A seal in Manx coastal waters

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Information: GPMG are anti-renewables
Despite posing as pro-renewable energy, Green Power Manx Group (GPMG) is actively campaigning against the Isle of Man's green energy targets.
GPMG was first formed to campaign against wind energy - the most popular & commercially successful form of renewable power. But now they are openly targeting Tynwald's policy to produce 15% of the Island's electricity from renewable sources by 2015. This policy is Tynwald's first major commitment to the global battle to cut CO2.

* Much of the info GPMG is circulating is untrue. Our GPMG-myth page helps set the record straight. 
To read more - Click here
* To find out more about renewable energy options - Click here
* To read our comprehensive renewable energy FAQs - Click here
* IoM FoE Energy spokesperson writes in IoM Newspapers - Click here

Climate change



News: Tidal power is perhaps closer, but not yet commercially ready
Commercial tidal power is perhaps a step closer, following the Scottish government announcement that the latest machines may be viable by 2015. This announcement, while encouraging, is still based on hope rather than actual delivery.
IoM FoE urges Isle of Man Government to keep an open mind on ocean power. There's no doubt that tidal & wave power will provide vast energy resources in the future when the technology is tried, tested & affordable.
Future energy needs will be supplied from a patchwork of sources, including wind, ocean, and solar, as well as more traditional sources.

* To read more about ocean power in Scotland - Click here
* To read our GPMG-myth page - Click here

Tidal power



News: Maughold and the Brooghs confirmed as ASSI

Following a four month consultation the DEFA Minister, John Shimmin, has confirmed the designation of Maughold Cliffs & Brooghs as an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI).

* For more information - Click here

Maughold Shags



News: Ramsey Bay IoM's first Marine Nature Reserve
Ramsey Bay has been designated as the Isle of Man's first Marine Nature Reserve. The area will now be protected from damaging activities, fisheries will be safeguarded and it will become a centre for marine tourism and research. Minister John Shimmin said the news was "an exciting step forward for the Isle of Man".

* For more information - Click here

Oystercatchers



News: The Big Tidy Up
On the 1st and 2nd October over six hundred people helped to tidy up the Isle of Man. IoM FoE was congratulated by Peter Macken, Waste Management Officer at Douglas Borough Council for making the 2011 Big Tidy Up All Island Challenge a success.
Around 1.6 tonnes of litter was collected, meaning a lot of litter was removed from the Islands Grot Spots. Litter collection took place at: White beach Niarbyl, Derbyhaven beach, Douglas beach, Castletown centre, Railway track at Crosby, Market street Douglas, Hills Meadow, Anagh Coar, Willaston, The Nunnery footpath, Ballakermeen area, Foxdale, Douglas Museum area, Ashley hill, Ballaquayle Rd and surrounding area, Hutchinson Square, Peel Road, Mona Drive, and many more.

Cat and kids



News: New MHKs
It's time to start lobbying new MHKs on eco-issues. For a complete list of Tynwald members, and for elected candidate responses to our election questions - Click here 

Election 2011



Campaign: Renewable energy for the Isle of Man
IoM Friends of the Earth has produced a PowerPoint presentation about renewable energy options for the Island - and we’d value the chance to make this presentation to your group. 

* To find out more - Click here

* To read our comprehensive renewable energy FAQs - Click here

A wind farm in the UK



Campaign: Upsurge in live animal export for slaughter from Isle of Man
An on-line petition has been launched by campaigners calling for a ban on live animal export for slaughter from the Isle of Man. The petition follows weeks of behind-the-scenes campaigning by concerned members of the public to stop this inhumane and wholly unnecessary practice. Live exports could also have a devastating impact on Manx agriculture and lead to negative effects on the way the Isle of Man's landscape is managed. (Please note, this is not an IoM FoE campaign, although we are pleased to support the aims and objectives of campaigners and so have hosted this information on our site.)

* For more info (now updated with additional facts, below the news release) - Click here
* To sign the petition - Click here
* To join the group on Facebook - Click here

Live export for slaughter is wrong



News: IoM FoE Questions Authenticity of Green Tariff Isle of Man Friends of the Earth has questioned the authenticity of the Manx Electricity Authority's new Green Tariff. The MEA has said its tariff will deliver customers with '100% renewable energy', but IoM FoE says this claim is 'demonstrably inaccurate'.

Cat Turner, energy spokesperson for IoM Friends of the Earth, said, 'We've been pushing for a Green Tariff from the MEA for some time, and I've glad they've listened to our arguments.  It's also great news that they've followed our suggestion of ring-fencing the profit generated to help fund development of Manx renewable energy projects. I am concerned however that only a small amount of the energy being sourced for the tariff is actually renewable.'


* To find out more - Click here

Green Wash from the MEA



Campaign: Marine reserves
The Marine Conservation Society is currently running a vote on marine reserves around the UK - including three on the Isle of Man?

* To vote 'yes' for Manx protected areas - Click here
* For the whole UK map - Click here

Check out our ocean campaign page: The world's oceans cover over two-thirds of our planet's surface and support a rich web of life. Without them, life on earth would not be possible. They also absorb around half of the world's CO2. To find out more - Click here

Oceans
                campaigning



Event: Visit by Mike Childs, Head of Climate, FoE UK
IoM FoE hosted a successful evening with Mike Childs, Head of Climate for Friends of the Earth, UK. Mr Childs said, 'It's impossible not to be struck by the IoM's beautiful yet fragile environment. It was heart-warming to see the level in interest in protecting the island from local and global environmental damage. There was overwhelming support for increasing the Island's energy security, delivering on the promise of generating 15% of electricity by renewable resources by 2015, & requiring the MEA to produce an action plan to do so. The Island can be a beacon of hope if it capitalises on its abundant wind, wave & tidal resources, by doing so it create a stronger & more diverse economy & develop its high tech skills.'

* BBC coverage - Click here

Mike Childs visits DEFA



Event: Isle of Man Energy Expo
Isle of Man Friends of the Earth joined other Manx eco groups such as Zero Waste Mann and the Manx Energy Advice Centre at the IoM Energy Expo again this year. The FoE stall hosted information about a range of environmental campaigns and focussed on renewable energy, the big campaign of the year.
If you missed us at the Expo, why not come and meet us on Tynwald Day in the main field.


IoM FoE at the 2011 Energy Expo



Pure Manx Organic - Sun, rain, earth, eat
Pure Manx organic food is the great-tasting, feel-good result of farming with nature. It’s 100% local, helps protect our soil and is kinder to our environment. Pure Manx meat, a mouth-watering selection of local seasonal veg, free-range organic eggs, herbs and more is available from an increasing number of Pure Manx producers.

* Check out the new Pure Manx leaflet for more info - Click here

Organic veg



Information: Phil Gawne's straw bale home
Phil Gawne is MHK for Rushen and IoM Minister of Infrastructure. He's also soon to be the proud owner of a straw-built extension to his Manx cottage.
Straw bales provide great insulation - they're also carbon neutral, renewable and wholly sustainable.

* For more information, and pictures - Click here

Straw bale construction



Campaign: Help us sign the Rio Convention
2010 is the UN's International Year of Biodiversity. We want the Isle of Man to sign the Convention of Biological Diversity. Known as the Rio Convention, it's the most important wildlife convention that exists. DAFF is now consulting on whether or not to sign up to Rio.

* H
elp us ensure wildlife on the Isle of Man is protected - Click here

2010 International Year of Biodiversity




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