• Save Orient Way Pocket Park
    In the midst of the Climate Emergency, the struggle to mitigate the Covid 19 legacy and the impending Lea Bridge Gas Works scheme, we all , humans and wildlife, need this calm, green oasis more than ever.
    1,717 of 2,000 Signatures
    Created by Save Orient Way Pocket Park Picture
  • Stop Releasing Contaminated Rainwater into the Tamar
    We are in the middle of a climate and ecological crisis which means companies must be polluting less, not polluting more. It endangers not only Plymouth but the surrounding areas [such as Saltash and Torpoint]. It is insidious and the effects could be long-lasting not only on the current generation but on future generations. In November 2008, 280 litres of radioactive liquid poured into the River Tamar after a hose burst. In 2005, refit work was temporarily suspended on HMS Victorious after two radioactive leaks in one week. All in all, at least ten serious nuclear leaks have been reported at Devonport in the last thirty years with 570 litres of radioactive liquid lost overall. Now the MOD wants to add more irradiated rainwater into the River Tamar. We must put a stop to it. Now!
    275 of 300 Signatures
    Created by Pete Golding
  • Save the Wild, Wooded & Biodiverse Areas of the Quarry Site Development in North Stamford!
    As local residents who love the outdoors and respect the importance of our rural landscape, we want our local authorities to commit to meaningful and substantial protection of existing wilderness and biodiversity. Once it's gone it won't come back! We certainly do not want tokenistic, uninspiring tamed landscapes commonly found in crammed into housing developments; insultingly labelled as ‘green spaces’ and 'country parks'. As a local resident, my family visits the quarry multiple times a week, as do my local friends. This wild, natural site is a beautiful, unspoiled place for wooded walks, mountain biking, picnics, birdwatching, sunsets, and general outdoors greenery, nature and wellbeing, away from populated areas. It clearly has high biodiversity. We frequently see a variety of butterflies, bees, dragonflies, frogs, and protected wildlife such as bats, newts and a wide range of wild birds. Further development would harm these precious, vital natural systems. We must protect them properly and give them space to thrive. My family, friends, and I are devastated at the prospect of this special place being so unfairly reduced. My daughter is the most confident little track/mountain biker at age 5, because of this perfect oasis on our doorstep. The rough, wild tracks and landscape have allowed her to become a warrior and nature-lover alike. She helps pick litter and cares very much. I seriously doubt she and her friends would have any such deep, meaningful respect for sterile, artificial environments. We have recently adopted a child too, and a huge part of what we could offer as a family when chosen, were the natural surroundings on our doorstep; opportunities to experience wild adventure daily. For us North Stamford residents, the quarry is very accessible, and it is a totally different place to parks and sites like Burghley, which are also wonderful in their own ways! The quarry site offers a wild and untamed landscape which is fantastic for instilling resilience, adventure, and respect for nature in our children. Such a wild landscape plays an important part in our responsibility to repair biodiversity. ‘Development’ and 'growth' should NOT mean paving over precious wild spaces and cramming in housing. It SHOULD mean preserving natural environments and the wholesome enrichment they offer. I am aware local authorities plan for functional, safe and pleasant surroundings. However, my petition goes beyond this. It aims for you to commit to meaningful and substantial protection of existing wilderness; certainly not tokenistic, uninspiring tamed landscapes commonly found in housing developments; insultingly labelled as ‘green spaces’ and 'country parks'. As a practicing Child and Educational Psychologist, I strongly advocate for our children's mental health and resilience flourishing with true nature and physical adventure. Mountain biking, walking, scrambling, bush craft, nature conservation, birdwatching and countryside appreciation are all wonderful things our community can do in these woods and meadows. Such a wild landscape plays an important part in our responsibility to repair biodiversity. ‘Development’ and 'growth' should NOT mean paving over precious wild spaces and cramming in housing. It SHOULD mean preserving natural environments and the wholesome enrichment they offer. We should embrace and protect our rural heart. Join me in taking a stand and having a voice, to protect and embrace our rural heart, landscape and biodiversity!
    1,318 of 2,000 Signatures
    Created by Lise Griffiths
  • The UK must match the rest of Europe and ban single-use plastic
    The government has yet to open a consultation on the issue which means a decision, or a ban could be months, or even years away. We are now in danger of falling behind the rest of Europe in implementing these very minimum of steps. Despite the welcome banning of straws, stirrers and cotton buds, in October 2020, the UK has yet to legislate for the banning of the rest of the items included under the Directive, which we know to be among the most polluting. Packaging from take-away food and drinks is a huge cause of plastic pollution and items like plastic cutlery and take-away containers are consistently in the top ten most polluting items found on beaches around the world. New research has revealed that food containers and food wrappers are amongst the four most widespread items polluting our oceans, rivers and beaches.
    118,877 of 200,000 Signatures
    Created by Jo Morley Picture
  • SAVE THE ALEXANDRA GАRDENS TREES!
    The trees under threat are 120 years old and a spectacular addition to the amenity of the Gardens, enjoyed by generations of residents and visitors. The Gardens have a recently renovated playground which attracts families from across the city. The proposed pollarding seriously disfigures the trees in perpetuity, making them unattractive and unnatural in appearance. At a time of environmental emergency, the city council should find more creative solutions to the problem of building subsidence than simply chopping back trees that have graced the neighbourhood for more than a century.
    168 of 200 Signatures
    Created by Daniel Beer
  • Stop using Glyphosate weed killer
    Research shows that herbicide use has multiple harmful effects on human and animal health, and causes environmental pollution and degradation. Glyphosate has, according to recent studies, been linked to the death of bees. It weakens their gut bacteria making them more susceptible to disease leading to a higher bee mortality rate. Bees play an essential role in our ecosystem because of their primary mission, which is pollination. This action allows plants to reproduce. Bees are among the most effective pollinating insects alongside wasps and butterflies. Globally, there are more honey bees than any other pollinating insects. They are vital to pollinate the plants that produce the food that we eat to survive. Pollination is vital to the health of the global food system. And a single bee colony can pollinate 300 million flowers in one day. If the bees go extinct, a ripple effect will be felt through the ecosystems, such as a plant die-off that will impact the entire food chain. "The absence of bees and other pollinators would wipe out coffee, apples, almonds, tomatoes, and cocoa, to name just a few of the crops that rely on pollination," Graziano da Silva, scholar and director-general of the Food and Agriculture Organization from 2012 to 2019. There have been 3 successful lawsuits against Monsanto (now owned by Bayer), which brought glyphosate-based herbicides to the market in the 1970s, and there are many more cases going to trial. Nineteen countries have already either banned or restricted the use of glyphosate, and 5 more have plans to do so imminently. Many towns and cities across the world have made the decision to go pesticide-free, using methods such as hot-foam, flame weeding, scraping, acetic acid solution and accepting a certain level of ‘weediness’.
    267 of 300 Signatures
    Created by Extinction Rebellion Winchester Picture
  • Remove the plastic grass and support biodiversity and community.
    The Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act (2006) requires all public authorities to have regard for conserving biodiversity in the exercise of their functions. Planning policies and decisions should minimise impacts on and provide net gains for biodiversity. Artificial grass holds no biodiversity net gains. Burrowing insects, such as solitary bees can’t get past the membrane, and worms beneath the soil are compromised and unreachable by consumers within each habitat community. This is likely to have a negative impact on local bird populations and other consumers, as the food source within the food chain is being reduced and/or removed. Britain’s bees are in trouble with 35 UK bee species under threat of extinction. The implications of this on human food sources, are colossal. We need to be enhancing bee’s habitats and feeding ground, not destroying it. The health of each planter ecosystem is threatened, as a plastic environment is not life sustaining. Though seemingly small, this could have far reaching, negative impact. Harrogate Borough Council’s Carbon Reduction Strategy highlights the damaging effects of climate change and refers to the UK Climate Change Act 2008, which sets the legally binding UK-wide carbon budget. The removal of living flora has removed carbon sequestration and biodiversity. The use of artificial grass provides no biodiversity benefits, furthermore its production and degradation add to carbon emissions. Though this artificial grass may be possible to recycle, the financial and environmental costs of this have not been considered. Though it may be long-lasting, the threat to human health via micro plastics washing into local drainage systems; carcinogenic substances present, and possible burn hazards in hotter temperatures, has not been considered. Key points within the HBC Carbon Reduction strategy include: ‘The council has a corporate responsibility both as a large employer and a community leader to take action to reduce emissions.’ The removal of flora, use of plastic and lack of community consultation and engagement has directly contradicted this point. Priority 4 states to ‘eliminate all single-use plastic from their premises where possible.’ The use of this plastic grass was completely avoidable. Had the council consulted with the public, many alternative options could have been explored, supporting community involvement and well-being. With much research on nature supporting emotional well-being, and considering the current lockdown and rise in mental health concerns, engaging community with outdoor, nature-based activities should be a priority for our council. We believe in community and unity. Together, we are capable of truly wonderful things. We need a council that works with the community and supports community engagement. Considering the legally binding aspects mentioned above; biodiversity net gain and carbon reduction should be a priority for our council. The natural world provides us with water to drink, air to breathe, and food to eat. Everything is linked and everything we do matters. We must protect the environment for moral and economic reasons. We need more habitats, not more plastic.
    548 of 600 Signatures
    Created by Sarah Gibbs
  • Climate Change - launch a Public Information Campaign
    Combatting climate change is not just an issue for politicians and industry. It requires changes in behaviour by everybody in their everyday lives,. Although most people will have heard of climate change and enjoyed David Attenborough's documentaries, they need to be made aware of what they need to do to contribute. Why should they eat less meat, drive an electric vehicle, replace their gas-fired heating with a heat pump etc. The government's "Together for our planet" campaign is not reaching people. We need a TV and social media campaign as was done for Covid 19. Climate change is even more of a global crisis than Covid 19 and we have the means to mitigate its impact if governments, local authorities and the people all work together.
    162 of 200 Signatures
    Created by Paul Johns
  • Stop Cancellation of Bedford Place Pedestrianisation Zone
    The Labour Councillors in Southampton originally created this safe space for pedestrians. This is a vibrant area for entertainment and shopping. The opening up of the space for outdoor use for everyone has been hugely beneficial during the pandemic. The continued use will provide some health security for the new-normal and gives safe transit for cyclists and scooter users towards the City centre; and directly promotes a greener, cleaner and safer environment for all. Please don't let this be taken away.
    1,608 of 2,000 Signatures
    Created by John Savage
  • Ask Worthing Council to back new climate & nature law
    It’s been 2 years since the UK declared a climate and environment emergency. The government says it is making progress towards reducing carbon emissions, but without more significant and sustained action from the richest countries, the world is set to exceed the Paris Agreement’s critical 1.5°C limit between 2030 and 2040. And the UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in Europe. The costs of failing to address these crises will far outstrip the investments required to prevent it. Investing now will bring many benefits in the form of good jobs, breathable cities and thriving communities. Limiting heating to 1.5°C may still be possible with ambitious action from national and sub-national authorities, civil society, the private sector and local communities.  Worthing Borough Council has declared a Climate Emergency and it is playing an important role in the UK taking action to achieve net zero. We want it to support the CEE Bill because all their efforts will not be enough unless there is new ambitious and effective national legislation. The CEE Bill (published as the “Climate and Ecology Bill”) binds the Government to develop an emergency strategy that: - requires that the UK plays its fair and proper role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions consistent with limiting global temperature increase  to 1.5 degrees C above pre-industrial temperatures; - ensures that all the UK’s consumption emissions are accounted for; - includes emissions from aviation and shipping; - protects and restores biodiverse habitats along overseas supply chains; - restores and regenerates the UK’s depleted soils, wildlife habitats and species populations to healthy and robust states, maximising their capacity to absorb CO2 and their resistance to climate heating; - sets up an independent Citizens’ Assembly, representative of the UK’s population, to engage with Parliament and Government and help develop the emergency strategy. We want the Council to resolve to: - Support the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill - Inform the local media of this decision; - Write to local MPs, asking them to support or thanking them for supporting the Bill; and - Write to the CEE Bill Alliance, the organisers of the campaign for the Bill, expressing its support ([email protected]). You can read more about the CEE Bill here: https://www.ceebill.uk
    237 of 300 Signatures
    Created by Claire Hunt
  • Install trams in Bristol, Bath & other UK cities to cut congestion, pollution and for regeneration
    Why is this important? Small and large cities throughout the UK are being choked both environmentally and economically by car traffic. The only ones that have reversed this trend are those that have installed trams - Birmingham, Croydon, Edinburgh, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Sheffield, and the Docklands Light Railway. Find out more about how buses and trams together cut congestion, pollution, emissions and revitalize cities - whereas buses on their own never have: https://tinyurl.com/54z4eeud. Bath and Bristol Area Trams Association - BABATA - website: https://bathtrams.uk/ contains well referenced research which demonstrates the truth of all our statements, and which apply to almost any crowded British City. Note: we are a friendly social group with regular meetings - please - join us as there are many small fun tasks that need doing to make this happen - could be writing a letter to the paper, or the WECA mayor, proofreading a letter or leaflet, keeping a Facebook post up to date, booking a social get together, or simply posting on social media, etc. email us on [email protected] if you want to attend our regular Thursday fun meetings up stairs in a Bath Pub. Our task is twofold: 1. to convince the West of England Combined Authority, WECA, Mayor which has the authority and ability to access the necessary capital. (And to assist other appropriate authorities in other non-tram cities) (We understand very well the bureaucracy and politics that have to be negotiated to improve all transport, not just trams in our area). Thus, we are pushing for the WECA mayor to take his ITA - Integrated Traffic Authority Powers as have e.g., Birmingham Manchester etc. which powers they have used to install their splendid tram systems. 2. To inform the inhabitants and national and local politicians of Bath, Bristol, Radstock and other areas nationally of the credible, proven reasons why trams must be reinstalled in all our cities allied with planning policies to locate all new buildings - offices and housing along tram lines; Trams in town centres (but integrated with buses for peripheral and rural areas) work because enough previous car drivers will use the tram so it is not stalled by the previous car traffic. The reasons for this are: People like the fact they are not crammed together staring at the back of someone’s head. Children etc. are not trapped next to strangers due to bench seating on a tram and can easily move around. Ultra-rapid boarding and de-boarding - through multiple large doors, not possible on buses Trams inherently are able to operate more frequently than buses for unalterable technical and economic reasons. Are ultra-reliable. Faster through traffic, in even through crowded narrow streets due to Green Wave Traffic Light Prioritization https://bathtrams.uk/green-wave-traffic-light-pre-emption-work-tram-coming-bathford-via-batheaston/ ( not generally applicable to buses). Two tram cross town trips are acceptable, due to the low wait between connections and the reliability. This means parents will trust their children to trams. Also: Overall fare costs are cheaper than buses. Have about 1/3 the lifecycle energy consumption of buses due to much lower rubber tire friction. Have zero emissions, i.e. no toxic tyre dust due to steel wheels Do not need separate segregated routes, i.e. share exact same road as cars. And: Trams can negotiate all the narrow streets and steep hills in Bath There are systems which avoid having overhead wires Bath is certainly not too small for trams - there are many cities much much smaller than Bath with trams, and we are talking about connections to Keynsham, Bristol and Radstock. https://bathtrams.uk/cities-with-small-population-tram-systems/ Bath And Bristol Area Trams Association meet every 2nd Thursday 2. Email [email protected] for details. We have 3 tram supporters lists you may wish to join: 1. for members, absolutely no spam, just one monthly mail / newsletter to advise of meetings and events. 2. Local Bath and Bristol tram supporters - lots of chat about the issues pertaining to Bath and Bristol. Can be set to every email, or periodic summary. 3. National list for technical experts, those who want technical chat, or to know about national campaigning (we work closely with the national LRTA the Light Rail Transit Association https://www.lrta.org/). Can be set to every email, or periodic summary. 4. Very infrequent about 4 times a year list. Email [email protected] advising of any lists you would like to be on.
    1,493 of 2,000 Signatures
    Created by Dave Andrews
  • Increase Pedestrian Safety on Shirley Drive
    There have been numerous collisions along Shirley Drive in recent years and it is indefensible that Brighton and Hove council refuse to install a pedestrian crossing anywhere along this road. There are four primary schools and two secondary schools close by, as well as all the foot traffic going to and from Hove Park and Hove Rec. This means there's nowhere safe to cross for a large number of school children, young families, the elderly and disabled - who all have to try and navigate a 30mph road with no crossing. The speed limit should also be reduced to 20mph to increase safety and reduce noise pollution. From the seafront up to the start of Hove Rec there are eight pedestrian crossings and a 20 mph limit. I do not understand why Shirley Drive is exempt from these safety measures when it is an extension of the same road. Please sign and help make our environment safer for the whole community.
    576 of 600 Signatures
    Created by Polly Wrenn