Over the last few years, Sheffield Arena had reusable cups for every event held there. Many people remember bringing back their reusable cup to the arena. Now ASM Global have taken over the arena, they have taken away reusable cups and reverted the arena back to single-use cups. This will result in hundreds of thousands of single-use plastic cups used every year. Microplastics are released into liquids in plastic cups, in addition single-use plastic is made by burning oil, a fossil fuel, which is contributing towards climate change and extreme weather, like floods, heatwaves and wildfires.  Many people loved the reusable cups at Sheffield Arena. They are a shining example of a circular economy, used, washed and reused again and again. Businesses across Sheffield must be doing their bit for the environment, to reduce single-use plastics.

This misuse of the NPPF is actually increasing costs for local councils, considering repairs and removing water after floods. In the short term, SUDs are "very expensive to implement and it’s very expensive to maintain" but in the long run they "can be and are of a great biological benefit and to a benefit of mitigating the risk of excess water runoff and pollutants into the water system." Not only that but "the other economic problem is if we’re flooding the fields and we’re using them as a runoff and we’re using them as an effective land barrier, that is affecting farmers’ ability to produce crop. So then you have a downturn, although it may be small, a downturn in GDP." The picture painted by this is that the council, due to the laxity of the NPPF, choose a high-long term cost over high short-term cost out of what appears to be laziness. There is also a social impact, as closed roads will affect people's ability to travel to and from work and to visit friends and family, causing the councils to be further "flooded" with complaints.

Raise in the water bills by at least £31 on average a year to cover the sewage spills which aren't customers fault 

Meat and dairy production is having a devastating effect on our environment, both here in the UK and globally; contributing to climate change, deforestation, water pollution and the depletion of natural resources. Moving to a plant based diet is the single most effective way that people can reduce their carbon footprint. We know that having a liveable planet now and for younger generations is important to local people. Croydon Council declared a climate emergency five years ago and we now call on elected members to show leadership in this area by showing that switching to plant based catering is easy to do and is the best option for the health and future well-being of our diverse community.

At a time of ecological and climate emergencies we need bold action, now. Research demonstrates that transitioning to a plant-based food system could free up around 75% of global agricultural land, offering incredible potential for rewilding, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity restoration. Additionally, plant-based systems can reduce food-related greenhouse gas emissions by up to 70%, making this shift one of the most effective solutions for tackling the climate crisis. By embracing plant-based solutions, we can create a healthier, greener planet while still producing enough nutritious food for everyone.  This campaign is an opportunity to drive positive change that benefits both people and the planet. Councils can lead the way by adopting plant-based food systems, reducing their environmental footprint, and setting a powerful example for others to follow. By joining this movement, we can build a sustainable future where thriving ecosystems and a stable climate are within reach. Together, we can ensure our food systems work for the benefit of all life.

The residents of Otley are trying to halt the unnecessary felling of trees in Tittybottle park in Otley. One of the trees at risk is a 180 year old Oak tree, another is a large Tulip tree.  The trees are due to be felled in order for a large crane to access the site to erect a temporary footbridge over the River Wharfe, during repair work on the old medieval bridge. This temporary bridge is due to cost in the region of £2m. (Repair work is due to cost £1m) Due consideration has not been given to these trees during the design process of this temporary bridge. With some careful design these trees could be saved, for example if the bridge was constructed in sections and fed out over the river, then the crane access would not be required. This also presents an opportunity to design a footbridge that remains accessible even in the event of a flood. The environmental impact of losing these trees, that sit on a flood plain beside the river Wharfe, would be devastating. The river bank would become less stable, the thousands of species of insects and animals living within these trees and their roots would lose their habitat, and we would lose the most effective carbon capture factories on Earth. We cannot casually accept the loss of oaks without also accepting the loss of thousands of other plants and animals that depend on them, oak declines in the UK threaten the survival of 2300 other species of plants and animals. (Mitchell RJ et al 2019, collapsing foundations: The ecology of the British oak, implications of its decline and mitigation options. Biological conservation 233:316-317.) We must stop thinking ‘It’s just one tree’ this situation is being repeated too often around the world, we are in the middle of an environmental collapse. Please sign this petition to help stop the felling of these beautiful trees.

This is so fundamental when trying to tackle climate change!  We have the technology, it would create jobs in the Green Economy, and it could help reduce the cost of our energy bills. The impact could be game changing, so it MUST be compulsory for all property developers. They have vast profits and could easily absorb the cost impact. 

The science is clear; fossil fuels are primarily responsible for accelerating climate change. Worthing is already seeing the impact of the climate crisis, including an increase in flooding, rising temperatures, drought, and rising sea levels. These extreme events will have an even greater impact on the most vulnerable in Worthing.  A new global initiative is calling for a 'Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty' [Fossil Fuel Treaty] to plan the end of fossil fuel exploration and expansion.  The Treaty complements the Paris Agreement and addresses the need for a swift and just transition from fossil fuel energy into renewable, safe energy systems for everyone.  Worthing Borough Council is taking steps to reduce carbon emissions and transition to renewable energy but their efforts will be undermined if we do not bring down carbon emissions nationally and globally. Backing the Fossil Fuel Treaty would demonstrate that the Council is committed to doing everything possible to address the climate emergency.  If you are a resident of Worthing Borough, please add your support & sign the petition.      

We are living in a Nature crisis, this last year our Insect populations have crashed . We need to do better. We need to save our nature . Raising awareness is vital to their survival 

Everyone and every creature deserves a local environment in which they can thrive. 

Medical blister packs are difficult to recycle  and millions are sent to landfill, incinerated or littered with all the negative effects resulting from single use packaging. Alternative sustainable, recyclable packaging is urgently needed.   

🤔 Ever wondered what happens to the soft plastic that you return to the supermarket for recycling? Well, we've managed to find out. 🕵️ We placed tracking devices into 40 bundles of soft plastic packaging and dropped them at front-of-store collection points at Sainsbury's and Tesco supermarkets across England. 🔥 The results of our investigation reveal that 70% of the tracked soft plastic bundles that reached a final destination is burnt, not recycled.  🚢 The rest ended up at recycling facilities that downcycle soft plastic waste into products other than packaging – the majority of which were in Türkiye. ⚠️ Environmental law NGO ClientEarth warns that there is strong evidence that soft plastic recycling claims are misleading the public. 🛒 Since 2021, major UK supermarkets, including Sainsbury's and Tesco, have been rolling out front-of-store collection points to recycle soft plastic packaging, while “Recycle with bags at large supermarkets” labels are now seen across an extensive range of soft plastic packaging. 🙅 But soft plastic packaging is acknowledged by the waste management industry and the UK Government to be incredibly challenging to recycle... 🏭 With plastic production set to triple by 2060, these schemes are a symptom of a system that is out of control.  ✊ Supermarkets are part of the problem. But they’re also part of the solution. 🗣️ Now you can help push for change. ✏️ Sign and share our petition calling for Sainsbury’s and Tesco to publicly back a 40% cut in global plastic production by 2040.