TREES & THE LOCALISM ACT

http://wtcampaigns.wordpress.com/2011/11/21/localism-acts-up/
extract from - Localism Acts Up!
Posted on 21 November, 2011 by Kaye Brennan on the Woodland Matters blog &
https://www.facebook.com/WoodWatch#!/WoodWatch/notes


Neighbourhood Planning

"The Act introduces a right for Parish Councils and Neighbourhood Forums to draw up ‘Neighbourhood Plans’. Although the concept of a Parish Plan is nothing new, neighbourhood plans will be statutory documents and will form part of the Local Plan for an area. These can’t limit the amount of development in your neighbourhood. They can however provide guidance though on the location of development and its design and layout."
"We think neighbourhood plans are a really exciting opportunity for people to plan for more trees and woods locally, and to recognise the value of their existing trees and woodland. We are putting together some guidance to help you ensure woods and trees can play a key part in your local neighbourhood plan – watch this space…"

Victoria Bankes Price, Planning Adviser

http://wtcampaigns.wordpress.com/2011/11/21/localism-acts-up/

Love, Light & Laughter
Starlord

38 Degrees | Don't Scrap Environment Laws

38 Degrees Don't Scrap Environment Laws

My Comment added to the petition website 6th May 2011:

"I strongly support protection for wildlife and the environment. Without such rules and regulations the more mercenary, selfish, greedy, self-serving, mammon-worshipping, materialistic, uncaring, ignorant, ethically bereft, low EQ/SQ, young souls, foolish, morally deficient, weak, desireful, all these types and many more, would ruthlessly run rampant across the country and the World with little care, concern, compassion or understanding of the part the planet and all her children play in co-operation and symbiotic relation, selfishly seeking instead personal profit and personal gain.

The Kingdom of Souls, the Human Kingdom itself, and our younger bothers the Animal and Plant Kingdoms all co-occupy and co-evolve upon Mother Earth ie Gaia-Sophia-Sandalphon. Humanity, the Planetary Brain-Mind, must master its emotional nature. The Animal Kingdom is almost purely emotional in nature. The nature of our relation to the Animal and Plant Kingdoms, even the Mineral Kingdom, are reflected in their bahaviour toward ourselves.

The degree of peace and harmony within ourselves is reflected outwardly in the peace and harmony displayed throughout the world, but with necessary temporal and karmic delay. We must act and wait and be patient and trust. The behaviour of these lower 3 Kingdoms is a reflection of the degree of collective mastery of our emotional nature, or rather our current lack in the absence of such protective legislation."

Love, Light & Laughter
Starlord

TIMBER!!!THE PEOPLE'S POPULAR PROTEST TOPPLES UK GOVERNMENT'S FOREST 'SELL-OFF' PLAN

----- Original Message -----

From: David Babbs - 38 Degrees

To: Starlord

Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2011 4:40 PM

Subject: Save Our Forests: we did it!

Dear Starlord,

WE'VE WON! The government has just confirmed they're totally scrapping the forest sell-off. The phoney consultation has been cancelled. The sinister legal changes to pave the way for privatisation have been dropped. We did this together. Next time someone tries to tell any of us that signing petitions or emailing our MPs doesn’t work, we’ll know exactly what to say: “People power does work. Just look at the Save Our Forests campaign”. Over half a million of us can feel very proud of what we've achieved together today.

On the 38 Degrees Facebook page, members are celebrating.

Fiona, for example, says "Fantastic news! And great for letting people see that actually there IS something they can do when they don't like what the government does, and their protest can make a difference!" Even Sky News seems to agree: "This is a great example of people power". [1]

38 Degrees members voted to start this campaign.

We knew that making forests safe for future generations was something worth fighting for. So we signed the petition, emailed our MPs, put up posters in our local woodlands, organised local events, and chipped in for a people-powered opinion poll and national newspaper ads. Local groups joined in, as did national organisations like the National Trust, Friends of the Earth, and Greenpeace, and celebrities who spoke out in the press. Together we stopped the sell-off plans. [2]

We need to keep an eye on what happens next, but we've shown that if forests are under threat, people power can come to the rescue. Right now, let's celebrate that we forced the government to back down from plans to sell up to 100% of our woodlands!

Hundreds of 38 Degrees members are celebrating now on our Facebook page and the website. You can click here to join in: http://www.facebook.com/peoplepowerchange and http://www.38degrees.org.uk/forests-we-won-blog

And if you know someone who thinks writing to MPs or signing a petition is a waste of time, maybe you should forward them this email!

Thanks for everything you did to save our forests,

David, Hannah, Johnny and the 38 Degrees team

PS - 38 Degrees isn't funded by big business, government or political parties - winning campaigns relies on thousands of us chipping in. To help keep us campaigning on the issues that matter to you, you can chip in by making a:
Direct Debit donation:http://www.38degrees.org.uk/Direct-Debit
One-off donation: http://www.38degrees.org.uk/we-saved-our-forests

PPS - Here's what other 38 Degrees members are saying on the Facebook page now:
Fiona  - "Fantastic news! And great for letting people see that actually there IS something they can do when they don't like what the gov does, and their protest can make a difference! Good work 38 Degrees getting this going."
Phil  -"Well done! Now to tackle the planned dismantling of the NHS. God knows there are major problems - this will do absolutely nothing to solve them - we aint seen nothing yet!
Julie  -"People power can work !!"
Dave  - "It's a seriously well done, pat on the back to all involved, from the 38 Degrees Team and us members to the public that got behind it. It goes to show that WE THE PEOPLE rule! Now to get the same response to the NHS campaign, the TAX dodgers and The Robin Hood TAX! And away we go! Woo-Hoo!"
Anne  - "Fantastic. This would never have happened without the power of the Internet and social networking. Let's hope the same can be achieved with the NHS."

You can join in at: http://www.facebook.com/peoplepowerchange

Notes:
[1] Forest Sell-Off http://blogs.news.sky.com/boultonandco/Post:537787ac-7aeb-4fb3-8e58-025a28254511
Sky News: "Forest Sell-Off Plans 'To Be Axed" http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Politics/Government-Is-To-Abandon-Plans-To-Sell-Off-Englands-Public-Forests-Sky-Sources-Say/Article/201102315933326?lpos=Politics_Second_UK_News_Article_Teaser_Region_2&lid=ARTICLE_15933326_Government_Is_To_Abandon_Plans_To_Sell_Off_Englands_Public_Forests,_Sky_Sources_Say
Independent: "Forest farce: Cameron to axe sell-off policy" http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/forest-farce-cameron-to-axe-selloff-policy-2217131.html

[2] Dozens of groups across the country organised Save Our Forests rallies and meetings. The campaigning also took place on a national scale, with great work by organisations like Woodland Trust, Save Our Forests, Save Our Woods, Save Britain’s Forests,Greenpeace, WWF, National Trust, Ramblers and The British Horse Society. All the groups involved are listed here: http://www.38degrees.org.uk/forests-we-won-blog

OUR FORESTS AREN'T FOR SALESave our forests: sign the petition now

http://www.38degrees.org.uk/page/s/save-our-forests#petition

The petition text:

"Save our forests - don't sell them off to the highest bidder"
Don't let private companies chop down our woodland.

Protect trees for the conservation of wildlife and the enjoyment of the public.

And also, lest we forget, for the benefit of the trees themselves!

Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2010
To: Starlord
From: David Babbs - 38 Degrees <action AT 38degrees.org.uk>
Subject: Our forests aren't for sale

Dear Starlord,

The government is getting ready for a huge sell-off of our national forests to private firms. This could mean ancient woodlands are chopped down and destroyed. Walkers and endangered animals, like red squirrels and owls, would have to make way for Center Parcs-style holiday villages, golf courses, and logging companies. [1]

We need to stop these plans. Ancient forests like the Forest of Dean and Sherwood Forest are national treasures - once they’re gone, they are lost forever. A huge petition will force the government to rethink. If we can prove how strongly thousands of us are against this, we can make them back down.

Please click here to add your name to a petition saying “save our forests”

http://www.38degrees.org.uk/save-our-forests

The government needs to get new laws through Parliament before these plans can go ahead. That means we have time to stop them. If we build a huge petition, we will prove that the public doesn’t want precious woodland to be flogged off. That will make MPs think twice about voting for it.

When we work together, we can stop the government from forcing through these kind of bad plans. They probably think that with all the focus on cuts, no-one will have time to spare to speak up for forests. 38 Degrees members know how to work on more than one issue at once. We’re already standing up for the NHS and the BBC. We’re winning our fight against the massive cow factory farm in Lincolnshire. Now let’s stand up for Britain’s ancient forests together, before it’s too late and they’re gone for good.

Please help build the pressure before it’s too late. Add your name to our “save our forests” petition:

http://www.38degrees.org.uk/save-our-forests

Thanks for being involved,
David, Hannah, Johnny and the 38 Degrees team

P.S. If we can build a big enough petition quickly enough, we can get the government to drop these plans right now. Please forward this e-mail to all your friends and family, and ask them to sign the “save our forests” petition by clicking here: http://www.38degrees.org.uk/save-our-forests

NOTES [1]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/countryside/8082756/Ministers-plan-huge-sell-off-of-Britains-forests.html
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/government-plans-huge-selloff-of-britains-forests-2115631.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/oct/24/forests-government-heritage-private-developers

------------------------

The bigger we are the more we can do. Please forward this email to your friends and ask them to get involved. 38 Degrees brings you together with over 175,000 people to take action on the issues that matter to you and bring about real change. To find out more visit our website, Facebook or Twitter. Donate: 38 Degrees doesn't accept money from government, big business, or political parties. We rely on donations from individuals to help pay for the technology, the research, the equipment and the small office we need to organise campaigns. Support our work by donating here. 38 DEGREES 2009 Registered Company No. 6642193

Love, Light & Laughter

Starlord

WHO CARES ABOUT FORESTS?

I've copied the following exactly as written from: http://www.avaaz.org/en/trees_not_tricks_uk/96.php

Dear friends around the UK,
Next week, a small group of European countries are planning to create a massive loophole that would further undermine the prospects of the upcoming global climate talks. A strong stance from the UK now could halt their plan, but only a national outcry will persuade the government to step up.
Since the Copenhagen summit, global climate negotiations have been on the brink of collapse, and a breakthrough is urgently needed. Now, Sweden, Finland and Austria are leading a push for an accounting trick that would let rich countries cut down as many trees as they wanted -- without having to report the increased climate damage.
The UK is well-placed to rally other European countries and stop this scam. But the new government hasn’t yet made up its mind on the issue. We know they want to be seen as the greenest government ever, and this is their chance to start strongly on the international climate stage. Let’s send a flood of messages to Climate Minister, Chris Huhne, urging him to be bold on climate and make forests count at next week’s meeting.  

Click below to take action:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/trees_not_tricks_uk/98.php?CLICKTF  

The negotiation over the forest loophole comes at a pivotal time. Political momentum on climate change has slowed -- while the climate crisis itself has grown worse. 2010 has been the hottest year ever on record, with a rising tide of climate-related disasters from Pakistan to Russia.

Forests are the lungs of our planet, sustaining people, animals and plants worldwide. They’re also a potential life-saver in the fight against climate change. But they’re threatened: deforestation already contributes to 20% of all global greenhouse gas emissions. We can’t let a handful of countries undermine efforts to protect them, exploiting forests to avoid taking on real action to protect our common future.

The UK can stiffen Europe’s collective resolve to tackle this issue, and inject vital new hope into the climate negotiations that will shape the world we all live on. Let’s show Mr. Huhne that people across the UK want our government to lead the way -- sign on and forward this message:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/trees_not_tricks_uk/98.php?CLICKTF

In the wake of the recession, the European Union has suffered a crisis of confidence on climate -- and faltered in its leadership. We know that Europe can lead the way on forest protection, because it’s done so before: earlier this year European citizens and leaders agreed to curb the devastating trade in illegal timber. As a major economic and political force in the EU, the UK government has a significant role to fulfill in shaping decisions.

In the sustainable future that we all seek, forests will be accorded the same respect by governments that they have always received from the world’s people. As we build a movement capable of overcoming climate change, let’s use this moment to protect the trees that have protected humankind for millennia.

With hope,

Ben, Iain, Alex, Graziela, Ben M, Mia, David and the rest of the Avaaz team.

Sources:

Cheating Countries Threaten Efforts to Save Forests: http://adoptanegotiator.org/2010/06/05/cheating-countries-threaten-efforts-to-save-forests/

Closing loopholes and bridging gaps: http://blogs.worldwatch.org/revolt/closing-loopholes-and-bridging-gaps-after-bonn

Make Forests Count explain the problems with loopholes: http://makeforestscount.org/problem.php

Love, Light & Laughter

Starlord