Nothing Grand about the racing industry's record.

There was relief all around with the news that no horses were killed at this year's Grand National.
Unfortunately the suffering of many horses goes on away from the glare of the big race.

I joined campaigners from Animal Aid and other groups to protest outside Channel 4's offices against their coverage and very inappropriate adverts for the race. However, as I explained to the Guardian journalist covering the event (covered here), for me the concerns about these races run much deeper.

So forgive me if I'm not celebrating the 'improvements' made at this race. Two other horses were killed during the meeting and people remain ignorant of the real conditions faced by horses bred and used for racing.

During the debates I've heard a lot of talk about horses loving the jumps and living pampered lives. Unfortunately this is anthropomorphic nonsense.
Horses cossetted in stables aren't pampered, they are bored and stressed. Horses are social grazing animals, so being cooped up in a stable as racing horses are for much of the time- even a luxurious one- doesn't meet their needs. Its not uncommon for these stabled horses to develop stereotypical behaviours (called vices), similar to the pacing seen in zoo animal that many people are quite rightly appalled by. 30% of horses in racing stables showed these behaviours in two studies in 2002. Rather than attend to the behavioural needs of these animals it is common to take steps to block the behaviour, which results in even more stress (as measured by cortisol levels).

There also seems to be evidence, from video of the horse Synchronised who was killed by the race last year,

Listening as the names of the horse killed at
 the Grand National were read out.

of extreme fear when approaching the jumps. Horses have a strong inbuilt 'flight' mechanism, the fact that they run fast and jump over obstacles simply cannot be taken to mean they enjoy it.

Finally the breeding of these highly specialised creatures is a real problem. Only around 35% of foals bred make the grade, what happens to the rest? A proportion certainly are killed because they develop developmental problems; related to the extreme inbreeding and the selection for fast growth and other characteristics. Others just aren't good enough and end up in the lower reaches of the sport and many go to slaughter for meat.
The breeding situation is worsened even more by the way in which horses are given the same birthday, January 1st, in order to determine which races they can take part in. It is therefore beneficial for the foals to be born as early in the year as possible, It just so happens that this doesn't really fit with the horse natural breeding season. So again rather than change it to fit with the horse millions of pounds are spent forcing the horse's behaviour to change. Mares are often given hormones and sedated so they will accept the Stallion.

The reality is that this sport is purely about money and status. The welfare of the horse beyond its financial value is not a significant consideration.
I believe that if people were aware of the reality of this industry many would think twice before having a flutter.
I believe that the industry must be forced to publish all the statistics around breeding, what happens to all the horses and the injury and death figures. Horse all have a passport now, it is perfectly doable.

We need to wake up to the reality of horse racing.

The duck is quacking: time to wake up to climate change

The weather is certainly weird. A wash out summer, a freezing spring. Elsewhere drought, hurricanes.
Yet as soon as you mention the phrase 'climate change' up pop the deniers to say 'yes but it was like this 19xx, its just a coincidence'. Or the best one, beloved by those who seem to have made a career out of ignorant comments (I'm thinking Jeremy Clarkson & Boris Johnson ), it can't be Global Warming because it's cold. Rather missing the big clue in the world global.
Some are making the link, but our politicians and media are virtually silent. The Guardian did at least report the jet stream changes that could certainly explain this miserable cold weather: UKIP are all over the news and yet not a mention that they fly in the face of 97% of climate scientists by being climate change deniers.

So I pose an genuine question; at what point do these things stop becoming a run of coincidences and become a pattern that we accept as 'climate change'?

photo: Fizykaa

There's the old saying; if it looks like a duck, swims like a duck and quacks like a duck then it probably is a duck. To me this looks like climate change, feels like climate change and fits with the predictions....

And my second question, is it really sensible to wait and see? Perhaps a bit of precautionary action would be a good idea? Even HSBC think so and the big banks are not exactly known for their strong environmental stance.

Meanwhile our politicians are behaving like ostrichs, with their heads buried in the sand.

In some ways may be it is understandable; there are many economic crises being faced and the worst assault

With Green Party Leader Natalie Bennett and Young
Greens at Defend the Whittington Rally.

on vulnerable people in memory. Greens are of course heavily involved in fights to protect our National Health Services, speaking up for benefit recipients, protesting the bedroom tax, resisting workfare to name a few. All doubly required because Labour is quite simply unworthy of the name 'opposition' on most of  these issues, having in fact started the rot.

However Greens must remember our USP; we understand the link between the environment and people.
We know that climate chaos is not going to affect the richest. The poorest will suffer most, both here and overseas.

Food prices rises are already happening and as I argue in the Ecologist here our food system is not at all resilient . I'm guessing there won't be a glut of lambs this year and our farmers are already struggling due to last year's weird weather. With record numbers of people relying on food banks this is a dire situation that is likely to only get worse.

It is up to Greens to urgently present our vision of  how things can better.
I believe we do have answers on job creation, relocalising our food, bringing back industry, rejuvenating the regions and the rural economy.
We should not shy away from talking about climate change, but in a context of these answers which also address many critical social issues.
We will not make progress just being against things or being doom and gloom.
We have to package these answers and be coordinated and determined to get the message out. It isn't easy in the face of our biased media but people aren't daft, they realise this weather isn't normal.

And if it doesn't turn out to be climate change whats the worst that will have happened? We'll have cleaner energy, better insulated homes, more jobs, traceable food, stronger rural economies and less pollution.
I can live with that.

Rather brilliant cartoon from Facebook.
Afraid I don't know where it originated from.

Save the Whittington

On Saturday I joined Greens from across London, including large numbers from Camden, Islington and Haringey and thousands of local residents marching to save vital services at our local hospital, the Whittington. 

The board want to sell off hospital buildings, significantly reduce the number of beds and cap the number of babies born there. They expect community services to take up the slack and yet there is absolutely no evidence that this will happen. 

Creeping privitisation of services has been going on for some time and we've heard a number of worrying stories about patient care and treatment of staff.

It was fantastic to have the Green Party Leader, Natalie Bennett marching alongside residents and speaking at the rally. Ed Miliband lives just behind the hospital, but was unsurprisingly nowhere to be seen...

Natalie called for the Whittington to be protected and for an end to NHS privatisation. Greens are completely opposed to NHS privitisation. The NHS must be publicly owned and managed.

It is clear that the problems at the Whittington stem from Labour's PFI fiasco and now the coalition are preparing the ground for Foundation Status and further privitisation, which must be resisted.

I believe that these cuts will leave the Whittington stretched beyond capacity and there is absolutely no evidence that community healthcare is able to pick up the extra work. You'd almost think it was being set up to fail? I wonder why that might happen.... 

This is just another area where the supposed opposition, the Labour Party, are unable to stand up for public services because the Coalition are simply following the path that Labour started along. 

Just like the 'bedroom tax', Academy schools, ATOS assessments, workfare only Greens are clear in their unambiguous opposition. In fact I'm not sure I can think of a single Tory attack on the poorest that didnt have the groundwork done by Labour- what a damning indictment. 

We need to get out there as much as possible and tell people- Greens are the only positive alternative. On the doorstep in Junction, where we are fighting a by-election residents are welcoming this alternative.

Green Party Leader Natalie Bennett with Charlie Kiss and Caroline Russell on the doorstep in Junction ward.

Thank you Clear Air in London!

This week I was thrilled and honoured to receive an award from the inspiring air quality campaigner Simon Birkett of Clean Air in London.
  
I was presented with the Clean Air in London Award 2013 in recognition of success in raising awareness of air pollution and its dangerous health effects and campaigning for action in Islington and across London.
  
Simon Birkett, Founder and Director of Clean Air in London, came to Islington to present the awards and to myself and to fellow campaigner Caroline Russell. 

You can see more about the awards here. 
There is still much to do and we will be continuing to work with Clean Air London and other campaigners. Clean Air in London's two immediate priorities are to insist the Mayor launches a programme of 'Spare the Air' days and transformation not waffle from the Mayor's Road Task Force (MRTF).  

With Air Pollution campaigners Caroline Russell
and Simon Birkett of Clean Air in London

Air pollution is a serious health issue for people in Islington, even more so for vulnerable people and those on lower incomes, so I think it is vital that the Mayor warns people during London's 12 or so smogs a year with advice for people on protecting themselves and reducing pollution for themselves and others. 

The Mayor's Road Task Force needs to present a plan to eliminate all cancer causing diesel exhaust from the most polluted parts of London by 2020, not just pollution from new vehicles. 

The Awards were announced in the same week that the Supreme Court heard a vital case from ClientEarth that, if successful, should ensure citizens can use nitrogen dioxide laws to hammer down dangerous diesel emissions and other pollutants by 2015. We await the result with baited breath.

There is progress being made in Islington towards a plan to reduce air pollution as the Islington Tribune reports here. I have no doubt that without Green pressure and input this process would not be happening. Now we just have to ensure the council follow through and take action on the recommendations.

Supporting Animal Charities in London

With Jean Lambert MEP and
local Greens.

On Saturday I joined London Green MEP Jean Lambert and local party members at the Ealing Animal Fair.

We spoke to many devoted activists, who give loads of time and energy to the numerous  charities represented at the fair. 

The charities covered a wide range; from small local charities to large national and international ones, working on issues from rescuing dogs on 'death row' in shelters to the welfare of working animals in developing countries.

It was very clear to us that many people share our deep concern for animal issues and the most frequent thing we heard was people bemoaning the fact that other political parties just don't seem to care about the issues.

From factory farming to irresponsible pet ownership these are issues that affect not just the animal involved, but people suffer too. Antibiotic resistance, pollution, climate change through to dog attacks and dog poo, these are all growing issues that we know concern people. Yet other parties ignore them.

That's one of the reasons I joined the Greens. I'm proud that we see animal issues as important and work to end animal suffering. Importantly have practical and achievable policies; such as those found in last years London animal manifesto. These policies make sense for us all; animals and people.

Meeting the inspirational campaigners at the Ealing Animal Fair and elsewhere strengthens my resolve to continue campaigning on these important issues.

Billion Women Rise

On Thursday I joined Green Party Leader Natalie Bennett, London Green MEP Jean Lambert and other London Greens for an event in Parliament Square as party of the One Billion Rising campaign..

The event was part of a global series of parties, demonstrations and protests being held to highlight the massive scale of gender violence. 

The initiative aims to show politicians and law-makers that, with about one-third of women likely to be subjected to serious gender violence in their lifetimes, enough is enough.

It was extremely moving and shocking to hear the names of the 109 women killed in 2012 in the UK through male violence against women being read out during the event. This really brought home how vital this campaign is and also how we must continue to tackle this issue and more widely work urgently to reduce gender inequality.

While we stood outside Green MP Caroline Lucas was addressing fellow MPs during a debate on protecting future generations from violence against women and girls, calling on the Government to change the law so all schools are required to teach pupils about the extent of gender-based violence - and take a zero-tolerance approach to it.

Fox cull call is dangerous madness

Foxes are back in the news with the story that a fox attacked a small child in London. While this incident is no doubt distressing for those involved I find it pretty sickening to see how ignorant politicians (including our Mayor Boris Johnson) have jumped on this story to justify their fox hatred and promote the crazy idea of a cull. 

Fortunately Greens in London actually understand the issues and are not out to demonise this wild creature with which we share our city in order to change public perception about fox hunting in the countryside. 

This letter has been sent in to the Evening Standard by Green Assembly Member, Darren Johnson:

Fox attacks are of course very distressing for the individuals involved but it must be remembered that they are very rare; that is perhaps one reason for so much media coverage. However it is deeply foolish and  demonstrates ignorance of the issue to even suggest a cull as a sensible response. It is a well known fact amongst wildlife experts that culls in these situations are a complete waste of time and usually make problems worse.

 

Culling leaves a space for new individuals to migrate to that area, individuals from different areas will fight more to control the resources there, the increased movement leads to more disease spread.

So we end up with just as many foxes but more aggressive and with more disease.

This has been proven again and again where culls, particularly of dogs to control rabies, have been peformed.

Much more sensible would be to address the exponential growth in food waste, which provides rich pickings for urban foxes, enabling their population to grow rapidly, while also littering our streets.

We must also remember to respect our urban wildlife with whom we share this city.

In keeping a sense of proportion it is important to remember that dog attacks are much more common and result in many more injuries and even death; at great personal cost as well as significant cost to the NHS. The Mayor could propose schemes to tackle irresponsible dog ownership in the Capital that would have a massive impact on this issue, there are good examples in some local authorities. This would surely be a much better use of time and resources.