the climate rush

One hundred women dressed as suffragettes will cram the Lobby Room of Parliament today as part of the 'Climate Rush,' 100 years after the historic parliamentary rush, demanding 100% cuts in the UK's carbon emissions by 2030. Dressed in Victorian bloomers and bright red sashes reading 'No new coal' and 'End airport expansion', the women will press their MPs to take tougher action on climate change - demanding the de-carbonisation of the UK power and transport sectors by 2030. Where the original Parliament Rush helped win women's rights to vote, today's event will mark an energetic protest for stronger action on climate change. Suffragette Diane Selway said: "I want my daughters to look back to 2008 and say that this was a turning point. We've done enough talking about climate change. Once it was politically unacceptable for women to have the vote. It will require the same courage and commitment to decarbonise our society as it took to gain women their basic rights. " The new Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Miliband, has the opportunity to push for radical reform of the UK's energy and climate policy, to deliver on the kind of emissions cuts scientists now agree are necessary to prevent dangerous levels of global warming. Recent reports from researchers at University College London have shown how the UK can be powered using clean renewable technologies. In fact the UK has the largest renewable resource of any country in Europe, but has the second-smallest installed renewable capacity, after Malta. Sarah Bricknall, another woman attending the event, said: "The creation of the new Department for Energy and Climate Change is a powerful opportunity for Ed Miliband to step up to the challenge, be the visionary climate leader we need, and get on with decarbonising our country. 100% emissions cuts in the UK by 2030 would make us world leaders and create hundreds of thousands of jobs - but it will take action, not just words, from the Government."

Fancy joining them? Be there at 6:00pm - the rush takes place at 6:30 this evening.

foodie news

This weekend promises to be a food lovers paradise with the Soil Association's Organic Food Festival taking over Bristol's waterside from 6-7th September. With tastings, talks, cookery demonstrations to inspire parents, children are also well catered for with a giant cardboard structure from cardboard toys folks, Paperpod, in the gardening area, a food trail, more tasting and cookery workshops. Elsewhere London Vegan Festival will take over Kensington Town Hall on Sunday and visitors can expect to learn how a vegan diet can reduce harmful emissions that affect climate change. Younger visitors will be treated to storytelling, puppet shows and workshops. On Monday a lecture held by Compassion in World Farming is taking place at Savoy Place in London about the impact of meat production and consumption on our planet. Given by Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and joint winner of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize, this looks to be a fascinating talk with discussion welcomed afterwards.