Green World
By Green World UK
On this podcast, you can find the audio version of our selected articles.
You can find all our articles at www.greenworld.org.uk and you can follow us on twitter @GreenWorld_UK.
Green World Nov 18, 2021
The start of PEOPLE
05:06 | On 22 February 1973, four friends organised the first public meeting of what became the Green Party. Here, in the first in a series of Anniversary Stories, one of the ‘Gang of Four’, Lesley Whittaker, outlines events leading up to the fateful decision to set up a new political party.
Tackling the UK’s insecurity crisis
15:47 | Is security - or insecurity as it happens - a more useful tool to understand how people are feeling today? Spiralling cost of living and energy prices, housing shortage, climate disasters have fermented a generalised sense of insecurity in recent years. In this analysis, first published in the Green European Journal, researchers Hannah Webster and Toby Murray focus on economic insecurity in the UK and neo-liberal policies as the long-standing cause of this outcome. Considering the options for restoring people’s sense of security, they draw lessons from public policies elsewhere, including on basic income. Follow Green World on twitter at @GreenWorld_UK and the Green European Journal @GreenEUJournal.
50 years of the Green Party
3:37 | Did you know the first Green Party in the whole of Europe is our own? 50 years ago the first public meeting of PEOPLE – which became the Green Party – took place in Coventry on 22 February 1973. Founders, leaders and parliamentarians gathered on Friday to mark the occasion.
You can read the piece here: https://greenworld.org.uk/article/50-years-green-party
Follow Green World on twitter at @GreenWorld_UK.
Welsh Government's failure to implement the Clean Air Bill - Haris Hussnain
03:36 | Polluted air accounts for 1 in 22 deaths in Newport, Wales. But despite promises, writes Haris Hussnain from the Gwent Green Party, the Welsh Labour Government has failed to implement the Clean Air Bill and protect inhabitants.
You can read the piece here: https://greenworld.org.uk/article/welsh-governments-failure-implement-clean-air-bill
Follow Green World on twitter at @GreenWorld_UK and you can follow Gwent Green Party on twitter here: @GwentGreens and Haris Hussnain on twitter here: @HarisjHussnain
Disabled people must be front and centre of policy changes - Mags Lewis
04:22 | This week, Green Party of England and Wales disability spokesperson Mags Lewis highlights the unique and severe impact of rising energy costs and crumbling public services on disabled people. In order for Green policies to reflect this in its policies, genuine inclusion of disabled people must take place at home first: in our party.
You can read the piece here: https://greenworld.org.uk/article/disabled-people-must-be-front-and-centre-policy-changes
Follow Green World on twitter at @GreenWorld_UK and you can follow Mags Lewis on twitter here: @MagsLewisGreens.
'Precisions Breeding' Bill is genetically engineered food 'by the back door'
03:25 | On the 25th January 2023, The Genetic Technology (Precisions Breeding) Bill passed through the Commons and is now in the final substantive stage in the Lords. Listen to find out why Green peer Natalie Bennett has called it 'genetically engineered food by the back door'.
You can read the piece here: https://greenworld.org.uk/article/precisions-breeding-bill-genetically-engineered-food-back-door
Follow Green World on twitter at @GreenWorld_UK and you can follow Natalie Bennett on twitter here: @natalieben.
Why were Italians swayed to the right by the Brothers of Italy? - Thomas Simon Mattia
12:45 | We're zooming in on Italy today - where the most right-wing Government since Mussolini has taken power following the September 2022 snap elections.
How could the far-right win, despite being fractured and having a weak and extreme platform? What crucial failures did the Italian Left make? Researcher Thomas Simon Mattia unpacks one of last year's most significant European elections in this piece, originally published in the Green European Journal.
You can read the piece here: https://greenworld.org.uk/article/why-were-italians-swayed-right-brothers-italy
Follow Green World on twitter at @GreenWorld_UK and the Green European Journal @GreenEUJournal.
The evolutionary psychology of political campaigning - Richard Shepherdson
05:27 | We're back after the winter holidays and hoping you all had relaxing break.
Your next episode is from Norwich Green Party Richard Shepherdson and looks at how we communicate in our political campaigning, particularly online. How we communicate - and not only our tone but the words we choose to use - aren't just important: they actually shape the way our message can be received.
You can read the piece here: https://greenworld.org.uk/article/evolutionary-psychology-political-campaigning
Follow Green World on twitter at @GreenWorld_UK.
The Environmental Cost of the War in Ukraine
Your next piece is a republication from the Green European Journal about the ecological cost of war in Ukraine, which rages over one of the most heavily industrialised and polluted territories in the world. The ecological impacts of the conflict is a reminder that even when the fighting stops, the violence will be felt for generations to come.
You can read the piece here: https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/the-environmental-cost-of-the-war-in-ukraine/
Follow Green World on twitter at @GreenWorld_UK and the Green European Journal @GreenEUJournal.
Are Investment Zones the answer? - Julian Dean
Shropshire and Shrewsbury Councillor Julian Dean discusses ‘growth', Investment Zones, and the investment we really need. This piece was published when Liz Truss was Prime Minister; while Rishi Sunak has not confirmed his position on this, it is very likely he will continue with these plans.
You can read the piece here: https://greenworld.org.uk/article/are-investment-zones-answer
Follow Green World on twitter at @GreenWorld_UK and Julian Dean at @JulianDean99.
The road to a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty - Peter Newell
Fossil fuels are the single largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Yet global governments are on track to produce 120 per cent more than is compatible with the Paris Agreement.
First published in the Green European Journal, Peter Newell explores an alternative approach.
Follow Green World on twitter at @GreenWorld_UK and the journal at @GreenEUJournal.
Energy Prices Bill creates a bias for oil and gas - Jenny Jones
Green peer Jenny Jones cautions that the Energy Prices Bill being ‘rushed through Parliament’ may push the industry away from renewables.
You can read the article here: https://greenworld.org.uk/article/energy-prices-bill-creates-bias-oil-and-gas
Follow Green World on twitter @GreenWorld_UK
Adapt or Else: What the Recent IPCC Report Means for Europe and the World
We're back! Thanks for bearing with us after this brief hiatus - get listening to this analysis of the latest IPCC report.
This report didn't get as much report as the 2019 one but is worth a read. Its findings are hard to ignore and its single message clear - we are in the midst of the climate crisis and adaptation is urgently needed - and it goes into some detail about exactly what action is needed.
In this piece, first published in the Green European Journal, journalist Clare Taylor outlines the report's main takeaways.
Follow Green World on twitter @GreenWorld_UK and the journal @GreenEUJournal.
The Return of the Brezhnev Doctrine - Richard Robert
Despite the warnings, the invasion of Ukraine took the world by surprise. For many, Ukraine was assumed to be a bargaining chip in a wider geopolitical game. What this view tragically overlooked was the central place of Ukraine in Vladimir Putin’s worldview and the much longer history of Russian imperialism. Article and podcast episode republished with thanks from the Green European Journal.
By Richard Robert, the editor of Telos, a European think tank based in Paris.
Follow Green World on twitter @GreenWorld_UK and the journal @GreenEUJournal.
What we can do in power - Daniella Radice talks to the Glastonbury Greens
Starting as a minority administration in 2015, the Greens now represent a majority on Glastonbury Town Council. Daniella Radice, Field Organiser for the South West, highlights what can be achieved with Greens in the room.
Read the piece here: https://greenworld.org.uk/article/what-we-can-do-power
Follow Green World on twitter @GreenWorld_UK and the Glastonbury Greens are @glastreetgreens
UBI: just one tool in the box? - Judy Seymour
Universal Basic Income may just be one tool at our disposal, says Judy Seymour, member of North Tyneside Green Party. Exploring three alternative systems, she outlines how their use in cooperation could create an ‘economic model fit for purpose’.
You can read the article here: https://greenworld.org.uk/article/ubi-just-one-tool-box
Follow Green World on twitter @GreenWorld_UK and sign up to the newsletter on the website to get a monthly roundup of our best pieces!
The bad news and the good news about electoral reform - Alan Story
"Today, the shift away from the antiquated first past the post (FPTP) voting system is far less pronounced." Alan Story shares the good and bad news on bringing about electoral reform from across the globe on the GETPRDONE! blog.
You can read the article here: https://greenworld.org.uk/article/bad-news-and-good-news-about-electoral-reform
Follow Green World on twitter @GreenWorld_UK.
A state of disrepair: Democracy in the United Kingdom - Natalie Bennett
“Without an alternative direction, the field is left to people (largely men) of rampant ambition, without the conviction or desire to deliver for the common good, but simply aiming to enjoy power.” Natalie Bennett reflects on the state of the UK’s democracy.
This is an edited version of an article published on the Green European Journal, which has kindly allowed us to repost the audio version from their podcast Green Wave.
You can read the article here: https://greenworld.org.uk/article/state-disrepair-democracy-united-kingdom
Follow the Green European Journal @greenEUjournal. Follow Green World on twitter @GreenWorld_UK.
Rising seas and nuclear islands - Jenny Jones
“Both the Conservative and Labour parties are stuck in a past that hasn’t kept pace with how rapidly the world is changing.” Green Peer Jenny Jones reflects on the urgent need for the Government to respond to the latest data about sea level rises in order to adapt and respond to climate change.
You can read the article here: https://greenworld.org.uk/article/rising-seas-and-nuclear-islands
Follow Green World on twitter @GreenWorld_UK.
It’s time to listen to Gypsies, Roma and Travellers - Virgil Bitu
“The message is such that people are allowed to discriminate against Gypsies, Roma and Travellers because there is nobody to stand by us and there is no government or institution to represent us.” Virgil Bitu describes the complex and deteriorating relationship between traveller communities and government.
You can read the article here: https://greenworld.org.uk/article/its-time-listen-gypsies-roma-and-travellers
Follow Green World on twitter @GreenWorld_UK.
Vaccine solidarity, not vaccine nationalism - Fran Gater
“Surely this is the time to act to reign in the power of the pharmaceutical industry. And, instead of fuelling vaccine nationalism, to foster vaccine solidarity.” Francesca Gater of Friends of the Earth Europe and the Green World Editorial Board details the work that is happening to make vaccines accessible to all.
You can read the article here: https://greenworld.org.uk/article/vaccine-solidarity-not-vaccine-nationalism
Follow Green World on twitter @GreenWorld_UK.
The importance of saving Eurostar - Natalie Bennett
“Eurostar, so crucial to our future connections with the continent, must not be turned into a game of political football.” Natalie Bennett explains the importance of preserving our main transport link to mainland Europe.
You can read the article here: https://greenworld.org.uk/article/importance-saving-eurostar
Follow Green World on twitter @GreenWorld_UK.
Supporting the wealth tax to fund the Covid-19 recovery - Molly Scott Cato
“Without a wealth tax we are only addressing the symptom – income inequality – rather than the cause.” Molly Scott Cato MEP details her reasons for proposing Greens support a wealth tax.”
You can read the article here: https://greenworld.org.uk/article/supporting-wealth-tax-fund-covid-19-recovery
Follow Green World on twitter @GreenWorld_UK.
Neonicotinoids in a post-Brexit UK - Jeroen van der Sluijs
With the EU ban on neonics no longer applying to the UK after Brexit, Professor of Theory of Science and Ethics of Natural Sciences Jeroen van der Sluijs from the University of Bergen outlines an important political argument against this toxic insecticide. This is an edited version of an article published on the Green European Journal, which has kindly allowed us to repost the audio version from their podcast Green Wave.
You can read the article here: https://greenworld.org.uk/article/neonicotinoids-post-brexit-uk
Follow the Green European Journal @greenEUjournal. Follow Green World on twitter @GreenWorld_UK.
What can a swarm of locusts teach us about climate change reporting? - Alan Story
When swarms of billions of locusts descended on East Africa, it would appear strange that little to no attempt has been made in recent mainstream news and documentaries to explore the link between their arrival and climate change. Alan Story looks at how mainstream coverage of global environmental events continues to fall short of the standard required to accurately reflect the impact of the climate emergency.
You can read the article here: https://greenworld.org.uk/article/what-can-swarm-locusts-teach-us-about-climate-change-reporting
Follow Green World on twitter @GreenWorld_UK.
Climate Assembly recommendations forge the way for progressive climate policy - Caroline Lucas
“It’s striking that Assembly members highlighted the values of fairness and the protection of nature as key principles for the path to net zero, along with more widespread information and education, and leadership from the government that is clear, proactive, accountable and consistent.” Green Party MP Caroline Lucas considers the potential impact of the recommendations of the Climate Assembly and cross-party support on urgent and progressive climate policy.
You can read the article here: https://greenworld.org.uk/article/climate-assembly-recommendations-forge-way-progressive-climate-policy
Follow Green World on twitter @GreenWorld_UK.
We pay police to uphold the law, not break it - Jenny Jones
“The police are paid to uphold the law; this Bill allows officers to either act illegally, or to pay others to break it.” Following the passing of the Covert Human Intelligence Sources Bill on 5 October, Green peer Jenny Jones fears that the Bill will legitimise state actors harming others.
You can read the article here: https://greenworld.org.uk/article/silvertown-tunnel-must-be-cancelled-now
Follow Green World on twitter @GreenWorld_UK.
Silvertown Tunnel must be cancelled now - Caroline Russell
Originally intended to cost £600 million, the cost of the Silvertown Road Tunnel is set to spiral to £2 billion. Green Party Transport Spokesperson and London Assembly Member Caroline Russell calls on the Mayor of London to be honest with Londoners and cancel the polluting project.
You can read the article here: https://greenworld.org.uk/article/silvertown-tunnel-must-be-cancelled-now
Follow Green World on twitter @GreenWorld_UK.
We need to treat femicide like the emergency it is - Julia Lagoutte
On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Julia Lagoutte emphasises the importance of treating violence against women as the 'horrific emergency' it is.
You can read the article here: https://greenworld.org.uk/article/we-need-treat-femicide-emergency-it
Follow Green World on twitter @GreenWorld_UK.
Tackling racism: an essential first step to saving the planet - Alison Teal
“We want system change, not climate change. Acquiescing to the system that protects the wealth and privilege of a select few will ensure the continued exploitation and oppression of all, and our ultimate extinction.” Sheffield Green Party Councillor Alison Teal considers the inextricable link between racism and climate change.
You can read the article here: https://greenworld.org.uk/article/tackling-racism-essential-first-step-saving-planet
Follow Green World on twitter @GreenWorld_UK.
Trumpism is dead, but economic injustice remains - Molly Scott Cato
“Politicians they chose to defend their interests decided on their behalf that having enough income to spend on plastic junk in a shopping mall was sufficient compensation for the loss of dignified work.” Molly Scott Cato argues the economic injustice that gave rise to Trumpism remains to be addressed.
You can read the article here: https://greenworld.org.uk/article/trumpism-dead-economic-injustice-remains
Follow Green World on twitter @GreenWorld_UK.
Lords rebuke for the Government over Internal Markets Bill - Natalie Bennett
Green Peer Natalie Bennett considers a historic vote against the Government’s proposed Internal Market Bill, and how the upper chamber is right with the tide of history, while the Government is high and dry.
You can read the article here: https://greenworld.org.uk/article/lords-rebuke-government-over-internal-markets-bill
Follow Green World on twitter @GreenWorld_UK.