“As humans, we are not simply observers of nature”
Plus the latest news from river pollution testing, moorland restoration and wind power moves
Good morning! I’m Sarah Hartley and this is The Northern Eco weekly update. As you’ve received this newsletter then either you subscribed, or someone forwarded it to you. If the latter, then you can click on this handy little button below.
Well it feels like a long week since the last newsletter! The result of the USA election and the prospect of President Elect Trump ripping up climate targets sent a shockwave through environmental groups. Just a few of the many pinging into my inbox over the past few days have included a call by Friends of the Earth to email energy minister Ed Miliband to show ambitious leadership at the UN climate talks. And Greenpeace is stepping up action saying that “now is the time to organise.” They are holding a welcome call on Thursday 14 November to talk about plans to push world leaders to take bold action at global climate talks next week. Meanwhile closer to home, our own elected representatives (councillors) will tomorrow be asked to back the Climate and Nature Bill…….
When North Yorkshire councillors meet for their quarterly meeting tomorrow, they will be asked to give backing to a new piece of legislation currently progressing through parliament - the Climate and Nature Bill.
Sponsored by Leeds North West, Labour MP Alex Sobel, the Bill requires the UK Government to develop and deliver a new environmental strategy.
This council is by no means the first to lend its support to the Bill - 372 local authorities, 250 cross-party MPs and Peers and 1,250 eminent scientists have already backed it plus it has passed the first reading in the House of Commons.
So what’s being proposed?
Included is:
Need for Government to deliver joined-up environmental plan.
Reducing emissions in line with our 1.5°C commitment.
Not only halting, but also reversing the decline in nature, setting nature measurably on the path to recovery by 2030.
Taking responsibility for our overseas emissions and ecological footprint.
Prioritising nature in decision-making and ending fossil fuel production and imports as rapidly as possible.
Ensuring that no-one is left behind, by providing retraining for people currently working in fossil fuel industries.
Giving people a say in finding a fair way forward through an independent and temporary Climate & Nature Assembly.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Sobel explained his thinking:
“The covid-19 pandemic laid bare the interdependence of people and nature. It is no longer possible to deny the fact that human health is linked to our use and abuse of the environment. The biodiversity crisis is a cultural, social and economic one. As humans, we are not simply observers of nature but an integral part of it. We need an approach that collaborates across Departments, sectors and nations to even begin to save our natural environment.”
As well as being asked to support the Bill, councillors are being asked to vote on whether they should write to all North Yorkshire Members of Parliament asking them to support it as well as informing residents, and local press/media of this decision.
We’ll let you know whether this succeeds after the meeting.
In river news
💦 The issue of adding fluoride to drinking water is also back on the agenda in North Yorkshire tomorrow. Councillors are being asked to write to the Secretary of State for Health stating that any moves to introduce a fluoridation scheme within North Yorkshire will return a negative when, or if, consulted. “It is the view of this council that Water undertakers in North Yorkshire must be prohibited from artificially increasing the fluoride content of the water supplied by them." It’s an issue which provokes strong reactions, especially in an area with such poor dental health. Wdyt?
💦 Seventy per cent of water samples taken on the River Nidd at Knaresborough this year failed to meet safe levels for the faecal bacteria E.coli reports John Plummer at the Stray Ferret.
Second set of River Ure tests reveal "dramatic rise" in E-coli
Teams of citizen scientists tested the waters of the River Ure last month and found what they described as a “dramatic rise” in the level of E.coli concentration.
💦 A charity which works to protect and restore the rivers, streams and catchments of the rivers Swale, Ure, Nidd, Wharfe and Ouse has launched its annual, online fund-raising auction. You can read more about that from Joe Willis at RichmonshireToday and look out for our ‘lot’ - we’re looking forward to providing £150 of Carbon Literacy training to a winning bid!
In other news
“Peatland restoration can be an expensive process, but the benefits in terms of the ecosystem services provided by restored peatlands far outweigh the costs. It’s important that those ecosystem services are properly valued and that this is reflected in public funding mechanisms.”
🌏 In this long read, Jennifer Sizeland of the Ilkley Journal explores how we can protect moorland and its wildlife for future generations.
🌏 And in Doncaster, Councillors have supported plans to establish a biosphere reserve in its peatlands, which would be the first in the North of England, writes Shannon Mower at Doncaster Free Press.
⛏️ King Charles is said to be on a collision course with some environmental charities he patronises over plans to make tens of millions from a controversial potash mine in North York Moors National Park. Julia Atherley at The Sun has more.
⚡️ The way smart energy meters work in northern England and Scotland is causing issues for customers, Zoe Conway at BBC Panorama reports.
🛩️ Airport expansion at Leeds Bradford is opposed by a wide range of Leeds residents who object to the resulting rise in greenhouse gas emissions and find their sleep disrupted and air quality polluted. Nick Hodgkinson at Yorkshire Bylines reports on the fight by the Group for Action on Leeds Bradford Airport (GALBA).
🌳 Do you have a love of the Wolds? Natural England has launched a statutory and public consultation for proposed plans to designate part of the Yorkshire Wolds as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and wants to hear your views.
💨 Seems to be more attention to wind energy visible at the moment - George Lythgoe at the MEN reports that what may become ‘England’s largest onshore wind farm’ could soon be built on the edge of Greater Manchester. While on Teesside, work on £450 million wind turbine parts factory SeAH Wind has hit a major milestone. Described by bosses as the world’s largest base of its type, the 750-job factory will make tubular wind turbine foundations. Steven Hugill at BDaily has that story.
🐏 About 50 farmers staged a protest over Budget plans outside the Northern Farming Conference in Hexham, Northumberland, reports the D&S.
🐄 And talking of farmers, in last week’s poll we asked whether you thought farmers should be exempt from inheritance tax - not one of you felt that should be the case. The result was 100% against them being exempt.
If you’re looking for some eco events this coming weekend - don’t forget to check out our November listing here.
We’ll be back next week by email but if you want updates as they happen, the app is available below.
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