Dear John
Everyone deserves to live in a warm home.
But with energy prices about to soar, thousands more households will be plunged into fuel poverty while big energy companies rake in the profits. Some will even be forced to choose between heating and eating.
We’ve got a long history of campaigning to end fuel poverty. So with this national scandal about to get even worse, do you have a few minutes to complete a short survey and help shape our response? The first question’s a simple one:
Were you aware of the upcoming rise in energy prices?
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WE'RE TAKING THE GOVERNMENT TO COURT OVER ITS EMPTY CLIMATE PLANS
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The government’s Net Zero Strategy should include a pathway to reduce carbon emissions, but it’s riddled with holes and omissions. So, this month we launched legal action against the government on the grounds that its strategy doesn’t comply with the Climate Change Act 2008, a law we helped create.
Learn more about the strategy, why we’re trying to fix it and how you can help our legal challenge.
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800,000 SPEAK UP TO DEFEND OUR RIGHT TO PROTEST
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Last week, alongside 13 coalition organisations, we handed in hundreds of thousands of signatures challenging the government’s authoritarian policing bill. Thanks so much if you spoke out against plans to restrict our right to protest and criminalise the way of life for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.
And late last Monday evening, we got to celebrate! The House of Lords has removed some of the most hostile parts of the bill. But the fight’s not over yet. The government has said it’s determined to claw back some of its anti-protest measures.
If you haven't already, will you help us protect our freedoms by asking your MP to support the changes made to the bill by the House of Lords?
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OUR GROUPS STAND WITH PEOPLE OF MOZAMBIQUE
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Last month our local groups held demonstrations across the country to expose human rights abuses linked to a huge gas field in Mozambique – a project the UK government is putting millions of pounds behind.
Together they took action in solidarity with Justica Ambiental aka Friends of the Earth Mozambique. Like us, they're part of the Friends of the Earth International family, which is represented in over 70 counties.
If you’d like to take part in solidarity actions like this – especially when lives or human rights are at risk – we recommend following Friends of the Earth International on Twitter for the latest opportunities.
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YOUNG WELSH ACTIVISTS STAND UP FOR THE PLANET
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In December our Young Friends of the Earth group in Pontypridd made headlines when they took a bold stand in the name of the planet.
The brilliant campaigners turned down a good citizen award from Rhondda Cynon Taf county borough council – on the grounds that the local authority should be doing far more to tackle climate breakdown in recently flood-hit Pontypridd.
Hopefully, renewed attention will pave the way for ambitious climate action from their local council. Find out how the group’s principled stance garnered big publicity.
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NORWICH GROUP PRESSURES COUNCIL TO DECLARE CLIMATE EMERGENCY
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If we’re going to fight the global climate crisis we need strong and ambitious action in our communities. But in Norfolk the county council is yet to declare a climate emergency.
Norwich Friends of the Earth has spent the last 6 months campaigning to get the council to address the crisis. And before Christmas, the group mobilised to get the final 1,000 climate petition signatures they needed to trigger an all-important council debate on the issue. Big win!
Hopefully, we’ll have more good news to share soon. Interested in making a meaningful difference where you live? Find out what you can do to make your local area more climate friendly.
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WHEN WILL WE SEE ACTION TO HALT PLASTIC POLLUTION?
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Plastic pollution is a growing global problem. Too often the pressure is on individuals to reduce the impact of our throw-away society. But without strong government action, our efforts alone will never be enough to solve the problem.
Plastics campaigner Camilla Zerr reflects on the current crisis and the government’s slow progress in facing up to the plastics reduction challenge.
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GIVE BEES A FIGHTING CHANCE WITH A BEE SAVER KIT
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Only a few months ago the government committed to halt species loss by 2030. And yet it's just allowed the temporary use of a banned bee-harming neonicotinoid pesticide. These pesticides can have disastrous effects on bees, including their ability to forage and navigate.
With this additional threat hanging over bees they need all the help they can get. Will you donate for an eco-friendly Bee Saver Kit and help build a brighter future for bees?
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5 DELICIOUS WAYS TO ENJOY CHICKPEAS
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Chickpeas are one of the cheapest, easiest to find and most versatile pulses. There are already so many reasons to love these eco-friendly little legumes. From soups and salads to smoothies, chef Jenny Chandler brings us 5 tasty ways to make the most of chickpeas this Veganuary and beyond.
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That’s all for this month, we’ll be back with another update in February.
Take care,
Aleanna Shaughnessy
Supporter Relations Manager, Friends of the Earth
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