Campaign update: Holding the government to account
by Paul Morozzo, climate campaigner
We were promised the greenest government ever - both the Tories and the Lib Dems made election promises to lead the UK to a low carbon economy.
Those promises included an Environmental Performance Standard (EPS) on new coal fired power plants, no hidden subsidies for new nuclear power stations and a green investment bank.
The Energy Bill begins its journey through Parliament in November and offers the coalition the first opportunity to start delivering on those promises. Unfortunately it looks like business as usual, with no sign of an EPS, regulation changes to smooth the way for offshore drilling, no cash for the green investment bank and further measures to facilitate new build nuclear power stations.
To help change that, Greenpeace volunteers will be out on the high street engaging people in our new campaign. Then as the Energy Bill enters parliament we plan to deliver their views to as many MPs as possible.
Get Active: If you'd like to get involved in the high street work then please contact your local network coordinator.
Free training: If you'd like to help lobby your MP, as the Energy Bill makes it way through parliament, then please sign up to attend one of our free political lobbying training courses in:
Nottingham on Saturday 16th October
Bristol on Saturday 16th October
York on Saturday 23rd October
London on Saturday 23rd October (full)
Glasgow on Saturday 30th October
Cardiff on Saturday 30th October
London on Saturday 30th October (full)
London on Saturday 20th November
London on Sunday 28th November
London on Saturday 15th January
Stop Climate Chaos: Big Climate Connection
Greenpeace will also be mobilising supporters to lobby their MPs, in advance of the Energy Bill, on the weekend of the 5th & 6th of November.
If you would like an easy introduction to lobbying, then this is a great opportunity to do so as part of a small group. Please visit the Stop Climate Chaos website and enter your postcode to join the local SCC lobby.
If you'd like to know what it's all about please download a lobby pack.
Campaign update: Stop Chevron (Texaco) deepwater drilling
by Ben Ayliffe, climate campaigner
It was only a month ago that the Esperanza took action to stop deep water drilling by Cairn Energy, despite the intervention of the Danish navy.
After resupplying in Aberdeen, we took action again to stop the drill ship Stena Carron sailing to reach sites in even deeper waters off Shetland.
Now, as I write, Greenpeace swimmers have just ended a 50 hour blockade of the drill ship in the icy waters of the Atlantic Frontier, far from land.
Get active locally: If you'd like to get involved, without necessarily immersing yourself in Atlantic waters then please contact your local network coordinator. Please help us get the Beyond Oil message out there with a bit of subvertising.
Finally if you've not already done so please write to the energy secretary Chris Huhne and tell him we need an urgent moratorium on deepwater drilling.
Skillshares and training events
If you are new to Greenpeace and would like to attend a basic campaign training event then there are events planned in:
Northampton Saturday October 23rd contact Ellie to book a place
Brighton Sunday October 24th contact Emily to book a place
If you have been active with Greenpeace for 6 months or more, and would like to attend a non violent direct action training day, then please speak to your network coordinator. The next event is planned for Oxford on Saturday November 6th.
Finally there are regional skillshares planned for Greenpeace supporters new and old, so whatever your involvement, please come along to the:
Scottish skillshare Saturday 6th November - Please email Jo for details
Southwest skillshare Saturday 13th November - Please email Malcolm for details
Northern skillshare Saturday 20th & 21st November. Please email Jo for details
Thank you for all of your hard work helping Greenpeace campaign. It's much appreciated.
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