Dear John
I hope your year is off to a good start and you’ve managed to stay as warm as possible this January.
This month I’ve got some tips and brilliantly inspiring stories to share with you – of local campaigners from London to Wales cleaning up the air we breathe and achieving massive impact on a national scale.
But first, we’re keen to get your thoughts on the government’s current plans for changes to environmental laws. Do you have a few spare minutes to answer some questions?
Here’s the first one. Do you think that people and the environment currently get enough protection under UK law?
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WALES WINS HISTORIC CLEAN AIR BILL
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First up some incredible news from last year. A Clean Air Bill for Wales will be included in this year's Senedd legislative programme. This is so welcome, after many years of us campaigning as part of the Healthy Air Cymru coalition.
Air pollution is bad for everyone's health. This history-making new law is an important step towards making sure the air we breathe in Wales is clean and healthy – and protecting the vulnerable communities most affected by toxic air.
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HOW LOCAL REPAIR CAFES CAN HELP SAVE THE PLANET
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The UK has to fix its waste problem. We need a shift to a zero-waste, circular economy, where everyday items are made to last and can be repaired or made into something new.
The good news is communities are stepping up to the challenge by opening repair cafés, upcycling and repair hubs. Where locals can go to get items fixed for free.
Watch our video for a look inside a repair café in Ruthin, Wales and hear from its founders about the benefits to their community – and the planet.
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HOW ULEZ CAMPAIGNERS HELPED CLEAN UP OUR AIR
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Members of the Friends of the Earth London network and campaigners Rosamund Kissi-Debrah and Anjali Raman-Middleton meet with mayor Sadiq Khan.
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In November, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan announced the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will be expanded London-wide from August. An important step to tackle the climate crisis and congestion and help Londoners breathe cleaner air.
Alongside many others, the Friends of the Earth London network campaigned tirelessly for the expansion. Launching a joint letter, meeting with the mayor and showing up at County Hall. And crucially, pushing for support for disabled Londoners and those on lower incomes in the form of the brand new £110 million car scrappage scheme.
Thanks so much if you responded to the ULEZ consultation. Here are 8 other ways our network took action to protect the natural world and everyone who lives in it in 2022.
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UK'S BIGGEST STARS SHARE TIPS FOR TACKLING ECO-ANXIETY
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Don’t Look Up actor and Emmy nominee Himesh Patel at Eastbourne's Beachy Head, photograph taken by Tom Oldham.
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More of us than ever before are suffering from eco-anxiety – feelings of stress and fear about the future of the planet.
So we teamed up with some of the UK’s biggest TV and film stars to show how nature and community can help us turn fear and worry into hope and action. In a series of stunning images, stars from Don’t Look Up’s Himesh Patel to Ghosts lead Charlotte Richie are shown in their most cherished outdoor spaces.
Take a look at the series and hear from famous faces on tackling eco-anxiety. And read on below for our top 10 tips on how to take action to combat stress about the planet.
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FRIENDS OF THE EARTH LAWYER NAMED IN TOP 100
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Friends of the Earth lawyers Katie de Kauwe and Will Rundle celebrate Heathrow case win outside Courts in 2020.
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We're so proud to say our very own Katie de Kauwe has been named one of the UK’s top 100 lawyers!
Katie was part of the incredible team on our Net Zero Strategy challenge, where the court found the government’s strategy to be unlawful last year. Now the government must revise its strategy and set clear, ambitious targets for climate action.
Watch the earthrise episode below to find out more about how climate activists are bringing about system change through the courts.
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KEEP LITTLE ONES BUSY WITH A PLANET PROTECTORS PACK
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Are you looking for entertaining and educational ways to keep the kids busy and off the screens this February half-term?
Our recyclable Planet Protectors packs are the perfect gift. Each pack includes wildflower seeds, an activity poster, plastic-free stickers and a handbook full of fun indoor and outdoor activities that any budding nature-lover will enjoy.
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TAKE LOCAL FOSSIL FUEL DIVESTMENT ACTION IN 2023
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Did you know that our local councils invest billions of pounds in climate-wrecking fossil fuel giants, like Exxon and Shell?
Join UK Divest for a short webinar on Wednesday 15 February to hear from some amazing speakers leading the fight for climate justice. You’ll find out how you can join the call for our local institutions to cut off the money pipeline to fossil fuel polluters and invest in clean, cheap energy.
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That’s all for this month, we’ll be back with another update soon.
Take care,
Aleanna Shaughnessy
Supporter Relations Manager, Friends of the Earth
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