Protecting Forests is as Important as Cutting Emissions

The UN IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) is due to meet in South Korea in October, and 40 scientists from 5 different countries have issued a statement warning that to stop deforestation is as urgent as ending the world's dependence on fossil fuels. 

They say "We must protect and maintain healthy forests to avoid dangerous climate change and to ensure the world's forests continue to provide services critical for the well-being of the planet and ourselves.  Our message as scientists is simple: Our planet's future climate is inextricably tied to the future of its forest."

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This photo was taken in Speke Hall Woods by AJ Davies and the Dam Wood and Grace's Wood which were lost to Speke when the airport moved to it's current site next to Oglet, would have looked like this.  

Those woods were never replaced.  Now we risk losing the few trees left on the south side.

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Mayoral Green and Open Spaces Report

"In 2014 the Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson asked the Strategic Green and Open Spaces Review Board to look at ways to help Liverpool keep its many and diverse green and open spaces. The Review was independently chaired by Simon O’Brien and supported by a Board of local authority Councillors and Officers, and members of the wider academic and third sector communities.

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“The Chair (Simon OBrien) agrees with the vast majority of the public submissions that there continues to be scant regard to well purposed public open space when it comes to planning applications and those granted within Liverpool.

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"The loss of public or private fields within the urban landscape may be at times inevitable but there has been a perceived lack of forethought historically with regards to replacement of such space where there is often little alternative provision of any replacement green space.

"This approach infuriates local communities and leaves them wondering ‘where did the money go?’

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"Such examples of poor decisions past and present are littered across the city:

• Speke: A community where a significant proportion of its green space, large and small, has been lost in recent years and is still waiting for improvements and replenishment of other green space."

​The report was released in 2016. 

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Why, in 2018 we are still fighting new attacks on our 'diverse green and open spaces.'?

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City Council Buys Big Slice of Airport

15 March 2016

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'Liverpool city council has bought a stake in John Lennon Airport, but refuses to say how much its spent on the deal.

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'Mayor Anderson said: “John Lennon Airport delivers a huge economic boost for the city region, employing thousands of people directly and indirectly.

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“It is the gateway to the city from many destinations and it is absolutely vital that it continues to grow, create more jobs, boost economic growth and develop tourism. This opportunity to play a more active part in its future expansion and success makes it a sound investment for the city council.

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'The announcement of the deal today comes just weeks after it was disclosed that the airport’s highly promoted “gateway to the world”, a link to Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport from Flybe, is being ditched because of low numbers.'