In 2016, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimated that by weight, there could be more plastic in our oceans than fish, as soon as 2050. Plastics are durable, strong and long-lasting – all positive elements until you realise that they will stay in our environment for up to an estimated 600 years. (Columbia University) Over 300 million tons of new plastic are made every year – half of which is for single use plastic, such as packaging and convenience foods. In many cases, such as plastic straws, takeaway food containers and coffee cups, there are practical alternatives available that are either reusable or sustainable. It is estimated that there are over 5.5 trillion pieces of plastic currently in our global ocean and over 8 million tons of plastic are dumped into our seas each year. This equates to one refuse truck FULL of plastic every minute. Marine plastic leads to coastal / offshore dead zones, entanglement, death through ingestion, toxic transfer and, once degraded into microplastics, contamination of the food chain – including our own. We are quite literally eating the plastic that has ended up in our seas. Sign this petition so we can persuade the council to act on the issue of single-use plastic waste. *Image credit Ed Fordham taken at Chesterfield Borough Council, June 2019

We have less than 11 years to take urgent action to limit global warming to 1.5°C or we risk catastrophic and irreversible runaway climate change; this was the stark warning from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report Global Warming of 1.5°C. Humans have already caused approximately 1.0°C of warming, the devastating impacts of which have been seen around the world in the form of reduction of sea-ice in the Arctic, loss of coral reefs and extreme weather events. Warming greater than 1.5°C will result in grave consequences for our local and global environment. Rising sea levels and uninhabitable areas will displace millions of people worldwide. Shifting weather patterns, heightened risks of extreme weather events such as floods and droughts and the demise of insect species will result in global famine, water shortages and soil infertility. But it’s not too late. The IPCC report says that limiting Global Warming to 1.5°C may still be possible - but it will require ambitious action from national and sub-national authorities, civil society, the private sector and local communities.

Trecadwgan is a historic place, dating back to the 15th century with links to a Welsh Prince named Cadwgan. It is in an ideal place for a community run farm based on the principles of Food Sovreignty, Agroecology and Biodynamic Agriculture. The is an opportunity to create something wonderful for generations to come if the county council are prepared to work with us and cancel the auction.

Surrey Health Borough Council is planning to dispose of more than 20% of the land at the London Road Recreation Ground, Grand Avenue, Camberley to use as a car park for the redevelopment of the Arena Leisure Centre. This is a significant reduction in open, green recreation space available to the local residents in an area that already has a minimum of such areas. This disposal of land will greatly affect the functionality of the recreation ground, the available space for residents to enjoy green open spaces and cause the loss of a significant environmental habitat for plants and animals.

On May 31st 2019 the Sheffield Star published a letter with a bold headline saying "Man-made climate change is a myth". The contents of this letter have been thoroughly debunked in this article. http://www.lse.ac.uk/GranthamInstitute/news/climate-change-deniers-haul-out-a-daft-conspiracy-theory-about-attenboroughs-new-programme/ Not only did the Star print the climate deniers letter without checking it was factually correct, but they also chose to give it "Star letter" treatment and print a headline that is entirely opposed to scientific fact. The Star must stop misinforming the public and start to educate them about the massive issue of climate and ecological catastrophe. Unless the public understands the dire consequences of continuing "business as usual", it will be impossible for the Government to implement the emergency measures required to prevent mass extinction. Newspapers that actively oppose the measures required to stop climate and ecological catastrophe will be complicit in both genocide and ecocide. The science is clear: It is understood that we are facing an unprecedented global emergency. We are in a life or death situation of our own making. We must act now. “We are in a planetary emergency” Prof. James Hansen, former Director of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies “Climate change is a medical emergency…It thus demands an emergency response…” Prof. Hugh Montgomery, director of the University College London Institute for Human Health and Performance, Lancet Commission Co-Chair “This is an emergency and for emergency situations, we need emergency action.” – Ban Ki-Moon, former UN Secretary-General “Act now to save our planet and our future from the climate emergency.” Antonio Guterres UN Secretary-General At the end of 2018, the UN Secretary-General warned us: "Humanity and life on Earth now face a ‘direct existential threat’ The world must act swiftly and robustly to keep global warming under 1.5°C and try to avoid utterly catastrophic impacts to life on Earth. Human activity is causing irreparable harm to life on this world. A mass extinction event, only the sixth in roughly 540 million years, is underway. Many current life forms could be annihilated or at least committed to extinction by the end of this century." The air we breathe, the water we drink, the earth we plant in, the food we eat, and the beauty and diversity of nature that nourishes our psychological well-being, all are being corrupted and compromised by the political and economic systems that promote and support our modern, consumer-focused lifestyles. We must act while we still can. What we are seeing now is nothing compared to what could come. Effects on global human society, if the climate and ecological emergency are not addressed, may spiral out of control. Sea level rise Desertification Wildfires Water shortage Crop failure Extreme weather Millions displaced Disease Increased risk of wars and conflicts But our leaders are failing in their duty to act on our behalf. Our current systems of governance are compromised by a focus on profits and economic growth. Politicians can be influenced by lobbies of powerful corporations and the media are hampered by the vested interest of corporate advertisers undermining our democratic values. We have run out of the luxury of time to react incrementally. We must radically and immediately begin reducing emissions and improving carbon absorption, drawing it down and locking it up again. Only a peaceful planet-wide mobilisation of the scale of World War II will give us a chance to avoid the worst-case scenarios and restore a safe climate The task before us is daunting but big changes have happened before. Let’s make a better world. (Thanks to Extinction Rebellion for this text)

Disgusting smell pollutes the air residents breathe. It is sickening, so residents are objected - without choice - to the horrible smell in their nostrils, in their homes, on their clothes. Plus, the smell distracts tourists to the area ie: it harms the tourist trade.

Save our recreation grounds: Seaford in East Sussex has a serious, and recognised, lack of outdoor recreation and sports facilities for its growing population. Our grounds at the Downs Leisure Centre include: playing field, garden and an over 60s club. All at risk of being permanently lost and tarmacked over. It’s accepted by doctors and common knowledge that fresh air and open, green spaces are vital for mental and physical health for all ages. Our green spaces at the Downs site are in constant use by young and old. They're also vital habitats to a host of birds, insects and other creatures in the trees, hedges, plants, grass and soil. As we face a worldwide climate crisis, green space isn’t a ‘nice to have’, it’s an essential part of supporting pollinators and a whole delicate, interconnected ecosystem. These grounds are the last remnants of open space in this part of Seaford. Documents reveal that historic buildings thought to pre-date 1624 are still on what was once rural and common land. In fact, these public recreation grounds were gifted to the people of Seaford for health and leisure since 1964, until now. It's a space where we can come together, kick a ball, picnic, walk and play together. We absolutely do not want to lose this right. Which is why, when we made a formal presentation to the Scrutiny committee at Lewes District Council on 10 September 2019, we asked that the open green space be protected for ever and turned into a public park. Keep doctors in Seaford town: Currently people from all over Seaford can reach the two doctors’ surgeries in the town. Seaford is a one-stop centre for everyone. Patients who visit the surgeries in Seaford also go shopping and catch up with friends in the town’s many cafes. This vibrant town community, and vital trade, could easily be lost if both surgeries are moved to the Downs Leisure Centre site. At a time when the UK’s high streets are under serious threat, we need to be investing in the town centre and keeping it thriving, rather than driving footfall away from the area. Relocating both surgeries to the Downs Leisure Centre and building a supermarket on site will encourage more car use, leading to traffic congestion and pollution which will change the local area beyond recognition. Plus, the development will significantly increase parking demand – and the planned parking is woefully insufficient. There are empty and underused premises in the town centre. No clear reasons have been given about why the NHS doesn’t invest in its existing premises which occupy a large space in the town centre. It is not our Council’s legal or core responsibility to fund NHS facilities. The seizure of green recreational space to build a supermarket and £18 million doctor’s surgery is unprecedented. No other council has proposed this before. As residents of Seaford, we value the fresh sea air, outdoors green space, beautiful natural environment, active lifestyle, vibrant town centre, and sense of community. But if the council gets the go ahead with this development, it will use an £18 million public works loan to finance an NHS project - with no new medical services on offer. We do NOT want a development that builds a supermarket, housing, car parking and medical centre over our green space. The development will degrade the natural environment, increase congestion, pollution and the likelihood of accidents. It will further social isolation, reduce ways of keeping active and seriously affect trade in the town centre. To stop this development, please sign our petition to Lewes District council and Eastbourne, Hailsham and Seaford Clinical Commissioning Group. IMPORTANT UPDATE: There will be a critical public meeting at 6 pm on Wednesday 25 September 2019, when Lewes District Council debate this petition and consider whether or not to build a Health Hub on the Downs Leisure site. We need your support. Please join us. We're meeting outside at 5.30 pm on the 25th at: Council Chamber at County Hall, St Annes Crescent, Lewes. Links: 'Town Centres could become ghost towns', BBC, July 2018 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-44695269 'NHS battle plan to save millions of lives: Lifestyle changes to solve health', The Express, April 2019 https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1116288/nhs-health-crisis-exercise-britain-matt-hancock "Evidence showed that concrete gardens had no effect at all, so you had to have green gardens." 'Top doctor backs green gym idea.' BBC news 2014 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-26871970 'UK parks save NHS more than £111m a year, study suggests. Fields in Trust charity say regular users are likely to be healthier and visit GPs less often'. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/07/uk-parks-save-nhs-111m-year-study-suggests 'Doctor's new prescription: "Don't just exercise, do it outside" '. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/feb/10/health-prescriptions-doctors-healthcare-fitness-exercise-parks 'One of our key areas of expertise is the interface between green space and health from programmes on the ground to strategic work at national level'. https://sustainablehealthcare.org.uk/what-we-do/green-space-and-health A host of research at https://nhsforest.org/evidence-benefits points to the health of patients, staff and local communities can be dramatically improved by providing opportunities to exercise outdoors and access green space.

Spelthorne Council has published a consultation document which will strip 71 green spaces in Spelthorne of their existing protection as Protected Urban Open Spaces (PUOS). [1] In their consultation document, the Council are proposing very onerous criteria for a new designation as ‘Local Green Space’ which – according to our detailed analysis – only one of the 71 currently protected public urban open spaces in Spelthorne can meet and which would leave our valued Green spaces at risk of development. [2] As an example, the Council proposes that only urban spaces that are at least 0.25 hectares in size should be protected as local green spaces. This requirement automatically leaves 14 (~ 20%) of the 71 spaces (ranging from 0.07ha to 0.24ha) unprotected. The other proposed criteria mean that 56 out of the 57 remaining sites will not be considered as having enough ‘historic significance’ (e.g. because they don’t contain a combination of ancient monuments or listed buildings), “richness of wildlife” (because there currently is no evidence of “observed wildlife on site” and/or closeness to local nature reserves), recreational value (because they don’t possess “good” or “excellent” free recreation facilities) or are not considered tranquil or beautiful enough. It would not only be an immense loss to residents to lose important local green spaces – but a national tragedy when we already know that we only have 12 years to avert irreversible climate change. [3] NOTES: [1] https://www.spelthorne.gov.uk/article/17625/Consultations-and-representations [2] https://www.spelthornegreencllrs.com/news-media [3] https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/08/global-warming-must-not-exceed-15c-warns-landmark-un-report

Since this park burnt down my kids have been really upset. They were big fans of the park, like many any other children in our local area and they really enjoyed playing in this park. I've started this petition calling on the council to invest in this local treasure. So many local children would benefit from some more swings, a slide and some simple climbing equipment. It's not a-lot to ask for the council to replace what has been damaged. Parks are extremely beneficial for young children, it's where they can play, learn and take time out from their phones and technology. Please sign this petition and provide local children with a fun, safe place to play.

These chemicals have devastating effects on wildlife and there is a possible link with cancer. Teignbridge District Council have declared a Climate Emergency and part of this is the Ecological Emergency. Species are going extinct by the thousand each year.

Holyhead Harbours proposed port expansion by STENA, includes the RECLAMATION of the INNER HARBOUR, including destroying the HISTORIC CLASS II LISTED HARBOUR WALL. As well as destroying the history of Holyhead, the port and all its NOISE/POLLUTION will be even CLOSER to local RESIDENTS. We urge the government to rethink the proposals and expand the port further out to sea away from residential areas. The current levels of noise/pollution are already unpleasant to live with, DISTURBING SLEEP and the smell of DIESEL FUMES inside houses. The proposed plans for the new reclaimed land will be used to store Lorry Trailers, which will be very unsightly to the very important tourist trade, deeply affecting local businesses. PLEASE STOP THIS HAPPENING.

Edinburgh City Council use pesticides for weed control on our streets, pavements, parks, playgrounds, around schools, cemeteries and green spaces. Pesticide use has multiple harmful effects on human and animal health and causes environmental pollution and degradation. The notorious chemical Glyphosate is used here in Edinburgh and has been linked to cancer in humans and animals (has recently been in the news with landmark lawsuits in the USA with thousands more awaiting trial). Direct contact with any pesticide can cause acute short term health problems such as respiratory tract irritation, allergic sensitisation, nausea/vomiting/diarrhoea, seizures, headache and loss of consciousness. Children are more at risk than adults due to their age and also their behaviour, for example, investigating nature, crawling and playing on grass and spending time in areas such as playgrounds and parks where pesticides are used. Dogs and cats are particularly vulnerable too due to their close proximity to the ground. Pesticides have also been shown to have a damaging effect on bee populations and other pollinators which are currently in steep decline and need all the help they can get. Many other 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’. In the UK, Glastonbury, Lewes, Wadebridge and some London Boroughs are pesticide-free, proving that it can be done. The residents of Cherrytree in Balerno petitioned the council successfully to stop applying Glyphosate in their area because of the health risks of chemical exposure. We therefore call on Edinburgh City Council to put an end to all pesticide use in all of Edinburgh, using safe alternatives instead, protecting our health and the health of our environment.