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  The view from the top

  It is possible to stage media events successfully and, at the same time, discuss real world options rationally.  The latest update from Greenpeace explains what they did yesterday at Heathrow airport and why.  Their timing was perfect.  (Just like Branson's, of course.)  Tomorrow is the end of DfT Consultation on 'Adding Capacity at Heathrow airport'.

  Search on Grist for Heathrow and you will find the airport has not been mentioned since August 2007, when the Climate Camp was in progress.  The current consultation on expansion was initiated in November 2007, yet not a peep was heard here, nor many peeps elsewhere outside Britain.  Airport expansion is a major story, especially when the government sanctioning it purports to be the world leader on action to combat climate change, with the world's first Climate Change Bill.

  Greenpeace are effective in bringing stories to a wider public, such as here at Gristmill, and for that, I thank them.On Greenpeace takes Heathrow posted 1 year, 8 months ago 9 Responses

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  P.S. on extra emissions enabled by expansion

  The estimated 3 million tonnes of additional CO2 emissions enabled by addition of a third runway is per annum.

  While I'm here, there's another annual figure to bear in mind ...

  The UK aviation industry currently benefits from Government subsidies in the form of tax breaks on fuel and VAT to the tune of around 9 billion GBP per annum.On Greenpeace takes Heathrow posted 1 year, 8 months ago 9 Responses

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  Stop Heathrow Expansion / No Third Runway

  Many thanks for raising awareness of local efforts to prevent the British Government and BAA airport operator from `Adding capacity at Heathrow airport`.

  The video of children captures just how we feel, living here in the Heathrow area.

  A wider audience might like to bear these points in mind:
  

  
     
  • The Public Consultation on Department for Transport (DfT) proposals for `Adding capacity at Heathrow airport` ends tomorrow, Wednesday February 27, 2008, in London.
  
     
  • Heathrow is on the front line in the battle against climate change.  We have to draw a line in the sand now.  Unsustainable expansion with rapidly increasing emissions will continue relentlessly if we do not put a stop to this now!
  
     
  • The deadline for responses to the Public Consultation is tomorrow, but this is not the end.  Rather, it marks the beginning of a long struggle, and local groups with all-party support from local MPs, borough councils, all four candidates for Mayor of London, and MEPs are committed to working with residents to challenge these proposals every step of the way, taking this issue of expansion to the highest levels necessary to prevent it coming to fruition.
  
     
  • The consultation has been designed to prevent objections on issues of global concern, such as climate change.  Heathrow expansion will enable an estimated additional 3 million tonnes of CO2 emissions.  The British Government intends to address the extra climate change impacts of these extra aviation emissions through international trading schemes, such as the EU ETS.
  
     
  • To respond to the Public Consultation, email your concerns to: heathrowconsultation@dft.gsi.gov.uk
  
  
  
  At a wider level, Transport Strategy for Britian, laid out by the Department for Transport headed by Ruth Kelly, pays lipservice to sustainability.

  More details on the approach are on the DfT Transport Strategy and Planning webpage, which leads with a document titled 'Towards a Sustainable Transport System: Supporting Economic Growth in a Low Carbon World'.  You only need to search on 'aviation emissions' and read the surrounding paragraph on each search result to see what they are up to.

  This Transport Strategy is incompatible with Britain's Climate Change Bill.  The policies cannot coexist.  At every step, one policy framework will override the other.  Recognising the weakness (and silence) of DEFRA on Heathrow expansion versus the strength of DfT combined with lobbies for the aviation and construction industries, it is not hard to see which government department will win the policy conflict in practice.

  Opposition to Heathrow expansion is a test case seeking to challenge and change the underlying assumptions, implications and consequences of continuing with business-as-usual.On Greenpeace takes Heathrow posted 1 year, 8 months ago 9 Responses

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  Six years ago ...

  ... the Guardian ran another story that provides more background to this sordid tale.  Before I give you that link, here are a couple of more recent links that SpinWatch picked up too:
  BBC Messes Up Again on Gore Story
  Revealed: The Hidden Agenda Behind Al Gore Attack

  Now, going way back in time--six whole years--when this was just a twinkle in the eye of Durward, here's an article on the genesis of that anti-environmental corporate front group known as the Scientific Alliance:
  

  Hard rockers: Challenging the green lobby

  
  

  The views of the green lobby should be challenged, according to a new alliance

  
  Andy Rowell
  Wednesday July 11, 2001
  The Guardian

  On More on the nine 'errors' in Gore's movie posted 2 years ago 2 Responses

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  Official IPCC flyer

  Is this 4-page PDF from the IPCC on AR4 the kind of brochure that would help you?

  P.S.  I also have a simple page I made myself for kids to help them appreciate the significance of the IPCC and key points from WG1 SPM.  You can see it on my blog here and tell me if you would like a PDF.  (I can change it from A4 to US format for you.)On Delayers are replacing deniers posted 2 years ago 9 Responses