Stockport Friends of the Earth is a local environmental campaign group, taking action on local, national and international issues.
We see things differently. We see ideas, solutions, fresh perspectives, and ways of living, for a healthy relationship between people and the environment. We depend on the planet, so let's keep it in good shape. Let's act together for the planet and everyone who lives on it...
Links are in coloured text Some pictures are clickable too.
Please use the navigation link to learn more about us and our campaigns and the events link for details of current events.
2013 : The Year of the Bee
The plight of the humble bee symbolises a wider mistreatment of nature, and the threats bees are facing are varied and wide ranging. Across the UK habitat loss, farming practices, pesticides and diseases are all making life difficult for bees - and in 2012 this was compounded by the weird weather. And it's not just honey bees - many wild bumblebees and solitary bees are also declining at an alarming rate. Two bumblebee species are already extinct. 25% of British bees are listed in the Red Data Book of threatened species. None are protected by law.
Action in Stockport - Bee Resources for Schools
Stockport Friends of the Earth have sent out Bee information packs to all 85 Stockport Primary Schools, including, a beautiful Bee Flower Poster which shows you which flowers should be grown in order to encourage bees into your garden or flower patch, wild flower seeds and information about Friends of the Earth's unique Bees education resource (including National Curriculum links). More info
Schools can help us by sharing information about Bees and planting wild flowers which will attract Bees and provide the nectar that they need in order to flourish. We want to involve as many people within the Stockport area as possible with our plan to bring back the Bee population. More info
Queen's Speech: 'Deafening Silence' Over Climate Crisis (9/5/13)
Green MP slams absence of leadership to address climate change and manage transition to a green economy...
Responding to the Queen's Speech to Parliament this morning, Caroline Lucas MP said: "Listening to the Queen's Speech today, you'd be forgiven for assuming that the climate crisis has simply gone away. In the face of mounting scientific concern about the urgency of the threat we face from climate change, the deafening silence from this Government is unforgiveable. Not only is this a tragedy for the environment, it's also a tragic missed opportunity for our stagnating economy - and the hundreds of thousands of jobs in new green industries which would be created if Ministers got their priorities right. Instead of strong leadership on the green economy, all that seems to be on offer today is a Green Investment Bank that still can't borrow, and a deeply flawed Electricity Market Reform Bill which, without radical amendment, risks locking us into a high carbon, high cost, and gas dependent future."
UK government failing legal duty on air pollution, supreme court rules
The UK Supreme Court ruled the UK government has failed in its legal duty to protect people from the harmful effects of air pollution.(1/5/13)
Air pollution causes 29,000 early deaths a year in the UK and is linked to heart and respiratory diseases including asthma.
With the possibility of heavy fines and European commission action closer, Britain may now have little option but to come forward with ambitious new plans to reduce NO2 pollution in cities. Because most of the pollution is from cars, these could include ultra low-emission zones, bans on certain vehicles and the use of technological "solutions" such as dust suppressants.
Stephen Joseph, chief executive of the Campaign for Better Transport, said: "The decision means the government must put public health at the heart of transport policy. In practice this should mean investing in alternatives to cars and diesel vans and trucks, especially in towns and cities. It should also call into question government plans for major new roads."
"This is a significant judgment that ministers must not ignore," said the Friends of the Earth campaigner, Jenny Bates. "The UK's attitude to air pollution is a national scandal. We urge government to tackle this crisis, and to scrap plans to build more roads."
Climate Change - a long term issue requiring urgent global short term action to ensure a habitable planet for all
Stockport Friends of the Earth is very concerned that most of the UK and global population are ignorant of the likely catastrophic consequences of failure...
... to hold the increase in global temperature compared with pre-industrial levels to below 2°C and take action to meet this objective consistent with science and on the basis of equity.
Unburnable carbon 2013: Wasted capital and stranded assets
A new report, Unburnable carbon 2013, showed that stock markets worldwide are cumulatively valuing coal, oil and energy companies' huge reserves of fossil fuels as if they will all be burned, even though, at best, only 40% could ever be used if the world is to cap the increase in global temperatures by 2°C this century.
Learn more - click here to watch the carbontracker.org interactive video about the Carbon bubble
Tell Apple to get its act together.
All companies should be making products that don't damage the environment. The main responsibility has to lie with the manufacturers, who have to improve the way they work. Businesses control how their products are manufactured and transported, and have the power to make a difference on the big scale that is needed.
Companies should be rethinking design and production to use fewer natural resources, such as minerals, water and fuel. Currently, the price of these doesn't reflect their true long term impact.
Companies could also be doing more to ensure the environment, workers and other people are protected right through the supply chain.
Some businesses already do great things and there are some fabulous eco-products in shops.
Mining tin for our gadgets is devastating an island in Indonesia... Email Apple
countryside
Stockport Friends of the Earth wish to ensure that our local countryside can continue to be enjoyed by the people of Stockport as a tranquil place to visit away from the noise of road traffic (and new road building).
Stockport Hydro share offer still open - an opportunity to invest in Stockport's first community-owned hydroelectric scheme.
Stockport Friends of the Earth are supporting Greater Manchester's first operational community-owned hydroelectric scheme, situated on the River Goyt in Bredbury.