Climbers scale the deepwater oil rig Centenario 100 km off the coast of Mexico. © Prometeo Lucero / Greenpeace
by Louise Hutchins, climate campaigner
The government's first Energy Bill is an opportunity to set Britain on a path to a low carbon future while boosting jobs and economic recovery and upgrading the nation's cold and draughty housing stock. Instead the Bill's flagship green measure, the 'pay as you save' proposal, to insulate homes is full of holes (excuse the pun) and other parts of the Bill could give the oil industry a leg up.
Last month, Greenpeace's volunteer lobbyists joined hundreds of others across the country in 'the big climate connection' - a nationwide lobby of MPs in their constituencies organised by Stop Climate Chaos. We hear that ministers and civil servants are beginning to get the message.
The Energy Bill will likely be introduced into the House of Lords in early December before going to the House of Commons around April next year. This means we have a bigger window to lobby MPs, and 'help' the government introduce a stronger, greener Energy Bill. If you can organise a meeting with your MP before the Christmas break, this will help turn up the pressure for improvements before public party political positions become entrenched.
You're active with a Greenpeace local network:
1. If you've already booked an appointment to meet your MP, then please email getactive@uk.greenpeace.org to tell us when it is. This is important since we may be able to offer some further support, and/or a copy of the political lobbying campaign briefing.
2. If you haven't yet booked an appointment, but would like to then please contact your local Network Coordinator to discuss what's involved and then email getactive@uk.greenpeace.org to tell us when your appointment is.
You're NOT active with a Greenpeace local network:
1. If you'd like to get involved in our high street Go Beyond Oil work then please contact your local Network Coordinator and volunteer to help out at the next local campaigning event.
2. If you'd like to get involved in the political lobbying work, even if there isn't a local network nearby, you can still help Greenpeace lobby local decision makers (like your MP) by registering online here. We'll then email you an information pack and invite you to a free one day training event.
Climate March - Saturday 4th December
If you're coming to this year's climate march on Saturday 4th December then please come and meet other Greenpeace supporters at Marble Arch at 11.30am. Look out for the Greenpeace banner and/or contact Sebastian for more details. Please bring Greenpeace banners, tabards, t-shirts and Go Beyond Oil banners.
2011 - a quick look at the year ahead
It's always difficult trying to forecast the year ahead, but with still a lot of room for change this is what we may well be campaigning around in the first half of 2011.
Tuna - a project on tinned tuna to complement Channel 4's 'Fish Fight' series which will air in January. The campaign will roll out to campaign networks for work to begin from 15th January.
Climate - the Energy Bill work will continue in 2011 with our political lobbying network focussed on the passage of the Energy Bill through the House of Commons around April time.
Oil - a project involving Greenpeace offices throughout Europe will focus on the demand for oil including vehicle emissions work from March.
Oil - we'll also have a project focussed on the supply of oil focused on frontier oil exploration. Tar sands investor work and the nationwide tour of the Co-op Tarnished Earth photo exhibition www.tarnishedearth.co.uk will continue.
Oceans - another Europe-wide project focussed on the Common Fisheries Policy with output expected in the summer.
Rainbow Warrior III - after 21 years of incredible work we're replacing the Rainbow Warrior. The construction of Rainbow Warrior III is underway and Greenpeace is undertaking a massive fundraising drive globally to pay for the construction and operating costs of the new ship. We hope that our campaign networks will be able to help support this exciting project early in 2011.
So looking forward, we anticipate a really good mix of campaign projects with many opportunities for us to be actively involved through 2011.
A massive thanks for all of your hard work and support throughout 2010 - it's hugely appreciated.
-- Jo, Malcolm, Rachel, Richard and Tim
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