Richmond and Twickenham Friends of the Earth

Protesters gather in Minneapolis as governor calls on Trump to remove agents after shooting Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse, was killed by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis on Saturday.

It's bad enough in the UK where you can be threatened with jail for a #PeacefulProtest holding up a sheet of paper. How much worse in the US where there's a risk of being shot for protesting peacefully. Scroll down for BBC Verify's verdict on ICE's version of events:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cj...

To celebrate #WorldWetlandsDay our friends at @wwtworldwide.bsky.social are giving away free tickets to their sites. A great excuse (not that one's needed) to visit our local #LondonWetlandCentre
www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-cent...

UK aviation reforms could sideline public input over flight paths, campaigners warn Plans to speed up airspace changes for Heathrow expansion could mean industry influences decisions on noise and routes

"They are burning community engagement and environmental regulation on the altar of economic growth". Londoners risk massive increases in aircraft noise pollution being imposed without consultation. www.theguardian.com/business/202...

Bike thefts at Richmond stations halve since 2023 despite zero arrests in two years Bicycle thefts at Richmond railway stations have halved since 2023, but no arrests were made in the last two years, despite CCTV and patrol efforts.

If this is true richmond.nub.news/news/local-n... it's good news. But it might just be that victims aren't reporting thefts since the British Transport Police said they wouldn't bother investigating thefts of bikes from stations left for over 2 hours or worth less than £200.

Great to see the number of #BikeHangars in the Borough reach 100!
richmond.gov.uk/news/news_ja...
If you would like to see one in YOUR street you can apply via this link: richmond.gov.uk/services/roa...

This weekend brings a chance for us all to be citizen scientists and help @rspb.bsky.social to monitor how our much loved garden #birds are doing: www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happen...

Worrying report from @cprelondon.bsky.social on the threats to #London's precious parks and open spaces. Check out the depressingly long list in the report to see what is threatened in your area: www.cprelondon.org.uk/wp-content/u...

Great news for active travel London-wide - congratulations @saveoursaferstreets.org on an historic legal victory #LTN

We think #redsquirrels should be appreciated EVERY day.

An iconic resident of the Caledonian forest: the #redsquirrel 🐿️🌲 The #Highlands are their largest remaining stronghold and #rewilding is helping them return to their former range.

Watch to discover more about this forest icon!

#RedSquirrelAppreciationDay @scotsquirrels.bsky.social

Biodiversity collapse threatens UK security, intelligence chiefs warn Ecosystem destruction will increase food shortages, disorder and mass migration, with effects already being felt

Hopefully the government will take note. It's not growth OR #nature. We need #nature for economic and social wellbeing. If #biodiversity collapses the economic pain will be intense.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...

The answer to their question is No!

6 common heating mistakes wasting your money – and how to avoid them - Which? Making a few simple changes to how you heat your home could save you money during a chilly start to the year

If you still have a #boiler here's how to cut both your heating bills and your use of #fossilfuels. Good for you and for the planet. www.which.co.uk/news/article...

Tegelwippen: de-paving the Dutch way! Too much paved surface in London is leading to flooding and sewage overflowing into rivers. One of the most important things we can do is de-pave everything from verges to front gardens

We really LOVE this Dutch idea of #TileWhipping:
www.cprelondon.org.uk/news/tegelwi...
If all or part of your garden is paved it's a way to make it greener and boost #biodiversity

Help stop the nature crisis becoming a catastrophe Wildlife and natural places need more protection, not less. But the UK Government is thinking about making it even easier and cheaper for developers to destroy our last few natural spaces. Please ema...

Just when we thought it couldn't get any worse for the UK's #wildlife, along comes yet another attack on #nature. Let the government and your MP know you want more, not less, protection for our wild spaces: action.wildlifetrusts.org/page/183790/...

If, like us, you are dismayed at @richmondcouncil.bsky.social's decision to close the Shacklegate Lane allotments in #Teddington then please sign and share this petition:
www2.richmond.gov.uk/Account/ePet...

@rbgkew.bsky.social's winter garden is looking stunning. And when the snowdrops flower crocuses are never far behind.

Another #freebie offer - this time from @richmondcouncil.bsky.social They are giving away 1000 free trees for planting in private gardens and land.
richmond.gov.uk/news/news_ja...

Bird walk along the River Crane - Friends of the River Crane Environment This year we are again holding a winter bird walk along the River Crane and hopefully shall see some winter migratory birds too. Take a walk and catch the early morning birds in Crane Park with our ...

Your chance to enjoy a free guided bird walk along the beautiful #RiverCrane from our friends at @friendsrivcrane.bsky.social Sign up as places are limited.
www.force.org.uk/calendar/ite...

He invented mini saunas for frogs – now this biologist has big plans to save hundreds of species A deadly fungus has already wiped out 90 species and threatens 500 more but Anthony Waddle is hoping gene replacement could be their salvation

We always LOVE a quirky feel good #conservation story, and it doesn't get more quirky than #frog saunas:
www.theguardian.com/environment/...

It looks like we aren't the only ones concerned about this issue: over £70,000 people have already signed this petition: c.org/BgVBLQhqXm

TfL 60+ Oyster card could be reviewed after stats highlight big issue Transport for London is losing millions in revenue

None of the comments we've seen on the possible demise of the Oyster 60+ mention the risk that some of the c 21 million annual journeys currently made by its users transfer to cars. That's potentially a lot more #pollution and #congestion in #London @london.gov.uk
www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-...

A good point to make when replying to the consultations. Although however safe the vehicle some danger is also due to appallingly bad driving/

The Government's proposed new #RoadSafety strategy is welcome, given the shocking numbers of deaths (> 1600 in 2024) and severe injuries (> 28,000 in 2024) on our roads. Links to the related consultations here: www.gov.uk/government/p...

‘A silent majority’: MPs underestimate support for green policies, study reveals Exclusive: From solar subsidies to meat taxes, minority rightwing voices appear to drown out the consensus

This #CambridgeUniversity study shows why, even if your MP (or Senator/Congressman) is #green leaning, it's vital to keep telling them that you care about #environmental issues and will vote accordingly:
www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Ed Miliband, the current Sec of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, in 2018: "We owe it to future generations not just to have good environmental principles, but to act on them. That’s why I will be voting against the third runway at Heathrow." So why the silence now Ed? #Don'tGrowHeathrow

We're excited to see these plans from our friends at @habsandheritage.bsky.social to green Kew's Raleigh Road Recreation Ground. If you are local there are opportunities to get involved and have your say: habitatsandheritage.org.uk/get-involved...

If you are worried about your indoor #AirQuality (and most of us should be) then these free events from @richmondcouncil.bsky.social should be of interest:
richmond.gov.uk/news/news_ja...

‘Just an unbelievable amount of pollution’: how big a threat is AI to the climate? Defenders say AI can do good to fight the climate crisis. But spiralling energy and water costs leave experts worried

AI - threat or potential saviour? The answer is not clear cut. This thoughtful article sets out the risks and opportunities:
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

This has to stop! The pernicious influence of #lobbying is undermining democracy and efforts to solve the #climate and #biodiversity crises. It won't be easy to change but we need to let our politicians know that we won't stand for it.