Summer madness - from fracking to gagging, a monthly review of news, views and action from Friends of the Earth

Mike Childs

05 September 2013

What a great summer we've had. And whilst we've all been enjoying it you won't be surprised to know that Friends of the Earth didn't all decamp to the beach but have been gallantly fighting the good fight.

First up, of course, has been fracking. In the next few weeks the International Committee on Climate Change will publish its long-awaited report on the science of climate change (IPPC WG1). It is highly likely to say that - like their report five years ago -a fossil fuel intensive economy is incompatible with preventing 2 degrees of climate change (dangerous in every sense of the word). Yet the Government, and particularly George Osborne, is intent on lavishing the oil and gas industry with tax breaks and lax planning rules.  Madness! Which is why Friends of the Earth has been actively supporting the protestors at Balcombe and is committed to stopping the dash for gas.

Second, hard on the heels of promoting democracy across the middle-east the Government is trying to fast track a Gagging Bill - officially called a Lobbying Bill - which basically tries to shut-down charities campaigning in the twelve months before a general election. Anyone fancy a revolution? Swift work by Friends of the Earth - working with charities as diverse as the Royal British Legion and Women's Institute to Scope and Oxfam - will hopefully knock this mad-cap plan on the head.

Third, we are continuing to campaign to get renewable power consented. Here's a nice action for you to take to support marine renewable energy in the South West. Research by the Marine Institute at Plymouth University reports on the need for marine renewable energy in order to protect wildlife from climate change and ocean acidification and how, if did well, it could benefit fisheries and biodiversity.

Other news

We responded to news of the miracle burger grown in a lab, which broadly speaking is a long term dream when the pressing issue is to cut meat consumption now. Cutting meat is a major part of feeding billions more people according to new research by the University of Minnesota.

We've published our new position paper on population and updated our position on nuclear power following an evidence review by the Tyndall Centre at Manchester.

There's been some great new content published on our Big Ideas Change the World web pages, including a blog by Dr Nicola Dempsey on how the threat to green spaces in our cities is a social justice issue, an interview with Mark Watts from Arup on how some of the cities around the world are dealing with housing problems, and the role of the C40 Cities on driving action on climate change, and Professor Caroline Knowles tells us why we should welcome migrants into our cities.

As always you can see our latest publications and media releases.

Next month we'll have updates on the all important IPCC report and we'll be entering party conference season. And autumn, my favourite season, will be on our doorsteps.