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Making life better for people by inspiring solutions to environmental problems

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NEW FRIENDS OF THE EARTH GROUP LAUNCHED IN ABERGAVENNY AND CRICKHOWELL

A new Friends of the Earth (FOE) group for Abergavenny and Crickhowell was launched at a public meeting in Abergavenny last Thursday. The group is now looking forward to its next meeting which will be held on Thursday, 16 March at 7.30 pm at the Hill Centre, Penypound, Abergavenny. Anyone interested in joining the group is invited to come along.

Last Thursday's meeting was addressed by Gordon James, Friends of the Earth Cymru's Head of Campaigns.

Gordon spoke about Friends of the Earth's campaigns, and about the crucial role played by FOE local groups who work both to protect and enhance the local, national and international environments.

Gordon James commented:

"Friends of the Earth campaigns at all levels - from action that people can take in their own home or town to lobbying the National Assembly, UK Parliament or international bodies. FOE has a very clear agenda which sets out positive ways forward to benefit the environment, the economy and society."

"One particular area of discussion at the meeting was how environmentally-friendly policies can protect and create jobs. The Welsh economy is in a good position to benefit from the development of clean technology and good environmental practices. Decent investment in public transport, renewable energies, organic and environmentally sensitive farming and energy efficiency would not only protect the environment but create more jobs than business as usual." [1]

Rod Walters, a local resident who organised the meeting, commented:

" I am delighted at the enthusiastic response by local people. This shows that people really do care about the quality of their environment and are prepared to work to improve it. We look forward to hearing from anyone who wants to come along and play an active part and welcome them to our next meeting."

Everybody who lives or works in the Abergavenny and Crickhowell area is invited to join the group.

Notes

[1] Friends of the Earth research has shown how environmentally friendly policies could mean more jobs in various sectors :

Transport : If £500 million were invested in the UK rail network, between 3,000 and 8,000 more jobs would be created than if the money were spent on roads.

Energy : For 100 jobs created in electricity generation from Nuclear Power, 116 are created in Coal generation, 248 from Thermal Solar and 440-460 in Wind Power. (Figures per Terawatt hour per year)

Waste : A study in New York City showed that processing one million tons of waste created 40 - 60 jobs if it was landfilled, 100 - 290 if it was incinerated, 200 - 300 if it was composted and 400 - 590 if it was recycled.

From Jenkins & McLaren, Working Future? Jobs & the Environment, Friends of the Earth, 1994.