'Greenspeak' event - relaunch of popular discussion evening
3 March 2006
“Rising Gas Prices – Government Excuse For New Nuclear?”
On Tuesday 14 March 2006, 7.30pm
Do we need new nuclear - and is it a solution to Climate Change?
Free admission (donations welcome) @ Terraces Bar & Dining Room, Marine Parade (next to Sea Life Centre)
Speakers: Professor Gordon MacKerron, Director of the Sussex Energy Group
Keith Taylor, Brighton & Hove City Councillor for the Green Party
Brighton-based group Greenspeak returns with a new series of free talks and debates led by experts in ethical living and environmental issues.
In the first meeting we will be hearing from Brighton & Hove Green party councillor Keith Taylor, Professor Gordon MacKerron, director of Sussex Energy Group and guests. The speakers will be sharing their views on ‘Do we need new nuclear – and is it a solution to Climate Change?’
The discussion will look at the Government’s recently launched and controversial Energy Review which aims to direct energy policy over the next few decades - decades which the Green Movement says are a crucial time to halt global warming.
Greenspeak co-organiser Martin Grimshaw says “The Energy Review is currently in the public consultation phase, yet some people fear that a decision has already been made to build more nuclear power stations.
Many people are questioning whether those in power are really serious about energy saving, clean electricity, sustainable transport solutions and adequately reducing carbon emissions.”
The popular eco-focused discussion group is being re-launched by Kat Neeser and Martin Grimshaw, both of whom are keen local environmental campaigners.
Kat says: “Greenspeak will report the latest developments from the frontline. Find out what’s really happening, listen to a balance of opinions, have your say and then make up your own mind.
"The evenings are friendly and social, non-smoking and with food and drink available if you wish. We hold them at the Terraces Bar & Grill in Kemptown so it’s almost like a night out with friends.”
Greenspeak is on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at Terraces Bar & Grill, Marine Parade, next to the Sea Life Centre. Upcoming topics include: packaging & waste, incineration, renewable energy, airport expansion and alternatives to animal testing. Details of events can be found at www.greenspeak-brighton.org.uk
Notes to editors:
1. Between 2004 – summer 05 Greenspeak was organised by Anthea Ballam, a leading Green Party activist. The events are now organised by Martin & Kat but are supported by the Brighton & Hove Green Party. It is run by volunteers and speakers give their time without payment. Donations will be asked for on the night to help towards costs.2. The Energy Review and public consultation is being conducted by Malcolm Wicks - Minister of State for Energy at the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) see: http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy link and http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/review/energy_review_intro.pdf
link
3. There has been much coverage of the Review and the Government’s possible motives over nuclear, very recently and over the last year. See for example The Guardian piece by Michael Meacher ‘Returning to Nuclear Power Could Prove a Deadly U-Turn’ http://society.guardian.co.uk/societyguardian/story/0,,1698832,00.html
4. Professor Gordon MacKerron is a respected expert on energy policy and offers a critical but also neutral explanation of the arguments. As Director of the Sussex Energy Group, part of the SPRU (Science & Technology Policy Research Unit) within the University of Sussex he is the co-author of a briefing for journalists ‘2006 Energy Review: 20 Critical Questions’ - http://www.sussex.ac.uk/spru/1-4-7-5-6.html . Professor MacKerron is also Chair of the UK Committee on Radioactive Waste Management and will be making contributions to the government’s consultation.
5. Keith Taylor almost beat the Tories into 2nd place in last year’s general election for the Brighton Pavillion constituency, scoring the highest ever vote for a Green Party candidate. He is co-principal speaker for the Green Party, the closest position to a leader and is also a Brighton & Hove City Councillor.
He will soon be embarking on a national lecture tour on the subject of ‘Nuclear versus Renewables’
www.brightonandhovegreenparty.org.uk
See also Guardian article 28 Feb by Political Correspondent Matthew Tempest ‘Green party challenges 'push' to nuclear power’ http://www.guardian.co.uk/nuclear/article/0,,1720101,00.html
Greenspeak Contacts:
Kat Neeser 07958 964 810
&Martin Grimshaw 01273 329 573 / 07891 571 739
email – martin@brighton-greenspeak.org.uk
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