People power leads to change


A little while ago, I filled you in about England wanting to sell off their forests as part of a budget-cut. I’ve already got some amazing news for you: they dropped their plans! The efforts of the organization 38 Degrees along with many others showed the government that people were not happy with what they were doing and they’ve decided to no longer sell off the forests. According to The Guardian:

The prime minister, who told MPs that he was not happy with the government’s handling of the issue, has ordered [Caroline Spelman, the environment secretary] to:

• End the consultation on plans to dispose of about half of the 258,000 hectares of woodland in England run by the Forestry Commission by 2020.

• Establish an independent panel with environmentalists to reach consensus on reforms to improve access and biodiversity in forests.

• Drop clauses in the public bodies bill that would allow the government to sell off all of England’s forests. Under current laws only 15% of forests can be sold.

I’m beyond happy about this news! Thank you to everyone who signed the petition!

(Original image from 38Degrees.org.uk)

Comments

Brandi {not your average ordinary}
22 February 2011 - 3:24 am

What fantastic news! It would have been heartbreaking to see England lose its forest for budget reasons. If there are things we should defend our uninhabited land is most definitely on the list.

girl in oslo
22 February 2011 - 11:13 am

This is amazing:)

Have a great day.

Liz Longacre
22 February 2011 - 1:52 pm

Eva, that is amazing news! Always nice to see good things being done around the world!!

Misty :)
11 March 2011 - 7:50 pm

This is absolutely AMAZING news!! I am so glad that they stopped this!! Its even more amazing to KNOW that we were part of them stopping the selling and destroying of the England forests! 🙂





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