We have another busy month ahead, so please get involved in whatever way/s you can. There’s a smorgasbord of options for you to choose from below.

And remember… despite the gloomtide vibes in the mainstream, activists do make a real difference – check out the Good News section below and be inspired! What’s that quote about never doubting that a small group of dedicated souls can change the world?

Next XR Leeds crew meeting

We’re meeting on Monday 10 February, 6pm to 8pm at Imagine Leeds, 9 Blenheim Terrace, Woodhouse, Leeds LS2 9HX. This is a hybrid meeting, so if you can’t join us in person, you can tune in on this zoom link:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83860232945?pwd=tqJmochlbA47nbQa7v9QvkrWqxSGIe.1

Meeting ID: 838 6023 2945 Passcode: 471520

Next XR Leeds crew social gathering

This is on Monday 24 February, 6pm to 8pm at Imagine Leeds. This is not a hybrid event! Please come along in person and join us for a few drinks and nibbles (contributions gratefully received though the event is free!)

Next Green Drinks Leeds social

As if that wasn’t enough, come along on Tuesday 11 February, from 5.30pm to 8.00pm at Imagine Leeds. It’s a lovely way to connect with people from other groups and learn what’s going on around the city. There’ll be a talk and a bit of a quiz too.

Airport expansions – just say no!

On Wednesday, Rachel Reeves (the Chancellor and Leeds West MP) announced her support for the expansion of Heathrow and other airports. This is the opposite of the Climate Change Committee’s advice to stop all airport expansions. It will mean millions more tonnes of greenhouse gases – her claim that ‘sustainable’ aviation fuel will sort out the problem is pure greenwash. Please write to your MP to tell them how outraged you are!

Meanwhile, Leeds Bradford Airport is trying to rewrite the rules that limit the number of night flights. The case will be heard at a Public Inquiry in March. If you can afford it, please donate to GALBA’s legal fighting fund.

Also, if anyone is interested in finding out how to avoid plane travel, check out this webinar on 12 February being hosted by Climate Perks:

Unlocking Flight-Free Holidays Tickets, Wednesday 12 Feb at 2:00pm | Eventbrite

Drax trial planning meeting

As you may remember, the trial of Axe Drax activist, Dr Diana Warner, is starting at Leeds Crown Court on Monday 24 February, after it was postponed last year. XR Leeds will be hosting an online meeting on Thursday 6 February at 6.30pm to 7.30pm to plan solidarity actions. If you can help or would like to be involved in any of the actions, please join us on this link on 6 February:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84581327784?pwd=KVgZGviVuBiUdQ6xWkrp7HuZC601n6.1

Meeting ID: 845 8132 7784 Passcode: 783894

RIP the Tittybottle Oak?

The Oak was due to be felled on Friday but people gathered once again to defend this fine tree. The Council has said they are applying for a court order to take it out on Monday or Tuesday so please sign and share the petition to save the Oak and tell your councillors to stop this act of vandalism.

What happened to the Climate and Nature Bill?

The CAN Bill has been ‘adjourned’ to 11 July but ministers are now listening to the calls for science-led action. Watch Net Zero minister Ed Miliband’s video here. This is progress but talk is cheap.

It’s very frustrating that the government didn’t offer a free vote, so that all MPs could have voted for the Bill with their consciences. Kicking the CAN Bill into the long grass is not what we wanted to happen but the Minister for Nature promised MPs that next steps will include “binding commitments” to advance the Bill’s objectives.

Watch this space for how we can all help to make sure the government sticks to this promise.

Appeal at Royal Courts of Justice

It was great to see so many groups protest outside the courts in London to support this legal appeal. Lawyers for climate activists, who were jailed for up to five years for their involvement in various demonstrations, told the court that they “did what they did out of sacrifice” and should have their sentences reduced. Sixteen protesters were jailed last year for their roles in four demonstrations held by Just Stop Oil, including climbing on gantries over the M25 and throwing soup over Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers painting.

Where and when are water companies pooping in our waterways?

Want to see how many of England’s 14,000 sewage overflows are currently discharging? Surfers Against Sewage’s app is the only tool out there that shows if it’s safe to swim and this live data map reveals more about the source of the sh!t.

Activist Wellbeing Support

Active Hope Book Course (online) commencing Wednesday 5 February, 12.30pm – 2pm. Details here.

This month’s Active Hope Stories Listening Circle (online) is on Wednesday 12 February, 7.30pm to 9.00pm. Details here.

An Introduction to the Art of Listening (& the Joy of Being Heard) – full day workshop at Imagine Leeds on Sunday 23 February, 10am to 4pm. Details here.

Eco-crisis Listening Circle coming soon at Imagine Leeds – Anne-Lise has had a lot on, so hasn’t managed to fix a date yet! Watch out in the chats for further developments.

Good news stories… there are victories all over the place!

Stop Rosebank!

On Thursday, campaigners won their court case against the approval of the massive Rosebank oil field, the biggest undeveloped oil field in the UK. This is a monumental victory in the fight for a liveable future for all!

The government now has the chance to remake the decision on Rosebank in the Spring. In the meantime, no oil or gas can be extracted from the field. Join the No New Oil & Gas MP Action Week on 3-9 March. We need to make sure that every MP hears from their constituents that for a safe climate and affordable energy, we must stop new oil and gas now.

Greenpeace-v-Unilever

The Crown Prosecution Service dropped the charges against Greenpeace’s 34 brave activists who shut down Unilever’s headquarters last year. This isn’t just about dropped charges. This is about PEOPLE POWER breaking through corporate walls. Unilever has been forced back to the negotiating table for the Global Plastics Treaty.

Victory for bees

For the first time in five years, the toxic bee-killing pesticides – known as neonicotinoids – won’t be allowed on any fields in England. Bee happy!

South Korea biomass about-turn

The government of South Korea has announced that it will reduce subsidies for burning forests for electricity, known as “biomass” energy – the sort that is burned at Drax. Although the changes aren’t perfect, they are a big step in the right direction and our government should take note. Burning trees is not green and does not cut greenhouse gases!

Ban bailouts for failing water companies

Parliament has finally listened to the arguments against the outrage of forcing ordinary people to bail out failing water companies. And in a few weeks, a Private Members’ Water Bill, led by Clive Lewis MP, will have its first debate. This is the biggest opportunity yet to push for public ownership of water and ensure the public is not forced to pay for water bosses’ failures. Watch this space for how we can all help Clive.

Save Windermere

The campaign against United Utilities pollution of this beautiful lake has won the right to demand transparency from the failing water company. After years of pressure, campaigners can now see just what United Utilities are to.

Proportional representation in UK elections

Open Britain has made progress arguing the case for fair elections. There was a full debate on proportional representation for general elections on 30 January, opened by Leeds MP Alex Sobel. The debate followed a poll, conducted by YouGov, which recorded support for changing to a proportional voting system at 48%. Watch this space for developments.