Swansong of our first Green MP – Caroline Lucas – Jun24
Have you ever heard Caroline Lucas, our first Green MP, speak? If not, you’ve missed out. She’s just stepped down after 14 years of representing the Brighton constituency. I recently attended her farewell speech at the Green Alliance event, “Reflections and Lessons from a Green MP,” held at the Southbank in London. It’s hard to […]
Our new Environment Minister is a disaster (Nov22)
I couldn’t believe it when I saw this video of Thérèse Coffey, the new Secretary of State for the Environment. Actually, I felt depressed that we should be represented by someone so inept. Of course, this video doesn’t just illustrate that she’s totally clueless about answering the simplest of questions relating to her new role, […]
Dale Vince trounces Nigel Farage in debate about renewables (Mar22)
If you want to understand why investing in renewables makes sense listen to this. Nigel Farage interviews Dale Vince, founder of Ecotricity, who calming and effectively explains why Nigel’s perspective is ill-informed and wrong. Some of the highlights for me are below – this is more or less what was said: Landowners getting rich NF: […]
Cop26 The Time to Act is Now (Nov21)
Al Gore was forthright. He said that at the Paris COP in 2015, the key challenge was denial. In Glasgow, the message is clear – it’s delay. The exciting thing about joining the marches with Greta was the feeling of being one of many who recognised the dire predicament the world is facing. There were […]
Why is our MP not supporting the Dorset National Park? (May21)
Why hasn’t Chris Loder, Dorset MP, talked to the Dorset National Park supporters? Chris Loder contacted our Parish meeting in Hooke saying that he had significant reservations about a Dorset National Park, but without explaining why. He appeared to be soliciting opinion but failed to give any details of the pros and cons. I’ve now […]
Peat in compost is environmental vandalism (Mar21)
That’s what Monty Don says and I agree. But it’s incredibly common. UK gardeners are responsible for destroying our ‘rainforests’. It has to stop and we can make it happen. OK, so why is this such a big deal? First and perhaps most importantly, peatlands are essential in our fight against climate change. Whilst they […]
Is the EU’s Single-Use Plastics (SUP) Directive better for the environment (Feb21)
No. I don’t think it is – at least not all of it. Mid 2021 the EU is planning to introduce the Single-Use Plastics Directive. The key objective appears to be moving business and consumers away from single-use plastics and towards re-usable solutions. On the surface of it, this sounds like a good environmental move. After all, using […]
Amsterdam declaration – Club of Rome conference (Nov09)
Club of Rome conference delegates Gorbachev looking a bit grim, arriving at Club of Rome conference Gorbachev was the most high profile speaker but others on the platform included the former Dutch Prime Minister Ruud Lubbers, a former Chilean President, as well as leading lights from the environmental world, such as Jim Hansen, Gunter […]
Gay Times – Peter Tatchell (Sep07)
One of three interviews I did for the Gay Times – Peter Tatchell. See also Paul O-Grady and Kristin Digby With piles of paper balanced precariously almost to the ceiling (it reminded me of Dr Seuss’s Cat in the Hat), Peter’s flat is not only his home but his campaign headquarters too. Animal rights, human rights, […]
Green Alliance: can politicians save us? (Jul07)
Giles Chitty and Julia Hailes at Green Alliance Debate Jul07 Matthew Taylor, the Chief Executive of The Royal Society of Arts (RSA) whispered in my ear that he didn’t suppose I would make any jokes in my presentation because women don’t make jokes! He looked a bit surprised when I said that I was starting […]