earth love

earth love anthology 

GOOD NEWS!  The Earth Love anthology, featuring work selected from the first fourteen issues of Earth Love, was a great success. All copies have now sold out and i'm pleased to announce that a total of £436.00 was raised for charity. Yes, that's £436.00!

The funds will be distributed among the following three organisations:
WWF CLIMATE CHANGE CAMPAIGN: £200.00
TREES FOR CITIES: £136.00
PEOPLE AND PLANET: £100.00

WWF CLIMATE CHANGE CAMPAIGN
In March 2007 WWF launched a new campaign  called ONE PLANET LIVING, dedicated to combatting the causes and effects of global warming. It aims to tackle issues such as melting ice caps, deforestation and flooding and inform us how we as individuals can make a difference by making small changes in our day to day lives.
According to research, we are currently living beyond our means and if everyone in the world lived as we do in the UK we would need three planets to support us! WWF aims to highlight the fact that ourselves and the planet are intertwined and by doing many of these things we will not only be healthier and happier, but so will our environment. The WWF website's ONE PLANET LIVING TIPS, and their CLIMATE CHANGE CAMPAIGN'S TOP TEN TIPS TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHAOS give friendly, easy-to-follow advice. The WWF campaign focuses on those things we know we should do but that many of us still don't, such as saving energy in the home, recycling, avoiding excessive packaging and re-using our plastic bags. Walking more, cycling and flying less are all recommended by WWF. The campaign highlights certain logos such as the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) which ensure that wood products come from a well-managed forest. And the MSC logo (Marine Stewardship Council) that lets you know your fish has been ecologically caught.
Water butts, available from garden cetnres can be used to collect rainwater for your garden and a Hippo Water Saver in the cistern of your toilet can save between 2.5 and 3.5 litres of water each time you flush.
The campaign advocates the use of environmentally friendly cleaning products and asks us to respect the environment when we are on holiday by not leaving non-degradable items such as plastic bags on the beach where they can harm wildlife.
The tips include lots of excellent links, and has a community-feel so it can be adapted to whereever you live.
WWF's CLIMATE CHANGE CAMPAIGN works with government, business and the public to focus on the sectors that have the most impact on climate change.
The ten hottest years in history all occurred over the past decade and a half. There is no doubt that climate change is happening - and quickly - but what, assuming we have already gone green in our homes, is being done on both national and international levels?
Firstly, you can sign WWF's online petition to the Prime Minister and follow their tips such as switching to a green energy supplier eg. Ecotricity, and insulating hot water tanks, lofts and floors. Secondly, there are ways you can become an online campaigner by emailing or sending letters to decision makers to influence environmental policy. WWF sends emails to online campaingers once a month regarding a variety of current topics such as illegal logging, and will provide you with draft letters and contacts. Thirdly, you can join WWF by making a donation that will go towards the climate change campaign's issues such as The European Emissions Trading Scheme where WWF is campaigning for tighter controls on CO2 emmissions from the energy sector and heavy industry across Europe. WWF has pressed that the cap set on emissions in the UK's National Allocation Plan for the second phase of the European Emissions Trading Scheme (2008-2012) is based on a target of 20% reduction in CO2 by 2010. The UK campaign also aims to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy in new housing developments via the ONE MILLION SUSTAINABLE HOMES CAMPAIGN. This includes fiscal incentives, modifying current building regulations, supporting and developing consumer awareness.
WWF is also a funding partner of the IPPR (Institute for Public Policy Research) whose aim is to look at barriers to the development of a low carbon economy and stimulate innovation so the UK can be at the forefront of new climate change technology and infrastructure. Other members are Shell, EST and BMW.
Supporting the WWF UK CLIMATE CHANGE CAMPAIGN will directly contribute to the UK's CO2 reduction target and have a positive impact on energy policy.

'Humanity tips 700 tonnes of C02 into the atmosphere a second.'

Globally, WWF's priorities include the ratification and implementation of the Kyoto Protocol, and the development of energy policies that will reduce the causes of climate change in different regions across the world. WWF is working with multi-national companies to help develop more energy efficient and eco-friendly products and processes, and with power companies to cut back CO2 emissions.
The Asia-Pacific region is important in this respect due to burgeoning growth, and WWF UK is funding a climate change specialist in WWF's Thailand office.
WWF has also set up the CLIMATE SAVERS COMPANIES INITIATIVE whereby companies form agreements with WWF to substantially lower their carbon emissions. Companies include IBM, Polaroid, Sony and Nike.

'If just 1300 companies followed the example of the WWF CLIMATE SAVERS corporations, we would see the first round of Kyoto Committments for emission reductions done and dusted.'

TREES FOR CITIES
Trees for Cities, an independent charity set up in 1993 (originally Trees for London) aims to tackle global warming and improve social cohesion and the aestetic appeal of cities all through the planting of trees.
In 2005 the charity expanded and now works in different cities over the world. The organisation tailors each project to the city's needs, although similar problems are faced globally. As population grows so do increases in traffic, causing high levels of pollution while, at the same time, trees, parks and other green spaces are cut back to make way for housing developments. Trees can help combat pollution by drawing CO2 from the air. They also help stress related illness, asthma and skin cancer by filtering out these pollutants, and can create cool areas in cities by providing vegetation cover. Vital in hot countries such as Ethiopia.
Trees for Cities has projects in Addis Abbiba, Madrid, Bucharest and Nairobi to name but a few. Projects involve activities and competitions for schoolchildren to help raise awareness and understanding of the importance of trees in cities. These include educational programmes, creating tree nurseries, planting trees and learning about native species. In many cases, these projects also create employment.
Trees for Cities aims to have a million more trees in London by 2012 - desperately needed to counter pollution, particularly in the more deprived areas of the city. Termed the MILLION TREES CAMPAIGN, Trees for Cities collates planting data, keeping a record of newly planted trees and producing yearly reports on how near they are to their target. And if you're still wondering why we need all these trees, the charity has published a list of TREE FACTS on their website. Interesting snippets include a survey in Chicago that showed property in tree lined streets had a value significantly higher than in similar streets without trees.
The organisation's website also provides useful information such as TREE FACTS, HOW TO PLANT A TREE and TREE SURGERY. In March 2006, Trees for Cities published five BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES aimed at providing a practical toolkit for organisations involved in urban greening. These are:
- How to increase business participation in community tree-related activities
- How to provide vocational training for long-term unemployed people in urban areas
- How to involve minority groups in urban tree planting activities
- How to run an effective volunteering and public programme in support of urban initiatives
- How to involve young people in urban tree planting initiatives
There are various ways you can help, from sponsoring a tree, to gifting a tree, volunteering for community planting days, Trees for Cities events, attending one of the organisation's parties and recycling your old mobile phone.
It is Trees for Cities policy never to take down any tree that is healthy and not posing a threat.
For more information see www.treesforcities.org or write to Trees for Cities, Prince Consort Lodge, Kennington Park Place, SE11 4AS Phone: +(0)2075871320



PEOPLE AND PLANET
Originally called Third World First, People and Planet began in 1969, campaigning for overseas aid. Its success in raising awareness enabled the organisation to grow so that today it is the largest student network in Britain campaigning for the environment, human rights and and end to poverty. People and Planet consists of University and College groups, Sixth Form groups, individual campaigners and a support office. Their Patron is award winning jouralist, George Honboit.
Past campaigns included forcing Pepsi to end its support for Burma's brutal dictatorship, petitioning for the cancellation of the debts of the world's poorest nations, persuading supermarkets to adopt ethical policies, organising and taking part in the second Stop Esso Day as a protest against the influence of Exxon/Mobil in preventing the US signing up to the Kyoto Treaty.
Recently, People and Planet's GO GREEN CAMPAIGN resulted in a twenty-fold increase in the number of universities buying renewable electricity, and in 2005, People and Planet's Summer Festsival was organised to coincide with the G8 meeting in Scotland. An eco-camp was set up and a march organised, with a programme of speakers, music and campaign stunts. Solar panels and two wind turbines provided power and items such as cans, plastic bottles and paper were recycled. Focus was on the Grangemouth oil refinery which contains four of Scotland's top carbon dioxide emitters, but its location at sea level makes it vulnerable to climate change. At the same time, People and Planet's STOP CLIMATE CHAOS CAMPAIGN was launched and the following year saw People and Planet groups lobby dozens of MPs to demand a Climate Change Bill. One representative, Hannah Smith, personally handed 1537 I COUNT pledge cards (where individuals have pledged to reduce their CO2 emissions) to Tony Blair.
Today, the organisation's focus is on three major campaigns:
TRADE JUSTICE, which aims to secure basic rights for producers and workers, ensure educational establishments throughout the UK are committed to fair trade principals, and to influence policy-making so that unjust trading rules become a thing of the past.
FREE ACCESS TO TREATMENT FOR HIV/AIDS, which aims to make access to treatment universal by 2010 by supporting the manufacture of generic AIDS drugs and providing sustainable financing for treatment.
CLIMATE CHANGE CAMPAIGNING.
The Climate Change Campaign has three main components.
DITCH DIRTY DEVELOPMENT aims to get the government to switch its financial support (via the World Bank) of oil and gas extraction projects around the world and fund development of renewable energy instead. The government's actions directly contradict its statements on the importance of tackling climate change and the DFID (Department for International Development) is the target of this campaign as they provide a direct link between the government and the World Bank. Take action by collecting signed Action Cards (these can be ordered online at the People and Planet website) and send them to DFID, create a petition - the more creative the better as this will get DFID to take notice (see website for ideas such as Dirty Money, Clean Money, You Decide and Talk to the Hand), lobby your MP or organise a media stunt. The People and Planet website gives tips on how to get your stunt in the news, how and who to contact in the media, and a complete guide to preparing a snappy press release. With advice like this you can't fail!
The GO GREEN INITIATIVE focuses on getting educational establishments to manage their environmental impacts effectively. It demands that senior management staff draw up a written environmental policy subject to comprehensive review, and employ full time staff dedicated to environmental management. Activities such as recycling, reducing emissions and promoting green transport can actually save universities money!
Finally, I COUNT involves collecting pledge cards (available from the People and Planet website) and collecting pledges from as many people as possible to reduce their carbon footprint. The campaign is aimed at getting people to change their lifestyle. Set up a stall with friends, go door-to-door or round the campus, and return the pledges to People and Planet. Each one will be sent to the Prime Minister. 160 pledges amounts to taking over 70 cars off the road for good!
There are many helpful tips on the site to assist you as you go about your campaigning, and follow up on the actions you have set in motion. It also includes extensive information on the science of climate change and full details of all other campaigns. Visit www.peopleandplanet.org or write to People and Planet, 51 Union Street, Oxford, OX4 1JP. Phone: +44(0)1865245678


Thank you to Awards for All for their kind grant without which this project would not have been possible.

A launch for the anthology took place at:
THE SCOTIA BAR
112 STOCKWELL STREET
GLASGOW
ON 17 OCTOBER 2006
7.30-9.30 PM
And I'm pleased to report that the event was a great success. We had readings from local and Edinburgh based writers such as Jack Hastie, Audrey Marshall, Suzanne Muir Scott, Alex Cuthbert, Cartriona Newman, Sandra E Lang, Derenz, Eleanor Livingstone and Alexander Hawksville. And from writers who travelled from far afield to support the event - Margaret Boles, Ireland; Jacqueline Anita Zacharais, York; Frances Jessup, Haslemere; Julie Rutherford, London. A fantastic musical set was provided by Glasgow singer/songwriter Ian Davison, and Edwin Morgan's poem, John Muir (1838-1914) was read by chairman of the Writers' Federation of Scotand, Marc Sherland. There was more poetry during the open mike, with contributions from local writers such as Derek Read, John Turner, Sandy Hutchison and musician/Poem & Pints website creator, Andy Flemming, with the whole event MCd by the wonderful John Savage, editor of Verse Noir, a very funny man who kept us entertained throughout. All in all, the event couldn't have been better supported and my thanks go to everyone who helped make it a fantastic evening for all. A very special night indeed!

earth love, PO Box 11219, Paisley, PA1 2WH