Keep Caversham Tidy

Dear KCT friend, 

Happy Wednesday! Here are the latest updates from Keep Caversham Tidy.

KCT Annual General Meeting. On Saturday 21st October, at 3pm, at the Weller Centre (110 Amersham Rd), we will celebrate our AGM, which is fundamental for KCT's life: we inspect our work for the year and vote our trustees for the following year, we review our achievements and discuss new goals. Everyone is welcome to attend, but only members can speak and vote. If you are not a member and want to join, you can still do it: https://forms.gle/HFfjc6ao1tUmjm2M6. Membership to KCT is free.

UK net zero targets 'harder to achieve' after PM's speech - advisers. The UK will find it harder to meet its climate targets after the prime minister's policy changes last month, the government's advisers have warned. PM Rishi Sunak said his review of green pledges was about putting the "long-term interests of our country" first. But the Climate Change Committee (CCC) says the PM's "loosening" of key climate policies has countered recent progress in other areas. The government said it was confident the UK would meet its commitments. The CCC also warned of knock-on effects of the government's "reduced ambition" on consumer confidence and investment, and noted some of Mr Sunak's changes would actually increase bills for households. It urged the government to "restate strong British leadership on climate change" - which it said had been lost. More about this here. 

And that's a wrap! (A recycled one obviously...)

Best regards,
Jacopo Lanzoni, chair of KCT
Paul Haworth, secretary of KCT
Hannah Wood, treasurer of KCT

Below our team last week at the end of the litter pick at Rivermead. From left to right, Fabrizio, Steve, Len, Graham, Anthea, Kim, Gabi, and Richard.



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KCT Annual General Meeting. On Saturday 21st October, at 3pm, at the Weller Centre (110 Amersham Rd), we will celebrate our AGM, which is fundamental for KCT’s life: we inspect our work for the year and vote our trustees for the following year, we review our achievements and discuss new goals. Everyone is welcome to attend, but only members can speak and vote. If you are not a member, you can join here. Membership to KCT is free.

Over 200 Reading residents to save money through Council solar initiative. 239 residents set to have solar panels installed in most cost effective way. Over 1,000 people expressed interest in the scheme. Offer gave residents chance to reduce their carbon emissions and save on energy bills.

Reading Bridge Celebrates Centenary. Reading Bridge first opened 100 years ago on 3 October 1923. Occasion marked with plaque unveiling and classic cars crossing bridge.

Research project with industry players tackles public’s ‘fundamental misunderstanding’ of waste prevention. Over three quarters of people say that they have heard the phrase ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’, but almost seven in ten people (68%) think that recycling is the best thing they can do to reduce the environmental impact of the things they buy.

Keep Britain Tidy joins drinks industry and environmental charities to call on PM to keep DRS manifesto promise. Keep Britain Tidy, along with manufacturers, retailers and environmental organisations, has written to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak urging him to work with the rest of the UK governments and press ahead with a deposit return scheme (DRS) to protect the environment from littered drinks packaging and dramatically increase recycling rates.

The 1975 at the London O2: Will carbon-removed shows change gigs? The 1975 are due to play at the O2 Arena next year, and the gigs are billed as the venue's first "carbon-removed" shows.

World breaches key 1.5C warming mark for record number of days. The world is breaching a key warming threshold at a rate that has scientists concerned, a BBC analysis has found.

Warmest September on record as 'gobsmacking' data shocks scientists. The world's September temperatures were the warmest on record, breaking the previous high by a huge margin, according to the EU climate service.

Next Litter Pick. We will be running our next litter pick, on Saturday 14 October, in Rivermead and Richfield Avenue. We will meet at 10am at the Caversham Garden Centre’s car park, and we will finish by 12pm. If you are going to attend, please let us know by replying to this email.

Below our team last week at the end of the litter pick by Thames Lido after litter picking on the south bank of the Thames. From left to right, Christian and Martina, Steve and Jacopo.

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Reading Bridge Celebrates Centenary. Reading Bridge first opened exactly 100 years ago on 3 October 1923. Occasion marked with plaque unveiling and classic cars crossing bridge. HISTORIC celebrations took place today as iconic local landmark Reading Bridge celebrated its centenary.

Council announces new electric line marking machine amongst range of road innovation measures. New electric line marker will save money, upskill Council staff and help the environment. Other innovations include new products to preserve roads and sensor technology for gritting LCRIG. Chief Exec places Reading in top four most innovative authorities for highways. THE Council has unveiled the latest addition to its growing fleet of electric vehicles with a new fully electric road line marking machine.

Keep Britain Tidy's Manifesto. Our planet is drowning in plastic and waste, global warming is having a devastating impact on communities worldwide and, since the 1970’s, the UK has lost almost half of its biodiversity, ranking at the bottom of the G7.

'Save the environment for everyone' - Keep Britain Tidy manifesto lobbies those in power. Keep Britain Tidy today called for politicians to prioritise a deposit return scheme, commit to quality green space for all and make polluters pay as it published its manifesto ahead of the political party conference season.

Keep Britain Tidy joins coalition demanding nature is restored. Keep Britain Tidy staff joined the charity's celebrity ambassador - TV presenter and naturalist Chris Packham - and a coalition of wildlife organisations in London to protest at the failure to address the deepening crisis in nature.

US issues first ever fine for space junk to Dish Network. The US government has issued its first ever fine to a company for leaving space junk orbiting the Earth.

15 minute cities: How they got caught in conspiracy theories. Conspiracy theories linking "15-minute cities" to sinister ploys to control people may once have been the preserve of fringe groups on social media, but have they now entered the mainstream of British politics?

Next Litter Pick. We will be running our next litter pick, on Saturday 7 October, on the Thames banks. We will meet at 10am at the Waterman Place’s car park (by River Spice), and we will finish by 12pm. If you are going to attend, please let us know!

Below our team last week at the end of the litter pick in Ian Mikardo Way. From left to right, Steve, Kim, Graham, Anthea, Ken (behind Anthea), and Len

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'Save the environment for everyone' - Keep Britain Tidy manifesto lobbies those in power. Keep Britain Tidy today called for politicians to prioritise a deposit return scheme, commit to quality green space for all and make polluters pay as it published its manifesto ahead of the political party conference season. We are encouraging all parties to protect and transform local environments by encompassing its three critical demands for change in their own policies going into the next election. The changes we need are straightforward but significant. More about this here.

Richest oil states should pay climate tax, says Gordon Brown. The world's richest oil states should pay a global windfall tax to help poorer nations combat climate change, ex-PM Gordon Brown has said. He said countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Norway benefited from a "lottery style bonanza" last year, as the price of oil soared. Mr Brown argues a $25bn (£20.4bn) levy would boost prospects of a deal on a climate fund for poorer countries. His intervention comes ahead of the COP28 summit in Dubai in November. More about this here.

Rishi Sunak scraps home energy efficiency taskforce. A taskforce to speed up home insulation and boiler upgrades has been disbanded, the BBC can reveal. The group - which included the chair of the National Infrastructure Commission Sir John Armitt and other leading experts - was only launched in March. But it appears to be a casualty of Rishi Sunak's decision to scrap energy efficiency regulations for landlords in an overhaul of green policies. Members were informed in a letter, seen by the BBC, that it was being wound up. More about this here.

Next Litter Pick. We will be running our next litter pick, on Saturday 30 September, in Managua Close and Ian Mikardo Way. We will meet at 10am at the junction between Nire Rd and Managua Close, and we will finish by 12pm. If you are going to attend, please let us know

Below our team last week at Rotherfield Copse/Southdown Woods. From left to right, Steve, Graham, Andy, Richard, and Richard.

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Help shape future of Travel for a Healthier Reading. Reading’s draft Transport Strategy 2040 sets out ambitious proposals to increase cycling, public transport and walking. Residents are asked to consider how the town can best absorb additional journeys from inside and outside the borough. Strategy aims to tackle the impact of poor air quality on people’s health.

Electricity Capacity Constraints Threaten Reading’s Climate Targets. The Council voices concern that electricity capacity issues in Reading are hampering the delivery of new low carbon homes Instances of new connections being restricted by Scottish and Southern Electricity (SSEN). Council now plans to work with the company and other local bodies to address the key issue.

Kennetside Strengthening Project Continues Next Week. Work begins on Monday 18 September and will continue until Christmas. Signed diversions in place for pedestrians and cyclists. Strengthening will ensure important active travel route is protected for the future.

Council Seeks New Location for Cycle Hub. New search begins for secure cycle hub after proposals for former Primark store did not progress. Council committed to providing storage and maintenance facilities for bikes.

Over 150 European parks and green spaces win coveted Green Flag Award. A record number of parks and green spaces in Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Turkey were accredited with the coveted international Green Flag Award this year, Keep Britain Tidy announced today.

Rishi Sunak considers weakening key green policies. Rishi Sunak is considering weakening some of the government's key green commitments in a major policy shift. It could include delaying a ban on the sales of new petrol and diesel cars and phasing out gas boilers, multiple sources have told the BBC. The PM is preparing to set out the changes in a speech in the coming days. Responding to the reported plans, he said the government was committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050 but in a "more proportionate way”.

Could Sunak's green review threaten UK net zero? The prime minister has said he wants to be honest about the "costs and trade-offs" of tackling climate change. In a statement on Tuesday, Rishi Sunak said he was proud that "Britain is leading the world on climate change", and will stick by the agreements the UK has made internationally. But he is considering watering down some of the government's biggest green commitments. So, is the UK really a world leader on emissions cuts, and how would the kind of changes the PM is considering affect its efforts?

Climate change played major role in Libya floods. Climate change made the storm that devastated the Libyan city of Derna, killing thousands of people, up to 50 times more likely, experts say. Up to 50% more rain had fallen as a result of human-caused greenhouse-gas emissions, climate scientists at the World Weather Attribution group found. Years of conflict in the region compounded the vulnerability of people to flooding, the WWA report says. And it turned the extreme weather into a full-scale humanitarian disaster. The scientists used computer simulations to assess how much more likely such a storm was now compared with before the 1.1C of warming climate change has already brought. But they cautioned a lack of data, particularly in Libya, meant considerable uncertainties in their findings.

Next Litter Pick. We will be running our next litter pick, on Saturday 23 September, in View Island. We will meet at 10am by Reading Hydro, and we will finish by 12pm. If you are going to attend, please let us know!

Below our team last week at Rotherfield Copse. From left to right, Ken, Hayley, Lee, Richard, Graham and Anthea.

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New Boroughwide Digital Parking Permits Scheme plan to be decided. Digital parking permits set to replace physical permits when they expire. Scheme would allow residents to conveniently apply for, and manage, parking online. Digital visitor parking permits to be trialled. Digital parking permits are set to replace the in-car physical stickers across the whole of Reading, making it more convenient and easier for residents to apply for and manage parking around their homes. It follows a trial which took place in Lower Caversham from November 2022 until April this year. More about this here.

£100,000 in Council Grants Awarded to Help Our Communities. Twenty organisations share £100,000 to help residents across Reading Projects to help people gain skills, education and employment. Twenty organisations have been awarded Council grants totalling £100,000 to run activities tackling inequality encountered by some of Reading’s residents, including vulnerable adults and children. One of them is Caversham Muslim Association (CMA), which will recruit a Community Development Coordinator and the provision of youth activities and education as well as sessions specifically for women.

Not One, Not Two, But Three New Reading Playgrounds Open for Play! Reading Council's ongoing major investment in children’s play areas continues to deliver for communities across Reading. Lulworth Road playground is now open: part of a £130,000 Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) investment by Reading Borough Council in the area. South Whitley Recreation Ground benefits from ball court renovations and a new toddlers play area, jointly funded by a Council CIL investment and a Government Levelling Up grant. Coley Recreation Ground play area has been transformed thanks to a £200K Council CIL investment.

Have Your Say on Plans to Improve Air Quality Across Reading. Public consultation begins on proposals to create a boroughwide smoke control area for Reading Residents have until October 16 to have their say. Reading Council is inviting people to have their say on proposals to create a boroughwide Smoke Control Area (SCA), as part of its ongoing drive to improve air quality and create a healthier Reading for residents.

Climate change: UN calls for radical changes to stem warming. Tackling climate change needs a rapid transformation of the way our world works, travels, eats and uses energy, according to an important UN review.

No bids for offshore wind in government auction. No new offshore wind project contracts have been bought by developers at a key government auction, dealing a blow to the UK's renewable power strategy.

Africa proposes global carbon taxes to fight climate change. African leaders have proposed a global carbon tax regime in a joint declaration.

Rishi Sunak eases onshore wind farm rules as Tory MPs threaten revolt. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has eased an effective ban on new onshore wind farms in England to see off a threatened rebellion by Conservative MPs.

Next Litter Pick. We will be running our next litter pick, on Saturday 16 September, in Rotherfield Copse/Marshland Square Wood. We will meet at 10am by the bus stop "Southdown Road" (Stop ID: rdgdmjd) on Rotherfield Copse, and we will finish by 12pm. If you are going to attend, please let us know!

Below our team last week at Reading Cycling Festival. From left to right, Jacopo, Anthea, Graham, Hannah, Len, Andy and Richard.

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Reading Cycle Festival, Sunday 10 September, 11am to 4pm, Christchurch Meadow. Come along to explore new ways of cycling, find out how to look after your bike, and meet local groups offering advice, maps and guided cycling activities. You could even join rides at the festival. Free entry and bike parking. KCT is very excited to be attending with our own stand.

Next Litter Pick (Sunday!). Our next litter pick will be exceptionally on Sunday 10 September in Christchurch Meadow, in occasion of Reading Cycle Festival. Pop in any time between 11am and 4pm, and we will be tackle sections of Christchurch Meadows.

Next Litter Pick (Wednesday!). Surprises never finish this week! Exceptionally again, we will be running a school-day litter pick, on Wednesday 13 September, in Hills Meadows, usual 10am to 12pm.

Below our team last week in Amersham Rd. From left to right, Paul, Gabriela, Graham, Hannah, Steve, and Kim.

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30th August

Can narrowboat owners break up with fossil fuels? Narrowboat dwellers are some of the most energy-conscious people. Read about Amy Cross and Wes Arthur’s story here.

Next Litter Pick. Our next litter pick will be on Saturday 2 September in Amersham Rd, where we will cover the north side. We will meet at 10am at the Red Cow pub, and finish before 12pm.

Below our team last week in Christchurch Meadows. From left to right, Pinky Paul, Grey James, Red Richard, Blue Steve, Rosey Anthea, Lemony Graham, and Black Gabi.

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23rd August

Save the Dates! We have a few important and unusual events planned ahead, so grab your agenda and start writing...

Reading Cycle Festival, Sun 10 Sep, 11am-4pm, Christchurch Meadows. We are excited to attend for the first time an event organised by another group. Instead of our usual Saturday litter pick, KCT will have a stand and we will be doing some litter pick around Christchurch Meadows, so we will be seen in action and will help the RCF organisers.

KCT Annual General Meeting, Sat 21 Oct (time and place TBC). We will have our second Annual General Meeting, celebrating our achievements of the past year and discussing our goals for the next one, and we will elect the Trustees who will lead the group for 2024.

KCT Birthday and Christmas Lunch, Sun 10 Dec, 12.30pm, The Griffin pub. We will celebrate Christmas and our 3rd birthday in a combined social lunch, and the Mayor of Reading Cllr Tony Page accepted our invite to attend the meal. It would be a great opportunity to ask questions and raise comments on anything KCT stands for.

Reading Festival 2023 Rolls Into Town. Info on traffic, travel, getting to and from the festival site, a residents hotline number and how organisers are working towards a more sustainable event Festival goers are again being urged to say no to single use plastics and take their tent home Day ticket holders for Saturday August 26 are being urged to plan to use alternative transport as rail services from Reading Station will be severely disrupted.

Next Litter Pick. Our next litter pick will be on Saturday 26 August in Christchurch Meadows. We will meet at 10am at the north entrance, on Gosbrook Rd, and finish before 12pm. If you are going to attend, please let us know by replying to this email.

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16th August

Reading Cycle Festival, Sun 10 Sep, 11am-4pm, Christchurch Meadows. Thanks for the support on this! It will be the first time KCT attends an event with a stand. We have some volunteers to staff a stand, but we’d love having more. Can you spare one hour? It is a great opportunity to raise our profile and get more people interested in what we do.

Reading Borough Council searches views on Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy. A new draft Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy aims to provide more charging opportunities for residents The right infrastructure could lead to more residents swopping to cleaner electric vehicles New strategy will be a vital strand in creating a healthier Reading for everyone.

Revealed! The names of Reading’s waste trucks you’ll see on the streets. Reading introduced Berkshire's first electric bin lorry in 2021 and now has five of them Residents and school children have now named the five trucks, with the names printed on them Reading boasts the 4th largest cut in its carbon footprint of all 374 local authority areas in the UK.

Next Litter Pick. Our next litter pick will meet Saturday 19 August in Mill Green then progress along Kings Rd, Queens Rd and Champion Rd. We will meet at 10am at the junction between Star Rd and Mill Green, and finish before 12pm. If you are going to attend, please let us know by replying to this email or check out our Facebook group.

Below our happy troop last week in King’s Meadows. From left to right, James “the young” Allan, Richard “the old” Allan, Anthea “the flower” West, Super Steve, Paul “kEnough” Haworth, Gabriela “Lone Wolf” Bolton, Kim “Chem” Hurd.

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9th August

Reading Cycle Festival, can you help? Thanks to those who have expressed their intention to help KCT attending Reading Cycle Festival, which will take place on Sunday 10 September, from 11am to 4pm, in Christchurch Meadows. We are looking for a few more volunteers to staff a stand. Would you be available to help us preparing the stand and staffing it? No need to stay for the whole 5h, every little helps! Get in touch for more information.

Help make Reading greener - sponsor a new tree. Residents can choose to have a new tree planted in the location of their choice. Initiative allows residents to make Reading greener for a one-off cost. Opportunity builds on Council's existing work with partners to increase trees in the town.

Ocean heat record broken, with grim implications for the planet. The oceans have hit their hottest ever recorded temperature as they soak up warmth from climate change, with dire implications for our planet's health. The average daily global sea surface temperature beat a 2016 record this week, according to the EU's climate change service Copernicus. It reached 20.96C (69.73F) - far above the average for this time of year.

Rosebank: MPs and peers urge Grant Shapps to block new oil field. Grant Shapps is being urged in the "strongest possible terms" to block drilling at Rosebank - the UK's largest undeveloped oil field. Fifty MPs and peers, from all major parties, have written to the energy secretary to demand a rethink. It comes after the government said it would issue hundreds of new licences for oil and gas exploration in the North Sea. Rosebank's approval by regulators is expected soon.

Next Litter Pick. Our next litter pick will be on Saturday 12 August in King’s Meadow. We will meet at 10am by Thames Lido, and finish before 12pm. If you are going to attend, please let us know by replying to this email. And that’s a wrap! (A recycled one obviously...)

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2nd August

Reading Cycle Festival, can you help? Reading Cycle Festival will take place on Sunday 10 September, from 11am to 4pm, in Christchurch Meadows, and Keep Caversham Tidy is going to attend with a stand. Would you be available to help us preparing the stand and staffing it? No need to stay for the whole 5h, every little helps! Get in touch for more information.

Caversham Court Gardens wins Green Flag award. Caversham Court Gardens has been confirmed amongst the best parks and open spaces in the country by being awarded a prestigious Green Flag award and Green Heritage Accreditation for 2023. The Green Flag award recognises high-quality maintenance and excellent wildlife and climate-friendly practices, with winners having to demonstrate that standards are being maintained and continuous improvements are being achieved.

Keep Britain Tidy calls for action to help women and girls feel safe in our parks as Love Parks week begins. As Love Parks Week launches, research has revealed that 3.5 million women in the UK - around 13% - are put off using parks over fears about safety Across the country, more than 27,000 parks and green spaces – from small, community spaces to world-famous parks – provide a vital space that is free to access for people of all ages and backgrounds, a place to socialise, exercise and enjoy nature.

The truth about heat pumps and the power needed to run them. As the world moves away from fossil fuels, we will be saying goodbye to our gas fires and boilers - and instead electrifying the heating systems in our homes. Extinguishing the fires in our homes is a big change, human beings evolved around the comfort of a campfire. So, what will this mean for you - and the systems that deliver the energy we depend upon? In just 12 years' time you probably won't be able to buy a gas boiler any more. The government's ambition is to ban sales of new ones from 2035. Heating our homes accounts for as much as 16% of the UK's planet-warming carbon dioxide emissions.

Europe weather: How heatwaves could for ever change summer holidays abroad. For decades holidaymakers have poured into resorts and islands in southern Europe for a relaxing break in the summer sun. But the scenes of tourists fleeing wildfires in Greece, or trapped indoors unable to enjoy baking beaches in Spain, may give some people second thoughts. Back-to-back heatwaves brought sweltering temperatures in the 40s to parts of Europe in July, which is expected to break records for the world's hottest month ever recorded. Climate change played an "absolutely overwhelming" role in the heat, scientists have concluded - and it is forecast to get worse as the average global temperature keeps rising. Europe is warming faster than most parts of the world, experts say. How are holidaymakers reacting?

Next Litter Pick. Our next litter pick will be on Saturday 5 August in Nire Rd, Honey Meadow Rd, Rhine Cl. We will meet at 10am at the end of Nire Rd, and finish before 12pm. If you are going to attend, please let us know by replying to this email.

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26th July

Dear KCT friend,

Happy Wednesday! Here are the latest updates from Keep Caversham Tidy.

2,216 parks and green spaces across UK to fly Green Flag Award with pride. A record number of parks and green spaces across the UK have reached the high standards required to receive a coveted Green Flag Award in 2023, Keep Britain Tidy can reveal today. The scheme is celebrating as 2,216 parks – the largest number since the scheme began 27 years ago – are proudly preparing to raise their flags.

What does the scrapping of a wind farm plan mean for UK renewable energy? Work has stopped on one of the UK's largest offshore wind farms after its developer said it no longer made financial sense to continue. The government has a target of doubling wind capacity by 2030 and a policy of hitting net zero by 2050 - so what does the decision mean for the UK's renewable energy industry?

Eating less meat 'like taking 8m cars off road'. Having big UK meat-eaters cut some of it out of their diet would be like taking 8 million cars off the road. That's just one of the findings of new research that scientists say gives the most reliable calculation yet of how what we eat impacts our planet. The Oxford University study is the first to pinpoint the difference high- and low-meat diets have on greenhouse gas emissions, researchers say. The meat industry said the analysis overstated the impact of eating meat. Prof Peter Scarborough, of Oxford University, who led the new research, told BBC News: ''Our results show that if everyone in the UK who is a big meat-eater reduced the amount of meat they ate, it would make a really big difference." "You don't need to completely eradicate meat from your diet.”

World will miss 1.5C warming limit - top UK expert. A leading British climate scientist has told the BBC he believes the target to limit global warming to 1.5C will be missed. Professor Sir Bob Watson, former head of the UN climate body, told the BBC's Today programme he was "pessimistic". His warning comes amidst a summer of extreme heat for Europe, China and the US. The UN says passing the limit will expose millions more people to potentially devastating climate events. The world agreed to try to limit the temperature increase due to climate change to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels at a UN conference in Paris in 2015. That target has become the centrepiece of global efforts to tackle climate change.

Europe heatwave: Nearly all major Italian cities on red heat alert. Red alerts for extreme heat are in place in most of Italy's main cities as a heatwave intensifies in Europe. Temperatures are expected to peak on Wednesday, with 23 cities on high alert - from Trieste in the north-east to Messina in the south-west. The warnings mean the heat poses a threat to everybody, not just vulnerable groups. Wildfires are also raging across the continent, including in Greece and the Swiss Alps. Millions of people in the northern hemisphere are being affected by scorching temperatures. It is being caused by a high pressure system bringing warmer, tropical air, south of a jet stream currently stuck over central Europe.

Heatwaves are new normal as 50C hits US and China - UN. The extreme temperatures sweeping the globe this week are the new normal in a world warmed by climate change, the UN weather agency says. Temperatures went over 50C (122F) in parts of the US and China on Sunday. The World Meteorological Organization warned the heatwave in Europe could continue into August. Millions around the world are under heat advisories as officials warn of danger to life from the hot temperatures. Night-time in Europe and the US is not expected to bring widespread relief as temperatures stay above 30C in places including Arizona or southern Spain.

Next Litter Pick. Our Trustees will have their quarterly meeting this weekend, so we will not have our weekly group litter pick. Yet, why don’t you just pick a friend and go litter picking somewhere? You can share pics on our Facebook group!

Below Hannah, Steve, Adrian, Len, Anthea, Richard, Cllr Sue, and Graham, at the end of the litter pick in Coal Woodland last (wet) Saturday.

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23rd July

 

Dear KCT friend, 

Happy Wednesday! Here are the latest updates from Keep Caversham Tidy. 

Disposable vapes: Councils call for total ban by 2024. Disposable vapes cause litter problems, are a fire hazard and appeal too strongly to children, according to local councils in England and Wales. The Local Government Association says 1.3m vapes are thrown away each week and wants them banned by 2024. Single use varieties have surged in popularity, driven by Chinese brands such as Elfbar and Lost Mary. More about this here. 

 

Cambridge University solar farm to boost net zero target. Cambridge University plans to build its own solar farm in a bid to meet its net zero target. The new solar farm on farmland off Barton Road, in Barton, Cambridgeshire and will be used to supply electricity to the university. The farm would free up the equivalent power for domestic use of 7,500 homes, the university said. Before any instillation can take place the application will need to be referred to the secretary of state. A representative of the university told a South Cambridgeshire District Council planning meeting climate change was one of the "most pressing problems". More about this here. 

 

Bristol 'litter police' targeting bus and train passengers. "Litter police" are unfairly targeting bus and train passengers and drivers who "put down cups" at stations without bins, campaigners claim. Public transport and disability activists fear officials working on behalf of Bristol City Council are "laying in wait" to issue £100 fines. They have called the practice a "major concern". A council spokesperson said it would raise the concerns with its contractor 3GS. The local authority said the company's role was to "educate and inform" the public and businesses, not just hit them with fixed penalty notices (FPNs). More about this here. 

 

Litterpicking in Tullyhappy near Larne, and Two Women who put Health Before Wealth. A girl inspires her grandmother to pick litter near Larne, and women put health first. You can listen to this episode of the Your Place And Mine podcast on BBC Ulster here.  

Next Litter Pick. Our next litter pick will be on Saturday 22 July in Coal Woodland. We will meet at 10am at Napier Rd Tesco car park, and finish before 12pm. If you are going to attend, please let us know by replying to this email. 

And that’s a wrap! (A recycled one obviously...)
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23rd June

Happy Wednesday! Here are the latest updates from Keep Caversham Tidy.

Mental Health Training. We have received an invitation for a complimentary place to train in Mental Health First Aid due to some last minute places Transpire Training has available. They delivery the MHFA England certificate training which is robust, evidence based and used nationwide. The two days live training is an in-depth look at mental health and the factor that effect wellbeing. The course will be in Parkside International Hotel, RG30 2BE, on 17 and 18 July, from 9.15am to 5pm. Reply to this email if you are interested.

Love Parks Week 2023. This year, Keep Britain Tidy’s Love Parks week runs from 28 July to 6 August. Our annual campaign celebrates parks, green spaces, and the dedicated volunteers and workers that look after them all year round. These vibrant, living spaces bring communities together and provide an opportunity to connect with nature in the heart of our cities, towns, and neighbourhoods. So join us, this Love Parks week, as we celebrate the spaces we love, and ensure they remain cherished, accessible places for all to enjoy. Love Parks Week 2023 has been made possible thanks to the players of People’s Postcode Lottery. Local authorities, landowners, and park management professionals can sign up using the link below. More about this here.

Heatwaves: Why this summer has been so hot. It is hot. Very hot. And we are only a few weeks into summer. Texas and part of the south-west of the US are enduring a searing heatwave. At one point, more than 120 million Americans were under some form of heat advisory, the US National Weather Service said. That is more than one in three of the total population. In the UK, the June heat didn't just break all-time records, it smashed them. It was 0.9C hotter than the previous record, set back in 1940. That is a huge margin. There is a similar story of unprecedented hot weather in North Africa, the Middle East and Asia. No surprise, then, that the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather - which has its HQ in Reading - forecasts said that globally, June was the hottest on record. More about this here.

Climate change: Shipping agrees net-zero goal but critics chide deal. The global shipping industry has agreed to reduce planet warming gases to net-zero "by or around 2050", but critics say the deal is fatally flawed. Ships produce around 3% of global CO2 but countries will now have to reduce this as close as possible to zero by the middle of the century. Small island states have welcomed the plan but green groups are furious. They believe the strategy is toothless and will do little to limit rising temperatures. More about this here.

World records hottest day for third time in a week. The world's average temperature has reached a new high for the third time in a week, unofficial records show. Data analysed by a group of US scientists shows the global average temperature on Thursday was 17.23C. It breaks the 17.01C record set on Monday, surpassed just a day later when the average temperature reached 17.18C. The temperatures are being driven by human-induced climate change and the naturally-occurring weather pattern known as El Niño, scientists say. More about this here.

Oil giant Shell warns cutting production ‘dangerous’. Cutting oil and gas production would be "dangerous and irresponsible", the boss of energy giant Shell has told the BBC. Wael Sawan insisted that the world still "desperately needs oil and gas" as moves to renewable energy were not happening fast enough to replace it. He warned increased demand from China and a cold winter in Europe could push energy prices and bills higher again. Mr Sawan angered climate scientists who said Shell's plan to continue current oil production until 2030 was wrong. More about this here.

Sweden charges Greta Thunberg for blockading oil port. Climate activist Greta Thunberg will appear in court in July charged with "disobeying the police" during a protest, Swedish prosecutors have said. Ms Thunberg, 20, joined a group of young protesters blockading oil tankers at a port in Malmö in June. Police said she refused to leave when asked to. She could face a six-month prison sentence or a fine. A representative told BBC News that Ms Thunberg was not available for comment. More about this here.

Memo reveals pressure on UK climate finance pledge. The government looks set to break its flagship £11.6bn climate and nature funding pledge for developing countries, an internal government document seen by the BBC says. The document details how the government has consistently underspent and would now struggle to meet its 2026 target. Some 83% of the total overseas aid budget would need to be reallocated to climate to catch up, it adds. The government says it will honour promises made on climate finance. More about this here.

Next Litter Pick. Our next litter pick will be on Saturday 15 July in Hills Meadow & George St. We will meet at 10am at Hills Meadow car park, and finish before 12pm. If you are going to attend, please let us know by replying to this email.

And that’s a wrap! (A recycled one obviously...)

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23rd May

Dear KCT friend, 

Happy Wednesday! Here are the latest updates from Keep Caversham Tidy. 

A New Transport Strategy for a Healthier Reading. Not strictly speaking about litter or fly-tipping, but we are into all things environmental, and the new Local Transport Strategy aims to provide even more sustainable transport alternatives to the private car, tackle poor air quality in parts of town and create a healthier Reading. Reading’s challenge remains to successfully absorb the growth in housing, jobs and commuting in the future, whilst protecting the health of local residents. The strategy is set to go out for a final round of public consultation this summer. More info here. Particularly interesting for Caversham is the Cross-Thames Travel (i.e., the “Third Bridge”), which you can read more about at pages 101 and 102 in the Strategy (here).

Horse Hill: Future of UK fossil fuels at stake in test case. The latest step in a woman's legal fight over a Surrey oil drilling permit has concluded. Sarah Finch's lawyers told the Supreme Court that planning authorities should have considered the climate impacts of burning the oil, not just extracting it. Surrey County Council said it followed planning law. The case could spell the end of new UK fossil fuels projects when judges reach a decision in the coming months. More about this here. 

 

Ministers to block plans to ban new coal mines. The government is planning to remove a ban on opening new coal mines from a bill that is going through Parliament. The ban was added to the Energy Bill by peers in the House of Lords. Ministers also plan to drop changes to the bill which would have enabled small community energy projects to sell electricity directly to local homes. More about this here. 

 

Climate change: Sudden heat increase in seas around UK and Ireland. Some of the most intense marine heat increases on Earth have developed in seas around the UK and Ireland, the European Space Agency (ESA) says. Water temperatures are as much as 3 to 4C above the average for this time of year in some areas, according to analysis by Esa and the Met Office. The sea is particularly warm off the UK's east coast from Durham to Aberdeen, and off north-west Ireland. The Met Office says the reason is partly human-caused climate change. More about this here. 

 

Next Litter Pick. Our next litter pick will be on Saturday 1st July in Amersham Rd (south side). We will meet at 10am by the Red Cow pub and finish before 12pm by the Weller Centre. If you are going to attend, please let us know by replying to this email. 

And that’s a wrap! (A recycled one obviously...)

Best regards,
Jacopo Lanzoni, chair of KCT
Paul Haworth, secretary of KCT
Hannah Wood, treasurer of KCT

Below, Mrs Schultz, Glayne, Gabriela, Graham, Kim, Anthea, Uno, Len, Stephen and Andy by Hills Meadows on Saturday 24 June after our bi-monthly litter pick of View Island.

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