The “Monsanto Rider”: Are Biotech Companies About to Gain Immunity from Federal Law?

Posted on by Patrick Sudlow

More bad news from the USA.  Monsanto and other agrochemical companies can circumvent any Federal Court sanction against the planting of GM crops.  If they are so convinced there is nothing wrong with their products, why was this hidden away in a bill on Agricultural Appropriations.  It should of been done openly by trying to amend the Plant Protection Act.

This is what one NGO had to say about this rider;

In a statement issued last month, the Center For Food Safety had this to say about the biotech industry’s latest attempt to circumvent legal and regulatory safeguards:

Ceding broad and unprecedented powers to industry, the rider poses a direct threat to the authority of U.S. courts, jettisons the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) established oversight powers on key agriculture issues and puts the nation’s farmers and food supply at risk.

This is another reason we need a register of lobbyists in the UK, not just at the National level but also at the Local level.

The “Monsanto Rider”: Are Biotech Companies About to Gain Immunity from Federal Law?.

Climate Scientists Lament a Nation Stuck on the Wrong Debate

Posted on by Patrick Sudlow

Even here in the UK, Central Government and Local Government are not taking climate change seriously.  In particularly here in Manchester, the Council is still allowing developers to build properties which are not energy efficient, do not harvest rainwater or recycle grey-water and make no use of renewable power.  Nor do they incorporate district heating into any of their developments.  They only need to look across the channel to see what can be done.  This article from Truthout makes the point that not enough is being done.

 

Climate Scientists Lament a Nation Stuck on the Wrong Debate.

Oil- The Next Revolution.pdf (application/pdf Object)

Posted on by Patrick Sudlow

Just what we need, someone to produce a report suggesting there is plenty more oil.  The problem is, we are too dependant of fossil fuels and we should be moving away from there use.  But a report like this, will simply put politicians minds at rest.  They will ignore climate change and continue with ‘business-as-usual’, even though it is not sustainable.  They will continue thinking some technology will come along and save the day.

But, I think all revealed in the forward, why this report was produced.  BP provided the funding for it, so was the author of this report being objective or subservient to his paymaster?

Oil- The Next Revolution.pdf (application/pdf Object).

guttae: TRADITION AND CHANGE IN POST-REGENERATION MANCHESTER

Posted on by Patrick Sudlow

A  blog which reflects my own opinions about the (de)regeneration of Manchester.  And how it has achieved nothing but put money into property developers hands.  All history of Manchester is slowly being erased, with Ancoats Infirmary to be demolished.  The blog is quite lengthy but worth a read.

guttae: TRADITION AND CHANGE IN POST-REGENERATION MANCHESTER.

Commission Rejects UK Application to Delay Compliance With Nitrogen Dioxide Laws in 12… — LONDON, June 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ —

Posted on by Patrick Sudlow

As part of my objection to MMU’s plans for Birley Fields campus.  I raised the matter of air pollution and how the development, especially the stopping up of certain roads, would increase to poor quality in Hulme.  I especially emphasised that it would have a detrimental affect of the pupils of St. Philips Primary School.  I also criticised their traffic, air and noise assessment as not being adequate or of being representative of the actual conditions.

The local councillors, including the councillor for the Environment, the Planning Officer and Planning Committee, ignored such concerns.  If fact, the Planning Committee never conducted a site visit, even though this is a major development.  Hulme already suffers from a high rate of ill-health, mental and physical.

No one in Government, National and Local are taking this situation seriously.  In fact at a recent council meeting, it was stated that the emissions from Manchester Airport, do not fall on Manchester but the North Atlantic?  And the National Government does not want to comply with any EU regulations, because they say they are bad for big business?

Commission Rejects UK Application to Delay Compliance With Nitrogen Dioxide Laws in 12… — LONDON, June 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ —.

Can renewables save the day?

Posted on by Patrick Sudlow

I agree with most of what she says, the UK has not done enough to stop us having an energy crisis in the coming years.  But, I disagree about the need for nuclear, it has been the nuclear industry which has attracted investment where as renewables have received a pittance.  Even Stern in his report, stated that it would take to long to get new nuclear built to prevent irreversible climate change and an energy crisis.

Can renewables save the day?.

ResPublica | Think Tank | Phillip Blond | Big Society | Government policy | Clubbing Together: The hidden wealth of communities

Posted on by Patrick Sudlow

It is amazing that politicians need reports to tell them, what most people understand to be common sense. Though this is about social clubs and is sponsor by bingo clubs.  It does highlight the importance of community groups and volunteers.  This is why most of us were shocked when Manchester City Council, shut down Youth Clubs.  They also do not realise the importance of Public Houses, as meeting places as free meeting places for community groups.  In fact,in Manchester City Council, has actively worked to shut down any community group which it feels threatened by.  Instead of listening what these groups have to say and working with them, to bring about a win/win situation.

 

ResPublica | Think Tank | Phillip Blond | Big Society | Government policy | Clubbing Together: The hidden wealth of communities.

Thoughts on why environmental groups failed to engage with a wider audience?

Posted on by Patrick Sudlow

I was asked to do a post on why environmental groups which are predominately white middle-class, do not attract more of the working-class?  This is only some thoughts I had whilst doing some gardening and is not intended to answer the question at this present time.

The middle-class environmental activists dismiss the working-class (social & council housing tenants), as not caring about the environmental, even to the extent of scorning them.

They should stop to think, who is causing the most environmental damage?  The working-class or the business and political classes?  Who has failed the World most, the poor or rich?

The working-class are bombarded by advertising TV programmes and films showing how well off everyone else is.  So they aspire to this, this of course the point of advertising and the consumer oriented media.  These are the people who can least afford the things advertised, but they feel they have failed, if they do not have the things it would appear everyone else has.

So instead of telling those with the least, that they should do more, the environmentalist should be getting the message across to businesses and politicians, that they have to change.  The way to try and change the ‘working-class’ altitude ( as well as banning advertising), is to educate the children in how to live more environmentally friendly.  Such as schemes promoted by the Soil Association, which is the Food for Life Partnership.  To empower the working-class by actually involving them with the decision making at the start of any project being proposed.