News and archives:

  • 7th – 18th December 2009 UNFCCC COP15, Copenhagen: http://en.cop15.dk/ Those in governmental power around the world recognised the need to limit warming to no more than 2C above pre-industrial levels, but stopped short of any mandatory reductions in pollution. Looks like it is up to individuals to make up the difference now. So ask yourself what you spend your time and money on, where it comes from, how is it made and most of all at what real cost to the environment and the people that made it?
  • 9th December 2009. 'Alternative Christmas' event. Carmarthen Community Education Centre. The event’s aspirations: For a season where families don’t get snowed under with financial pressure, but feel free to spend quality time with each other; A season that not only shares peace, hope and love with the people we know and care about, but also with those across the world who are forced to live in poverty partly because of our ability to consume so much at this time of year. As on average each person in Wales will spend £784 for Christmas (Principality Building Society). Thank you to all the exhibits and those that joined us, including Mary & Joseph who did the green thing: http://uk.video.yahoo.com/watch/1809001/5969650
  • 19th September 2009. 'Green Fayre' Picton Centre, Haverfordwest, SA61 1UG. Plenty of information was made available on sustainable energy, transport and other green issues. Presentations and interactions, story telling for the children and clay modelling, with a nature trail undertaken by Bethan Cox from Biodiversity Wales. Various stalls including a reusable canvas bag table, Tradecraft, Fairtrade, a food swap for excess produce and a range of recycled products… The café served up piping hot foods and beverages where the ceramic cups had a deposit or keep scheme. With free entry, this event was put on by Haverfordwest Transition Group: www.transitionhaverfordwest.co.uk
  • 17th September 2009. 7pm. Consultation event on a charge on single use carrier bags in Wales by the Welsh Assembly Government, held at Brangwyn Hall, Swansea: http://www.nptcvs.com/2009/09/03/single-use-carrier-bags-consultation-event/ Several attended with vested interest in "Business as usual" but many more stayed and came up with some valuable ideas and issues.
  • 12th September 2009. International plastic bag free day: http://www.adoptabeach.org.uk/pages/page.php?cust_id=118 and supported by the Environment Minister: http://wales.gov.uk/news/topic/environment/2009/090911bagfreeday/;jsessionid=TzgHKvgJNqppGnZhL2lLvD7TgQMWGLlyvfrLY2TK52MNQhysLh62!-1833824413?lang=en This was a wonderfully sunny day, gathering several plastic bags from Pendine beach to take as evidence for the Welsh Assembly Government consultation event listed above.
  • August 2009. Good News: First Eco-Village in UK gets planning permission right here in West Wales: http://www.lammas.org.uk/ecovillage/documents/pressreleaseLammaswinsplanning.doc
  • March 2009. Utility company fined £1,000 with £90 costs for damaging a great crested newt habitat: http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/regions/east_of_england/press_releases/2009/060309.aspx
  • July 2008. Bakkavor Foods Ltd fined £30,000 and ordered to pay £1,710 costs, for milk and vegetable waste spill: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/news/86986.aspx
  • February 2008. Building firm ordered to pay more than £5,000 in fines and costs for destroying a wildlife habitat: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/beds/bucks/herts/7227030.stm
  • October 2007. BP fined £182m for environmental crimes and committing fraud: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7062669.stm

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