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No Bristol Airport expansion!Bristol Airport currently has 8.6 million passengers a year. It has made an application to North Somerset Council to expand to 12 million and has a published strategy of expanding to 20 million. By signing this petition you will be registering a formal objection to the expansion plans applied for by the airport in North Somerset Council planning application number 18/P/5118/OUT. We also call on Bristol City Council, as a major stakeholder, to debate this issue and formally oppose the application. Bristol, North Somerset and other surrounding areas have declared Climate Emergencies so they have agreed that we cannot carry on with business-as-usual. The Committee on Climate Change recently produced a report where they calculated that by 2050 aviation is going to be the largest carbon emitting sector in the UK. The expansion of Bristol Airport will mean: - up to 10,000 extra cars entering the Bristol and North Somerset region every day causing massive amounts of extra pollution in the already toxic air; -more than 623,000 tonnes of carbon entering the atmosphere at high levels where its warming impact on the atmosphere is at least doubled; -huge new car parks on the beautiful North Somerset Green Belt solely to make lots of money for the airport; -an enormous increase in night flights during the summer months and the noise and mental health consequences that this causes. The airport have claimed enormous benefits in jobs and economic growth but a devastating report by the New Economics Foundation has said that their claims have been vastly overstated because of the incorrect methods they have used to calculate their figures. As for jobs; the airport themselves state that there will be only 97 jobs in South Bristol for example and many of these will be low paid zero-hours contract jobs. This expansion must be stopped; the vast majority of the communities around the airport have formally stated their objections (as have Bath and North East Somerset), 3,600 individuals have objected on the planning website and this petition is intended to boost that number by many more. This campaign is not trying to stop families taking their annual holidays, but 70% of all flights are taken by the most wealthy 15% of the population and we must now have a cultural change around frequent flying. We are in a climate emergency and we must stop this reckless expansion!1,140 of 2,000 SignaturesCreated by Bristol Airport Action Network BAAN
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Save our Green Belt in SpelthorneGreen Belt land fulfils important functions. Its fundamental aim is to prevent urban sprawl by keeping land permanently open - and Spelthorne’s Green Belt boundaries have remained largely unchanged since WW2. Nonetheless, as part of its proposed Draft Local Plan, Spelthorne Borough Council is putting forward 15 Green Belt sites across the whole of Spelthorne for building/housing and commercial purposes (see list below). This would mean a loss of 24.8 ha of Green Belt (which is equivalent to over 46 football fields) with a risk of further erosion of our Green Belt in the future. It will result in smaller remaining Green Belt sites which will be weakened as a result and – in turn – become vulnerable to development. Even though, by law, Green Belt boundaries should only be altered where “exceptional circumstances” are fully evidenced and justified and where strictly necessary, the Council still decided to release Green Belt sites which are strongly preferred by developers and Green Belt owners as these greatly maximise profit margins. Once stripped off Green Belt status, the value of land can raise 2500 fold (250,000%) and more. The release of the Green Belt will lead to significant changes to the character of the areas where they are located and will have a significant impact on local residents as these plots of land have a biodiversity value, a visual benefit, carbon capture value and mitigate flood risks and high temperatures during heat waves – which is now more important than ever during a time of Climate Emergency when more (not fewer) green spaces and rewooded areas are required to counteract carbon emissions. The 15 Green Belt sites at risk are: 1. AS1/011 Land at former Bulldog Nurseries, London Road, Ashford (0.3 ha) 2. AS2/006 Land East of Desford Way, Ashford (3.33 ha) 3. AT1/002 Land east of Ashford Sports Club, Woodthorpe Road, Ashford (1.15 ha) 4. AT1/012 Ashford Community Centre, Woodthorpe Road, Ashford (0.47 ha) 5. HS1/002 Land at Croysdale Avenue/ Hazelwood Drive, Sunbury (1.68 ha) 6. HS1/009 Bugle Nurseries, 171 Upper Halliford Road, Shepperton (2.28 ha) 7. HS1/012 Land East of Upper Halliford Road, Nursery Road, Sunbury (1.61 ha) 8. HS1/012b Land East of Upper Halliford Road (site B) (2.34 ha) 9. HS2/004 Land South of Nursery Road, Sunbury (0.66 ha) 10. LS1/024 Land at Staines Road West and Cedar Way, Sunbury (1.63 ha) 11. RL1/011 Land at Staines & Laleham Sports Club, Worple Road, Staines (1.59 ha) 12. SN1/005 Land at Northumberland Close, Stanwell (1.75 ha) 13. SN1/006 Land to west of Long Lane and south of Blackburn Trading Estate, Stanwell (4.83 ha) 14. ST1/043 Land East of 355 London Road, Staines (0.27 ha) 15. ST4/025 Land at Coppermill Road, Coppermill Road, Wraysbury (0.92 ha) For more information, see: https://www.spelthorne.gov.uk/article/17619/Emerging-Local-Plan-2022-2037 To get involved or for further information, contact [email protected].7,046 of 8,000 SignaturesCreated by Spelthorne Green Belt Campaign
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Protect the health of people who live near quarriesLiving near a quarry brings increased risk to the health of people in the nearby communities. At the moment there are no standards laid down by government, relating to how far away quarries have to be from settlements, so each regional authority views the situation differently and each community has to argue their own case for a “buffer zone”. Some authorities try to get away with no buffer, whereas others are more considerate. We believe that there needs to be a standard buffer zone nationwide, of at least 1,000 metres, in order to protect the health of people who live near quarries, especially older people and children. A national standard is required so that all communities are treated fairly. Dust generated by quarrying can contain silica. Silica is naturally found in certain types of stone, rock, sand and clay. Working with these materials can create a very fine dust that can be easily inhaled. Once inside the lungs, the dust particles are attacked by the immune system. This causes silicosis, a disease that can take years to develop. It causes swelling and scarring in the lungs. The NHS website states that people with silicosis may become bed-bound and, in rare instances, may die. Silicosis can also lead to other serious lung diseases such as COPD and lung cancer. Companies who operate quarries where silica is likely to be present are required by law to provide their employees with protective equipment. There is no such protection for people who live near quarries. Older people, those with existing respiratory conditions such as asthma, and young children are particularly vulnerable to airborne silica entering their lungs. The risk of harm to health is higher where the prevailing winds carry dust from quarries towards residential settlements and schools. We are therefore calling upon the Government to establish a common national standard that would keep quarrying activities at least 1000 metres away from areas where people live, work and study. This standard would then have to be adopted by local authorities when preparing their minerals policies and plans (which include quarrying activities), and making planning decisions. This standard would reduce the risk of serious long term health problems caused by silicosis and other lung diseases. Please sign our petition today. Thank you.3,586 of 4,000 SignaturesCreated by Charlotte Morgan
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We're in a climate emergency. Hold a TV leaders climate and nature debate before election day.We’re in the middle of a climate emergency. A record 85% of us are now concerned about climate change, and for the first time ever, more than half of us say it will affect how we vote. Our next Prime Minister could lead the urgent action we need to save our planet, or take us even closer to a climate and nature catastrophe. We deserve to know exactly what each UK party leader will do to tackle this enormous challenge. A televised debate on climate and nature would put the defining issue of our generation in the spotlight. But leaders will only sign up if they know hundreds of thousands of us are demanding it. Add your name now - it takes just 30 seconds. Together we can make this happen. This petition is being run and organised by Possible and school-strike organisers the UK Student Climate Network (UKSCN). 38 Degrees is acting as a service provider, but is not involved in campaign strategy.204,102 of 300,000 SignaturesCreated by Skye Golding
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Bristol Uni Support the Climate Strikes!Universities have an obligation to play a greater role in the Climate Strike movement, showing solidarity with students who will be most affected by the climate crisis. This petition will show that this is an issue that virtually all staff and students feel very strongly about, making it impossible for the University to ignore our demands.114 of 200 SignaturesCreated by David Ion
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Save Teignmouth BeachFollowing storm damage in 2014, Network Rail are currently working on a resilience programme to upgrade the London to Penzance railway between Exeter and Newton Abbot. In 2018 they hosted public forums and presented plans to build a new line 30 -40 metres (or more) out to sea at from Teignmouth's East Cliff Cafe to the Dawlish tunnel - a scheme which would destroy 1.7km of the beach. In November last year they then announced that revised plans were now being considered. Subsequent Freedom of Information requests for details have been denied, "in the public interest". In February 2019, Network Rail advised that their current proposal between Parson's Tunnel and Teignmouth is, "to deliver a new railway alignment involving a new sea wall beyond the footprint of the existing." Teignmouth Beach, with it's open sea aspect framed by the towering red Devon cliffs, is possibly the most visually outstanding part of any journey on the iconic train route, and has been a cherished destination for both local's and visitors for many generations. Whilst it is agreed that the railway must be maintained and updated, we enjoin that this must not be to the detriment of a special and unique location. Network Rail must use their best endeavours to ensure that any development they undertake specifically maintains or enhances the visual and environmental merits of Holcombe and Teignmouth Beach.3,665 of 4,000 SignaturesCreated by Alice Rae-Bird
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We want the University of Nottingham to commit to going carbon neutral by 2028Climate change is the most urgent issue of our generation and those to come. The IPCC warns that we must limiting warming levels to 1.5C if we are to avoid catastrophic impacts from climate change. These impacts include more severe and frequent droughts, heat waves, coastal flooding and disease. Although impacts in the UK will be severe, this is an ethical issue as effects are being disproportionately felt by poorer countries. To avoid disastrous levels of warming, action has to be taken immediately at all levels of society. The City of Nottingham has a target of going carbon neutral by 2028, as well as many other universities.709 of 800 SignaturesCreated by UoN EnviSci Soc
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Stop investing in fossil fuelsThe government has declared a climate emergency, and committed to making the UK a global leader on the climate crisis. But government documents have revealed that they’re planning to invest millions of pounds meant for green energy into the dirty fossil fuel industry in Argentina. Scientists say if we want to tackle the climate emergency, politicians have to take bold action in the next 15 months - and investing more money into the fossil fuel industry is taking us in the wrong direction. Will you sign the petition now, and call on the government to stop investing in the dirty fossil fuel industry, and start investing in green energy instead?22,017 of 25,000 Signatures
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Save The WickMiddlewick Ranges (The Wick) have never been built on. Their extensive - and nationally declining - grassland and other habitats support protected birds and nationally scarce species including beetles, butterflies, moths, bats, snakes, lizards, mammals and plants. Local people - mainly from council estates - have walked The Wick for leisure, research and relaxation for 100 years or more.1,856 of 2,000 SignaturesCreated by Jan Plummer
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Airport Expansion Opposition - SouthamptonExpansion of Southampton International Airport will lead to: - More noise pollution (5600 local people are already living with levels of noise that are double those recommended by the WHO for airport emissions) - Increased air pollution (from both flights and associated traffic increases) - Worse road congestion - Increased greenhouse gas emissions (inconsistent with achieving zero net carbon by 2050 - flight numbers need to be cut, not increased, to prevent climate breakdown) - Few, if any, benefits for Southampton residents (we get a worse quality of life to enable more flights) In addition: - The promise of low-paid jobs is not enough to cover the cost to us, as council tax payers, of all the above - Flights from Southampton are decreasing anyway, and if Heathrow is expanded regional airports will lose traffic, making expansion of Southampton unnecessary - More flights will undermine Southampton City Council's own Green City Charter and make a mockery of the Council's efforts to achieve a low carbon future for our city [email protected]591 of 600 SignaturesCreated by AXO SOU
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No More Plastic Packaging in JW MagThis magazine always comes in a plastic bag with at least one more plastic bag inside it. The free gifts that come with it are also packaged in plastic, even when they are things that do not need to be protected from being damaged in the post. For example some hairbands came wrapped around a polystyrene ball and in a clear plastic case. Other magazines have switched to compostable packaging. Jacqueline Wilson is a role model for young girls who see, through her magazine’s packaging, that she does not seem to care about the environment.162 of 200 SignaturesCreated by Penny Steel
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Ban fracking in EnglandFracking pollutes the water, destroys our countryside, and can cause earthquakes big enough to damage homes. The emissions from dirty energy pollute the air and cause climate change, endangering our precious environment. Country after country has banned fracking, but our government still supports the fracking industry. Sign the petition now, and call on the government to ban fracking to protect our communities and the environment from this dangerous form of energy extraction.106,143 of 200,000 Signatures
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