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Activists announce their intention to shut down the UK’s largest power station

Under the shadow of the Drax coal-fired power station, activists at the Camp for Climate Action began civil disobedience training yesterday. This is part of preparations for Thursday’s mass action which plans to shut down Drax. The training (and the camp itself) are open to the public, and people are urged to come down and participate. “We are already feeling the destructive effects of a climate which is in crisis, and the time for action is now. I urge people to come to the camp, learn more about climate change and ways to live sustainably. And perhaps even to help shut down Drax!” added Emma Pegg, 29, who just arrived at the camp from Leeds. Yesterday’s training focussed on “tools and tactics for blockading”, and groups met throughout the day to plan their contribution to the big day of mass action. Other workshops included “Climate science for kids”, and “How to count and cut your carbon”.

Read More »Activists announce their intention to shut down the UK’s largest power station

Questioning the UK’s environmental future

Leading scientists have come together to draw up a list of 100 leading questions facing the UK’s environmental future. The Guardian whittles these down to just eleven to cover the key issues for us.

How long does the seabed take to recover from dredging, wind farm construction and oil and gas extraction?

How does the ecological impact of UK farming compare internationally?

What are the ecological impacts of airports?

Read More »Questioning the UK’s environmental future

Nuclear costs spiral

The Green Party has commented on the £70-million clean up bill being ‘set to rise’ as the government admit ‘considerable uncertainty still remains in relation to the cost of decommissioning and clean up.’

The Commons Trade and Industry Committee today expressed concern about continued uncertainty over the taxpayers’ bill for the disposal of civil nuclear operations.

Green Party Principal Speaker Keith Taylor commented: “This comes only 4 years after a £24 billion price rise in 2002! Costs are continuing to spiral, but the government still insists nuclear power is the way forward.Read More »Nuclear costs spiral

Plasma screens use four times more electricity

Currys and Dixons electical retailers were selling a flat-screen television every 15 seconds in the build-up to the Football World Cup, and have subsequently dropped prices to maintain this selling rate. But scientist Dr Joseph Reger, chief technology officer at Fujitsu Siemens Computers in Munich, now warns that the British desire to see the big picture is threatening the planet. In fact, if half of British homes bought a plasma-screen TV, two nuclear power stations would have to be built to meet the extra energy demand.Read More »Plasma screens use four times more electricity