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| the directory climate change |
 Climate change is probably the most serious challenge to the planet as we start the 21st century. I am amazed that with the wealth of scientific consensus on this subject there are still governments that are not taking it the situation seriously; even worse there are those who acknowledge the problem but refuse to do anything about it. There will come a time
I'm sure when individuals, you and I, force our respective governments
to put aside our petty self-interests to do something about it. Take
it from me the tinkering around the edges that we're talking about
now, the not even doing but talking-about, will not be sufficient and
urgent action will be required. Let's hope we all come to our senses
before it's too late. For information about
alternative energy suppliers and contractors see here. |
| campaigning groups |
| Camp for Climate Action |
For ten days in August 2006 "hundreds of people gathered in the shadow of Drax coal-fired power station in Yorkshire to share knowledge and inspiration to tackle the greatest threat to life on Earth, live an example of more just and sustainable alternatives, and confront one of the UK's biggest polluters in a day of mass direct action." That's the Camp for Climate Action - more is planned for 2007 and the way I feel at the moment I might just be there. |
| Campaign Against Climate Change |
 "We believe that action currently being taken to control climate change is nowhere near sufficient to match the scale of the problem. We cannot trust governments or leave it to other people to take the necessary action - we need to take action ourselves to make sure we leave an inhabitable planet to our children and future generations. But at the moment we are not doing nearly enough to make up the lost ground in the race we are now losing against the escalating threat from climate change. We need bigger rallies, more actions, more marches and protests to galvanise both our own and the global community into taking the decisive and immediate action that is urgently required. To do that we need you." |
| Climate Outreach & Information Network |
 "COIN was formed in October 2002 to provide workshops, materials, and information on the issues and implications of climate change and to promote locally based solutions. It specialises in providing materials to support small organisations working at a local community level. In all its work COIN relies on a close relationship with partner organisations, and a thorough process of focus group and peer review, to ensure that its services address the needs and culture of the target audience." |
| Earth Hour |
 WWF-Australia and The Sydney Morning Herald are asking all of Sydney - its companies, government departments, individuals and families - to turn off their lights for just one hour. It's a simple action if everyone takes part, sending a powerful message that we care about the future of the planet. Earth Hour is the launch of a 12 month campaign to reduce Sydney's greenhouse gas emissions by 5%. This could be achieved if all businesses and households turned off unused lights and appliances on standby. |
| Friends of the Earth |
| Friends of the Earth is 
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| Greenpeace |
 The Greenpeace mission statement says -"Greenpeace is an independent non-profit global campaigning organization that uses non-violent, creative confrontation to expose global environmental problems and their causes. We research the solutions and alternatives to help provide a path for a green and peaceful future." I for one wouldn't, couldn't argue with that! |
| New Economics Foundation |
"nef is an independent think-and-do tank that inspires and demonstrates real economic well-being." "We aim to improve quality of life by promoting innovative solutions that challenge mainstream thinking on economic, environment and social issues. We work in partnership and put people and the planet first." |
| Operation Noah |
Operation Noah is the churches' climate change campaign. It enables Christians in the UK to press for international action, curb their own emissions, and get their congregations doing the same. |
| People and Planet |
There are People & Planet groups at over 55 UK universities and colleges. They are run by students and are the core of the People & Planet network. They campaign and raise awareness about the global issues that matter to them by having speakers, debates, quizzes, colourful demonstrations, boycotts, club nights and more so get involved in your local group to learn about the issues, have fun and campaign for real change. |
| Rising Tide |
 Rising Tide is a grassroots network of independent groups and individuals committed to taking action and building a movement against climate change. We do not have a formal membership structure- anyone who supports the political statement on our website can become a part of the network. Rising Tide in the UK is part of the international Rising Tide Network. |
| Stop Climate Chaos |
 Stop Climate Chaos is a coalition of a number of well known groups including Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, Oxfam and WWF to focus their climate change campaigning. Part of their manifesto
says - "Before this
decade is out, world leaders must have lived up to their duty to
prevent catastrophic climate change, via open transparent and accountable
mechanisms, processes that promote global, social and economic justice
and through the use of environmentally sustainable technologies.
We will act to ensure that they do." |
| World Development Movement |
"The World Development Movement (WDM) tackles the underlying causes of poverty. We lobby decision makers to change the policies that keep people poor. We research and promote positive alternatives. We work alongside people in the developing world who are standing up to injustice." |
| resources |
| The Carbon Neutral Company |
The Carbon Neutral Company used to be known as Future Forests. This is a tricky one, I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this. Basically they offer you the opportunity to 'off-set' your carbon production by paying to plant trees. Trees that as they grow consume certain amount of carbon. The trouble I have, is do you then just think OK, I can go off and produce as much carbon as I like because 'I'm paying for it!' Should we not encourage people to reduce their carbon production as much as possible? They have programs
for both business and individuals to offset their carbon impact.
All sorts of things from 'Carbon Neutral' flights to trees you can
buy as wedding presents and christening gifts. We bought some trees
for friends of ours who were getting married and it all turned up
ok, but the presentation was a little disappointing considering it's
designed as a wedding present. |
| Climate Care |
Climate Care describe themselves as an organisation that, "offers organisations and individuals a way to reduce their impact on global warming. It sells carbon offsets on the one hand while funding and managing projects on the other." What they do have is
a very clever program to calculate your personal or our companies environmental
impact and the quantity of CO2 you are responsible for - it's quite
scary really. |
| George Monbiot |
 Website of the British writer, campaigner and all-round good bloke. Recent books include the excellent 'Heat:
How to Stop the Planet Burning', 'The Age of Consent' and 'Captive
State: The Corporate Takeover of Britain'. |
| The Hadley Centre |
The Hadley Centre is part of the UK Meteorological Office and generally considered to be a world leading centre of climate change research. They have a number of excellent booklets, free to download, giving the up-to-date understanding of the climate change problem. |
| Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change |
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) comprise thousands of scientists from over 130 countries researching climate change. Their last report, the third, was published in 2001. The forth report will be published later in 2007. These are the definitive reports on climate change. "The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has been established by WMO and UNEP to assess scientific, technical and socio- economic information relevant for the understanding of climate change, its potential impacts and options for adaptation and mitigation. It is currently finalizing its Fourth Assessment Report "Climate Change 2007". The reports by the three Working Groups provide a comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the current state of knowledge on climate change. The Synthesis Report integrates the information around six topic areas." |
| Network for Climate Action |
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| Sinks Watch |
A group that comments on carbon off-setting schemes. If you're thinking of off-setting some of your carbon emissions check here first. They particularly focus "on tree plantation sinks projects, particularly in areas where land tenure and land use rights are in dispute." |
| The Stern Review (The Economics of Climate Change) |
 The Stern Review (published 30 October 2006) was touted as the moment 'the establishment' in the UK finally admitted that climate change was real and going to affect us all - even the wealthy. The report headed by Sir Nicholas Stern, Head of the Government Economics Service, concluded that the cost of tackling climate change now would be cheaper than not tackling it and dealing with the consequences. If you're interested you can download a copy free from the website. |
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