Covering Southend, Rochford, Castle Point, Benfleet, Canvey and Rayleigh, South East Essex Friends of the Earth campaigns on local and national environmental issues.
Join the energy revolution
We need to revolutionise the way we power the UK if we are going to tackle the twin challenges of spiralling energy bills and dangerous climate change. The Government has a commitment to generate 15% of the UK's energy from renewable sources by 2020, but they're trying to wriggle out of it.
SEEFoE ran a stall in Southend High Street on the morning of 18th October and collected 150 postcards from local residents asking their MP to support the target.
If you weren't among them, please send your MP a letter!
Wake Up, Freak Out
Here's a fantastic film by Leo Murray explaining climate tipping points. It's a blinder, watch it!
It's time to lead!
‘Time to Lead’ is a joint campaign from Friends of the Earth Europe, Greenpeace, Climate Action Network and WWF in Brussels to engage European citizens at this crucial time for European climate policy. The campaign will keep citizens up to date with discussions on the EU’s energy package, what they mean for global temperatures, and who in Europe is taking the lead in fighting climate change. It aims to pressure decision-makers in Europe to agree a strong energy package consistent with keeping global warming below 2°C.
Aviation
SEEFoE is opposed to expansion of flights at Southend Airport because of the increase in carbon dioxide, toxic emissions, noise and disturbance caused by an increase in night flights.
A new campaign group - SAEN - has been set up to fight the proposed runway extension and raise local awareness about the airport's intentions.
Basildon Golf Course Landfill Protest
A campaign has been started by Basildon residents over plans to use Basildon Golf Course as a landfill site under the pretense of "improving" the golf course. Phase 1 alone would result in the loss of over 90 trees, 120,000m3 of rubble being brought onto the site and 56 lorry movements a day for 16 months.
More details can be found on the Basildon Golf Course Landfill Protest website at: http://www.basildongolfcourselp.com/.
Southend Regeneration Plan
Renaissance Southend, an "Urban Regeneration Company", is currently holding a public consultation on its ominously-titled "Master Plan" for Southend. The company is costing Council Tax payers large sums of money in developing this plan, yet it has no mandate from the people of the town nor, it emerges, the support of many of our Councillors.
Liberal Democrat Councillor for Leigh, Dr Alan Crystall, says: "I am sure that most Southend Councillors are concerned about the proposals of Renaissance Southend. We could do a huge amount in a sustainable way (subsidised bus routes for example) with the money they are costing us."
It is clear from Renaissance Southend's proposals that they have not taken into consideration new Government planning policy to be introduced later this year, which emphasises the need for responsible development that addresses the causes of climate change. Therefore, South East Essex Essex Friends of the Earth has come up with an alternative Regeneration Plan for Southend, which has been sent to all Councillors in the Borough.