long way.

Greenspace Scotland bulletin

2012-06-07T10:41:00.000+01:00

monthly ebulletin June 2012

Welcome to the monthly ebulletin for month. You can navigate through the stories by using the shortcuts to each section in the box below.

You are receiving this because you have subscribed to get up-to-date news from greenspace scotland and the greenspace network.

Get in touch by emailing info@greenspacescotland.org.uk

We want your feedback too - do you find the ebulletin useful? Do you have any comments or suggestions about how we can make it more helpful and relevant to you?

shortcut to sections - click on headings below:

greenspace scotland

where can we grow now?

Scottish Government has funded greenspace scotland to bring together community groups who are working on food growing and local food projects to create a vision of ‘our ideal food growing community’. The project will develop a visualisation tool and support materials to help communities to visualise, plan and create their own ‘ideal’ food growing community.

The project is based on work published last year which highlighted that more and more people in Scotland want to grow their own fruit and veg but land availability is a major constraint. It will capture the ideas and knowledge of community growing groups and organisations to develop a visual map of a typical Scottish town. This will illustrate the range of different community growing models (e.g. allotments, community gardens, community orchards, edible landscapes) and match them to the different places where community growing could happen (e.g. school grounds, backgreens, work places, temporary spaces, even road side planters) with support information for each of the growing models.

We see this being used by communities to spark ideas, identify which types of growing they want to take forward, and to begin to map their own community growing vision and plans. We have already started engaging with growing groups and communities, and the next stage will involve gaining input and expertise from community growing organisations and professionals. More

community placemaking for green networks reports online

The first two reports from the green networks programme are now available on the greenspace scotland website.

In Ruchazie, a neighbourhood in the north-east of Glasgow, the focus was on how existing greenspace could be used to make better neighbourhood connections, particular attention was given to vacant and derelict land and underused spaces. More

The Westfield village report, in West Lothian, looked at how a range of open space and green network issues arising from stalled development plans could be addressed. More

For more information about these reports or to find out how our Community Placemaking Services could help you transform your local spaces and places, please contact Elaine Gibb or view our community placemaking webpages

greenspace scotland project database

project of the month: Gorbals Healthy Living Network (GHLN)

Taking part in greenspace scotland’s greenspace is good - so prove it programme, which supported community greenspace groups to adopt a Social Return on Investment (SROI) approach to one of their activities, has really paid off for the Gorbals Healthy Living Network.

The SROI analysis which was produced has helped the group demonstrate the value of their work and to evidence the changes they are able to deliver. Helen Trainor, Chairperson, stated “having a SROI report has made all the difference to us. Our organisational credibility has increased markedly and policy makers and funders take us much more seriously. The SROI report has assisted us to access new funds and exciting opportunities”

The SROI analysis has supported GHLN to develop the next elements of their growing and greenspace activities and to access resources and support for this including Awards for All and the CSGN Development Fund. Over the next year they will be engaging local residents and stakeholders via Community Placemaking to look at key greenspaces and green network issues. Initially focusing on the Laurieston area, the aim is to tackle the poor quality of the local environment, including temporary spaces - identifying short term and temporary actions.

This will provide GHLN with the knowledge and understanding of what the local community wants from its greenspaces and intelligence on what actions need to happen to deliver this. A programme of action greenspace and green network enhancements is planned around clean up and clearance, greening small spaces and routes, creating social spaces and further community food growing areas. The detail of these will be developed through the Community Placemaking exercises. Commonwealth Jobs Fund employees and a local volunteer team will support project delivery, with training and skills development opportunities provided. More

Read the GHLN SROI analysis

greenspace scotland can provide SROI services to groups and organisations. We can undertake an SROI on a consultancy basis or can offer mentoring and support. For more information contact Karen Carrick, SROI Programme Manager or view our SROI webpages

Remember - to access full details on any project, including community engagement strategies, funding information and project outcomes, you need to be a Network Member of greenspace scotland. Membership is FREE and available to any organisation delivering greenspace projects in Scotland. To find out how you can join the fast-growing network click here

network news

fruitful funding for Forth Valley orchards

Forth Environment Link has received a major funding boost with the award of £326,000 to further develop its Forth Valley Orchards’ Initiative over the next three years. The funding announced by Environment & Climate Change Minister, Stewart Stevenson, is part of a £2.2M package of funding from the Central Scotland Green Network Development Fund for projects over the next 3 years. The award will enable Forth Environment Link to take forward the next phase of the initiative until March 2015, focusing on developing the economic potential of orchards and expanding orchards in schools across the Forth Valley. More

Read about other projects receiving funding from the Central Scotland Green Network Development Fund here

Urban Roots’ new community market garden and allotment site

Urban Roots, a community led environmental organisation based on the Southside of Glasgow, has a new 1 acre growing space. The site, which will be developed solely by volunteers, will include allotment beds for local people, a market garden growing produce to sell to local fruit and veg shops and cafes, orchards, wildlife areas and a natural play area. The dedicated team of volunteers meet up each Monday and more helpers living in Glasgow are always welcome. More

funding for the Moss o’ Balloch

West Dunbartonshire Environment Trust has been working with community and other organisational partners in Balloch to transform the Moss o’ Balloch into an all year round events space for families and visitors. Chair of Balloch & Haldane Community Council, Murdoch Cameron MBE, said “the proposed environmental improvements (will) create a fantastic greenspace facility for public events and community activities”. Following an initial investment from their own funds the Trust has now received financial support from the Scottish Government, the European Community Forth Valley & Lomond LEADER 2007-2013 programme and West Dunbartonshire Council. For more information contact Alan McMullen, Environmental Regeneration Manager.

wildflower and woodlands beside the Wheel

Local people, along with volunteers from TCV, Green Routes and Enable Scotland, have helped to plant 3,500 wildflowers in a meadow next to the Falkirk Wheel in Camelon. As well as being visually pleasing, the meadow will improve species diversity and provide a variety of plants for insect pollinators. Future volunteer projects will include planting even more wildflowers in the meadow and creating a bee bank for nesting solitary bees. More

buzzing westwards

Continuing with meadow-related news, last month we reported on new wildflower meadows in Edinburgh and now a similar initiative is taking place in the west. Buglife has joined forces with Glasgow City Council to transform mown grassland in urban areas into colourful and species-rich wildflower meadows. Funded by the Landfill Communities Fund, wildflower meadows are being created in several parks including Hogganfield Park, Glasgow Green and Cranhill Park. Work will start in Linn Park and Victoria Park after July. More

scotland news

Scotland's first Strategic Development Plan approved

Scottish Ministers have approved the Glasgow & Clyde Valley Strategic Development Plan. The plan proposes a 'green network' which will ensure that green infrastructure is planned into developments to provide the environmental setting for the City region’s urban area and a link to rural areas. More

consultation on architecture and placemaking policy

The consultation identifies 4 key themes around which the policy on architecture and placemaking could contribute to the future shape of Scotland. These are: supporting sustainable economic growth; shaping Scotland’s future; embedding built environment design into wider policy agendas and ensuring public and private sector buy-in; and recognising the cultural value of architecture, urbanism and heritage. The consultation document sets out a number of questions on which the Scottish Government would welcome views. Closing date for consultation responses is 7 September. More

a walk a day keeps the doctor away

Physical inactivity contributes to nearly 2,500 deaths and costs the NHS £91 million each year in Scotland. It is the fourth leading health risk factor! The Scottish Government plans to produce a National Walking Strategy to maximise the number of people using walking as a mode of transport, to get active and to stay active. Speaking during a debate in Parliament on physical activity and obesity, Sport Minister Shona Robison said: “We know that 30 minutes of walking each day provides more protection against death than any medication.There is overwhelming evidence in relation to the health benefits that come from walking so that is why the Scottish Government will develop a National Walking Strategy. This will address infrastructure, support and communication to make sure we do everything possible to help the use walking as a mode of transport or to get active”. More

environmental indicators for community planning

The new Environmental Indicators Framework forms part of the Improvement Service’s wider work to improve the menu of local outcome indicators which are used in Community Planning Partnerships’ Single Outcome Agreements (SOAs). The framework illustrates how these indicators can be used to describe the state of the environment, the progress being made towards environmental outcomes, the activities required to support that progress and links to further guidance and related information. More

LEAP online

SCDC has launched a new software package to support participatory, outcome focused planning and evaluation - LEAP (Learning Evaluation and Planning) is a values based approach to planning and evaluating work with communities. The user friendly online version encourages users to ask critical questions about their project or programme and is designed to support joint working by allowing access to shared project plans and reports among various partners and stakeholders. A free initial trial period of three months is being offered. More

update on climate change actions

In 2007 all 32 Scottish local authorities signed up to Scotland’s Climate Change Declaration (SCCD) which committed councils to take steps to tackle climate change and to report their actions on a yearly basis. Two analyses have been produced using data extracted from these annual monitoring reports. A Mitigation Analysis, produced by Keep Scotland Beautiful (KSB) gives an overview of local authority action to reduce corporate emissions, drawing in input from The Carbon Trust, as well as a more thorough analysis of action on area-wide emissions. More An Adaptation Analysis by Adaptation Scotland focuses on local authority action on climate change adaptation for the period 2010-11. More

support for grow your own

A new website has been set up by the Grow Your Own Working Group. This brings together organisations that are involved in community growing and offers access to a range of resources. More

a silver play day

2012 is the 25th anniversary of Playday - an annual celebration of play which is traditionally held on the first Wednesday in August. The theme for this year is ‘Get Out and Play’ and Play Scotland are seeking photographs of favourite outdoor play spaces. The closing date for entries is 15 August 2012. The winning design will be used for a Play Scotland pop up stand and the winner will receive a £50 Argos voucher, memory box and a Play Scotland goodie bag. More

UK & International news

grey places need greenspaces

A report published by Groundwork highlights many reasons why we need to preserve and nurture our urban greenspaces. ‘Grey places need green spaces – the case for investing in our nation’s natural assets’ argues that the benefits of greenspace to our communities including “greater public health, better personal wellbeing and economic prospects and reduced violence and aggression” are too important to squander. Using evidence from across the greenspace sector, the report makes recommendations on how parks and greenspaces of all shapes and sizes could be preserved for future generations - ranging from national legislation to facilitating local action.

Landscape designer and broadcaster Chris Beardshaw, who wrote the foreword to the report, said: “It is as simple as making a choice – a choice to put green space high on the agenda of social investment because it is proven that where positive green spaces exist that issues such as crime and deprivation decline and our health and wellbeing increases. Everyone deserves to see the green shoots of recovery and in this case it really can be as literal as that.” More

take your park’s temperature?

Well not quite, but communities are being asked to carry out a park health check. The initiative being carried out as part of ‘Love Parks Week’ is giving communities the opportunity to consider how they feel about their local park. As David Tibetts from GreenSpace said, “We know what a ‘quality’ park looks like, but what we’re aiming to achieve with our Park Health Check ‘is to evaluate quality by perception rather than definition, asking how people actually feel about their local space.” More

helping hoes save thousands

The ‘Garden Partners’ project in Wandsworth is a small scheme that finds volunteers to help older people who can no longer maintain their back garden on their own. As well as providing health and wellbeing benefits an official audit of the project - which involves just 46 older people in a single borough in south London - has concluded that it could have saved the taxpayer as much as £500,000. The report indicates that four out of five of the older people said it had helped them maintain or even improve their physical activity and 83 per cent said it had made them more mobile. The same proportion said it had helped reduce or maintain their levels of anxiety. This approach is now at the centre of a government strategy which could save the taxpayer tens of millions of pounds a year and transform the quality of life of many older people. Find out more here and here

community land advice online

A new website supporting the drive to make more land available to community gardening and growing groups is now available. The Community Land Advisory Service (CLAS) is an impartial, collaborative initiative, designed to help tackle the lack of available land for community gardening and associated activities. The website contains a range of useful documents, from FAQs about community land use, to overviews of topics such as finding land, offering land to community groups, negotiating tips and information on leases and planning. There are also links to a wealth of existing publications and websites. A small team of CLAS advisors are also available in help answer specific queries with detailed technical advice. More

campaigning for the environment

Are you speaking out and taking action on environmental issues? Then applying for a Sheila McKechnie Foundation Campaigner Award, will equip you with the right skills to become a more effective campaigner. Entry is free and all costs relating to participation in the programme will be covered by the Sheila McKechnie Foundation. More

research

Scots get active outdoors

Scottish Natural Heritage has released the latest figures tracking the proportion of Scottish adults visiting the outdoors for leisure or recreation at least once a week. The main findings show that in 2011, 46% of Scottish adults were visiting the outdoors for leisure or recreation at least once a week, a slight decrease from 2010 (2%). Walking is the most popular outdoor recreational activity among adults living in Scotland - it was the main activity on 74% of visits to the outdoors in 2011. Family outings, the main activity on 9% of visits, were next in terms of popularity. This was followed by cycling and mountain biking, the main activity on 4% of visits. Total expenditure on visits to the outdoors in 2011 was estimated to be around £2.7 billion. More

young people enjoy time out in greenspace

Young Scot has teamed up with SNH to launch ‘Simple Pleasures’, a campaign aimed at inspiring more young people to enjoy Scotland’s outdoors by making more use of green places in the middle of cities, woodland, waterways and paths. The campaign has been adapted for young people, after research highlighted that more than 93% of 11-17 year olds in Scotland enjoy spending their free time outdoors, with 69% stating they would like to spend more time outdoors. This summer, Young Scot will be travelling across the country to gather young people’s experiences on the different greenspaces which they enjoy in their local area. These findings will be showcased nationally, to inspire more young people to take some time out and connect with nature. More

ease of access to the outdoors lengthens lives

The Inclusive Design for Getting Outdoors consortium (I'DGO) which involves scientists from the universities of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt, Salford and Warwick have explored the wellbeing of people aged over 65 and their ability to go out and about and have discovered a direct link between the ease of getting outdoors and health and quality of life. The study, involving 4,350 older people across the UK, found that good walkable access to local shops, services and greenspaces doubled the chances of an older person achieving the minimum recommended amount of walking - 2.5 hours each week. "One of the interesting things from my point of view is how strongly the importance of the natural environment came out in that study," said Prof Ward Thompson, who led the research, “If you lived within 10 minutes of a park, then you were twice as likely to achieve the recommended minimum amount of physical activity." More

vacant spaces are safer green

Greening of vacant urban land may affect the health and safety of nearby residents, according to a recent study. The study by the University of Pennsylvania found in a decade-long comparison of vacant lots and improved vacant lots, that greening was linked to significant reductions in gun assaults across most of Philadelphia and significant reductions in vandalism in one section of the city. Vacant lot greening was also associated with residents in certain sections of the city reporting significantly less stress and more exercise. Dr.Charles Branas stated “Improving the places where people live, work and play, holds great promise for changing health and safety. Greening vacant lots is a low-cost, high-value approach, which may prevent certain crimes and encourage healthy activity for more people and for longer periods of time than many other approaches.”

climate changes at a click

The European Environment Agency (EEA) have added a series of interactive maps to the new Climate-ADAPT website which shows projected changes in temperature and precipitation across Europe for 2021-2050 and 2071-2100. Drawing on regional climate projections, the maps graphically demonstrate how average temperatures in Europe will continue to rise and that summers will be drier and winters wetter. New interactive temperature and precipitation maps, produced by the EU-funded ENSEMBLES project, can now be found alongside a series of other maps of future climate change impacts, vulnerability and risks. This includes maps on water stress, flood risks, agriculture and forests. More

urban areas at risk

Over three quarters of Europe’s population live in cities and are particularly likely to feel the effects of climate change. A new European Environment Agency report, ‘Urban adaptation to climate change in Europe’, is the first Europe-wide assessment of urban vulnerability to climate change. Due to higher levels of artificial surfaces and lower levels of vegetation, the report’s authors argue that urban areas experience higher temperatures than rural areas, creating ‘urban heat islands’ that exacerbate the effects of heat waves. The report stresses that for urban adaptation action to be effective policy-makers at local, national and European level will need to work together to create the right conditions and frameworks. More

warning – city living can damage your health

And if the threat from climate change was not enough... Finnish scientists say certain bacteria, shown to be beneficial for human health, are found in greater abundance in non-urban surroundings. A lack of exposure to a "natural environment" could be resulting in more urban dwellers developing allergies and asthma. It is now scientifically proven - healthy bacteria can be found not only in a certain yoghurt drink but also in the countryside. More

trees ‘significantly improve’ air quality in cities

The Woodland Trust, in collaboration with Lancaster and Birmingham Universities, has produced an ‘Urban air quality’ report which examines how urban greening can be tailored to achieve air quality goals while creating health and social benefits. The study looked at existing research and found the overall benefits of trees to air quality respiratory health are ‘overwhelmingly positive’. A single tree near polluted areas will scrub air of pollutants by as much as 15-20% More

forestry evidence reviews

Three new reviews commissioned from Forest Research have assessed the published evidence in relation to: public access to woodlands and forests; community forest governance and ownership; and international comparisons of forest policy. The reports, which have a particular focus on the state of knowledge about the effectiveness of interventions, are now available on the Independent Forestry Panel's website. More

funding

Heritage Lottery Fund

Parks for People offers grants for projects that regenerate public parks of national, regional or local heritage value. Funding is available for grants of between £250,000 and £5 million. Some of the funds for projects must come from other sources, either as cash or non-cash contributions. Closing date for applications is 31 August. More

All Our Stories

There’s still time to submit a bid to this HLF small grant programme designed to help local communities answer questions about their past. Application deadline is 31 July 2012 and applicants will be informed in October 2012. More

People's Postcode Trust

The People’s Postcode Trust has announced that it will re-open for applications on 9 July 2012. Grants are offered of between £500 and £10,000 to small organisations and community groups for projects lasting up to 3 months in areas including environmental protection. The deadline for all applications is 5pm on the 24 August 2012. More

Scottish Natural Heritage on-line grants web portal

SNH community grants are now available for application. They are focussed on getting more people and communities involved in outdoor recreation, volunteering and outdoor learning; action to improve, protect and manage habitats, species and landscapes; and citizen science and biological recording. More

Explore Fund -children's outdoor recreational activities

The Outdoor clothing company North Face"has announced the launch of a new funding round of its Explore Fund. The Explore Fund supports not for profit organisations that encourage youth outdoor participation. Grants are available for projects that encourage community involvement; focus on breaking down barriers to getting youth outdoors; and projects that reach out to a specific community or place of interest. The closing date for applications is the 2 July 2012. More

Sita Trust's Enhancing Communities Programme - Core Fund

Grants of up to £60,000 are available to not for profit organisations, community groups, parish councils, local authorities and charities for projects that make physical improvements to community facilities and historic buildings / structures. SITA will accept applications from projects which are within 3 miles of qualifying SITA UK waste processing sites. The closing date for applications 23 July 2012. More

Comic Relief Local Communities Grants

Up to £10,000 for projects that empower local people, enabling them to create lasting change in their communities. Projects should be run by people directly affected by the issues they are dealing with and priority will be given to small, locally based groups or organisations in areas of disadvantage that have a clear understanding of the needs of their community. Next date for panel sitting is 26 June. More

Community Spaces Programme – Big Lottery Fund

The Community Spaces Programme will re-open for applications in June 2012. Through the programme, grants of between £10,000 and £250,000 are available to communities in Scotland to improve the appearance, functionality, accessibility, effectiveness and sustainability of local spaces and places this can include: Developing and improving local parks, community paths, gardens; play parks, allotments, community centres and village halls. More

Cycle Friendly & Sustainable Communities Fund

The Cycle Friendly and Sustainable Communities Fund (CFSCF) is now open for applications from individual community-led projects, aiming to increase the number of trips made by bicycle. Grants of up to £6,000 are available for projects that can demonstrate a shift to trips by bicycle and a reduction in carbon emissions. The deadline for applications is the 25 June 2012. More

Commonwealth Games Legacy Fund

The Scottish Government has announced a £10 million capital projects fund to encourage participation in grassroots sport. Awards of up to £250,000 are available to construct new facilities or improve existing playing fields, changing rooms or sports centres. The awards will spread over the next 3 years, culminating in 2014. The Fund will be administered by SportsScotland. More

Grab A Grant - CSV Action Earth 2012

If you are planning an environmental activity using volunteers or think you can come up with a good project that improves your local area, then you could be eligible for a CSV Action Earth grant. The CSV Action Earth campaign is running from May to November, supported by SNH and offers grants up to £500 to cover plants, materials, tools and expenses. More

jobs

Schools’ Project Officer for Forth Valley Orchards Initiative

Forth Environment Link are seeking an individual to expand the number of school orchards through the Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) and develop a network of existing and new school orchard groups to link them to the wider orchard network across the CSGN area. A background in environmental education, practical orchard establishment and management, and excellent communication skills are essential. Salary £21,500 - 22,500 pro rata, 14 hours a week until 31 March 2013. There may be a possibility of continuing the post until March 2015, subject to funding. Closing date 17 June. More

contracts and tenders

visitor survey for community greenspace

Perth and Kinross Council are inviting tenders for a visitor survey to take place between July and October 2012. Closing date is 22 June 2012 at 12 noon. Further details are available on the Procurement Scotland website or by calling Jeremy Evans, Senior Countryside Ranger on 01738 475 000.

events and training

8 June - Theatre at Brediland Allotments, Foxbar

Nutshell Theatre is offering a unique ‘site-specific’ theatre experience. ‘Allotment’ is a dark comedy which follows the complex and quirky relationship between sisters Dora and Maddy as they live out the seasons on their allotment, playing out their rivalries among the plants. Homemade scones, jam and tea are included in the ticket price. More

9 June - Youth Green Charter Edinburgh

A one day intensive workshop by Roars not Whispers for young people aged 16 to 26 interested in climate change and the environment. More

12 June – CSGN Forum: How green networks make our towns and cities liveable

This second annual Forum for the CSGN looks at the health and vitality of our major towns and cities and draws inspiration from green infrastructure projects in London, New York and closer to home. More

14 June – Talk Action – Engaging Communities on Climate Change

This course will teach you the skills and information needed to develop long-term engagement of civil society organisations, groups and individuals in work on climate change and low-carbon living. More

14-15 June - SROI Network – SROI Practitioner Training

This two day course is essential for individuals seeking to become accredited practitioners. It is also useful for individuals considering doing an SROI. More

16 June - Scottish Orchards Gathering, Edinburgh Botanic Gardens

The theme of the day will be to look at how fruit growing is developing across different parts of Scotland at local and regional levels – and to identify opportunities to work together and share ideas, skills and knowhow. Book at eventbrite or enquiries to John

16 June - Scottish Allotments and Gardens Society Annual Conference, Dunblane

27 June - Network Event at Shettlestone Community Growing Project

This networking event is for anyone interested in/involved with therapeutic or community gardens, or greenspaces used to improve health, well-being or for community benefit. More

27 June - Integrated Habitat Networks, Stirling

Scottish Natural Heritage is hosting two information sessions on Habitat Networks in the Central Scotland Green Network area. Aimed at environmental practitioners within the private sector and third sector environmental organisations. To book please email - there is no charge however places are limited.

SNH Sharing Good Practice programme of events

Sessions covering a wide range of topics can be viewed on the SNH website. More

Environmental and Community Leaders Training Programme 2012

A multi-partner and diverse programme of ‘green’ learning which reflects the huge range of activity present in environmental volunteering in Scotland. Download the 2012 training programme brochure here

21-29 July - Love Parks Week

30 August - Grounds for Learning Glasgow tour

Find out how three primary schools in and around Glasgow are providing some of the most interesting school-based play experiences in Scotland. More

greenspace scotland - transforming urban spaces into people places
http://www.greenspacescotland.org.uk/
greenspace scotland is a registered Scottish Charity (No. SC034078) and a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in Scotland (No. 236105).
greenspace scotland provides this ebulletin as a rapid information service for organisations and individuals with an interest in greenspace. Whilst every care is taken to ensure that the information included is correct, greenspace scotland cannot accept liability for any omissions or inaccuracies and does not take responsibility for the quality of any services or products mentioned nor for the content of any external websites

This fruitful land is your land

2012-06-07T10:21:00.002+01:00

Dear all

I have put a petition to the Scottish Parliament - asking for the Scottish Government to consider allowing people to use underused land for fruitful
food growing. This is before the Scottish Parliament petitions committee on
12th June. The petition is at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/S4_PublicPetitionsCommittee/Petitions/PE1433_Final_Version_22.5.12.pdf

(unfortunately their petition software doesn't work! - so I've had to set up
a separate petition that people can actually sign)

I'm hoping to get 1000 signatures to present on the 12th June - so please do
this now. Please encourage people to sign the e-petition below - and pass it on.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/land-for-landless-scots-for-grow-your-own

All best

John

John Hancox
Tel 0778 606 3918

BBC

2012-06-07T10:03:00.000+01:00

Over the next few days, the BBC Board of Trustees could be deciding who to appoint as the next Director General - one of broadcasting's most important jobs.

The media have already begun to take bets on who the successful candidate will be, whilst outspoken politicians have already started point scoring by suggesting the job should go to a candidate who is party political. [1]

Lord Patten and the rest of the BBC Trustees have the final say on who gets the job. Let's show them we won't stand for political game-playing when it comes to such an important choice.

38 Degrees members have said that one of the most valuable things about the BBC is its independence. Together we can show Lord Patten that we'd like him to keep it that way.

Please add your name to the letter to Lord Patten now:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/protect-bbc-independence

The BBC is famous all over the world. People rely on its news reporting. Its programmes are enjoyed in countries thousands of miles away from the UK. The new Director General will be in charge of it all. It's vital the right person ends up in the job - and that means someone who understands that the BBC's independence must never be compromised.

We know that 38 Degrees members can influence the BBC's decisions. Two years ago we helped save 6Music by convincing bosses to drop their plans to close the station. And BBC bosses must be glad we saved the station now - 6Music just won "UK Radio Station of the Year" at this year's Sony Awards.

Lord Patten knows that the BBC Trustees must protect the BBC from political interference. But he doesn't know how many of us want him to make sure that's a top priority when the new Director General is chosen.

Write to Lord Patten now:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/protect-bbc-independence

Thanks for being involved,

Hannah, Belinda, Marie, Cian, David T, Becky, James, David and the 38 Degrees team

PS: The BBC Board of Trustees are going to be interviewing candidates soon, so there isn't much time to let them know how important this decision is. Please write to Lord Patten now:

NOTES
[1] Boris Johnson's article about choosing the next BBC Director General:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/borisjohnson/9263772/The-statist-defeatist-and-biased-BBC-is-on-the-wrong-wavelength.html

International Level Crossing Awareness Day

2012-06-07T09:16:00.000+01:00

The International Level Crossing Awareness Day is a joint commitment continuing from the success of the first European Level Crossing Awareness Day held on 25th June 2009 in 28 countries raising public awareness on the dangers of misbehaviour at level crossings.
Level crossing accidents account for only 1.2% of road deaths but 29% of all rail fatalities based on European statistics. Road and rail organisations from participating countries acknowledged their shared responsibility to deal with this issue by organising safety events to develop public awareness and safe behaviour at and around level crossings

Trackoff

Trackoff is Britain’s rail industry initiative to help educate children and teenagers about safe conduct on the railway.
Millions of young people live close to a railway line or use the railway to travel to school, to visit friends or to go on holiday.
Some are drawn to play on the railway; some feel like messing about.
All need to understand the dangers and consequences of playing on or misbehaving on the railway.

Latest Teaching Resource (free download)

Level crossing safety
View Pack

Other Teacher Packs (free download)

A good journey
View Pack Trespass & vandalism

View Pack Graffiti

View Pack

Free Teaching Resources (free downloads)

Download classroom activities, assembly ideas, lesson plans and other teaching resources. The resources have been validated by a panel of teachers and education consultants for National and Scottish Curriculum. Read more...

Trackoff Shop

A selection of resources, such as leaflets and booklets, is available for purchasing at the Trackoff Shop. Read more...

Where Are the Dangers?

Learn about the risks and consequences of playing on the railway. Read more...

Exciting news -- 40,000 Avaaz campaigners?!

2012-06-05T00:21:00.000+01:00

Dear friends,

Think of a petition you'd like to start on any issue – it takes just a few minutes to create your own campaign! If your petition takes off, it may become an Avaaz campaign – either to members in your area, or even to the whole world.

Today is a big day for Avaaz. If you join in, we might just move from having a small team of 40 campaigners to having 40,000!!

When I started Avaaz, it was just a crazy idea. But I loved the idea, and shared it, and now it's an idea that 14,500,000 people share! I've been blown away by the passion, creativity, smarts and commitment of everyone in this community. Every day Avaaz members send in brilliant and important ideas for new campaigns to create the world we all want – more than our small staff could ever carry out alone.

So, to unlock all the incredible potential of our community to change the world, we've developed our website tools to allow any Avaazer to instantly start their *own* online petitions, tell friends, and win campaigns.

The site just went live – will you give it a try? Think of a petition you'd like to start on any issue – something impacting your local community, some bad behaviour by a distant corporation, or a global cause that you think other Avaaz members would care about. If your petition takes off, it may become an Avaaz campaign – either to members in your area, or even to the whole world! Click here to get started – it takes just a few minutes to create your own campaign!

http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/start_a_petition/?vl

I'm so excited about this. In just five years, Avaaz has run an incredible number of hard-hitting campaigns and grown to be the largest-ever global movement for change, all with just a tiny staff – imagine what's possible with all of us starting and winning amazing campaigns! I can't wait.

With much respect and hope,

Ricken

Almost to a million - add your name

2012-06-05T00:19:00.001+01:00

Dear Friend,

As the Rio+20 Earth Summit draws near, Earth Day Network has joined a diverse coalition calling for an end to fossil fuel subsidies. Our combined global petition now has over 990,000 signatures!

Help us reach a million this week! Sign the petition here: www.earthday.org/rio.

Last year alone, governments gave over $500 billion to some of the richest corporations on the planet to promote fossil fuel extraction and use.

We need to send a strong message to world leaders gathered in Rio: Fossil fuel subsidies drive climate change, drain public resources, and make it virtually impossible for clean energy sources to compete in the market. If we’re going to jumpstart the green economy and chart a course to a sustainable future, they must end.

Once you sign the petition asking leaders at Rio+20 to create a plan to phase out fossil fuel subsidies around the world, please share it with friends:

Events at New Lanark World Heritage Site Summer 2012

2012-06-01T22:50:00.000+01:00

Co-operative Carnival
Saturday 16th June, 11am - 4pm
To celebrate International Year of Co-operatives your Co-op membership team is organising an event at New Lanark. We hope you can join us at the Co-op Carnival, which is open to all. There are lots of exciting things planned - cookery demonstrations with the 'Savour The Flavour' Fair Trade kitchen, live music by The Co-op Brass Band, Co-op film screenings, children's games and activities.

Father's Day Fun!
Sunday 17th June, 12 - 4pm
Free entry to New Lanark Visitor Centre for dads with every full paying child! Kids' craft and colouring activities will be available in the Visitor Centre.

Midsummer on the Roof Garden
Sunday 17th June, 5pm - 8pm
Join us for this special evening event on Scotland's largest roof garden and enjoy seeing the garden in bloom. You'll enjoy live musical entertainment, discover the surface of the sun solar-gazing, be amazed by our magician, enjoy a talk by the Scottish Wildlife Trust and visit the plant stall. Admission is only £5 per adult (£2.50 per child) and includes a glass of wine / soft drink. Event is run as part of Scotland's Gardens Scheme programme.

Book Launch - 'Robert Owen and his Legacy'
Sunday 24th June, 3pm
Join us in the River Room at New Lanark Visitor Centre for the launch of this new book 'Robert Owen and his Legacy', which consists of twelve essays from leading scholars and researchers on various aspects of the life, work and legacy of Robert Owen. This will be a unique opportunity to meet the contributors and ask some of the questions about Robert Owen - a controversial figure - you've always wanted answered. Plus you'll have the opportunity to purchase a signed copy of the book!

CD & Record Fair
Sunday 8th July, 11am - 5pm
The CD & Record Fair is the ideal opportunity to browse through a wide selection of music and add to your collection. Free entry to the Fair.

Victorian Fair
Sunday 2nd September, 12am - 5pm
This huge annual street fair offers a wide variety of live entertainment including music, singing, and dancing, plus face-painting and fun activities for kids. There's also a wide range of craft and gift stalls. It's a fantastic family day out and great value too - only £5 per car parking fee with funds raised going to support a local charity.

I cannot watch another child killed in Syria

2012-05-31T23:08:00.000+01:00

Dear friends,

This picture shows the bloodied bodies of dozens of innocent children, brutally murdered by the Syrian regime. As a parent, these images are almost unbearable, but I know we must not look away -- and that we can help end this slaughter. Our governments are deciding what to do right now. But they will settle for hand wringing diplomacy unless we demand firm action. Sign the urgent petition to send in thousands of UN monitors to protect the Syrian people in every region now:

The pictures from Al Houla, Syria, last Friday are almost too brutal to look at. I have a 5 year old daughter and I know it's only luck of birth that separates her from this horror. But my shock led me to write this today as I know there is something we can all do together to stop this.

Dozens of children lie covered with blood, their faces show the fear they felt before death, and their innocent lifeless bodies reveal an unspeakable massacre. These children were slaughtered by men under strict orders to sow terror. Yet all the diplomats have come up with so far is a few UN monitors 'observing' the violence. Now, governments across the world are expelling Syrian ambassadors, but unless we demand strong action on the ground, they will settle for these diplomatic half-measures.

The UN is discussing what to do right now. If there were a large international presence across Syria with a mandate to protect civilians, we could prevent the worst massacres while leaders engage in political efforts to resolve the conflict. I cannot see more images like these without shouting from the rooftops. But to stop the violence, it is going to take all of us, with one voice, demanding protection for these kids and their families. Click to call for UN action now and send this to everyone:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/syria_will_the_world_look_away_c/?vl

A child's death is tragic in any circumstance. The UN says 108 people were killed in the onslaught, 49 of them children under the age of 10, and the youngest was a 2 year old girl. 90% of the population of Al Houla has now fled their homes. As I put my daughter to bed last night, I tried to consider what the mothers and fathers and grandparents of these children feel. The sheer pain and desperation is unimaginable, but there will also be deep anger and hate for those that did this. Until all of us stop these attacks on the people of Syria, the cycle of violence will not end.

Let's not forget -- this bloodbath began over a year ago with thousands of people peacefully protesting on the streets -- calling, like their brothers and sisters across the region, for freedom and democracy. But the regime responded with brutality and violence -- murdering, torturing, abducting and laying siege to entire cities. The international community did not intervene, letting geopolitical concerns obstruct our responsibility to protect. Then, in desperation to protect their families and fight back against the repression, some took up arms. Now it is an armed conflict -- and if the world continues to do nothing it will become a full blown sectarian war that may last for generations and breed the kind of terrorist attacks we have yet to imagine in our worst nightmares.

When dozens of children are murdered in cold blood by the army and their militias -- it is time for serious action. Assad, his henchmen and his murderous army must be held to account and the people of Syria protected. Nothing the international community has done yet has pried Assad from his murderous grip on power. The few UN monitors on the ground were powerless to stop the Al Houla killings -- they only served to count the tiny bodies. But if we sent in hundreds of monitors to each of the fourteen regions of Syria, Assad's assassins would think twice.

The world looked away with Srebrenica, and with Rwanda. If all of us respond today -- we can make sure that these children's tragic deaths act as the tipping point for all of us everywhere to say NO MORE! But if we turn away, so will our leaders. Let's join voices from every corner of the earth and make it impossible for our leaders to ignore our cry. In respect for these dear children and their families, click to join the global call to demand a massive UN presence on the ground now!

http://www.avaaz.org/en/syria_will_the_world_look_away_c/?vl

The Avaaz community has stood with the people of Syria for fifteen months, denouncing the Syrian regime, calling for sanctions, supporting communities across the country with aid, and giving equipment to citizen journalists to get the word out about the violence. Let's today make the Al Houla massacre the watershed moment for change and insist that our governments no longer stand by shaking their heads and turning their backs.

With deep sadness and determination,

Alice and the whole Avaaz team

MORE INFORMATION

Annan: 'Bold steps' needed for Syria peace (Al Jazeera)
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/05/2012528104471849.html

UN envoy 'horrified' by Syria massacre, 108 dead (AP)
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gw9VNSp1tkeq-qmR22Q6QZ7j2hcg?docId=a73e47f7c8e546ab8094ad08ecacb939

Fresh violence in Syria despite Annan warning (BBC)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18260992

Exclusive dispatch: Assad blamed for massacre of the innocents (The Independent)
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/exclusive-dispatch-assad-blamed-for-massacre-of-the-innocents-7791507.html

Syrian Ambassadors expelled (The Guardian)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/may/29/syrian-ambassadors-expelled-britain-france

You can save our fish

2012-05-31T20:44:00.000+01:00

Hi there,
Have you made any new friends recently? We've been making quite few as we've been travelling around the UK, talking to small-scale, local fisherman. They've all been telling us the same story. Even though they have been fishing responsibly for generations, they are being put out of business by unfair fishing laws.
European fishing laws favour the most powerful parts of the fishing industry which have the worst environmental impact. They also shut out those fishermen who use the most sustainable fishing methods. It’s time to stand by our friends and change these laws.
An overhaul of European fishing laws only happens once every decade, and this year our fisheries minister, Richard Benyon, has the power to change them for the better. It’s time he heard from people like you and put the health of our seas first. You can make him do the right thing.
Help sustainable fishermen get a fair catch. Be a fisherman’s friend on Facebook and send this very special sea shanty petition to the fisheries minister now.
Star in your own sea shanty petition.
Not on Facebook? Not a problem! Follow the campaign and take the action on our website.
Jeremy Brown, one of the sea shanty singers is a fisherman from Port Isaac. He knows exactly why sustainable fishing is important to our communities: "You don’t want to kill off your livelihood. Many of us are carrying on where are fathers and grandfathers left off and we're now passing it on to our children. We’ve got to look after what we’ve got..."
Help us change the laws that threaten our seas, as well as fishermen like Jeremy Brown and Ben Griffin. Be a fisherman’s friend now. You might even spot a few surprises!
Send your personalised sea shanty now.
Thank you,
Hayley Baker
Greenpeace UK

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SCA Briefings

2012-05-30T20:36:00.000+01:00

On the ground	Policy talk
The sound of splash Most folk can remember where they learnt how to swim – those first wild strokes without arm bands. Perhaps that’s the reason why swimming pools stir up such passion when threatened with closure. Eleven years ago, that happened to Govanhill Baths. Since then, the community have worked tirelessly to have these famous Baths reopened under local ownership. Any day now, and with National Theatre of Scotland an unlikely partner, the sound of happy splashing will be heard once more ...read more	Cast yourself in the people’s film The Alliance is by no means alone in its ambition to ensure the debate on independence does not remain the sole preserve of politicians. The big pillars of Scotland’s civil society came together some months ago to launch their own ‘platform’ for the independence debate- The Future of Scotland. Other initiatives – of a more creative variety - are also taking shape, designed to draw out our thoughts and feelings on Scotland’s future. What about a film of the people, by the people? ...read more
We need more of this, not less There’s something life affirming about stories like North Kelvin Meadow. A local community ‘adopts’ some disused Council land that had suffered years of neglect , fly-tipping and much worse. And now, with the rubbish cleared, and heaps of tender loving care, the space has been transformed into a much cherished urban meadow. This is much more than somewhere to walk the dog or for children to play safely – this shows how shared space can really build communities. The Council begs to differ ...read more	Odd logic Our previous comments on the dire state of local democracy in Scotland struck a chord with many. There is clearly widespread dismay at the current state of affairs but few practical ideas as to the way ahead. Think tank, Reform Scotland, have had a go. It suggests that the way to tackle the most centralised system of local government in Europe is to have even fewer councils albeit with more powers than at present. Not sure about the logic of this one but at least it sparked some reaction ...read more
It’s good to share An antidote to the wholly marketised world as described by Michael Sandel may be at hand. In a certain West Yorkshire village, anyone passing by a well-tended vegetable garden is openly invited to come in and help themselves. It’s the same all over the village. The simple idea of sharing seems to be making a comeback. The grounds of the doctor’s surgery have been turned into an orchard – apple trees, no doubt. Why has this community decided to grow food to share with others? ...read more	The silent crisis Another timely contribution on the same theme comes from The Jimmy Reid Foundation. The Silent Crisis predates the recent local elections but its authors are in no doubt as to the scale of the problem. The report draws a distinction between local administration and local democracy. It concludes that local government reorganisation is unnecessary but that another layer of localised democracy is essential. It calls on Scottish Government to set up a Commission to take this proposal forward ...read more
At the 11th hour When five acres of ancient woodland near Innerleithen were put on the market by the local landowner, the local community trust became concerned that this prized amenity would fall into neglect if it became the property of an absentee owner. Their sterling efforts to rally local support at the eleventh hour for a community bid to purchase the land looked to be falling short of the offer price. That was until an anonymous benefactor stepped in ...read more	Looking to Iceland Last week, a small gathering in Edinburgh set out initial plans to work towards a national citizens’ assembly. ‘So Say Scotland’ draws its inspiration from the Icelandic people’s reaction to experiencing the trauma of the worst financial collapse in history, and the subsequent exposure of a political system as being morally bankrupt. Iceland’s National Assembly (randomly picked from the electorate) have drafted a new constitution for the country ...read more
Community gets its airbase A highly complex community buy out has finally been approved. The MoD has agreed to sell the former airbase at Machrahannish to the community for £1. As part of the deal the MoD will invest approximately £2m in infrastructural improvements but questions remain over possible land contamination and who will pay the final bill. Despite the uncertainties, the community believe this acquisition will provide a massive boost to their plans to regenerate the area ...read more	Danger of market dominance Michael Sandel is the political philosopher of the moment. The reason his world book tour is a sell- out seems to be his enviable ability to discuss complex ideas in simple terms. On the issue of the predominance of the market, he bemoans the subtle drift from being a society with a market economy to becoming a market society - where everything and anything has a buyer and a seller and a price. He argues that this is dangerous territory ...read more

Featured anchor organisation: Newlands Community Development Trust

Isolation, distance from community facilities and services, lack of employment opportunities … a familiar story in rural life? A group of committed local people formed the Newland Community Development Trust in the Scottish Borders to develop a community hub and to make a difference to the quality of life in the area

...read the full profile on our website

Stuffistan

Adidas

McDonald's: One down

Shell petrol stations closed to stop Arctic drilling

1 million to save lions

ACE News

Save Richard

Jimmy Carr?

BBC

Storm the Net to end polluter aid

KFC are talking rubbish

Stop the African hunger games

Urgent friend request from a fisherman

CROP CIRCLES, UFOs & WORLD TRANSFORMATION - presentation

David Davis

Stop Syria's death dealer

Greenspace Scotland bulletin

This fruitful land is your land

BBC

International Level Crossing Awareness Day

Trackoff

Exciting news -- 40,000 Avaaz campaigners?!

Almost to a million - add your name

Events at New Lanark World Heritage Site Summer 2012

I cannot watch another child killed in Syria

You can save our fish

SCA Briefings

On the ground

Policy talk

Featured anchor organisation: Newlands Community Development Trust