MyEnviroMind

This feels a little awkward.  Tinged with a bit of shame. Like the return of a repentant family member whose spent 17 years estranged. It's been a while since I last engaged in climate politics, and except for a recent statement against the destruction of trees by Plymouth City Council , even longer since my last blog. Not that I haven't been following the news - my ears always prick up at the words "climate change". I am nonetheless out of touch with the activist community and need to thoroughly update myself with the facts before I can hand on heart speak with sufficient confidence in my knowledge. You could say I've been a climate recluse, critiquing things from afar without getting myself in on the action. But in activism, nothing is achieved if you hold back from engaging with others. Whether it's contacting politicians, planning with other activists or simply keeping in touch with campaigns on social media, results require you to stick your head out the ...

It should not be this easy for trees to be axed.  Especially when the weapons are in the hands of councillors, our elected officials. On Tuesday night, over 100 trees were felled in Plymouth's city centre to make way for a new regeneration project. This came just days after an independent inquiry criticised Sheffield city council for felling thousands of healthy trees, misleading court judges who were scrutinising plans and the arrest of many elderly protesters.  Sudden disappearances of trees have been occurring across the country, from Reading to Wellingborough. In each case, the council has 'apologised' for the loss, but once felled, a tree is dead, forgotten, and developments go on on regardless. The loss of one tree alone is mournful. The loss of forested land; ecologically harmful. But this repeated blight on trees caused by councils across the country? This is systematic, reprehensible slaughter. And they say they worry about ash dieback. In Plymouth, local authoriti...