Fuel Poverty Action activist barred from Labour Party Conference

Posted on September 18, 2014 by manchesterclimatemonthly

There’s a Labour Party Conference coming to town, in case you didn’t know (or care).  On Monday 22nd September, from 12.45 to 2.15 there is a panel on Fuel Poverty.  A “Fuel Poverty Action” activist has been invited to be on the panel, and then disinvited.   Explanation is not really forthcoming.  In any case, it seems extraordinary that security can’t cope with one activist. It’s not like she’s a 6’10” Terminator.  Perhaps the real threat is to their ideology?

Fuel Poverty Action statement 17/09/2014

Fuel Poverty Action activist barred from Labour Party Conference

We were bewildered to hear that one of our founding members has been barred from speaking at a fringe meeting, on our behalf, at the Labour Party Conference.

Ewa Jasiewicz was invited to speak at a Manchester University Policy thinktank event on fuel poverty. Having accepted and filled out all the necessary security forms she was surprised to hear two weeks later in an impersonal email from conference organisers that she had not passed the ‘security requirements’ and as a result would not be admitted to the conference.

When she asked on what grounds she was being excluded, she was sent a one line response simply stating that the Greater Manchester Police (GMP) would not divulge the reason for refusing access to the conference.

With the grounds to Ewa’s barring made secret we are left questioning whether what has taken place is political policing- with both an individuals protest history and the ideas they promote- including bringing energy under public and community control and the role of direct action in creating change- blocked from being heard.

Many of our group are active trade unionists. We believe in solidarity and collective action: we are taking this exclusion of Ewa as an exclusion of our group and our ideas.

We are also left to speculate as to whether the exclusion is due to our stance on fracking, a new extractive industry supported by Labour as well as the current coalition government, and because we have taken part in the Reclaim the Power action camps at Balcombe and Blackpool against fracking.

We oppose fracking because it will do nothing to bring down our fuel bills whilst it exacerbates climate change, bringing even greater inequality and suffering to people here and globally, particularly those already struggling in poverty, as well as threatening local communities and water.

Regular, large protests against Igas’ drilling Salford last winter were met with police repression- including assaults of a grandmother, a fifteen year old girl, a pregnant woman and a lawyer among many others- it is scary and disappointing to see another block on democracy, free speech and debate on fracking being lead by the Labour Party and the GMP.

Allowing a members’ conference to be securitised in such a way so that it excludes people and groups which go against Labour party policies past and present -from the Iraq war to fracking-normalises political policing and is deeply undemocratic.

We’re demanding an explanation from Greater Manchester Police and the Labour Party for the reason for the barring of Ewa and that our presence at the Manchester University fringe meeting on Fuel Poverty to go ahead.

 

PS In terms of writing press releases;  Four paragraphs, max.  A snappy quote that journalists (always mildly busy) can use is good too.  #unsolicitedadvice

Posted in Democratic deficit, Energy, Fracking, press release journalism, University of Manchester, Upcoming Events | Leave a comment

#Manchester and the “Total Carbon Footprint” approach – brilliant new report

Posted on September 17, 2014 by manchesterclimatemonthly

Could Manchester adopt a more honest “carbon accounting scheme”? Two young Mancunians have produced a brilliant 12 page report called “Total Carbon Footprint – time for a second step.” [Download pdf here]

totalcarbonfootprintcover-page001In 2009 Manchester City Council produced, with stakeholders, the “Manchester Climate Change Action Plan” (also known as Manchester A Certain Future). One of the promises in that report was that the City Council would start reporting on its “embedded” emissions (the energy etc that went into producing the cans of coca-cola etc etc that are consumed – put not produced – in the city). That promise wasn’t kept, and the entire approach was kicked into the long grass.

Now, Joe Blakey and Claire Woolley have – following intensive research and interviews – produced a short, easy-to-read report that is available for everyone – be they councillors, campaigners, academics or “just plain concerned citizens.” Comments are very welcome indeed.

The report (proof-read by Margaret Morris, with illustrations by Marc Roberts) will be formally launched next Monday night (22nd September) at the next meeting of the People’s Environmental Scrutiny Team.* The meeting is free, and takes place at the Moss Side Community Allotment, corner of Bowes and Caythorpe Sts.

//e.issuu.com/embed.html#13590009/9353398

and if it’s not opening up for you, click on this link

http://issuu.com/environmentalscrutiny/docs/pest_-_tcf_-_17-09_10-23

* Note the name change from “committee” to “team.” Better acronym. Hat-tip to Matt!

Posted in Campaign Update, Climate Change Action Plan | 1 Comment

Upcoming Event: “The Empty Promise of the Sharing Economy” #Manchester Weds 24 Sept

Posted on September 17, 2014 by manchesterclimatemonthly

Below is the full academic version. If I were a scurrilous tabloid hack, as opposed to a PhD student at the Sustainable Consumption Institute (1) I would say

“Tree-huggers want to get us out of our greed heads, and have been starry-eyed about the ‘sharing economy’ as the way forward. But it’s waaaay more complicated than that, and here’s examples from car-sharing in cities to show you why.  We’re still doomed.”

becarefulwhatyouwishforBut I am NOT a scurrilous tabloid hack (any more) and so here is the full academic version-

“Proponents of sustainable consumption have long endorsed the attenuation of societal commitments favoring product ownership and the corresponding ascendency of exchange relationships predicated on communal access. Concomitantly, the past several years have given rise to a new wave of Internet-enabled commerce that reconfigures customary systems for the usership of goods and services. Most sustainability proponents have encouraged this upsurge of interest in so-called collaborative consumption as a hopeful and positive development with some analyses even interpreting the renewal of
sharing as early evidence that established consumerist lifestyles are starting to unwind. There is, though, an interesting paradox—namely the absence of much genuine sharing in the purported “sharing economy.” This presentation will highlight the empty promise of business models premised on the mutual utilization of products and explain how a small handful of crusading entrepreneurs has misconstrued these unfolding developments.The critique is premised on a two-dimensional taxonomy that distinguishes four different consumption modes based on ownership type (individual or conjoint) and ownership motivation (pecuniary or non-pecuniary). Applications from urban transportation are used to demonstrate the utility of this framework. The resultant analysis discloses the ersatz quality of most contemporary sharing activity and exposes its ineffectualness as a sustainability strategy.”

The seminar is on Weds 24th September 4 to 5.30pm in the Harold Hankins building (the tall one in the Manchester precinct.) Free, no need to book.

Marc “never let the facts get in the way of a good story” Hudson
mcmonthly@gmail.com

(1) True fact. And also the reason why posting on Manchester Climate Monthly is about to fall off a cliff.

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What would Thatcher say? Over half Tory MPs deny climate change (Polar Bear Facepalm)

Posted on September 11, 2014 by manchesterclimatemonthly

‘Incredibly, 53% of Tory MPs asked in the poll agreed with the statement that “it has not yet been conclusively proved that climate change is man made”, a further 18% agree that “man-made climate change is environmentalist propaganda”.’ Original story here.

Margaret Thatcher, bless her cotton socks, was an early advocate of climate action. Sir Crispin Tickell managed to explain it to her (she had, let’s not forget, a chemistry background).  She made a major speech on this a couple of days… before the Berlin Wall came down. The rest is history.  As is the species, quite soon.

polarbearhalftorymps

 

Posted in Polar Bear Facepalm | 1 Comment

Smart meters useless? Or is it the Big Six that need to go? #Manchester energy person responds

Posted on September 10, 2014 by manchesterclimatemonthly

The BBC reported this morning that “Installing smart meters in every house in the UK will save consumers “only 2%” on their annual bills, a committee of MPs has warned. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) said that, on average, consumers will save just £26 a year.”

MCFly asked Manchester-based Carbon Coop for a response. Quick as you like –

The Public Accounts Committee are right to highlight the huge cost of smart meter installation and ask whether true benefits will be delivered to consumers.

As a concept, smart meters do have the potential to empower consumers, not just as individuals but as effective collaborators and co-operators. Delivered properly this approach opens the door to communities and local authorities owning and supplying electricity and enables us to envisage a way to undermine the power of the Big Six energy companies.

However, the problem with the government’s smart meter roll out is that the programme is entirely in the hands of the Big Six and that the technology chosen excludes the householder from the process. Smart meters are something that happen ‘to’ people rather than ‘for’ or ‘with’ them.

As we’ve highlighted on numerous occasions, the larges-cale roll out of smart meters needs to be facilitated by grassroots organisations and to use open, human-scale technology.

We’re collaborating with an open source project, OpenEnergyMonitors, to investigate the adaption of their equipment and to test it out as a tool for community owned aggregation of energy supply.

Posted in Energy | 1 Comment

Reports for the People’s Environmental Scrutiny Committee – the how/why/what #Manchester ideas

Posted on September 8, 2014 by manchesterclimatemonthly

pescgoalsiconThe next meeting of the People’s Environmental Scrutiny Committee is on Monday 22nd September, from 7pm at the Moss Side Community Allotment, cnr Bowes St and Caythorpe St. Here’s an account of the first meeting (if anyone who was at it wants to say what they thought in the comments below, please do).

At this meeting there will be all the things that matter – chances for you to meet other people, learn new skills, find out about upcoming events and so on. If you can’t come, there are plenty of other ways of being involved, not least looking at the “jobs list”– ,there are jobs for all skill levels, and all levels of availability.

The meeting on Monday 22nd will also be the launch of a brief report on the “Total Carbon Footprint” approach to counting emissions that Manchester City Council briefly promised a few years ago. Two students have been working hard on a report about why it is an approach that deserves to be brought back onto the agenda.

Future meetings of the PESC (the next one is on Monday 20th October) will launch OTHER reports. Including ones that you (yes, YOU) can be involved in creating. Whether you have research skills (or want them), writing skills (or want them), proorfreading skills (or want them), publicity skills (or want them), there are jobs to be done…

Here’s the flow-chart…Click on it and it should get bigger.
reportsforpeschowandwhy-page001

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“Campaign Lab 3” – applications open for (national) activist training

Posted on September 7, 2014 by manchesterclimatemonthly

Applications open for Campaign Lab 3

September 2, 2014 // By: Daniel Vockins

 

Calling all campaigners: applications for round three of the groundbreaking Campaign Lab programme open today. If you’re an economic, environmental or social justice activist fighting to change the system we want to hear from you.

Sign up today for:

  • 6 month’s training in campaign strategy, leadership, community building and economics
  • Expert coaches, brilliant speakers and a learning community of incredible campaigners from across the grassroots, NGO, faith group and trade union movement.

At its heart, Campaign Lab is about bringing people from all corners of the campaigning spectrum into one room to work together on the most fundamental challenges of today. How are we going to change the system together? What world do we want to bring about? How will we build power?

Countless campaigns, collaborations and new ideas have come off the back of the first two seasons, on themes as diverse as workers rights and fracking. Round three is going to set the bar even higher, with a focus on building the power of those most often excluded in the movement for a fairer and more sustainable society.

Who should apply?

  • We’re looking for pairs of campaigners from any background interested in changing the system
  • We want this to be a fully inclusive, participatory programme. All venues will be fully accessible and we’re particularly keen to get applications from black, African and ethnic minority candidates
  • We’ve got scholarships available (especially for those outside of London) but ask for contributions from campaigners coming from larger organisations.

Places on the course are heavily oversubscribed; we typically receive over 100 applications for 24 places.

Deadline for applications is 17th September.

If you’d like to talk through any aspect of the course we’d love to speak with you. Find out more and apply at: http://campaignlab.org.uk

Posted in Campaign Update | Leave a comment

Video: “Let’s Do It UK” clean up day, Sat 13th September

Posted on September 4, 2014 by manchesterclimatemonthly

All contact details you need are

www.letsdoituk.net

Twitter @wywhuk
Facebook /wishyouwerehereantilitter

Posted in Campaign Update, Upcoming Events, youtubes | 1 Comment

Upcoming Event: “An Evening of Entertainment” – fundraiser Sat 20th Sept for #Manchester eco-groups

Posted on September 2, 2014 by manchesterclimatemonthly

Poster-Fundraiser

Posted in Campaign Update, Upcoming Events | Leave a comment

Video: What’s happening in September in #Manchester, environment-wise

Posted on September 2, 2014 by manchesterclimatemonthly

Every month a different person (people?) doing this. Interested in learning the skills involved (public speaking, video-making etc), please get in touch – environmentalscrutiny@gmail.com

This is more or less what I said –

The People’s Environmental Scrutiny Committee exists for people to share skills and knowledge, and to lobby for the City Council to set up its own Environmental Scrutiny Committee.

This video will explain things that are coming up in September – including other groups’ activities and mention ways that you can get involved. Our email is environmentalscrutiny@gmail.com
Going chronologically…

There’s a Cycle Forum Meeting on Tuesday 9th September 2014 at 17:30

Friends of the Earth has its main meeting on the same night at 7pm

At about the same time PESC will be releasing a report on the Total Carbon Footprint approach to measuring and asking people to send it on to their councillors.

On the 15th September the second “things you need to know about Manchester City Council” will come out. It’s 8 informative pages. Please read and circulate!

Also released early that week will be two reports by the Council that will be of great interest. The first, following a survey in May, will be on the state of Scrutiny itself. That will be presented to at least 5 of the 6 scrutiny committees. If YOU have ever been to a scrutiny committee meeting and lived to tell the tale, tell it to us, asap
The second is the “action plan” for recommendations made by the “Environmental Sustainbility subgroup of councillors that met last year. The original version of this plan wasn’t “SMART” enough, so councillors asked officers to go away and come back with something better.

On Thursday 18th there is a “Fuelling Manchester” networking meeting at the Bulls Head pub. On Saturday 20th there is a fund-raiser for Friends of the Earth, Action for Sustainable Living and Clean Up Salford at the Carlton Club in Whalley Range
On Monday 22nd the PESC has its meeting at the Moss Side Community Allotment. Come meet other people, learn skills and have fun!

From Tuesday 23rd, the Council’s six scrutiny committees begin to meet. Ideally we will try to get people going to all of them. But realistically, there’ll only be appetite and personnel for a couple. Are you free on Tuesday 23rd at 2pm or Weds 24th at 10am? The Neighbourhoods and Economy Scrutiny Committees are meeting at the Town Hall. Those are the crucial meetings – the agendas will include not just that “scrutiny” report, but also an action plan for the recommendations of an Environmental Sustainability group of councillors that met last year. Tuesday 23rd at 2pm, or Weds 24th at 10am.

Then, on Thursday 25th, at 10am, the Finance Scrutiny Committee is calling on council bosses to give a detailed account of what money has so far been spent from the “Clean and Green” fund. It promises to be VERY interesting.

If you can’t come to any of those meetings, but still want to be involved, please do the following
a) fill in the “skills audit” online. We want to know what skills you have and want from our list of 11 skills
b) have a look at the “projects we want to do if there are people who are up for them”

Thanks for watching!
Our email is environmentalscrutiny@gmail.com

Posted in Upcoming Events, youtubes | Leave a comment