Oxford-Forum.Org : A forum for change

Scientists v Environmentalists

2005-05-30T10:29:00.000-07:00

SCIENTISTS VERSUS ENVIRONMENTALISTS: WHICH IS THE BIGGER OBSTACLE TO PROGRESS ON SOLVING THE PROBLEM OF CLIMATE CHANGE?

THURSDAY JUNE 9th

Mark Lynas is an environmental campaigner and journalist specialising in climate change and author of the acclaimed book High Tide: News from a Warming World.

Dr Myles Allen is head of the Climate Dynamics Group at the Oxford University Department of Physics and is a leading specialist in climate change modeling.

Both are passionate and highly entertaining speakers and a stimulating debate is guaranteed with full audience involvement.

7-9pm THE VAULTS, rear of the University Church of St Mary’s on Oxford High Street. Seating is limited, so early arrival is recommended. Organic food and light refreshments are available from 6.30.

Price £2 / £1 concessions on the door

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This meeting is part of a series being organised by Oxford's Climate Outreach Information Network (COIN).

"Is what we know useful? And, if not what would be?"

2005-05-28T03:02:00.000-07:00

Professor Stuart Pimm

Doris Duke Chair of Conservation Ecology, Duke University , USA and

Extraordinary Professor, University of Pretoria , South Africa

"Is what we know useful? And, if not what would be?"

Thursday 2nd June @ 4.30pm

Lecture Theatre A, Dept of Zoology

Human actions are now driving species to extinction hundreds to thousands of times faster than geological background rates. This large and irreversible process begs our asking what we can do to prevent future losses. The novelty of the problem means that there are many solutions; some involve science.

Professor Pimm will review case studies of animal conservation, including a sparrow and a panther from the Everglades of Florida, a suite of bird species in the Atlantic Coast forest of Brazil , and a congressman in Washington DC , to see if useful, general lessons can be deduced.

Talk by Earthwatch scientists at R.G.S.

2005-05-20T09:44:00.000-07:00

Thursday 23rd June, 7.00pm – 8.30pm.

Earthwatch Lecture at the Royal Geographical Society, I Kensington Gore, London.

South American Forest Birds – Ecotourism, Enterprise & Extinction.

Talks by Earthwatch scientists Dr. Dusti Becker & Dr. Donald Brightsmith

From the stunning bird biodiversity of Ecuador’s Loma Alta cloud forests to the beautiful and highly prized macaws in the Tambopata region of Peru - how best can local communities conserve their environmental heritage?

Admission is free but by ticket only.

Contact Earthwatch on (01865) 318856; events@earthwatch.org.uk;

www.earthwatch.org/europe/events/index.html#eee

Ciclonudista : nude cycle protest

2005-05-17T12:21:00.000-07:00

Thanks to James at Cyclox for passing on the following press release:

2nd CICLONUDISTA (WORLD NAKED BIKE DEMONSTRATION)

SATURDAY JUNE 11, 2005

NAKED BEFORE THE TRAFFIC! JUSTICE ON THE STREETS!

Justice on the streets, this is what we claim with a strong conviction and in earnest, but cheerfully as well, having a good time. Cars impose their law and order on us: speed, high-handedness, fumes and violence. That is why when we move day by day on our bikes we transform our mobility into an everyday disobedience act. If, on top of that, we demonstrate naked on our bikes we turn disobedience into an exemplary protest.

The Cyclenudist Group Committee (Coordinadora de Colectivos Ciclonudistas, CCC) in Aragón (Spanish State) makes a call to organize Ciclonudista (Naked Bike) demonstrations in the cities all over the world, on Saturday June 11, 2005, with an aim to extend to your home town those already held in Zaragoza in last 4 years and in 30 cities all over the world on 2004.

We denounce that our streets have been kidnapped by privately used cars which collapse cities and degenerate these into a hostile and dangerous land. Cars kill and we are shocked at their impunity. If we question them, so many transnational war interests in petrol and car industry are at stake. We propose a model of a city where people get back their space, where moving needs are reduced and where there is a commitment to pedestrians (all of us are) and to less polluting and more effective means of transport.

Why cycling? The bicycle is a reliable, healthy, ecological and amusing means of transport. It is an icon, a symbol of freedom and a practical instrument to transform society. It does not pay taxes, does not waste oil, does neither cooperate with a destroying development nor with global war.

Why naked? Because we feel we are naked before the traffic owing to the drivers' lack of respect and the apathy of our rulers. Thus we make it visible that our bodywork is fragile. Moreover, we show our body naturally, not feeling ashamed, toppling taboos regarding our physical appearance which are imposed by fashion and the greediness of the textile transnational industry. To sum up, we face urban traffic with our naked body on our bikes as the best way of defending our dignity and of living the social struggle.

Visit our website: www.ciclonudista.net

Contact us for more information.: info@ciclonudista.net

Visit: www.worldnakedbikeride.org

Coordinadora de Colectivos Ciclonudistas de Aragón (CCC)

Lecture by Nigerian Finance Minister - Managing the Challenges of Reform in a Global Context

2005-05-12T03:27:00.000-07:00

Global Economic Governance Progamme, Annual Lecture 2005: Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

MANAGING THE CHALLENGES OF REFORM IN A GLOBAL CONTEXT - THE CASE OF NIGERIA
Friday 27 May 2005, 5pm
Department of Politics and International Relations, Manor Rd

This year's lecture will be given by Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Nigerian Finance Minister and Chair of the World Bank Development Committee. Dr Okonjo-Iweala is one of only two female Finance Ministers in the world and controls the finances of a nation of over 130 million people in a country which is almost the size of Western Europe.

In her current post Dr Okonjo-Iweala has re-negotiated Nigeria's debt burden with the World Bank and implemented dramatic economic and social reforms which are already combating corruption, improving transparency, and turning the economy around. In the context of Britain's leadership of the G8 Group and the Commission for Africa's report, Dr.
Okonjo-Iweala's lecture is particularly timely and important.

If you will be attending, please RSVP either to geg@univ.ox.ac.uk or to reija.fanous@univ.ox.ac.uk

Welcome!

2005-03-22T12:19:00.000-08:00

This shared website aims to help publicise and co-ordinate the efforts of environment and development groups in Oxford.

Please get in touch, if you would like to post news, links or information about your work on this site and I will send you an online invitation.

This site will work best if it is a team effort, and has content which is regularly updated.

I will help to keep it moving, but your ideas and news are what will make the difference, and the idea sustainable.

Abusive, libellous or illegal posts will be deleted.

COIN: 2005 Climate Change Speaker Series

2005-03-22T11:53:00.000-08:00

Sally Salem from the Climate Outreach Information Network (COIN) has been in touch to let this site know about her organisation's 2005 Climate Change Speaker Series which will consist of an event a month from May to November.

At the time of writing three major speakers have agreed to speak during the series:

Professor Sir David King:
Sir David King is the former Master of Downing College and Head of the Chemistry Department at the University of Cambridge. Since becoming the Chief Scientific Adviser to the government in 2000 Sir David has become on the leading voices warning of the threats of climate change. The date for this talk is currently being negotiated with Sir David.

Charles Secrett:
Charles Secrett is the former Executive Director of Friends of the Earth and is the director of Active Citizens Transform, a organisation aiming to mobilise people to actively engage in the political process.

Joanna Macey:
Joanna Macey is an acclaimed social change theorist specialising in understanding and overcoming disempowerment in the face of environmental threats. She will speak on the topic "Facing Global Warming + Other Great Adventures” on May 8th.

The speaker series is an ambitious project to bring together some of the most challenging and best informed perspectives on climate change. Oxford is a major centre for climate change work through universities, consultants and non-governmental organisations. COIN intends to structure its events in ways to generate a strong debate.

The Climate Outreach Information Network is a newly formed charitable trust with the objective of providing information on the causes and impacts of climate change and the practical solutions that people can adopt in their own lives. You can find out more about us on their website www.COINet.org.uk.

Events advertised by Oxford Environment

2005-03-13T09:58:00.000-08:00

The Environment Change Institute have advertised the following lectures on their Oxford Environment website.

Friday 18th March @ 4.00pm

Brood parasites and their host's parent-offspring communication systems

Dr Joah Madden (University of Cambridge)
Department of Zoology EGI Seminars,
Lecture Theatre C
Department of Zoology
University of Oxford

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Wednesday 20th April @ 5pm

Geopolitics of environment

Alain Lipietz, (Les Verts MEP)
Main Lecture Theatre,
School of Geography and the Environment
Environmental futures lecture series

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Wednesday 27th April @ 5pm
New practices of deliberation in environmental politics

Maarten Hajer (Amsterdam University)
Main Lecture Theatre, Gypsy Lane Campus, Oxford Brookes University
Environmental futures lecture series

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Wednesday 27th April @ 7.00-8.30pm

Grey Whales & Orca – Feeding Habits & Health

Royal Geographical Society,
1 Kensington Gore, London
Earthwatch Lecture
Admission is free but by ticket only.
Contact Earthwatch on (01865) 318856;
events@earthwatch.org.uk

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28th April @ 6.30pm

'Greenwashing'

Andy Rowell (Freelance Journalist)
SG03, Gypsy Lane Campus,
Oxford Brookes University
Contemporary Ideology Forum: Brainwashing seminar series

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Wednesday 4th May @ 5pm

Politicising the environment in practice

Caroline Lucas, Green Party MEP

Main Lecture Theatre, School of Geography and the Environment
Environmental futures lecture series

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Wednesday 11th May @ 5pm

What environmental futures do we want?

George Monbiot, Journalist and campaigner

Lloyd Lecture Theatre, Gypsy Lane Campus,
Oxford Brookes University Environmental futures lecture series

Cyclox: Bicycle User Survey

2005-03-08T14:20:00.000-08:00

Cyclists in Oxford and Cambridge are being invited to take part in a survey of their experience, skills and ability. The cycle survey only takes 5 minutes, and the answers will be completely anonymous and confidential.

To take part, go to the Cycling Survey homepage.

PRIZE DRAW - WIN A £20 HMV TOKEN

When you complete your questionnaire, fill in your name and address in the space provided. At the end of the survey Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) will draw 5 names at random for each city and those people will win a £20 HMV token. Don't worry about your privacy: As soon as your questionnaire is received OCC will remove your name and address and will use it only for the prize draw. The questionnaire itself is completely anonymous. OCC will only use this information for the prize draw. OCC will not otherwise contact you or pass your details on to others.

TECHNICAL HELP

The online survey works on Windows and Linux computers. Mac users can fill in the survey using the Mozilla Firefox web browser but not using Safari or Internet Explorer, due to circumstances beyond our control. If you experience problems with the online survey, please email cyclingsurvey@oxfordshire.gov.uk

MORE ABOUT THE SURVEY

Researchers from Bath University are conducting the survey for the Oxford and Cambridge Cycle / Bus Project, which aims to help bus drivers and cyclists get on better together on the roads by finding out more about both groups' needs. They will also be doing some workshops with bus drivers.

The cycle survey and bus driver workshops will complement existing research:

* A study of road users in Oxford which was carried out by Brookes University found that the top concerns cyclists have with buses are being passed too close, and being tailgated. Bus drivers' top concerns with cyclists are near-misses at junctions, and being undertaken.

* Accident data from Oxfordshire reveals that male and female cyclists have different accident patterns. Women's cycle accidents seem to be more likely to involve a bus. The survey may help explain this and other findings.

* Local, national and international research reveals which types of accidents are most likely to result in serious injuries.

The information will be used to design messages for bus drivers and cyclists. The messages will be tested in Oxford, using Cambridge as a control, to see if bus drivers and cyclists find them useful.

THANK YOU

London Marathon 2005: Ed Davey seeks sponsorship

2005-03-08T14:07:00.000-08:00

A friend of this site, Ed Davey is running in this years London Marathon and looking for sponsorship which will go to Médecins Sans Frontières, The Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign and The (Tibetan) Hope Centre.

1) Médecins Sans Frontières are at the forefront of the humanitarian response in the Democratic Republic of Congo and in Sudan at the moment.

2) The Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign / The Oxford - León Link. Ed has been actively involved with these two charities since visiting Nicaragua in 2000; they are as always very short of funds, and it is thanks to NSC that he is running the Marathon again, as they had a spare charity place for the run.

3) The Hope Centre (translated from the Tibetan), Lhasa, Tibet. One of Ed's very best Tibetan students from India, Sonam Dolma, is now working as a trainee doctor with a small medical centre for Lhasa's poor and homeless people. She is Ed's guarantee that every penny of your donation would go directly towards the centre's work. Ed will send money to her via Western Union, and pay for the cost of that himself.

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Ed proposes that 50% of your donation goes to MSF, 30% to NSC and 20% to the Hope Centre. However, as last year, the choice is of course up to you, and you are very welcome to specify what percentage of your donation you would like to go to which charity. Last year Ed and his brother raised £4300 - is £5000 too ambitious a target this year?!

Contact Ed directly if you would like to sponsor him. His email address is:

edward.davey@brasenose-oxford.com

66 Tennyson Street,
London SW8 3SU.

Dawkins Prize, Trade Justice Stall + Sustainable Oxfordshire

2005-03-01T08:54:00.000-08:00

Friday 4th March, 2005

The Dawkins Prize for Animal Conservation and Welfare.

Prize Lecture by Professor David Macdonald DSc.

“A Brush with Foxes and Some Other Carnivore Tales”.

Oxford University Museum of Natural History at 5pm.

Balliol College, advised by a distinguished Committee, has awarded the second Dawkins Prize to Professor David Macdonald DSc, Director of the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit at Oxford University. His prize lecture is entitled “A Brush with Foxes and Some Other Carnivore Tales”.

The Dawkins Prize was endowed by Mr John Dawkins on behalf of the Dawkins family, ten of whom have been at Balliol during the last 200 years.

EVERYONE WELCOME

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FRIDAY OF 7TH : March 4th 2005:

TRADEJUSTICE STALL ON CORNMARKET

This Friday People and Planet are going to be doing a big drive to get votes for Trade Justice signed - especially because it's Fair Trade fortnight and trade is never going to be fair unless the rules governing it are made fair!

There will be a stall outside St Michael's on Cornmarket from 9.30am to 4.30pm. It would be great if anyone could spare an hour to help cover it.
It should be good fun with buskers singing Tradejustice songs at various times throughout the day and the opportunity for a bit of street theatre at 1.30pm!

Please email oxpandp@herald.ox.ac.uk if you'd like to help with the stall or do a bit of performing!

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NEPALI AWARENESS WEEK

Wed 2nd March, 8pm

Talk by Nepal expert David Gellner

“Nepal: Searching for the Causes of the Current Crisis”

Prestwick Room, St. John’s College

Friday 4th March, 4pm

Class with Nepali peace activist and educational philosopher C.M. Yogi

“My Spiritual Ideas and practice of Meditation”

– Old Refectory, Wadham College

Friday 4th March, 8pm

Talk by C.M. Yogi – “HVP Schools Nepal: their Story and the Vision behind them”

– Seminar Room, Wadham College

Monday 6th March, 7pm

Nepali and Indian Food Evening with Food Society, partly in aid of VSO

– Old Refectory, Wadham College – Tickets £7

contact foodsociety@hotmail.com

28th Feb - 6th March

Volunteers will be sponsored to live on $2 a day to raise awareness of world poverty and poverty in Nepal

All proceeds from Nepal Awareness Week will go to HVP, a group of schools in Nepal that run entirely on donations and promote values of peace and tolerance.

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Sustainable Oxfordshire Day

Saturday, 23rd April 2005, 9.30am–4.30pm

Lloyd Lecture Theatre, Oxford Brookes University, Gipsy Lane, Headington

Inspiration, celebration and debate about making Oxfordshire more sustainable.

Includes revitalising lunch of local and sustainable produce.

Speakers include:

Brenda Boardman, Environmental Change Institute: The 40% House

Robin Buxton, Oxford Nature Conservation Forum: How to Engage People and Build Networks

Robin Murray, Director of RED, The Design Council’s Innovation Unit: Zero Waste

Rebecca Willis, Associate, Green Alliance: A Micro-generation Manifesto

Adam Twine: Oxfordshire Farmer: A case study of his 12-year battle to get planning permission for Westmill Wind Farm, near Faringdon

MORE INFORMATION & BOOKING

Eka Morgan, Science and Sustainability Officer, Oxford Inspires,

eka.morgan@sbs.ox.ac.uk Tel: 01865 278817.

To book a place, please send a cheque for £10 (inc lunch) payable to ‘Oxford Inspires’ to Liz Gresham, Saïd Business School, Park End Street, Oxford OX1 1HP.

Organised by Oxford Inspires, Environmental Change Institute (Oxford University) and Environmental Information Exchange (Oxford Brookes University) and generously supported by Oxfordshire County Council.