Updates: polution; hunting; animal slaughter; climate change

[Anthea]

Hunt saboteurs claim victory

One of England’s most notorious hunts has just chosen to “cease hunting activities”. It comes after an aggressive six-year campaign of hunt saboteurs targeting the fox-hound pack. And it means that large swathes of the English countryside will be hunt-free for the first time since the 19th century

Victory!

On 8 October, West Midlands Hunt Saboteurs declared: “Victory! Atherstone Hunt finished!”. It celebrated the end of the ‘notorious’ Atherstone Hunt, which has decided to stop hunting altogether. The hunt saboteur group claimed it played a pivotal role in the end of the Atherstone, saying:

For six years the Atherstone Hunt have been completely sabotaged and as a result they have now folded

Consequently, it estimated that a “908 km² area of West Leicestershire and North Warwickshire are completely hunt free” as a result.

The hunt itself said it made the decision at a committee meeting on 7 October. A Facebook post explained that “hunting activities for the 2019/20 season” would stop “with immediate effect”. It further said that the future of the Atherstone Hunt will lie in “amalgamation” with another pack or the “sharing of kennels”. It provided no reason for the decision.

The Canary also contacted the Countryside Alliance for comment but had received no response at the time of publication.

Violence

West Midlands Hunt Saboteurs said that, during the past six years, its members had:

faced harassment, extreme provocation and regular violence from those associated with the Atherstone Hunt. We’ve received death threats, had our tyres slashed, cars burnt out and have been hospitalized.

The group also claimed it had experienced pro-hunt policing of its activities. Despite this, it “persevered and never backed down”.

The Canary has previously reported on the conflict between West Midlands Hunt Saboteurs and the Atherstone Hunt. In October 2017, audio leaked from an Atherstone Hunt meeting revealed that overwhelming criminal acts by its followers had left the hunt uninsured.

These included a farmer riding a quad into a member of West Midland Hunt Saboteurs, one man slashing the tyre on the group’s vehicle, and two men throwing manure at anti-hunt protesters.

“You’ve just got to keep going”

Speaking to The Canary, a spokesperson for West Midlands Hunt Saboteurs claimed that serious problems within the Atherstone Hunt had been showing for some time:

They’d only been out three times this season. Then everything started to get cancelled and rumours were emerging that there was an issue – that the huntsman walked out. There were obviously clear issues.

And they explained that the group’s non-violent “persistence” took advantage of these problems:

We informed the public about what we did and we showed the public what they were doing as well. That just ground them down, I think, to the point where we started seeing numbers drop. Every season was a new huntsman and [whipper in].

They haven’t had a countryman [terrierman] for the last two years. Numbers were dropping. Hunt masters were dropping. Staff weren’t staying. Turnover was high. You could see they were feeling demoralised. That’s when [we] really kept going.

The Canary previously reported that social media played an important role in West Midlands Hunt Sabs’ campaign.

West Midlands Hunt Saboteurs said it believes this wide-ranging non-violent approach ultimately paid off:

You’ve just got to keep going. That’s all you’ve got to do – you’ve just got to keep going … trying to help [prevent] some of the suffering that goes on. But it’s also making a statement that this is not acceptable and people are going to stand up to you. [Hunting] is a dying ‘sport’.

Heart and persistence

Lee Moon, spokesperson for the Hunt Saboteurs Association, said the end of the Atherstone Hunt was a “fantastic achievement” by West Midlands Hunt Sabs. Meanwhile, conservationist and wildlife campaigner Chris Packham said “good riddance” to the hunt.

This is just one hunt among hundreds. But it’s a fantastic example of what small groups of people can achieve with faith and persistence. As West Midlands Hunt Saboteurs’ spokesperson told The Canary:

It shows what groups of dedicated people can do. We’re all volunteers, so it all comes from the heart and the belief that bloodsports and hunting is morally wrong. Whether it’s illegal or legal is irrelevant.

The Hunting Act has been ineffective at ending hunting. So the fact that hunt saboteurs are still out in the fields is something we should all be thankful for.

https://www.thecanary.co/discovery/anal ... -it-quits/

[Anthea]

Trophy hunt firm
offering sick deals

A trophy hunting firm is offering a sickening buy one, get one free package – throwing in a lioness if a customer pays to shoot a lion

The offer at Mkulu African Hunting Safaris comes as wildlife experts warn cheap air fares and falling tour prices are making the vile pursuit affordable to far more people.

The advert boasts: “Book a lion hunt with us and add a lioness at no extra cost.”

Eduardo Goncalves, of the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting, said: “Business is booming for the trophy industry.

“Before, it was just the landed gentry and army colonels who went on hunting safaris.

“Today, it’s gas engineers, utility company customer service managers, NHS suppliers, internet provider supervisors and even pensioners jetting off to kill wild animals for fun.

"Last-minute deals and cancellation offers mean some hunters are shopping around for bargains. It’s like Black Friday but for the animals every day is a black day.

“We’re facing an extinction crisis, yet we’re allowing more and more hunters to shoot rare and endangered animals.”

The cut in the cost of hunting holidays is also down to an explosion in the number of game reserves in South Africa and neighbouring Botswana and Namibia.

Another package at Rance River Reserve, South Africa, on sale via Bristol-based A1 Decoy has a “special offer” on a cull package.

Beneath a picture of a hunter who has slaughtered a zebra, the advert reads: “5 day, 7 animals, 4 hunters £1,499; 2 hunters £1,799.

“Choose 7 between: Black wildebeest, Bontebok, Impala (f), Impala (m) Jackal, Kudu (f under 53”), Warthog, Baboon, Vervet Monkey. Add a Zebra for £350.” Another firm, Discount African Hunts, sells packages under the banner “making Africa affordable”.

The firm sends out a weekly ­newsletter with cut-price, last-minute cancellation places on hunts.

This summer, Manish Ghelabhai ­travelled to South Africa with Pawprint Safari – which runs wildebeest and antelope hunts for £1,800 plus flights.

The gas engineer, from Kings Lynn, Norfolk, is pictured on the company’s Facebook page next to a dead lion – which typically costs £4,000.

He wrote online: “I always thought that I would struggle to afford a hunting trip to Africa.”

Mr Goncalves said: “Manish Ghelabhai openly boasts about being able to get just eight to nine yards from a lion before shooting it dead. Shooting a tame lion in an enclosure isn’t brave, it’s horrific. Doing it just for fun and so you can boast about it is utterly shameful.

“Lion hunting is now a mass-market industry and the first thing that goes out the window is welfare. Inbreeding is causing all sorts of diseases and deformities, as well as cubs being stillborn.”

British trophy hunter attempts to justify his disgusting hobby

The Mirror has been campaigning for a ban on the importation of animal trophies into the UK.

And last week, animal welfare minister Zac Goldsmith said he will be launching an immediate consultation with a view to introducing a ban.

Mr Goncalves added: “The Government’s consultation on banning trophy imports cannot come soon enough. While we’re waiting, the Government should impose an immediate moratorium on the import of hunting trophies.”

Mr Ghelabhai declined to comment when we approached him, as did Pawprint, Rance River and Mkulu.

The Daily Mirror is calling for an end to the barbaric practice of trophy hunting in a campaign backed by politicians, celebrities and activists

What we demand:

1. Ban all trophy hunting imports into the UK.

The Government still allows the import of heads and furs of animals shot for pleasure.

Ministers pledged a ban in 2016 but it has not happened. It is still legal to bring in parts from lions, elephants and leopards.

France, the Netherlands and Australia have banned trophy imports. We should do the same.

2. Include hunt ‘trophies’ in the ban on trading endangered species.

Body parts of endangered animals cannot be traded, imported or exported under strict international controls.

But trophy hunters’ kills are exempt from this rule under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. We want this loophole closed.

3. End canned hunting.

Canned hunting is where animals, especially lions, are kept in an enclosed area to be shot by paying hunters.

This a growing business with more than 200 centres in South Africa alone holding 8,000 lions.

It is also rife in the US, which has more than 1,000 reserves where hunters can shoot bison, deer and African antelopes.

4. Classify giraffes as an endangered species.

Giraffe numbers have fallen 40% in the past three decades and there are fewer than 100,000 today.

They are at risk from hunting, poaching and habitat loss. Of the nine subspecies of giraffe only three are on the “red list” of critically endangered animals.

We are calling for all giraffes to be given protected status.

Link to Article - Photos:

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-new ... g-20526636

[Anthea]

Activists arrested
protests continue

Extinction Rebellion activists have continued their action in the capital with more than 1,000 now arrested

The new toll comes after protesters descended on London City Airport today, arriving at the airport at 9am.

One activist delayed a flight by boarding a plane while another climbed on top of a plane before lying on its roof.

The climate change protest group earlier said its members intend to "peacefully occupy and shut down" the busy transport hub's terminal building, though the airport said all protesters had been removed by this evening.

The Met Police has confirmed there have been a total of 1,112 arrests in connection to the latest Extinction Rebellion protests.

This is just shy of the total arrested in the previous mass action in April, when the figure was 1,130.

Extinction Rebellion has said it is "unlikely" protests at City Airport will continue tomorrow.

Meanwhile, in New York City, XR says 63 people have been arrested.

Roger Hallam, Extinction Rebellion co-founder, has signed a book deal with Chelsea Green Publishing.

He signed the deal from his cell at Wormwood Scrubs.

The publisher will push for climate manifesto Common Sense for the 21st Century for release on 14th November.

Climate breakdown is killing people now. I want to be here, to know I did what I could. We need to act now.

Extinction Rebellion writes:

Freedom of speech is no more in London.

See no emergency.

Hear no emergency.

Speak no emergency.

This IS a climate and ecological emergency

.Robert Sinclair, chief executive of London City Airport, said shortly after 7pm on Thursday that there were no longer any protesters outside the terminal.

“We continue to work with the Metropolitan Police to ensure that our passengers tonight and tomorrow have a safe and secure service,” he said.

“The airport has remained fully operational throughout the day and has run an almost complete schedule of flights, with just two flights cancelled as a result of the protest activity.

“We want to thank all our passengers today for their patience, and the Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police for their support and professionalism. If you are flying from London City Airport this evening or tomorrow, please do check the status of your flight with your airline before travelling to the airport.”

Protestors have brought traffic to a standstill in New York City's Times Square and an activist in London climbed atop a plane as climate change demonstrators enter a fourth day of rallies.

Protesters in New York brought a green boat on a trailer into the busy traffic hub Thursday then sat down and refused police orders to move. The boat bore the logo of Extinction Rebellion.

Environmental protests have been taking place in cities around the world.

A green XR boat set up in New York.

The Met says it has cleared the majority of sites occupied by protesters.

A policing operation is also continuing at London City Airport.

In less than a year we have grown to over 600 groups in over 70 countries. We need international action for change, and your support to do that. This is a climate and ecological emergency.

The protests in the capital are part of an "international rebellion" happening in cities around the world, calling for urgent action to tackle climate change and wildlife losses.

Those arrested at the airport include 83-year-old Phil Kingston, who has now been detained three times as part of Extinction Rebellion protests in the past week.

Link to Full Article:

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/exti ... 58076.html

[Anthea]

XR hold funeral march

Extinction Rebellion held a faux funeral procession through Oxford Street as the arrest figure for its latest action topped the number from mass protests earlier this year

There were 1,200 arrested in huge demonstrations across the capital in April and the figure for those this week is now at 1,290.

Activists from the group walked through the busy London shopping street as they travelled through central London, claiming an estimated 20,000 took part.

In a post explaining the march, the group wrote: "In the midst of Rebellion, we will express our profound grief for Extinction through a unifying march."

It came as more than 100 healthcare professionals joined the sixth day of climate change protests in London.

Doctors, nurses and medical students were among those demonstrating at Jubilee Gardens, near oil giant Shell's London HQ, on Saturday in the "Health March for the Planet".

Several protesters leading the crowd wore hospital face masks, while others carried Extinction Rebellion flags and signs reading: "Climate change is a health issue."

In other protests, climate activist group Animal Rebellion descended on Billingsgate Fish Market this morning, blocking traffic and holding a vigil for "thousands of dead, and dying" fish.

The group prevented vehicles from entering the market after one of their members locked himself to the gate.

Animal Rebellion previously occupied Smithfield Market and aims to "end the animal agriculture industry".

The animal rights activists claim there had been "mass arrests" at the demonstration.

Meanwhile, up to 100 police officers are being deployed from Scotland to London to assist with the Extinction Rebellion protests.

The public order officers will work with colleagues in the Metropolitan Police responding to the climate change demonstrations.

They will be deployed from early next week after Police Scotland Chief Constable Iain Livingstone approved the request from the National Police Co-ordination Centre on behalf of the Met.

Met Police chief Cressida Dick said on Friday the force has been "stretched" by the protests, impeding its ability to respond to other crimes.

Link to Article - Photos:

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/ ... 60126.html

[Anthea]

Police across country put on standby for London’s million-plus protest day

Met may call on officers from across England and Wales on Saturday 19 October for People’s Vote march and finale of Extinction Rebellion action

More than a million people are predicted to attend the People’s Vote march next week.

Police forces in England and Wales are on standby for what could be one of the biggest public protests in British history, the anti-Brexit march due to take place in central London on Saturday 19 October.

As MPs gather in the House of Commons for an emergency weekend sitting to discuss Brexit, more than a million people are expected to mass outside parliament for a People’s Vote march, while Extinction Rebellion climate campaigners launch the finale to a near fortnight of continuous protest.

Scotland Yard confirmed it was expecting a huge event and was liaising with the National Police Coordination Centre (NPoCC), which is responsible for the deployment of officers from across the UK to assist during large-scale events.

Deputy assistant commissioner Laurence Taylor, who is in charge of policing Saturday’s march, said: “We have considered what the event may entail and we will continue to monitor the resource level that we have. UK policing, let alone the Met, has very significant capacity and capability and if we need to draw on that, we will certainly do.”

Tom Baldwin, director of communications for People’s Vote, said that despite the special parliamentary sitting, the Met had signalled it would allow the march to Parliament Square, where Extinction Rebellion protesters are camped.

Talks over which group controls Parliament Square on the actual day indicate that Extinction Rebellion is likely to surrender its prime spot to accommodate the anti-Brexit protest, which could form the biggest public rally Britain has ever witnessed.

To date, the two largest public protests have been the Iraq war rally in 2003 and the last People’s Vote march held six months ago, which both drew more than a million people.

Baldwin added: “It does look like it’s going to be a very, very large event, without any doubt one of the largest protests this country has ever seen.”

For next weekend’s People’s Vote march, its third in the capital, 172 coaches have so far been booked from across the country, compared to 130 last time.

The number of individuals who have signed up to say they will attend the latest march is also already significantly higher. A campaign to raise funds for Saturday’s event reached its target of £500,000 with a week to spare.

Baldwin added: “Boris Johnson wants to run a campaign of the people versus the politicians. On Saturday you’re going to get politicians like Boris Johnson sitting inside the Houses of Parliament trying to force a form of Brexit on the British people and the people will be outside parliament demanding a final say.”

It is not yet apparent what form the Extinction Rebellion protest on 19 October will take, other than that it is scheduled to be the climax of 13 days of protest that have so far seen more than 1,100 people arrested since they began last Monday.

The rate of arrest – described by a spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion as an “astonishing number” – has even prompted speculation that the group might struggle to fulfil its protests for another week.

“We are still assessing what [the October 19 policing plan] is going to look like and how that works in conjunction with any Extinction Rebellion protest, if indeed the Extinction Rebellion protest is still ongoing,” said Taylor.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/201 ... rotest-day

[Anthea]

Legal Hunting Fuels Poaching



Legalized hunting does not curb poaching, as often thought, but instead increases it, concludes new research

Many governments and wildlife organizations have promoted controlled, legalized hunting as a way to decrease wildlife poaching, but a new study finds that hunting actually increases poaching.

Government approved culling and other hunting of endangered animals like grizzly bears and wolves therefore should be reevaluated in light of the new evidence, according to the authors of the new paper, which is published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society

"Today the notion that killing is conservation has become a mainstream one," Guillaume Chapron, who co-authored the paper with Adrian Treves, told Discovery News. "It is now used by many governments to justify killing. Our study shows that there is no scientific support behind this notion."

Hunter or Hunted? Animal Eyes Reveal All

Chapron is a researcher at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences' Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, and Treves is an associate professor of environmental studies at the University of Wisconsin. For the study, the researchers combined data on U.S. policy changes in carnivore protection with information on wolf growth rates to model how government-approved culling of wolves in Wisconsin and Michigan affected the populations of these carnivores over several years.

The scientists identified repeated slowdowns in wolf population growth rates that could not be explained by natural factors. As the authors wrote, "The most likely explanation for these slowdowns was poaching and alternative explanations found no support."

As for why legal hunting likely triggers poaching, Treves told Discovery News: "Would-be poachers may learn the government is culling wolves to protect livestock and decide they can do it more effectively, or the government may be sending a signal that wolves have lower value, so people become poachers, or poachers may feel the risk of being arrested has declined."

Half Of Africa's Lions May Go Extinct In 40 Years The effect applies not only to wolves, but also to other large carnivores such as mountain lions, wolverines and lynx, Chapron said.

"Our study is very timely with the proposed delisting of grizzly bears in the Yellowstone area," he added, referring to how the U.S. government has proposed ending federal protection of Yellowstone grizzlies under the Endangered Species Act.

In its recent "Conservation Strategy," the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service argued that culling promotes conservation "by minimizing illegal killing of bears and promoting tolerance of grizzly bears." Chapron countered, "Our study shows that there is no support for this."

The World Conservation Union (IUCN) claims through its manifesto for large carnivore conservation in Europe that "legalized hunting of large carnivores can be a useful tool in decreasing killing."

"In light of our results," Treves and Chapron wrote, "we find this recommendation has no support."

The origins of the widely held theory that legalized hunting curbs poaching appear to date back to the early 19th century, when commercial markets in wild game were driving species, such as the passenger pigeon, to extinction. Regulating hunting was a "good step" then to curb unregulated kills, Treves said, and did help to protect threatened species like white-tailed deer and Canadian geese.

"Maybe it was easy to jump to the conclusion that implementing regulated hunting would curb poaching because hunters would value the game species, pay for its conservation and persuade local communities to tolerate the wild animal populations," he added.

"The findings of this noteworthy study, carried out by two internationally prominent researchers, have certainly shown how wrong I was in believing that killing wolves could help conserve wolves," said Paul Paquet of the University of Calgary's Applied Conservation Science Lab. "It's always enlightening and humbling when evidence contradicts dogma, allowing us to see the world as it is, rather than what we think it is, or expect it to be."

Jason T. Fisher is a senior research scientist with Alberta Innovates, and was a former big game management biologist with the Newfoundland & Labrador Wildlife Division. He said it "has long been an incorrect assumption" that poaching decreases as a result of government-approved cullings.

"This paper is bound to be controversial," Fisher continued. "If the wolf mortality studied here were caused by other animals, it would be a ‘nice to know' piece, but because it involves humans - and humans committing crimes - it will certainly invoke the ire of many people, while piquing the interest of many others."

https://www.seeker.com/legal-hunting-fu ... OZUNjlEQgo

[Anthea]

Police ban Extinction
Rebellion protests

Extinction Rebellion protesters have been forced to leave Trafalgar Square as police ordered an early end to the climate change group's massive demonstration in London

Demonstrators were told to leave Trafalgar Square, where many have congregated lawfully since Monday last week, as officers sought to expunge the protesters from the capital.

Activists had targeted the City of London on Monday for the start of the second week of planned demonstrations which have caused mayhem in the capital.

On Monday night Scotland Yard said any assembly linked to the group's so-called Autumn Uprising "must now cease their protests".

Officers clear out Trafalgar Square and threaten to arrest Extinction Rebellion protesters who refuse to leave

The force said: "Any assembly linked to the Extinction Rebellion ‘Autumn Uprising’…must now cease their protest(s) within London (Metropolitan Police Service, and City of London areas) by 9pm [on Monday].”

By 11.30pm, only around 50 protesters remained in Trafalgar Square and the majority of the activists' infrastructure had been removed.

But police faced a backlash from protesters as officers moved in to evict them from the square.

More than 1,400 people were arrested during eight days of the protest group's action, with the threat that anyone defying police orders will also be detained.

In a statement on Twitter, the London branch of XR wrote: "Police are clearing peaceful protest in Trafalgar & Vauxhall. They are back-tracking on promises made &, MEPs say, in contravention of UK law, in the national square.

Ellie Chowns, a Green Party MEP, said she was arrested after "standing in solidarity" with protesters in Trafalgar Square.

She said: "We were given notice just a short time ago that this square is no longer allowable for peaceful democratic protest.

"The rules have been changed. No longer is any space in London allowable for peaceful democratic protest.

"This is intolerable. There has been no justification given. The protesters have been peaceful.

"There is no justification for this curtailment of the democratic right to protest for the future of our children."

Fellow MEP Scott Ainslie said Ms Chowns was "singled out" by police for asking officers why Trafalgar Square needed to be cleared.

He said: "I turn my back for two minutes to speak with a police officer and when I get back she is being arrested.

"We asked the police the same thing - what has changed? Why are we now being threatened with arrest?"

Mr Ainslie said he and several supporters then travelled to Charing Cross police station, where Ms Chowns was being detained, in a show of solidarity with her.

"We are going to be singing Ode To Joy or something like that so that she can hear us supporting her.

"This whole thing is ridiculous - the protesters have not been in contravention of the law, it has been peaceful throughout."

Pam Williams, 71, glued herself to the spot where her tent stood as police arrived to take it.

She said: "Everyone on the site, despite being the only area of London that was free of the Section 14, was told at about 8.30pm that they had to leave by 9pm or they would be arrested. I just feel like that's very short notice.

"I feel possibly that they've been approached by people we've upset today, maybe the finance sector or the banking sector.

"I'm refusing to leave and I've glued myself to the ground. My husband has taken away the tent, the police haven't got it. I shall stay here until I'm arrested."

Patrick Thelwell, 20, who has been arrested four times, and convicted once with Extinction Rebellion, said the police were getting "desperate".

"They're running out of police cells and resources to keep our message oppressed," he said.

Police said they imposed the condition to clear Trafalgar Square under Section 14 of the Public Order Act 1986.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor added: "Officers have begun the process of clearing Trafalgar Square and getting things back to normal.

"Today, protestors targeted areas in the City of London, causing further disruption to people and businesses in London’s financial district. Police made more than 90 arrests."

"Since the beginning of this operation officers have been working hard to keep London moving.

"There have been more than 1,400 arrests, and a number of people have been charged. The policing operation continues, and we will continue to take action against anyone engaged in unlawful protests at locations targeted by Extinction Rebellion."

Police said the majority of the 76 people charged will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court between 6 and 15 November.

Others will appear at Camberwell and Thames Magistrates’ Courts.

An XR spokesman said: "After a week of telling Rebels to move from other sites in London to the 'designated protest space' in Trafalgar Square, they have now announced they will be removing all this evening with very little warning."

"With draconian measures and not very clear bases, police are telling protesters they no longer have the right to peacefully assemble in protest," they later added.

XR said in a statement early on Tuesday the police action had given them a "moment to pause and remember why we are".

It added: "Climate and Ecological Emergency isn't going away and we remain resolute in facing it.

"We urge the Government and the authorities to join us in doing the same. We cannot do it alone.

"This is bigger than all of us."

Link to Article - Photos:

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/ ... 61456.html

[Anthea]

Monkeys strapped in
cats and dogs bleed

Monkeys are strapped into metal harnesses while cats and dogs are left bleeding and dying in undercover footage recorded at 'German laboratory

Animal rights activists claim to have filmed at the laboratory close to Hamburg
Monkeys are locked into metal collars and appear to have developed neuroses
A beagle can be seen bleeding in its cage after one of the experiments
According to experts toxicity testing involves poisoning and can result in death

Monkeys are strapped into metal harnesses, while cats and dogs are left bleeding and dying in footage which animal rights activists claim was filmed at a German toxicology laboratory.

The German animal activist organisation Soko Tierschutz together with Cruelty Free International say the alleged abuse took place at LPT Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology in Mienenbuttel, on the outskirts of Hamburg.

Photos show macaques strapped to metal brackets in rows on the wall, others have their heads in restraints and are shown desperately trying to escape, while a beagle appears to bleed profusely in cramped cells.

An undercover activist got a job at the research facility from December 2018 to March 2019, and says he witnessed testing on beagles, monkeys, cats and rabbits, carried out for companies throughout the world.

A beagle bleeds inside a cage following an experiment, which activists say was carried out at the LPT Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology in Mienenbuttel

Macaque monkeys are locked into harnesses during research at the facility

Macaque monkeys have numbers penned onto their chests as they are strapped down for testing

Disturbing footage shows treatment of monkeys in a German lab

The undercover worker said the animals were kept in horrific conditions.

Beagles reportedly had pipes forced down their throats and were given capsules, and left suffering and often bleeding following the experiments.

A beagle is seen bleeding over tiles, it is not clear what induced the wound

He claimed the animals were treated with violence by the workers, who are not trained animal carers.

Friedrich Mullen from Soko Tierschutz said: 'The animals were even still waggling their tails when they were being taken to be killed, the dogs were desperate for human contact.'

He added: 'The worst treatment was kept for the monkeys. The macaques breed of monkeys are small, relatively light primates, which are often used for animal experiments at LPT.

'They are kept in cramped conditions in small cages. Many of the animals have developed compulsive tendencies and are seen going round in circles.'

The cats are said to be given up to 13 injections per day by untrained professionals and left to suffer.

The animal activists have reported the case to police who are investigating.

They also claim the laws in Germany protecting animals from experiments are not strict enough and call for the laws to be tightened.

A cat, with the fur around its legs appearing to have been worn away, peers from its cage at the unit

A monkey shrieks as it grapples with its metal collar at the research facility

A beagle lying across the floor inside a narrow cell at the facility, with blood spatters on the floor

LPT is a family-owned contract-testing laboratory carrying out toxicity testing for pharmaceutical, industrial and agro-chemical companies from all over the world in order to meet the requirements of governments and regulatory authorities.

According to the organisation Cruelty Free International: 'Toxicity testing involves poisoning animals to see how much of a chemical or drug it takes to cause serious harm, in an attempt to measure what a "safe" dose for humans might be.

The UK has prisons full of murderers PLEASE use them for your experiments

'Animals are injected with or made to eat or inhale increasing amounts of a substance to measure the toxic effects which can be severe and include vomiting, internal bleeding, respiratory distress, fever, weight loss, lethargy, skin problems, organ failure and even death. No anaesthetics or pain relief are provided.'

Footage shows the monkeys exhibiting obsessive behaviours, including going round in circles in their cages

Michelle Thew, Chief Executive of Cruelty Free International stated: 'Our investigation has uncovered appalling animal suffering, inadequate care, poor practices and breaches of European and German law.

'We are calling for the Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology (LPT) to be closed. We are also calling for a comprehensive review into the use of animals in regulatory toxicity testing in Europe, including the UK.

'Every investigation, without fail, shows a similar tale of misery and disregard of the law.'

The MailOnline has attempted to contact the LPT Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology for comment.

WARNING DO NOT LOOK AT PHOTOS

Link to Artice - Photos:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... atory.html

[Anthea]

What's in the UK government's
new environment bill?

A bill to tackle environmental priorities is to be published by the government later

It aims to improve air and water quality, tackle plastic pollution, restore wildlife, and protect the climate.

Environmentalists have welcomed several of the proposals, especially on restoring nature.

But they say on other green issues ministers are going backwards - and they're anxious to see details of the new policies.

Under EU rules, for instance, the government has faced heavy fines for failing to meet air quality standards.

With Brexit set to remove the stick of these rules, an independent watchdog, the Office for Environmental Protection, is being created to hold the government to account.

Ministers say the watchdog won't be able to fine the government if it fails to uphold its commitments - but will ensure it is held to account, with the ability to stop projects and hold authorities in contempt of court if they breach environmental standards.

But campaigners fear that the new watchdog could be muzzled, tamed and stripped of funding.
'Powerful weapon'

Conservative peer Lord Randall - a green adviser to former prime minister Theresa May - told BBC News that the Treasury appeared to have relaxed its objections to a powerful independent watchdog.

But he said it would still be useful if the new body could fine the government for environmental transgressions.

"I can see it might look silly if one government body fines another, but it would be a very powerful weapon," he said.

Crucially, policy details of the bill have not yet been released.

Take air pollution.

Many parts of the UK breach World Health Organization standards for fine pollution airborne particles.

The government promises an "ambitious, legally binding" target to reduce small particulate matter, known as PM2.5.

But so far, it hasn't stated what the standards would be, or when they would apply.

Previously, it was forced to improve nitrogen oxides pollution under the threat of fines from the EU. The new watchdog won't have the power to issue fines.

Also, it looks as though ministers are preparing to avoid controversial national measures by giving local councils the job of cleaning up the air.

On waste, Mrs May's government signed up to the EU's "circular economy" directive, which would see producers pay 80% of the costs for disposing of the packaging that wraps their goods.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has told the EU that the UK will have separate "ambitious" standards after Brexit. Does that mean the UK will stick to, or exceed, the 80% target?

'Throwaway society'

On plastics, ministers are preparing to introduce charges on single-use plastics, like the plastic bag tax.

But environmentalists complain that doesn't go far enough.

Libby Peake, from Greener UK - a coalition of pressure groups - told the BBC: "We have got to be smarter about this.

"People are already turning to glass and aluminium drinks containers, which have more impact on the climate.

"The government needs to take wider action to curb the throwaway society."

On wildlife, ministers will follow the advice of conservationists and create nature recovery networks across the country.

In the meantime, the government has been slipping away from its legally binding targets on the emissions that are over-heating the climate.

A Ryanair aircraft taxis behind an easyJet aircraft at Manchester Airport Image copyright Reuters
Image caption The government's climate advisers recently called for higher taxes for frequent flyers

Ministers are still committed to aviation expansion, fracking, North Sea drilling, building roads that experts say will generate traffic, blocking onshore wind power, and cutting support for home insulation and solar.

The government will respond later to a rebuke from the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) that they're not moving fast enough.

The government's bill makes it clear that the new environmental watchdog will have more power over ministers than the CCC.

The bill refers only to England, but many of its measures are designed to apply across the UK.

'Green transformation'

Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers said: "Our natural environment is a vital shared resource and the need to act to secure it for generations to come is clear.

"Our landmark Environment Bill leads a green transformation that will help our country to thrive.

"Crucially, it also ensures that after Brexit, environmental ambition and accountability are placed more clearly than ever at the heart of government."

Joan Edwards from the Wildlife Trusts broadly welcomed the bill's emphasis on nature recovery, but she raised a host of questions about the green watchdog.

She asked: "Will it be funded with multi-year budgets? Will MPs be able to vet the chairperson of the body? What duty is there on ministers from all departments to set environmental targets? Will the watchdog be fully independent of government?"

Tanya Steele, from the WWF, said: "Public concern for the environment has never been higher as we face a nature and climate emergency.

"Legally binding targets to protect and restore nature at home are welcome, but around the world our forests are burning and wildlife is being wiped out."

She added that the bill did not address the role the UK is playing in driving the destruction of nature overseas.

"We must also reduce and reverse the UK's negative impact on nature abroad and remove deforestation from the supply chains of foods we eat and things we buy."

Commenting on the bill, shadow environment secretary Sue Hayman said: "Boris Johnson is threatening our environment with reckless new trade agreements that would undercut Britain's environmental standards."

She called on the government to ensure "the UK won't fall behind the EU on environmental standards".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-50044870

[Anthea]

Last Month Tied as Warmest
September on Record Globally



In its global State of the Climate report issued Wednesday, NOAA reported that last month was tied with September 2015 as the warmest September on record in data going back to 1880. Other agencies agreed that last month was near the top, although their placements varied slightly. Minor differences in rankings can arise because of how the various agencies handle data-sparse regions such as the Arctic, where few surface weather stations exist.

—NASA ranked last month as the second warmest September on record, just behind 2016 and ahead of 2015.

—The Japan Meteorological Agency found last month to be slightly cooler than 2015 and warmer than 2016, making it the second warmest September on record globally.

—The European Union’s Copernicus EU program placed last month as the warmest September on record in data extending back to 1979.

The bottom line is that last month was among the three warmest Septembers globally in 140 years of recordkeeping. As NOAA pointed out in a news release, “The 10 warmest Septembers have all occurred since 2005, with the last five years (2015-2019) being the five warmest Septembers on record.”



Last month’s global warmth is especially noteworthy given the absence of an El Niño event, which normally acts to boost global temperatures by transferring large amounts of heat from ocean to atmosphere. One of the strongest El Niño events ever observed pushed global temperatures to record levels in 2015-16.

For the year to date (January-September), NOAA ranks 2019 as the second warmest year on record, behind only the first nine months of 2016—which, again, were heavily influenced by the intense El Niño of 2015-16. The most likely outcome by year's end is that 2019 will be the second warmest full year on record, going back to 1880.



The current warmth is right in line with ongoing long-term warming related to human-produced greenhouse gases. According to NOAA, the year-to-date global temperature is 1.69°F (0.94°C) above the 20th-century average of 57.5°F (14.2°C). Global temperatures are now running more than 1°C above the levels observed in preindustrial times of the 19th century—a flashing warning sign, given the IPCC’s special 2018 report on the myriad risks to the stability of global climate and ecosystems if sustained warming exceeds 1.5°C above preindustrial values.

Standout events from September

—September had four billion-dollar weather disasters, bringing the tally for the year to 23. Ten of these 23 disasters have been in the U.S., making it the fifth year in a row for ten or more billion-dollar U.S. weather disasters—an unprecedented occurrence, even with inflation taken into account.

—One nation or territory (Guadeloupe) set an all-time heat record in September. As of October 15, all-time high temperature records have been tied or broken in nineteen of the world’s nations and territories, making 2019 the second most prolific year on record for all-time national heat records.

—Arctic sea ice extent during September was the third lowest in the 41-year satellite record; the annual minimum in sea ice extent occurred on September 18 and was tied with 2007 and 2016 for the second lowest yearly minimum on record, behind 2012. Because this autumn's refreeze has been so slow, Arctic sea ice extent was once again approaching record lows for the time of year as of October 15.

Full details on the record-breaking events for September 2019, and national/territorial heat records this year to date, are at Jeff Masters’ Eye of the Storm blog at Scientific American. We'll have an update on the Atlantic tropics in our next post.

Link to Full Worrying Article:

https://www.wunderground.com/cat6/NOAA- ... at6-widget

[Anthea]

The Bee Is Declared The Most Important Living Being On The Planet



Its sting hurts a lot, but if they were to disappear, it would hurt much more

The Earthwatch Institute concluded in the last debate of the Royal Geographical Society of London, that bees are the most important living being on the planet, however, scientists have also made an announcement:

Bees have already entered into extinction risk

Bees around the world have disappeared up to 90% according to recent studies, the reasons are different depending on the region, but among the main reasons are massive deforestation, lack of safe places for nests, lack of flowers, use uncontrolled pesticides, changes in soil, among others.

WHY HAS BEES BEEN DECLARED AS THE MOST VALUABLE LIVING BEING ON OUR PLANET?

The Apiculture Entrepreneurship Center of the Universidad Mayor (CeapiMayor) and the Apiculture Corporation of Chile (Cach) with the support of the Foundation for Agrarian Innovation (FIA), conducted a study where it was determined that bees are the only living being that it is not a carrier of any type of pathogen, regardless of whether it is a fungus, a virus or a bacterium.

The agriculture of the world depends on 70% of these insects, to put it more clearly and directly, we could say that 70 of 100 foods are intervened in favor by bees.

Also the pollination that the bees make allows the plants to reproduce, of which millions of animals feed, without them, the fauna would soon begin to disappear.

The honey produced by bees, not only serve as food, but also provide many benefits to our health and our skin.

According to a quote attributed to Albert Einstein, If the bees disappear, humans would have 4 years to live.

WHAT ARE THE REASONS AND HYPOTHESES ATTRIBUTED TO THE EARLY DISAPPEARANCE OF BEES?

The Federal Institute of Technology of Switzerland, proposes a theory that blames the waves produced thanks to mobile telephony. They explain that these waves emitted during calls are capable of disorienting bees, causing them to lose their sense of direction and therefore their life is put in danger.

The researcher and biologist Daniel Favre, along with other researchers, made 83 experiments that show that bees in the presence of these waves, produce a noise ten times higher than usual, behavior that has been observed to make it known to other bees They are in danger and it is important to leave the hive.

Undoubtedly, the greatest reason for its disappearance is attributed to the constant fumigation of crops, an example of this is what happens in Colombia, since during the last three years 34% of bees with agrotoxins have died of poisoning.

ARE THERE SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM?

There are indeed solutions, the problem is that it is very difficult to carry them out, because there are very entrenched practices in production and agriculture.

However, three solutions are proposed with the hope that they can be done in a short time:

Prohibit, not reduce, the use of toxic pesticides.
Promote completely natural agricultural alternatives.
Perform constant research and monitoring of the health, welfare and conservation of bees.

This is an example of the problem that is being experienced with bees and the urgency of creating changes in our management of resources, says Luciano Grisales, representative to the Chamber of Commerce of Colombia.

It is of vital importance to establish the strategic nature of the protection and repopulation of bees and other pollinators, since not to do so in 10 years would not be counted on bees in Colombia. This would lead to a food catastrophe and a health crisis in the country. - Luciano expressed to Sustainable Week.

https://science-andinfo.blogspot.com/20 ... f6vrEanZxw

[Anthea]

Climate protesters
dragged of Tube train

Commuters have dragged climate change protesters from the roof of a London Underground train

Extinction Rebellion activists climbed on top of trains at Stratford, Canning Town and Shadwell during Thursday's rush hour.

The Jubilee Line and Docklands Light Railway were earlier partially suspended. Minor delays are still reported on the lines.

Four protesters have been arrested, British Transport Police (BTP) said.

Extinction Rebellion said the disruption was "necessary to highlight the emergency".

In the footage shared on social media from Canning Town station, a passenger waiting for a train is seen climbing on the carriage to get to one of the protesters.

The activist is grabbed by the knees and dragged down, falling to the platform where he appears to then be kicked and hit by angry commuters on the platform.

Others can be heard shouting and swearing at the protesters.

One shouts: "I have to get to work too - I have to feed my kids."

A second protester was chased along the top of the train carriage by a commuter before being dragged off.

A third Extinction Rebellion activist, who was broadcasting the protest on the group's social media accounts, said he was also attacked and "kicked in the head".

In a statement BTP said: "We continue to urge protesters to not target the London Underground network. This is dangerous, not only for protesters but for commuters.

"We have increased our patrols on the London Underground and at other rail hubs throughout London."

Analysis
By Tom Edwards, BBC London transport correspondent

Even from within Extinction Rebellion there has been disagreement on targeting public transport - particularly London's Tube and DLR which are pretty efficient, very well-used and low carbon.

Many think public transport is part of the solution to achieving net zero-carbon transport systems.

By targeting the transport network, protesters are confusing their messages.

However, you have to remember Extinction Rebellion is a decentralised umbrella term for lots and lots of smaller groups and as such they have differing methods - some more radical than others - and can operate independently.

And - ultimately - what they want is publicity for the cause

Extinction Rebellion co-founder Clare Farrell defended the Tube action, saying "the public, I don't think, realise quite how serious this situation is".

Speaking to the BBC she added: "Someone has been hurt today. We understand that putting ourselves in these positions is potentially dangerous for us.

"But what else can we do?"

At Shadwell station several activists glued themselves to trains, including 83-year-old Phil Kingston,

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said in a statement: "I strongly condemn the Extinction Rebellion protesters who have targeted the London Underground and DLR this morning.

"This illegal action is extremely dangerous, counterproductive and is causing unacceptable disruption to Londoners who use public transport to get to work."

At Shadwell station, one of the protesters who had glued themselves to trains was 83-year-old Phil Kingston

Train drivers' union Aslef said the Tube and other public transport services were "part of the solution to climate change, not the problem".

Extinction Rebellion should "stick to protesting against those who create the problem - not our industry, members and hard-working commuters", the union added.

A public order ban has been put in place on Extinction Rebellion activities in London since Monday.

In response, Extinction Rebellion called on "all London rebels and friends" to defy the ban.

Link to Article - Photos:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-50079716

[Anthea]

Police ban on XR protests
continue over weekend

Scotland Yard’s controversial “ban” on the Extinction Rebellion protests will stand this weekend after a judge refused to hear a judicial review bid until next week

Lawyers for the climate change activists have lodged a judicial review against the Met’s imposition of an order aimed at preventing disruption across London this week.

Phillippa Kaufmann QC, representing a collection of activists including Green Party peer Baroness Jenny Jones and Guardian journalist George Monbiot, asked for a fast-tracked hearing tomorrow to determine the case.

But Mr Justice Dingemans rejected the idea this afternoon, saying he was worried a judge could make a mistake if rushed into a decision.

“I’m wholly unconvinced this is a case where it is right to speed up the process as quickly as that”, he told the High Court this afternoon.

“These are important points, both for the complainants and the defendant, on the construction of a criminal statute.”

He said the arguments must be “fairly determined” once evidence has been fully prepared and presented, so that “justice can be done”, and said mistakes would have ramifications for those arrested and facing criminal proceedings.

The effect of today’s ruling is that the section 14 order brought in by the Met this week to tackle the Extinction Rebellion ‘autumn uprising’ will continue to stand until 6pm on Saturday.

Protests and disruption had been planned by the activists over the next two days, but anyone joining in the demonstrations will face arrest if they refuse police requests to leave.

Baroness Jones said they believe the police ‘ban’ is “an abuse of the law and in violation of fundamental human rights”.

Ms Kaufmann said the judicial review argument will focus on the Met’s assessment that the whole Extinction Rebellion movement can be assessed as a “single assembly” rather than several different and distinct protests.

She wanted the case determined quickly so that protests on Friday and Saturday could take place with a “clear understanding” of police powers.

George Thomas, for the Met, told the court there is evidence of the activists planning to “act like water” to combat police attempts to break up the protests, moving swiftly to different parts of London and with different people.

And he insisted to the court: “Lawful protest by Extinction Rebellion has not been banned – (the order) does not prevent protests to raise awareness of action against climate change taking place over the next two days.”

Police have continued to arrest demonstrators under the section 14 powers despite the judicial review bid, including taking Mr Monbiot into custody yesterday. He was released under investigation last night.

The judge is expected to make orders this afternoon for the preparation of the case, which is likely to be heard on Wednesday or Thursday next week.

Link to Article - Photos:

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/p ... 64301.html

[Anthea]

Extinction Rebellion
removed from Big Ben



An Extinction Rebellion activist who scaled Big Ben’s tower and unfurled banners calling for action on the climate emergency on Friday was brought to the ground by police three hours after his ascent

Ben Atkinson, a 43-year-old tree surgeon from Rydal in Cumbria, climbed scaffolding surrounding the clock tower without ropes in a protest that marked the culmination of the group’s fortnight-long “October rebellion”.

Wearing a jacket and tie, and what appeared to be a Boris Johnson-type wig, he hung two large banners, reading: “No pride on a dead planet” and “Citizens Assembly”.

An XR spokesperson said Atkinson wanted to “highlight government inaction on the climate and ecological emergency”.

Police used a lift attached to the scaffolding to bring Atkinson to the ground just before 7pm. At least six people were seen accompanying his descent.

As the lift reached the ground, a group of supporters cheered from behind the fence surrounding the Palace of Westminster. Atkinson was led into a van by two police officers while still wearing his wig.

The Metropolitan police said: “At approximately 6.45pm the man, aged in his 40s, was arrested under Section 128 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 – trespass on a protected site. He has been taken into custody.”

Pedestrian and cycle access to the road near Elizabeth Tower was then reopened after the protest.

Earlier, XR supporters who had been on a protest march around Westminster gave a roar of celebration as they entered Parliament Square and spotted Atkinson’s stunt. They then moved towards Trafalgar Square for a ceremony marking the end of their fortnight of protest.

Speaking to the Guardian from the tower, Atkinson said he had gained access to the scaffolding from the street level near the bridge.

“There was a bit of shouting going on, but no one wanted to come up the scaffolding after me,” he said. “It’s pretty much my bread and butter. I’ve been climbing trees since I was a kid. It was a pretty easy climb, to be honest.”

Asked how long he planned to remain on the tower, he said: “It would be nice to make the 6 o’clock news. I’m really hoping that Extinction Rebellion get some positive coverage on the news.”

By just after 2pm on Friday, the Met said there had been 1,768 arrests in connection with XR’s actions over the past two weeks. Atkinson’s protest came on XR’s final day of action, which began with a blockade of Oxford Circus in central London.

At 9.30am, activists blocked the roads leading into the junction, one of London’s busiest, which was the scene of days of lively protests by the group in April, and erected a tall tipi-like structure.

Greg Frey, 23, from London, who was secured to the base of the structure with a bicycle lock around his neck, said: “We would love to go home. I would love to have not spent the last 13 days on the streets, but we have no choice. We’re trapped.”

Shortly after the blockade at Oxford Circus, five activists locked themselves together outside the door of the Kenyan high commission on Portland Place to highlight the plight of indigenous Sengwer people, who have been displaced in the name of conservation by the country’s government.

“Any climate change solution should respect and take into consideration the rights of indigenous peoples around the world,” said Laurance Tidy, 26, from Wales, who had a lock around his neck connected to another activist blocking the door of the high commission.

At noon several thousand gathered in Whitehall Gardens, by the Thames, to begin a “red handed” march through Westminster, in a nod to the section 14 order that remains in place effectively criminalising anyone taking part in XR protests across London.

Steve Coogan, the comedian, joined protesters. He said: “I’m here today because Extinction Rebellion is a spontaneous global movement and I support it – anything I can do to counter the negative caricatures about it.

“Boris Johnson described it as a bunch of ‘uncooperative crusties’, which shows how out of touch he is. If you look around, there are people from all different backgrounds here. This is not a fringe issue, it’s an issue about the future.”

Police arrested several activists who circulated the crowd and used red spray chalk to paint handprints on the floor, while those taking part held red-stained hands above their heads.

Matt Phelps, 36, from Sussex, said: “Before Extinction Rebellion I hadn’t done anything like this. I feel like having seen what happened in April when we made some impact when parliament passed a climate emergency motion, it feels like this time there’s been a lot more support.”

After a long fortnight, the mood among many of XR’s supporters was reflective. “It’s had its highs and lows, I think,” said one XR organiser who preferred not to be named. “In April we had this upwards trajectory – glorious sunshine, we met Sadiq Khan and the government – what could be seen in old campaigning terms as wins.

Link to Article - Photos:

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/201 ... on-pyramid

[Anthea]

MPs like Andrea Leadsom say they want to save the planet – they could start by listening to climate change protesters

Reading Andrea Leadsom’s letter in the Evening Standard (Andrea Leadsom: You’re protesting in the wrong city and country, Extinction Rebellion), it is difficult not to be completely baffled by the arguments raised by the Conservative MP and business secretary

When Leadsom condemns the Extinction Rebellion protesters in the streets of our capital, she seems to have forgotten that the scientific community has warned us of the real, dangerous implication of climate chaos for years. But what has been done by politicians around the world to heed this repeatedly given advice?

The answer, sadly, is too little too late. Politicians across the globe have not understood the urgency that the climate chaos requires from us. They have not understood the key message that reports like the IPCC’s report last year were trying to convey to us: we are reaching a tipping point for the future of our planet.

Politics should be the art of making difficult decisions for the wellbeing of society, not just surviving until the next election cycle. We need to be bold in our approach to climate chaos. We need to be radical and decisive in taking the necessary steps.

The small incremental steps taken by our governments in the last 20 years are not enough and don’t deserve the rhetorical pats on the shoulder so well described by Leadsom in her letter.

As highlighted by the Committee on Climate Change last week, the UK is set to miss the goal to cut carbon emissions to net zero by 2050, undermining Leadsom’s claim of British leadership in tackling climate change. It’s not enough that “we will continue to break renewables records in the years to come”, as the business secretary wrote in her letter. If the Tories want to show genuine leadership, then they could implement measures such as a Green New Deal, commit to net-zero emissions by 2030, and stop airport expansion. These are just some of the measures that would prove to the world that Britain is not just paying lip service to tackle climate change but it is taking the necessary decisions to tackle the chaos.

We should not be content with the current environmental policies, but be more radical, more decisive in taking the steps that for so long we have been afraid to take.

Politicians never tire of praising the industrial revolution and the way in which it transformed this country. But we can now see the deleterious impact of our economic system on the planet, so we should be putting the same energy, efforts and economic resources towards helping to mitigate against its effects, rather than focusing solely on its triumphs.

How can we achieve that? By creating a new Green revolution. One that puts environmental and social justice at its core. Take the suffragette movement and anti-apartheid campaigners, for example, both deemed to be "illegal" protesters at one stage, before their hand in fighting for justice ultimately changed our society changed for the better. When it comes to the planet, those at the forefront of climate justice should be considered just as integral to creating much-needed change. The survival of the world depends on it.

Amelia Womack is deputy leader of the Green Party

https://news.yahoo.com/mps-andrea-leads ... GsJvQ479ZT