We have a new political structure in this country and a new awareness of the Climate situation from the US, where the Gulf Oil Spill is threatening the environment - but, we have also found out, the Oil industry is a big job provider, and local people often work 'in the oil' when not out fishing or running local restaurants. BP shareholders will not get any dividend this year and BP has said it will cover clean up costs...especially after Kevin Costner (of Waterworld and other film fame) has a scientist brother who has developed a machine to extract oil from water, see http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jun/16/kevin-costner-oil-spill-machines
President Obama said yesterday in an Oval Office announcement that the US should be concentrating on other fuels, electric cars, solar panels and stop giving money - $1Billion a year - for overseas oil. It is a refreshing change, especially as he used the word 'Transition' and maybe this direction is one which the US will now start to take seriously, since the President, and jobs, are behind it.
Our situation in the UK, with our new comprehensive Government, even though it sounds 'Green', isn't really. Yes, we won the No Third Runway debate, and may have stopped airport expansion UK-wide, I heard David Cameron say. But there is no re-think on Nuclear Power, which will cost £90 Billion to clean up, before we start investing in new Nuclear Stations. Plans for them are being drawn up as the previous Govrnment took away our powers to object - designating these power stations of 'National Strategic' importance - to which we were not allowed to object, either.
Then there is Trident - at a modest Greenpeace costing of £97 Billion, the LibDems made much of a promise to cancel the project - until it became clear that they actually wanted a cheaper alternative. More importantly, the Government has decided NOT to include Trident in the Stratiegic Defence Review, which is going to look at MOD costs, (See the the CND website to send a direct letter)so our Trident Campaign is very important at this time. We have to be aware that the US already uses 'nuclear' bombs, in the form of Depleted Uranium, where irradiated Uranium from Nuclar power stations is used in the warhead, scattering radiation on explosion. This is a 'cheaper' alternative to Trident, and the US is hoping that these bombs will be classified as 'normal' not 'nuclear' bombs..blurring the distinction between the two.
There is a Green MP in the House of Commons, reflecting the 'Greening' of Britain, but this means we still need to keep up pressure on our own MPs to make sure they know the feelings of people in our area. Plus, if lobbying MPs is something that interests you, we are setting up a group training scheme ..please contact me for details.
A Big thanks to everyone who worked on the Airplot campaign, became a Beneficial Owner, or even visited the village of Sipson, or took part in the Big NO..it was all worth it.
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