BLOCK WEST CUMBRIA MINING'S LICENCE TO DRILL Leading Cumbrian Councillors had already reassessed their previous unanimous support for the first deep coal mine in decades in the UK and voted “No.” Through this No vote they have voiced their opposition alongside leading academics, scientists, politicians, the public and many organisations. The reasons for saying No to new licences for West Cumbria Mining are not just “compelling” as Secretary of State Kwasi Kwarteng MP has stated, they are overwhelming. There is zero need for a public inquiry at the expense of the public purse. The mine could be stopped tomorrow. All it would take is for the Coal Authority to block the developers new applications for a Licence to Drill. It is shocking that details of the new licence applications are being kept secret and from public scrutiny despite Freedom of Information requests from nuclear safety group Radiation Free Lakeland. CLIMATE AND NUCLEAR SAFETY ...OR RECKLESSNESS? A block on the developer’s new applications for a Licence to Drill would not only save the public purse the huge expense of a public inquiry it would also send a strong message to the UK and our international neighbours that the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, who are responsible for the Coal Authority, are committed to both climate and nuclear safety. While the significant climate impacts of this coal mine would be EXACTLY the same if this development had been proposed anywhere else in the UK, this coal mine is NOT JUST ANYWHERE in the UK. The mine would be largely subsea off the West Coast of Cumbria, would extend to within five miles of the WORLD"S RISKIEST NUCLEAR WASTE SITE and be directly under a massive nuclear waste dump known as the Sellafield Mud Patch. COAL MINE UNDER AN EXISTING NUCLEAR WASTE DUMP? Sellafield has been pumping eight million litres of “low level” radioactive discharges into the Irish Sea every day. It been doing that for decades and nuclear wastes (military and ‘civil’) still continue to arrive in West Cumbria. The nuclear waste discharge pipeline out to the Irish Sea is in constant use. The coal mine developers say there would be “EXPECTED SUBSIDENCE” of the Irish Sea bed. Recent reports have indicated this would most likely result in the resuspension of decades worth of Sellafield’s radioactive wastes now largely (but not completely) immobilised in the Irish Sea bed. Radioactive wastes including plutonium would be resuspended back into the water column, to ours and to neighbouring shores. The one thing not to do with a radioactive waste dump is disturb it. COAL MINE ADJACENT TO A NEW HIGH LEVEL NUCLEAR WASTE DUMP? The mine itself would be adjacent to the area being promoted as a “possible" Geological Disposal Facility for heat generating nuclear wastes under the Irish Sea. The CEO of the coal mine Mark Kirkbride has been appointed to the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management to advise government on "Delivery" of a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF). The proposed coal mine would make a void of 136 million square metres. Would this handy hole be used to dump mountains of rock spoil excavated for a GDF from neighboring rocks? What destabilising impact would this have on the neighbouring rocks? Is there a massive unresolvable conflict of interest at the heart of the forthcoming coal mine public inquiry? The final decision about the climate and nuclear dump-wrecking mine will rest with the government – the same government who have appointed the coal mine boss to position of top government nuclear dump advisor (for highly active wastes). FARCICAL PUBLIC INQUIRY? These questions (and more) should, but are not likely to be within the remit of a forthcoming public inquiry focussing on planning rather than key issues of governance and nuclear safety. PUBLIC MONEY The public have already paid out £millions for this coal mine, to be precise, £2.5 Million in Heritage Lottery Funds for the Haig Colliery Museum which was then handed over to the developers for £1. This is a coal mine that the public would keep paying for in more than money and climate impacts - the many headed hydra of both a slow burn and immediate nuclear catastrophe are overwhelming. There is no credible case for this mine either on the basis of Finance (no market ), Climate (flies in face of COP26) or arguably the most serious concern, Nuclear safety (the mine would be under decades of "low level" nuclear waste, also undermining the geology near the world's riskiest high level nuclear waste site Sellafield). BLOCK WEST CUMBRIA MINING’S LICENCE TO DRILL! DO IT NOW References BEIS Ministerial Responsibility for the Coal Authority "Ministerial responsibility 11. The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is accountable to Parliament for the activities and performance of the (Coal) Authority ... Sellafield Radioactive Discharge on the Irish Sea Bed directly beneath the coal mine plan and question of 'Who is Responsible for Safety of the Discharged Nuclear Wastes?' is subject to complaint being dealt with by the Information Commissioner https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/responsibility_for_discharged_ra Coal Authority Licences https://keepcumbriancoalinthehole.wordpress.com/2021/01/18/do-not-rubber-stamp-new-coal-authority-licenses-for-cumbria/ 6th Climate Budget https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/sixth-carbon-budget/ note the Climate Change Committee is appointed by BEIS British Geological Society Lack of Testing in West Cumbria https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/west_cumbria_mining_abstraction#incoming-1625582 Who is Responsible for Radioactive Waste on the Irish Sea Bed – Call from Nuclear Free Local Authorities https://www.nuclearpolicy.info/news/nfla-troubled-uk-communities-minister-not-calling-in-decision-deep-underground-coal-mine-west-cumbria/

This is important because trawl nets are the most destructive fishing method as they permanently wreck habitats and produce tragic amounts of bycatch. These nets often operate in kelp forests. These forests contain more CO2 than the average rainforest and therefore are crucial to maintaining the climate. They are also an important habitat for countless species of marine life. These forests are wrecked by the trawl nets which destroy the sea beds for miles. This damage is often permanent and therefore irreparable against the climate. The nets often produce bycatch as well which can harm the animals we love most, like dolphins and whales. These animals are also crucial to the food chain as they are often apex predators and prevent overpopulation by eating other large animals. Recently the UK government banned trawl nets in Sussex kelp forests which is good but not far enough. A country-wide ban could greatly help our effort towards helping the planet. The ban would only economically hurt large fishing corporations and therefore continue to allow local fishermen to do their job and even increase catch due to the increased population of fish in the ocean. Though much less prominent in the UK, trawl fishing is also linked to slavery in places like Thailand which is a clear violation of human rights. I was inspired to start this petition by the Netflix film, Seaspiracy, which explains this all in much more detail with shocking facts. This ban could help local fishermen, the climate, animals, and the world.

The Droitwich lido park including St Peter’s fields and Arboretum is a lovely asset and should be accessible to all residents and visitors regardless of the weather. This has been highlighted recently with the poor weather over the winter, the need for exercise and the lack of a variety of paths to be able to socially distance without getting muddy. At the moment there is a main path through the park but no circuitous route for people to be able to explore around the whole park area as there are in many other parks. A circular network of paths will allow better access for pushchairs or mobility scooters to access around the park. It will also encourage exercise with people having a circular route to run or walk around the park and could even host a parkrun which can bring many more visitors to the town and therefore assist local businesses.

BAN PARAQUAT – LETHAL WEEDKILLER MADE IN HUDDERSFIELD. According to the Pesticide Action Network "Paraquat is the most highly acutely toxic herbicide to be marketed over the last 60 years". It is so toxic that one sip can be lethal. It’s been banned in over 50 countries, including the UK and EU since 2007. Yet it is still produced for export at the vast Syngenta plant near the centre of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman wants to see a worldwide ban on paraquat, and is calling for Syngenta to stop making paraquat in the town. Tens of thousands of tonnes of paraquat leave the plant every year, over a third goes to America where strict licensing laws govern its storage and use, though deaths still occur. Australia and Japan are also wealthy customers. The rest goes to various developing countries where thousands of deaths – both suicidal and accidental - have been reported. Syngenta itself estimated the worldwide toll to be 2,000 deaths per year, 95% of which are suicides. In 2014 there was a leak of paraquat at the Huddersfield plant, but the serious threat to the community this represented was averted by the direction of the wind. Inhaling the substance can lead to lung damage and evidence points to Parkinson’s disease too. Syngenta was fined £200,000 and carried on production. Every April Syngenta’s loudest siren is tested on the streets near the plant. Following a real incident this siren indicates residents should go indoors immediately, extinguish all naked flames, shut all sources of ventilation, leave children at school... until the all clear is announced on Radio Leeds. This campaign seeks to address the direct serious human risks posed by continued production and use of paraquat. As well as suicides, accidental swallowing, Parkinson's and lung disease there is also CATASTROPHIC ENVIRONMENTAL HARM. As it takes up to 6 years to degrade in the soil it can have a serious impact on humans and other mammals. There is an urgent demand from farmers worldwide to reduce the effects of paraquat on agriculture. Jon Heylings, formerly a leading toxologist at Syngenta for over 20 years, warned his employers repeatedly that the levels of PP796 (vomit-inducing additive) were insufficient in paraquat-based weedkillers to trigger prompt vomiting, leading to multiple organ failure and slow death. To read or watch more about paraquat and its dangers, please select the link, copy and then paste in into your web browser or select, right click and select Go To: t.ly/08md (link to Huddersfield Examiner article - MP Barry Sheerman) t.ly/21yM (link to Greenpeace Unearthed) t.ly/jAxX (A sip can kill - Guardian article) t.ly/X7yE (Scientist tells of relief.. - Guardian article) t.ly/jEul (CH4 News - Revealed: Why UK kept exporting a deadly pesticide that kills thousands)

The River Thames does not belong to one person or a corporation, yet the Thames Path in Tower Hamlets is blocked in many parts by residential developments and industrial units. Opening up a continuous route from Tower Bridge to river Lea can serve as an excellent clean air route for cyclists and a low pollution walking option for residents and visitors. A continuous Thames Path will allow cyclists, walkers and joggers to enjoy this city’s greatest natural asset, and open a new route from east to west, free of pollution. It will create opportunities for sightseeing and café society and regenerate east London.

Rosendale Road is a major school route, home to two primary schools and several nurseries, with thousands of families travelling along it at key times. We suggest HGVs cannot drive on it between 7-10am or between 3-7pm. The second phase of the Streetscape scheme is due to go ahead in the next few months, along Rosendale Road. It is great that this will improve the street for walking and cycling. But new zebra crossings will create more opportunities for pedestrians to interact with traffic. And the cycle track will narrow the roadway for motor vehicles. We believe restricting HGVs along the route seems a logical addition to the scheme, ensuring it works better as a whole. Please sign our petition if you agree.

As we stand on the brink of climate and ecological breakdown, airports throughout the UK are trying to expand. Leeds Bradford, Bristol, Stansted, Manston, Southampton, Luton and Gatwick are pressing ahead with expansion plans. Supporters of each expansion claim that the increase in carbon emissions is small in a national context. However, the cumulative impact would be a huge increase in emissions at precisely the time we should be doing everything in our power to reduce them. Leeds Bradford Airport expansion is a test case. The local authority has approved expansion, claiming that carbon emissions from international flights is not a matter for local authorities to consider! So we have called on the Secretary of State, Robert Jenrick, to order a public inquiry so that the climate impact of expansion can be assessed in a national context. This is not just about Leeds-Bradford. Approval of this application would open the floodgates of expansion at other regional airports. The government must intervene to stop the planned expansion of regional airports if it is to meet legally binding environmental targets and avoid the worst impacts of the climate crisis. You can hear it from the experts. Over 200 Leeds Uni Academics already agree. https://www.galba.uk/post/press-release-246-uni-of-leeds-staff-and-researchers-ask-robert-jenrick-to-call-in-lba-decision Most importantly please share with your friends and family. Tell them why this matters so much to you. Thank you from GALBA - Group for Action on Leeds Bradford Airport

Huge and illegal volumes of sewage continue to blight Whitburn. 760,000 tonnes of untreated sewage were discharged into the sea at Whitburn in 2019. Sewage pollution is a contributor to climate change. Background Our sea life at Whitburn is being destroyed by Sewage; the rock pools at Whitburn beach once teemed with wildlife but are now barren. The dolphins that are sighted daily swimming near the sewage overflow are forced to make their way through a soup of sewage when discharges are taking place. The seagrass meadows in the nearby River Tyne estuary have been devastated by sewage flowing from nearby Combined Sewer Overflows. https://bit.ly/3bHG7db Seagrasses can absorb more carbon up to 40 faster than terrestrial forests and these ecosystems become sources of CO2 emissions when they are degraded or destroyed. A major driver of seagrass decline is nutrient pollution from sewage. Discharge levels of wastewater (sewage) into the North Sea at Whitburn, South Tyneside, are controlled by an environmental permit (245/1207) which was authorised by the Secretary of State after a public inquiry into the local sewage system was held in October 2001. It is a bespoke permit with strict conditions aimed at limiting the levels of sewage discharges. Despite these conditions, the sewage system at Whitburn (in a landmark ruling) was found by a court (ECJ) in 2012 to be not in compliance with the Urban Waste Water Directive. Too much sewage continues to be discharged into the environment at Whitburn without the required treatment. In 2015 a new sewer was built which directs new flows to the Whitburn system and no application was made to vary the permit to allow for these new flows. These new flows contravene the conditions of the permit 245/1207. Huge volumes of sewage are discharged during light to moderate rainfall - normal seasonal and climatic conditions. The system remains in breach of environmental law as the discharges are only allowed in 'exceptional circumstances'. The application to vary permit 245/1207 will retrospectively permit new flows to enter the system. Extra flows to the sewage system increase the volumes of sewage discharged through the Long Sea Outfall at Whitburn and so increases sewage pollution in our coastal waters. This sewage pollution harms the environment and risks the health of recreational users of the sea at the popular resorts along the North East coast. The application by Northumbrian Water Limited to vary the permit has been required by the Environment Agency to be made (5 years after the new sewer was constructed) only after a complaint was made. The application is being considered presently without any public consultation. Public consultation lets people and organisations take part in the Environment Agency's decision making. (Image is courtesy of John Short)

When cars and lorries are waiting at schools or level crossings with their engines on, also known as engine idling, studies show that it can have an adverse affect on children's health. That's why Stowmarket Eco Future Group decided to come together to ask Suffolk Country Council to take action on air pollution caused by engine idling. Every bit of carbon emission that can be saved is not only vitally important for the planet, but also for the health of our children and young people who breathe in these damaging fumes. That is why we are asking Suffolk County Council to pass a Bylaw which prohibits engine idling outside schools. With over 260 schools and colleges in Suffolk, this would make a significant difference to the health of people and the planet.

On current trends, our children will experience an unthinkable 3 to 5 degrees of global warming within 80 years! 2020 was the joint hottest year on record and the hottest six years on record have all occurred in the last six years. The UK Government’s target is to go carbon neutral by 2050. But this is too late, because the world is set to exceed the dangerous limit of 1.5°C warming by 2040, causing irreversible harm and costing millions of lives. In fact, Government advisers also say that the UK is not on track to meet its own target. We call on Bristol Council to show leadership again, by declaring support for the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill (CEE Bill). Bristol City Council was the first UK local authority to declare a Climate Emergency, and has a strategy for a carbon neutral Bristol by 2030. The CEE Bill is a game-changing vehicle for positive action. It is a draft law which has been introduced to Parliament and already has the support of over 100 MPs. The Bill would ensure that the UK Government plays its fair and proper role in limiting global warming to the 1.5°C recommended by scientists. It would include our carbon emissions from aviation, shipping and international trade, which are currently ignored! It would set up a Citizens’ Assembly, representative of the people who make up UK society, to advise on the Government’s emergency strategy. We call on our elected representatives to show climate leadership! When we get to 3,500 signatures from people who live, work or study in Bristol, our petition gets debated in Council!

A current condition of our planning, is that once construction is complete, we must block up the passing place/entrance, and build a new drive, to the west, requiring the felling of 8 mature trees, to tie into our neighbours drive. The existing passing place/entrance provides an essential passing place for motor vehicles, horses, pedestrians and cyclists, who cannot pass each other on this narrow lane. The lane is a slow bend and you cannot see oncoming traffic once you have entered the lane between the passing place/entrance to Bridge Farm, and the crossroads of Stony Lane/Dog Lane/White Cross Road. Our entrance/passing place is about halfway along this 150m stretch of blind narrow lane. Without the passing place, vehicles have to reverse up to 75m, and ones reversing eastwards, have to reverse out of a poor visibility junction onto a national speed limit road. The lane is narrow and a pram cannot pass a car, without using a passing place. The lane is on the natural village walking loop, used by many people daily. The current proposal is that this passing place must be closed up and restored to its original lane configuration. The current approved plan is to build a new driveway to the west to tie into the existing at Bridge Farm. This route will require the felling of 8 mature trees. The trees are on our home's South West corner, and will provide shade in the summer, but let light through in the winter, modulating the thermal gain, reducing the energy required to cool and heat the house. Removing them will add to the climate emergency. We accept that about 8m of mature hedgerow was removed by our predecessors, however our proposal is to plant approximately 100m of native hedgerow on our other three boundaries, more then compensating for the environmental loss. So we believe that the passing place/entrance should remain both on highway safety grounds, but also on environmental grounds

The UK uses around 37,000,000,000 (yes, 37 billion) bottles and cans each year and we only recycle 56% of these. (https://www.recyclingbins.co.uk/recycling-facts/) This leaves over 16 billion bottles and cans littering our green spaces, parks and beaches. Litter causes harm to pets, wildlife and people. We need a Deposit Return Scheme, backed by the Government, similiar to the scheme in Sweden. For example, the Swedish scheme, applies to anyone who professionally fills or imports plastic bottles or metal cans with ready-to-drink beverages. They must ensure that the containers are included in the Government approved recycling system which includes a refundable deposit for every container. This scheme has been run by a company owned by the Swedish Brewery Association, Swedish Food Retailers’ Federation and Swedish Grocery Store Association, since 1984, at no cost to the Government or Local Authorities.(https://pantamera.nu/om-oss/returpack-in-english/) It is worth noting that Sweden's overall recycle rate is 85%. In 2018, Environment Secretary Michael Gove said, “It is absolutely vital we act now.” If it was urgent then, it is even more so now. Action is now required.