25th October 2023
Cooking seasonally is a good way of reducing food waste. Apples are very much in season now, so this can be a good time to make mincemeat.
Surplus cabbage and root vegetables lend themselves to being turned into sauerkraut which is good for our gut biome and can be a handy part of a salad or – if heated – main meal.
24th October 2023
Food waste accounts for 24% of the green house gas emissions that relate to food. Of this food waste two thirds food’s emissions come from food that is lost in supply chains or wasted by consumers. Almost two-thirds of this is due to losses in the supply chain often the result of poor storage and handling, whilst the other third is food thrown away by retailers and consumers. https://ourworldindata.org/food-waste-emissions
Reducing food waste is something we can all do. See this earlier item for tips – https://greentau.org/2021/08/09/eco-tips-4/
And for a different way of using up bread that might otherwise be thrown away, try Chester Cake. It is a variation of bread pudding without the eggs, and baked as a pie. This recipe comes from https://www.wandercooks.com/chester-squares-gur-cake/
23rd October 2023
“Climate activists are sometimes depicted as dangerous radicals. But, the truly dangerous radicals are the countries that are increasing the production of fossil fuels.” So said the UN Secretary-General António Guterres last year at the launch of the third IPCC report.
Last week the Intercontinental Hotel in Park Lane hosted the Energy Intelligence Forum – an international gathering of influential figures from the oil and financial industries – formerly known as the Oil and Money Conference. These people hold great power with very little reference to either democratic decision making or alternative view points. The decisions they make, and the strategies they plan, will have a big impact on what happens in the world, on the future of wellbeing of people, the environment and the climate.
In opposition to this Fossil Free London and other groups such as Extinction Rebellion, Greenpeace and Christian Climate Action, organised protests outside the hotel and at selected headquarters of oil and financial institutions across London. With our future at stake, it was imperative right to call out the injustice of what was happening. The IPPC and IEA have both presented the world with the scientific evidence that carbon emissions are causing the climate crisis, and that the urgent response must be cutting back now on fossil fuels extraction and use, as we all transition to net zero. And yet, regardless of this, the oil industry is continuing to expand its operations, and the financial world is continuing to invest in and to insure these projects – using what is ultimately our money.
On the Monday evening, the eve of the conference, Christian Climate Action held an act of worship out on the street opposite the hotel’s main entrance. Using words from the most recent papal encyclical, Laudate Deum (Praise God). It is so called, because the Pope says that when human beings claim to take God’s place, they become their own worst enemies. In the worship we bore witness to the injury and injustice that the oil industry is causing in the world, and in between prayerful silences we sang praises to God using the Taize chant ‘Laudate omens gentes’.
Tuesday CCA again gathered in the street opposite the hotel with a series of photographs – a mobile art exhibition – each an illustration of the effects of wild fire on the environment and people’s lives. Fossil Free London and others blockaded the hotel entrance – the hotel had erected high fences along the whole area restricting the entrance to a meter wide gate way which was easily blocked by protestors preventing guests from entering or leaving. A samba band played, people sang and chanted, and speeches were delivered – the key speaker was Greta Thunberg. Mid morning a group from Greenpeace abseiled down from a top floor window, unfurling a banner down the front of the hotel. The conference delegates could not have gone unaware of the opposition to their plans for an oil fuelled future. Indeed the CEO of Shell had to make his speech by equivalent of zoom. By the early afternoon the police had imposed a section 14 notice on the street, authorising them to remove all protestors from the site.
The Christian Climate Action group set off on a pilgrimage around Mayfair stopping to pray at the offices of a number of ‘Earth Wreckers’ – companies involved in financing, supporting or exploiting fossil fuels and thereby directly or indirectly polluting the world with carbon emissions. (For more information about Earth Wreckers visit – http://umap.openstreetmap.fr/en/map/wreckers-of-the-earth-2021_409815#12/51.5222/-0.1234)
On Wednesday action was taken further afield to the City of London. Ten companies associated with the West Cumbrian Coal Mine and the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline were targeted, to protest against their involvement in funding these highly polluting projects. Christian Climate Action together with representatives of other faiths and a group from XR Scientists, peacefully entered and sat down in the foyer of 52 Lime Street – a modern glass and steel tower block that houses Chaucer, the UK subsidiary of China Re and a potential insurer of EACOP. Sat together in the middle of the space – allowing office workers to continue in and out of the building – we sang Buddhist and faith songs and shared an agape of bread and ‘good’ olive oil.
Within half an hour the police arrived and stood round us, watching. Then with such joy and hope, we saw the XR procession, that was marching between each of the sites, arrive with hundreds of supporters, flags and banners, and a samba band. They waved to us through the plate glass windows and cheered, and we sang and waved back. When they marched on, a contingent from CCA stayed on outside both protesting and praying. The building’s security staff obviously wished us to leave, but the police having taken advice from the CPS, took the view that as our protest was peaceful, they had no grounds for arresting us. After some discussion within the group, we agreed that we would stay until 3 o’ clock. So at 3 o’ clock we stood up, tidied up our banners and picnic lunch and still singing, walked out. We had made our point.
Despite the rain, we returned to the Intercontinental Hotel that evening for a further act of worship, this time led by various representatives of the Faith Bridge -Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish, Quaker and Christian.
Christian Climate Action continued with its support of other groups on the Thursday, targeting amongst others, the offices of J P Morgan. I meanwhile held my weekly hour long vigil outside Shell’s headquarters.
For information about Christian Climate Action visit – https://christianclimateaction.org/
22nd October 2023
Reflection (readings follow after)
Two kingdoms, two alternative ways of living. For Jesus’s contemporaries it was the choice between the rule of Caesar and the rule of God. Whose system are you going to subscribe to, whose rules are you going to follow?
Was that the situation being faced by Moses and the Israelites in the wilderness? Were they going to be the followers of God, God’s new people? Or were they going to return to what they had been, a people tied to slavery and the rule of the Egyptian pharaoh? And Moses asks the question, if they follow God, will their lives be different? Will they look like a people who have chosen to follow a different path?
God reassures Moses that he and the people have found favour with God, that they will know God’s mercy and God’s presence with them. By following Moses, the people will be following the one who has seen and knows God. In Hebrew the words for presence and face are interchangeable. To know God’s presence is to see God’s face.
The people – the church – of Thessalonica are constant and committed, in a life of faith and labour, to the kingdom of God. They know Jesus Christ as the face of this Kingdom, and have chosen this way over and above that of false idols. Their joy and satisfaction from this choice, spurs them on to advertise this new way and to encourage others to join them, so expanding the kingdom of God on earth.
So what then of us today? What are the choices on offer? What faces do the alternatives present to us?
Last week London was host to the Energy Intelligence Forum which was a meeting of key figures from the global oil and financial industries. (It was previously known as the Oil and Money Conference). The world they represent, is one based on the continuing extraction and use of fossil fuels. A world in which oil rich countries such Saudi Arabia, and oil based companies such as Shell, will continue to make profits. A world in which the cost of energy will continue to rise. A world in which pollution from oil and carbon emissions will continue to increase. A world in which less powerful countries will continue to be poor. A world in which less powerful people will continue to be oppressed. A world in which social injustice will continue to thrive. A world in which care for the environment comes second place.
There is an alternative world. A world in which decisions are not made by a powerful elite. A world where money doesn’t determine every decision. A world which uses non polluting sources of energy. A world which listens to the cry of the poor – and responds. A world in which individuals matter, in which justice overrides power. A world in which everyone takes care of the environment and uses its resources with care and respect.
Two alternatives ways of living, two alternatives kingdoms. We do have a choice as to which we support.
The people inside the conference were those paying service to oil and money. The people outside, the protestors, were those paying service to climate and social justice.
Exodus 33:12-23
Moses said to the Lord, “See, you have said to me, ‘Bring up this people’; but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favour in my sight.’ Now if I have found favour in your sight, show me your ways, so that I may know you and find favour in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.” He said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” And he said to him, “If your presence will not go, do not carry us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favour in your sight, I and your people, unless you go with us? In this way, we shall be distinct, I and your people, from every people on the face of the earth.”
The Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing that you have asked; for you have found favour in my sight, and I know you by name.” Moses said, “Show me your glory, I pray.” And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim before you the name, ‘The Lord’; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But,” he said, “you cannot see my face; for no one shall see me and live.” And the Lord continued, “See, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock; and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by; then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back; but my face shall not be seen.”
Psalm 99
1 The Lord is King;
let the people tremble; *
he is enthroned upon the cherubim;
let the earth shake.
2 The Lord is great in Zion; *
he is high above all peoples.
3 Let them confess his Name, which is great and awesome; *
he is the Holy One.
4 “O mighty King, lover of justice,
you have established equity; *
you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.”
5 Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God
and fall down before his footstool; *
he is the Holy One.
6 Moses and Aaron among his priests,
and Samuel among those who call upon his Name, *
they called upon the Lord, and he answered them.
7 He spoke to them out of the pillar of cloud; *
they kept his testimonies and the decree that he gave them.
8 O Lord our God, you answered them indeed; *
you were a God who forgave them,
yet punished them for their evil deeds.
9 Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God
and worship him upon his holy hill; *
for the Lord our God is the Holy One.
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace.
We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead– Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.
Matthew 22:15-22
The Pharisees went and plotted to entrap Jesus in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?” But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” They answered, “The emperor’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.
20th October 2023
Oily Money and Uganda
In 2006 oil was discovered in Uganda. Total ( French oil company) and CNOOC (Chinese oil company) bought the rights to extract this crude oil. However there has been considerable objection on many grounds. One of the key objections to the project is the statement issued by the International Energy Agency two years ago, that, to keep within the agreed net zero carbon emissions targets, no new oil and gas fields should be opened. This oil field is likely to produce over its lifetime 1.4 bn barrels – approximately equivalent to what France would consume in two years: not huge but not insignificant either – and would emit some 34 million tonnes of CO2 a year.
Another objection to the scheme is the threat to the environment. The oil field lies under both Lake Albert and the adjacent Murchinson Falls National Park, both of which are key areas maintaining important ecological habitats and in particular those of migratory fauna. Already test drilling has led to pollution of the lake, affecting fish stocks.
Once extracted, the plan is to heat the crude oil to 50C (to ensure it flows) and despatch it via a 900 mile pipeline through Uganda and Tanzania to a refinery at port of Tanga on the India Ocean. The pipeline could carry one 800 million barrels of oil a year. The East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline – EACOP – is a joint project comprising Total who have a 62% share, CNOOC with an 8% share, and TPDC (Tanzanian) and UNOC (Ugandan) each with a 15% share.
A further objection centres around the local people who have, and are being, forcibly removed from the land – both in the vicinity of the proposed oil field and along the route of the pipeline. So far some 60,000 Ugandan farmers and householders have been displaced. Often poor, their land used for growing food had been key in preventing extreme deprivation. Whilst they have received some financial compensation, it has often been inadequate and frequently taken 4 years to materialise.
The original construction timetable was for work to start in 2016 and to be completed within 3 years, but opposition has continued to delayed this. The project has, for example, been condemned by the European Parliament. As of August this year, the proposed start date is now 2024.
Total and CNOOC still need to raise $3 bn to finance the pipeline. Two banks, Standard Bank and ICBC, are still potential funders for the pipeline. Eight other international banks have declined to confirm their willingness, whilst twenty six (including Barclays and Deutsche Bank) have declined outright – https://www.stopeacop.net/banks-checklist.
In addition the project needs to underwriten by insurers. Whikst seven, including Lloyds of London and Chaucer, have not yet ruled out providing insurance, but a further twenty three insurers (including Zurich and Ava) have declined. https://www.stopeacop.net/insurers-checklist
Many campaign groups – Money Rebellion, Coal Action Network, Stop Eacop, Extinction Rebellion, Christian Climate Action, Stop Rosebank, and Just Stop Oil, are involved in opposing EACOP and most recently by targeting the would-be financiers of the project.
Oil projects, like this one in Uganda, are often presented as a way for poor countries to grow their economies and improve the wellbeing of their citizens. But in reality most of the money goes to the larger, overseas investors, and the number of local jobs created is small. The following abridge article on some of the economic alternatives comes from the StopEAOP web site.
“For example, Uganda’s tourism industry accounts for about 7% of the country’s gross domestic product and provides over 600,000 jobs. In contrast, EACOP is expected to create only 200-300 permanent jobs. Despite being a major economic sector and job creator in Uganda, tourism is often overlooked or underestimated, with only about 0.4 percent of the government budget allocated to it….The agriculture sector employs more people than any other sector: it is the backbone of the economy and fuels the country. Yet the small farmers who make this vital industry work are neglected. Support for the sector accounts for just under 3 percent of the government’s budget, yet the sector generates nearly 25 percent of the gross domestic product. There is a real opportunity to increase economic strength and resilience by investing in and supporting small-scale sustainable agriculture … Sustainable industries like renewable energy and electric transportation are already well established in the region, but with increased support from international investors, the sector has incredible potential [wind, solar, hydro and geothermal] … The clean energy sector will also benefit the agriculture sector, as decentralised renewable energy deployment can increase yields and incomes for small-scale farmers by improving solar irrigation and electrifying other agricultural activities such as cold storage and processing. In addition, investments in the clean energy sector create a significant number of permanent jobs in the manufacturing sector. For example, Kiira Motors, a state-owned vehicle manufacturer, will employ 14,000 Ugandans to produce 5,000 electric buses and other vehicles per year.” https://www.stopeacop.net/beyond-oil
Another concern is that poor countries like Uganda, often take on increased foreign debts in the expectation that future oil revenues will repay the interest, but delays in getting to the production stage can increase the debt burden and extra costs an reduce the returns, all increasing the country’s ongoing debt problem. Uganda spends more than 50% of its GDP financing foreign loans.
To read more about how debt is affecting wellbeing in Uganda read this Amnesty International report – https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/campaigns/2023/09/building-resilience-public-debt-management-and-health-financing-in-ugand/
Debt Justice is leading the campaign, alongside other charities, to cancel the unfair burden of debt being borne by countries such as Uganda – https://debtjustice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Debt-fossil-fuel-trap-report-2023.pdf
20th October 2023
Repeating a previous blog – ‘Cars might seem essential for picking up shopping, delivering goods, or transporting children, but in reality there are many alternatives. Cargo bikes can just as easily fit the bill. Our local authority of Richmond upon Thames, has a hire scheme so residents can make use of cargo bikes for a minimal outlay’ – and the first 60 minutes are free – https://www.richmond.gov.uk/services/roads_and_transport/vehicles/active_travel/cargo_bikes
And from another entry -‘Cycle courier services have been around for many years now as bikes are often far quicker than any other vehicle for short urban journeys – and of course have been used by Royal Mail for centuries. Likewise Co-op’s use of bikes for grocery deliveries is not new. Freddie’s Flowers – a weekly flower delivery service is also fulfilled by bike. Cycle delivery services such as Peddle Me, carryout same day deliveries for a variety of clients including coffee roasters, breweries, flower suppliers, film companies, local authorities, community kitchens, charities, restaurant chains and numerous food suppliers – “You name it, we deliver it”! They also offer a taxi service for people too! ’ – https://pedalme.co.uk/about
Bikes are the future!
19th October 2023
Cycling, walking, taking the train or the bus, all reduce our dependency on cars, and reduces carbon emissions. The more people use these car-alternatives the more likely the provisions of good infrastructure will increase. Equally the more people use car alternatives, the more that others will feel encouraged to do likewise.
Active travel is healthier, more sociable and creates pleasanter environment for everyone. And something we don’t always think about, active travel is good for local businesses. The following is a reasonably unbiased assessment – https://www.talk-business.co.uk/2019/12/02/are-car-free-streets-good-or-bad-for-business/
And this report highlights the value of cycling as industry with green growth potential – https://www.smarttransport.org.uk/insight-and-policy/active-travel/the-cycle-industry-a-green-growth-sector-that-can-help-deliver-net-zero
18th October 2023
Earlier this autumn the Guardian reported in an article about new electric cars ‘But even a low-carbon-emitting car remains a low-capacity mode of transportation. Doubling down on its near-monopoly over the surface transportation system would lead to a future of ever-worsening congestion and road accidents, which currently cost 30 lives in the UK every week.’
In other words greater use of public transport, cycling and walking would ease congestion on our roads. It has been well observed that building more roads increases traffic rather than reducing congestion. Money spent on road building would be better spent on public transport and cycling infrastructure, reducing congestion and more than likely, increasing journey times.
17th October 2023
Cycling as the days draw in and the weather gets colder, needs a little more planning. Have you got cycle-lights and are the batteries fully charged? Have you got outer-layers that are waterproof, warm and high-viz? Have you got a brim on your cycle helmet or do you have a cycling cap to wear underneath, that will provide shade from the low but bright winter sun? Shining straight into your eyes, the sun can dazzle and limited visibility.
For further tips see –
https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/seasonal-advice/travel/cycling-in-winter
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/commuting/article/Daily-Commuting-Tips
16th October 2023
A recent newsletter from Sustrans told of Albert, Rosemary and 1 year old Teifi who, even though they live in rural Wales, do not have a car and instead use cycling as their mode of transport. Albert provided the following tips for others inspired to ditch their car.
“Try doing one trip a week on bike instead of in a car, that could maybe be a trip to the shops to get a smaller amount of things in or taking the kids to the park.
“I’d recommend starting off small and slowly reducing the number of trips you take in the car.
“Obviously it does depend on where you are, but you can certainly give it a go.
“I guess it’s important not to see it as this massive challenge and more just making small tweaks.
“It does involve changing habits and making adaptations, but it is doable.”
https://www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/personal-stories/2023/all/living-car-free-with-a-young-child/?utm_campaign=205436_October Enews&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Sustrans&dm_i=7CK6,4EIK,CNH9L,HM8K,1
The Green Tau 