Every country signed the Montreal Protocol, banned the manufacture and use of CFCs and, as a result, the hole is much reduced in size.

In 2015, the UK was one of 195 countries signing the Paris Agreement at COP21 committing us to limiting global warming to 1.5°C by ensuring that greenhouse gas emissions peak by 2025 and decline 43% by 2030.

Cheshire East Council declared a Climate Emergency in 2019. But they, we and leaders around the world have not acted with equal urgency to deliver. For example, why does the Council not definitively protect Danes Moss, right now? This year is expected to be the hottest on record, again. Unless we act now, our lives, here, in Macclesfield, will change. Famine, floods, unrest are already becoming more frequent in neighbouring countries and will reach us.

So, what is stopping you, personally, from taking action today?

Do you believe that climate change is real and caused by human action, given the evidence from 99% of climate scientists? Is it too terrifying to think that our children and grandchildren may die on a planet which can no longer sustain life? Is the cost of change “too high”, the problem “too difficult”?

The good news is that we caused the climate emergency and we can address it. The sooner we act, the lower the cost.

Amanda Iremonger

The post We in Macclesfield can and should act on the Climate Emergency appeared first on Cheshire East Green Party.

What is the point of setting up yet another party of the left when one already exists demanding all that is wanted by the progressives quoted by Andy Beckett (Journal, 15 Nov.) and more, which gained over 1.8 million votes in the general election and already has four MPs? What prevents them from simply moving to the Green Party (or rather parties, depending on where they live)? Why should they be in rivalry with the Greens, as Beckett suggests? A strengthened Green Party would be perfectly placed to challenge Labour from the left and fight at once for social justice and climate action.

Walter Houston

The post We need a stronger Green Party, not just more leftist ideas. appeared first on Cheshire East Green Party.

Interview article:

Q1: Hi Carol, it’s great to be in touch with you today! I truly value the time you’re spending to talk with me. I’ve learned that you’ve been working hard to establish pop-up stalls aimed at encouraging a lifestyle that avoids purchasing and using plastic. I’m curious to know who you’ve partnered with for this initiative and which places you’ve chosen to focus on for your campaign promoting a plastic-free life?

A1: Hi Rachael, I’m glad you’re interested in this topic. Recently, Knutsford Town Council granted us a table at the Picnic in the Park event to encourage the people of Knutsford to be part of a plastic free community, and they’re also providing us with a pop-up shop every Friday at the Knutsford indoor market, it was our third one this week. I have a small team of friends who help run the stall, but we could really use more volunteers, even if it’s just for a couple of hours in the afternoon. Knutsford is aiming to become a Plastic Free Community, and I’ve shared information with all the local schools, asking them how they’re contributing to this cause. Local shops in Knutsford are also on board with the Plastic Free initiative and are eager to assist. I have a phone call scheduled soon with Williams Hart from PFC’s to brainstorm some ideas.

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The post Cheshire East Green Party opposes fascism and respects armistice day appeared first on Cheshire East Green Party.

With this in mind, I recently joined a discussion about how best to support those recovering, and wanting to recover, from drug and alcohol addiction in Cheshire East. In just the past 12 months I have known three people in our area who have died as a result of addiction. Perhaps the most heartbreaking is where 2 young children have been left fatherless by another needless death. In my voluntary work in this area I hear of violence leading to time in police custody, to injuries costing the NHS or employers, narrow scrapes from drivers losing their licences… so many stories and so much more help needed.

Our discussion looked at the complex web of funding and service provision – NHS, Council, voluntary sector – and envisaged solutions involving a one-stop core for help and comfort. I hope it will lead to improved communication, and better service provision for those in need in time to come, but at the very least we have increased our understanding of what is available, and our commitment to helping to create and provide solutions.

Would that everything the Council does ran as smoothly. You will see I have deliberately avoided wading into any criticism – I look for creative solutions, and to provide assistance. If you do too, of if you’d like to talk about this or anything Green (or green), come and chat at Flour Water Salt (SK10 1EB) on Saturday (12th October) between 9 and 11. Or get in touch anytime: welcome@cheshireeast.greenparty.org.uk

If you or anyone you know might benefit from help regarding alcohol or substance use, there are confidential support organisations available, including Change Grow Live: 01625 464995 or Alcoholics Anonymous: https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/.

The post We can – and should – bring about change locally appeared first on Cheshire East Green Party.

Nigel’s resignation is prompted by a motion passed with a small majority at the Green Party’s Autumn conference which changes the Party’s previous position on HS2. Cheshire East Green Party believe that the conference motion was based on two fundamentally false assertions: that high speed rail would reduce CO2 emissions by diverting traffic from roads and from the air; and that the massive destruction of habitat and biodiversity can be rectified by creating “new” habitat and biodiversity elsewhere.  Meanwhile, the much better rail capacity-building solutions which were also supported in the same motion have been prevented for a decade due to all Government investment money being tied up in HS2. 

The wording of the motion states that any support for HS2 has to be contingent on the use of up-to-date biodiversity metrics (not those presently used by HS2); on limiting biodiversity impact and other criteria. Cheshire East Green Party believe that effectively, this clause would make the implementation of HS2 in anything like its present form impossible, but also makes the Green Party’s published position on HS2 less clear cut than it was. 

Nigel says:

“It is with great sadness that this motion was carried at conference by a small dedicated team of Greens 4 HS2 group that I do not believe reflects the membership more generally.

As a local representative of various parishes (Rudheath, Mere and High Legh) at parliament select committee hearings I gave evidence on various aspects against the design of HS2.

It is clear to anybody looking at what was proposed that it would be greatly damaging for the area of North Cheshire I represent, with no benefits. Much better solutions of capacity can be achieved by improving existing infrastructure.  

However I feel the newly adopted party policy makes my position in the Green Party impossible, and I will continue to oppose any plans to reinstate HS2 design.”

Cheshire East Green Party Chair, Rich McCarthy said: 

“Nigel is a man of strong principles who has fought both truthfully and effectively for several communities against HS2 and before that against Fracking. He has also been a much valued and active member of our local party for the last 10 years. We are extremely sad that Nigel has taken this decision, but the local party will continue to campaign locally for alternative solutions to HS2 that would deliver less destructive, and financially viable improvements in rail and sustainable transport links in the North West and beyond.”

“We also wish to publicly express our sympathy with the feeling of betrayal experienced by those activists who put their lives on hold for many years, suffering assault, arrest and imprisonment. We offer them all our sincerest apologies, and ask them to accept our gratitude, admiration and solidarity.”

Cheshire East Green party are committed to uphold the principles of the Green Party, in relation to the Climate Emergency, the Biodiversity Emergency, the Environment in general and Social Justice. We believe that HS2 as it was proposed at the Autumn Conference, is an anathema to all of those principles. 

For more information contact:

Rich McCarthy – welcome@cheshireeast.greenparty.org.uk

Further information for journalists:

nrhennerley@gmail.com

07802 541936

The post Cheshire East Green Party offers thanks to key member in the wake of resignation over Conference motion relating to HS2 appeared first on Cheshire East Green Party.

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In their assessment of Party Manifestos – Climate Comparison, they have evaluated the impact of parties’ manifestos on climate change. The Green party has been rated as very good, followed by the Lib Dems as good, Labour as underwhelming, and others as hopeless.

VoteClimate encourages voters to Vote Green in Cheshire East!

For more information on each of the four candidate’s endorsements click the link below:

VoteClimate: Congleton Constituency 2024

VoteClimate: Crewe and Nantwich Constituency 2024

VoteClimate: Tatton Constituency 2024

VoteClimate: Macclesfield Constituency 2024

The post VoteClimate endorses Green Party climate policies appeared first on Cheshire East Green Party.

Nigel said: “I have lived in Tatton for over thirty years and serve as a Parish Councillor in High Legh.

“I joined the Green Party in 2014, and in 2019, I gave an information event to the leaders of Cheshire East Council ahead of the release of their Environmental Strategy.

“Today I am a member of the National Green Party Climate Emergency Policy Working Group and we work to inform the Green Party policy and our manifesto for this election regards climate change.

“In High Legh, I chair our climate and environment working group. Together we encourage change and take action for our environment.

“As the appointed vice chair of a prominent social housing provider, Voice Panel, I represent the interests of social housing tenants across the North West, and work to raise standards in the sector.

“This has given me a very important insight into how to improve and support providing much-needed safe, secure homes going forward.

“I gave evidence on three occasions to the Commons Select Committee hearings against HS2, and presented a report to the prime minister shortly before its cancellation.

“A vote for the Green Party is not a wasted vote. Without you demanding change it will be more business as usual. This will be your opportunity to influence policy for our planet, our environment, a more sustainable future, a fairer society.

“Voters are increasingly turning to the Greens because we offer a real alternative, with sensible and practical policies to tackle local and national issues such as the cost of living and the housing crisis. 

“Labour has cut its green investment plans by half. By voting Labour we are saying we are okay with this. Only by voting Green can we influence the change we need.”

https://www.knutsfordguardian.co.uk/news/24410238.tattons-westminster-hopefuls-set-stalls-ahead-july-4

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