BAA threw down a hell of a corporate challenge this week. Heard by Justice Swift [you couldn't make this up could you?], the airport operators were seeking an injunction to stop members and supporters of AirportWatch from approaching Heathrow to prevent disruption to flights.
At the very start the judge, Justice Caroline Swift, declared she is a member of the RSPB, also a member of the CPRE and a benefactor of the National Trust. Three groups affiliated to AirportWatch. BAA did not object. The judge declared she was "frankly puzzled" by the injunction and demanded a clear explanation of BAA's intentions.
Our call to action is quite simple and transparent. We want everyone to reduce their emissions (lots of hot air on this topic) and we also want the government to commit to increasing their reduction target from 60% to 80%. Do you feel threatened yet! Am I inspiring you to commit an illegal act? Of course not. If we can't accept personal responsibility for our own actions we can hardly ask the same of others. That's why the RSPB, my work colleagues, my family and I are all doing what we can to cut down on energy use and unnecesary waste. The RSPB is planning a 3% year-on-year reduction in its own CO2 emissions, and that's a tough target.
So, how humbling and inspiring to spend some time by the Thames watching the awesome and serene peregrine falcons on the Tate Modern's chimney. There's an exhibition there of the work of the surrealist, Dali. Fitting then, that when you stand in the centre of our Capital city, looking up at a blue sky, criss-crossed by vapour trails you can see a peregrine falcon. A bird almost wiped out by human actions. The male preened and posed (on one leg for quite a while) as planes and helicopters over-flew the chimney. These birds are making a comeback, but still need our help and support.
Downstream at our Rainham Marshes reserve a spoonbill has moved in, the sixth this year. These rare European visitors use their bills, shaped like huge spatulas, to sweep through water for food. The SIXTH THIS YEAR, with only three recorded in the previous ten years. While it is wonderful to see new species without having to cross the channel, it's sad to think that some species will simply run out of suitable areas to move to as the climate changes around them.
There is no science to support this but it's another bit of circumstantial evidence suggesting that climate change is pushing a variety of species north of their traditional ranges. Add to this the unseasonal weather that has left Europe in flames and vast areas of our countryside under water and you come up with a good argument for acting to reduce your CO2 emissions.
Are you concerned enough to act? If so join us or help us raise much needed funds through running workplace recycling schemes, gardening for wildlife at home or managing some of our pin-badge donation boxes. One day we'll convince BAA to stop being the black sheep of the corporate world and to join our flock by making a commitment equal to our own of reducing its emissions and waste.
Did you notice I resisted the obvious temptation to refer to swift justice?