Category: Local Action

‘Keep it in the ground’ say East Yorkshire campaigners

Barry White

Fossil Free East Yorkshire has described plans to drill for oil and gas as ‘utter madness’ and has launched a campaign to stop proposals to exploit an estimated 189 billion cubic metres of gas and 31 million barrels of oil lying below countryside near the Yorkshire coast. Oil and gas extraction is already taking place near the village of West Newton, nine miles from the port of Hull.

Rathlin Energy, the company involved, has applied for planning permission to East Riding of Yorkshire Council, based in Beverley, to drill more wells, which opponents say will triple the size of the operation. A public consultation on the planning application is taking place and the council says that all comments received during the consultation period will be considered when preparing the report to go before planning committee.

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Tenants’ jury to tackle the climate emergency

Barry White

The Northern Housing Consortium (NHC) which includes Yorkshire Housing, has launched a Tenants’ Climate Jury to find out how tenants, social housing providers and others can work together to tackle climate change in our homes and neighbourhoods. The Jury will bring together a representative and inclusive group of social housing tenants to question invited experts, where possible reach consensus, and deliver an action plan for action for adoption.

ACE’s Treasurer, Tess McMahon, a Yorkshire Housing tenant in Settle said: “”I do hope my landlord, Yorkshire Housing, is taking dynamic steps to reduce carbon emissions. I would hate to think that my gas boiler might be causing a problem. I hope their vehicles, and those of any contractors they use, are reducing their emissions with challenging targets that are robustly checked and complied with. I very much hope that their contractor who recently came across our gardens spraying paths was using a spray that did not cause harm to the insects and hedgehogs that enjoy our gardens.”

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Call to action: organising for health for a green new deal

Barry White and Medact Leeds

Earlier this year, health workers and students in Leeds took action to stop the expansion of the Leeds Bradford Airport. The action spread and articles were posted on this web site. Medact Leeds thanks all who helped to push the government to review the decision.

The campaigning group continues to organise for health and climate justice. To start this off, we are excited to invite you to an online event on Thursday 1st of July, 7pm – 8.30pm. We will be discussing the Health for a Green New Deal campaign and developing plans for further local actions in Leeds. We look forward to seeing you there and building a thriving community of people involved in health and social care in Leeds! Many of the ideas discussed are likely to be of interest to us here.

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Getting to grips with decarbonising transport

Barry White

Decarbonising transport is an essential part of the UK’s plan to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The UK has committed to phase out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030. Transport is the largest contributor to UK greenhouse gas emissions, responsible for 24% of total emissions in 2019.

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