The Lobbying Act has left corporations and lobbyists free to argue their case in the election 'debate', writes Adam Ramsay. But the justified fear of legal sanctions has gagged charities and NGOs from speaking out, silencing the very people voters need to hear from most.
… The Transparency of Lobbying, Non-party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act …
Indonesia's murderous campaign of military repression in its stolen territory of West Papua continues, writes Jason MacLeod. But a courageous 50-year struggle for human rights and freedom is finally bearing fruit, with growing recognition of West Papua's right to nationhood among its Pacific neighbours. Real hopes of a better future are rising above the blood and pain.
… like colonial slaves. "We West Papuans are campaigning night and day for freedom from …
As the seas rise, the government is doing little to help those whose homes are being engulfed beneath the waves, writes Guy Shrubsole - people like veteran campaigner Malcolm Kerby, who has already seen a whole street of his North Norfolk town lost to the rising waters.
… Politics UK malcolm-cut.jpg Malcolm Kerby, campaigning against a government as implacable …
Destruction of 76 square kilometres of forests, lakes and farmland is proceeding north of Istanbul for the city's third airport, writes Rosie Bridger. But the gigantic ‘aerotropolis' project is vigorously opposed by local farmers and residents, and an urban resistance fighting other ecologically destructive megaprojects across the beautiful, biodiverse region - both on the streets and in the courts.
Campaigners resist destruction of Istanbul forests and wetlands for airport megaproject Rose Bridger | 25th July 2015 News Turkey Resistance Transpaort Development Politics trucks in the airport …
Technology is crucial to all the big issues, but criticism is hampered by mythologies and structures of power, writes David King. Designed by and for corporate interests, modern industrial technologies embody a 400-year old technocratic philosophy of control of nature and people which must be confronted.
… in a few weeks with leading thinkers from campaigning green groups and other radical … molecular biologist who has been writing and campaigning about issues related to …
A handful of 'climate sceptic' billionaires, owners of most of the UK's biggest selling newspapers, have used their media dominance to spread a false narrative on climate change, and undermine prospects for effective action to curb fossil fuels, writes Donnachadh McCarthy. Campaigners must fight back - beginning with a series of actions that begin outside the Daily Mail this month.
… Western civilisation has ever known. His campaigning against wind farms laid the … face of this destruction of a generation's campaigning on the climate crisis, the … to climate action at the top of our political campaigning agenda. Engaging the media to …
Despite a raft of legislation to protect our wildlife, 60% of our key species are in decline, writes Jenny Jones. That's why we need a new and positive approach, going beyond protection to rebuilding flourishing, sustainable wildlife populations. And people too will see the benefits - in our own as is our health and wellbeing.
Election 2015 - our chance to campaign for nature and wellbeing Jenny Jones | 3rd January 2015 Comment Natural World Politics Law UK azure-damselflies-cut.jpg Despite a raft of legislation to protect …
The Government is preparing 'rules' that will enable the planting of GM crops in the UK as soon as 2017, writes Lawrence Woodward. A ministerial letter also signals a significant weakening of GMO safeguards compared to the Tories' 2010 manifesto. Now is the time to exert maximum pressure and fight off a planned GMO invasion.
UK ministers prepare for 2017 GM crop rollout Lawrence Woodward Oliver Tickell | 5th January 2015 News Farming Politics GMOs Regulation gm-corn-horror-cut.jpg The Government is preparing 'rules' that …
Members of the London Assembly yesterday voted for the London Pension Fund Authority, worth £4.8 billion, to ditch all its fossil fuel investments over a 5-year period. The vote is non-binding, but the huge 15-3 margin puts strong pressure on London Mayor Boris Johnson to follow through.
London Assembly votes for £5 bn fossil fuel divestment - listen up, Boris! Divest London | 12th March 2015 Activism Fossil Fuels Climate Change Divestment Politics UK divest-london-demo-cut.jpg …
The fossil fuel industry's big reaction to Global Divestment Day shows us something important, writes Kate Aronoff - they understand the existential danger they face better than we do. To win the battle for the world's climate, as we must, the victory must be total - and there is no place for neutrality or weak compromise.
Fossil fuel divestment backlash forces the question: Which side are you on? Kate Aronoff Waging Nonviolence | 18th February 2015 Comment Fossils Fuels Climate Change Society Politics …
Greenpeace India has barely three weeks left to fight for its survival following a broad government crackdown on civil society. The green NGO has been left with funds for staff salaries and office costs that will last no later than 1st June.
Greenpeace India faces closure in weeks The Ecologist | 7th May 2015 News India Politics Development Law greenpeace-india-demo-cut.jpg Greenpeace India has barely three weeks left to fight for its …
Oxford Council's Executive Board meets today to decide whether to criminalise 'noncompliant' busking, pavement art, cycling and other activities in the City's vibrant public spaces, punishable with a £1,000 fine. Jonny Walker wrote them this Open Letter.
Oxford Council - drop your plan to criminalise music and street art! Jonny Walker | 11th June 2015 Comment Cities Commons Music Transport Law UK Politics street-music-cut.jpg Oxford Council's …
The world's collective failure to tackle climate change comes down to one big problem, says Naomi Klein: the clash of climate necessities against corporate power and a triumphant neo-liberal world order. So after decades of government dithering, she told Oliver Tickell, it's time for civil society to unite and build a radical justice-based movement for climate action.
… full with whatever it is they are already campaigning about, whether it's fair trade, …
Prime Minister Modi's government has frozen the bank accounts of Greenpeace India, writes Praful Bidwai - provoking widespread protest from the environment and civil rights community. It's all part of a wider campaign against 'anti-national' movements that challenge India's development policies based on the aggressive exploitation of coal, minerals, big hydro and nuclear power.
Indian government sanctions Greenpeace to send a menacing message Praful Bidwai | 23rd April 2015 News India Law Finance Development Coal Politics coal-india-hyderabad-cut.jpg Prime Minister Modi's …
Government plans to enact a 'domestic extremism' law, announced in yesterday's Queen's Speech, threaten to make thought criminals of all who challenge the established order, writes Donnachadh McCarthy. At risk are campaigners, protestors, journalists and all who dissent from Britain's neoliberal corporatocracy.
The poisonous extremism at the heart of yesterday's Queen's Speech Donnachadh McCarthy | 28th May 2015 Comment Human Rights UK Law Politics pop-up-tent-cut.jpg Government plans to enact a 'domestic …
Just as the banks are 'too big to fail', so Britain's struggling dairy farmers are 'too small to save', writes Simon Fairlie. And it's not just the government that's happy to see 16 dairy farms go the wall every week - it's also the National Farmers Union to which most pay their dues. The NFU's paradoxical response to the milk glut is to push for ever higher, more intensive milk production.
Government and NFU betray Britain's dairy farmers Simon Fairlie The Land | 15th August 2015 News Food Farming Politics Economics cows-dorset-cut.jpg Just as the banks are 'too big to fail', so …
They tried to influence government - but that's not working any more, writes John Vidal. So Friends of the Earth's new boss is taking a more radical approach rooted in community activism. And as he prepares for a storm of protest over fracking and cuts to wind and solar, he's ready to take on George Osborne in an 'ideological war' for the future of Britain.
… 2015 Comment UK Politics Society Fracking Campaigning craig-cut.jpg They tried to … policy wonks and forgot about people. We were campaigning [on climate] about parts per …
After the world's warmest year ever governments are pouring trillions into fossil fuels every year and the UK has even created a legal obligation on itself to maximise oil and gas recovery, writes Donnachadh McCarthy. But thanks to the UK's media billionaires climate change has not even figured as an election issue. Join us to protest tomorrow!
Occupy Gandhi: a tarpaulin meditation on urgent climate action Donnachadh McCarthy | 3rd May 2015 Activism Climate Change Media UK Politics mahatma_gandhi_tavistock-cut.jpg After the world's warmest …
A Senate vote yesterday to deny President Obama 'fast track' authority in negotiating TPP and TTIP looks like the beginning of the end for these trade deals and their secret corporate courts, writes Nick Dearden. Now it's up to Europeans to make sure the EU Parliament votes against TTIP in a crucial vote next month.
US Senators just knocked a wheel off TPP and TTIP. Now let's finish the job! Nick Dearden | 13th May 2015 Comment Trade Finance EU USA Politics stop-tpp-cut.jpg A Senate vote yesterday to deny …
If you're expecting COP21 in Paris to save the world's climate you're in for a disappointment, writes Alex Scrivener. For governments, climate is secondary to the really big issues - like endless economic growth and ever-increasing corporate profit. But there's still plenty campaigners can do to shame politicians, businesses and investors into meaningful action.
… from below. However, this kind of climate campaigning is unlikely to work in the context …
US President Obama today refused to permit the 1,200 mile Keystone XL pipeline from Alberta to Nebraska that would have carried 800,000 barrels of oil a year of tarsands oil into the US, citing climate concerns.
… follows seven years of intense public campaigning that has included grassroots …
In a dramatic decision this morning, Lancashire county councillors voted 9:3 to reject Cuadrilla's planning application to frack at Preston New Road, defying the warnings of their own planning officers.
… and across the UK who have been tirelessly campaigning against fracking will breathe a … we must invest. "The Green Party will keep campaigning until fracking is banned in the …
Last election climate change was all the rage, writes David Williamson. But in the current campaign it's hardly getting a look in in spite of melting icecaps, collapsing glaciers, a wave of climate refugees fleeing Africa and serious weather events at home. Now it's up to us to force it onto the election agenda!
This ought to be the 'climate change election' - so why isn't it? David Williamson Wales Online | 4th May 2015 Comment Climate Change UK Politics calving-glacier-alaska-cut.jpg Last election climate …
The successful conclusion of the TPP talks is a huge blow for social and economic justice, writes Nick Dearden in his twelve point summary. But it's not over yet: the long secret text must now be made public. And there's every chance it can be defeated in an increasingly skeptical Congress.
TPP agreement in 12 points - the fightback begins here Nick Dearden | 6th October 2015 Comment Trade Finance USA Canada China Politics tpp-break-the-silence-cut.jpg The successful conclusion of the …