Aviation

SEEFoE is opposed to expansion of flights at Southend Airport because of the increase in carbon dioxide, toxic emissions, noise and disturbance caused by an increase in night flights.

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Nuclear power is not the answer

The Government has announced its intention to build new nuclear power stations but hasn't dealt with the question of what to do with the nuclear waste we already have, let alone the waste that would be produced by the new power stations. Greenpeace has a far more convenient solution - see the video below:

Basildon Golf Course Landfill Protest

A campaign has been started by Basildon residents over plans to use Basildon Golf Course as a landfill site under the pretense of "improving" the golf course. Phase 1 alone would result in the loss of over 90 trees, 120,000m³ of rubble being brought onto the site and 56 lorry movements a day for 16 months.

More details can be found on the Basildon Golf Course Landfill Protest website at: http://www.basildongolfcourselp.com/.

Southend Regeneration Plan

Renaissance Southend, an "Urban Regeneration Company", is currently holding a public consultation on its ominously-titled "Master Plan" for Southend. The company is costing Council Tax payers large sums of money in developing this plan, yet it has no mandate from the people of the town nor, it emerges, the support of many of our Councillors.

Liberal Democrat Councillor for Leigh, Dr Alan Crystall, says: "I am sure that most Southend Councillors are concerned about the proposals of Renaissance Southend. We could do a huge amount in a sustainable way (subsidised bus routes for example) with the money they are costing us."

It is clear from Renaissance Southend's proposals that they have not taken into consideration new Government planning policy to be introduced later this year, which emphasises the need for responsible development that addresses the causes of climate change. Therefore, South East Essex Essex Friends of the Earth has come up with an alternative Regeneration Plan for Southend, which has been sent to all Councillors in the Borough.

Climate Change Bill

Since the beginning of 2006, South East Essex Friends of the Earth has been campaigning on Climate Change as part of The Big Ask. We collected around 2000 postcards from Southend, Rayleigh, Billericay, Basildon and Burnham asking local MPs to support Early Day Motion 178 calling for a Climate Change Bill demanding annual cuts in the UK’s CO₂ emissions.

All our local MPs signed, with the exception of Angela Smith, who couldn’t because she was a junior minister. In total, 415 MPs signed and in November 2006, a Climate Change Bill was announced in the Queen’s Speech. The Government is now holding a consultation on the draft of the bill and the closing date for responses is 12^th June.

The Friends of the Earth Big Ask campaign is now working to ensure a strong and effective Climate Change Bill by taking part in the consultation. Everyone is welcome to do so and details of how can be found at http://www.seefoe.org.uk/climatebill

Key Points:

• Government target of CO₂ emissions reduction of 60% by 2050 excludes aviation and shipping
  “Not including carbon dioxide from international aviation and shipping is a bit like going on a diet but not counting the calories from chocolate.” - Martyn Williams, Friends of the Earth
• Even if the 60% included aviation and shipping, it falls way short of what is required. According to the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, we need a 90% CO₂ cut by 2050.
• The Government wants 5-year budgets for CO₂ emissions, but this is too long as it would be difficult to hold the government of the day to account as the previous 5 years might have been under a different administration. Friends of the Earth calls for annual budgets.
• It’s vital that the targets set are legally binding.