Climate inspiration - film and @SCCScot online debate, as UK CCC calls for strong action

UNISON and Global Justice Now are holding a free community screening of the climate film This Changes Everything next month.

And the union is supporting Stop Climate Chaos Scotland’s Climate Day #AskClimateQ Holyrood election online evening debate on 18 April, as well as holding a joint fringe with SCCS at the STUC Congress in Dundee that lunchtime.

Yesterday the UK Committee on Climate Change said that climate change action in Scotland needs to be stepped up.

As a member of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS), we welcome the Committee’s call for strong action and new policies to meet the country’s tough greenhouse emissions reduction targets.

As SCCS said, there is a massive opportunity to not only cut emissions but also to deliver new jobs in sectors like home insulation and renewable energy across Scotland, to improve public health, create investment in new industry and help tackle fuel poverty.

Increasing evidence from around the world shows the growing extent of climate change, with the Guardian reporting yesterday, using a dramatic graphic, that 'record-breaking temperatures have robbed the Arctic of its winter'.

Inspired by the Naomi Klein bestselling book of the same name, the film This Changes Everything asks: "What if confronting the climate crisis is the best chance we’ll ever get to build a better world?”

Join us from 5.30pm for the 6pm prompt screening on Friday 8 April at UNISON Scotland, 14 West Campbell Street, Glasgow G2 6RX. All welcome. Hosted by our International Committee and Green Network, working with Global Justice Now.

There will be a short discussion afterwards, finishing at 8pm. Soft drinks and popcorn too!

And don't forget Earth Hour on Saturday! Sat 19 March. 8.30pm Switch off for your planet!

.

Lights out for Earth Hour

We've put the lights out on our website to prepare for Earth Hour 2015 tonight at 8.30pm. See the website at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/  and see why at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/greenworkplace/earthhour15.html

Earth Hour 2015 and the importance of a global climate deal in Paris

Earth Hour 2015 takes place next Saturday, 28 March, and is a reminder of the importance of a global climate deal in Paris in December.

UNISON Scotland is a strong supporter of WWF’s Earth Hour campaign.

Each year Earth Hour sees the lights go out on countless famous buildings and in ordinary homes around the world to raise awareness of the need for action on climate change.

In Paris in December 2015 United Nations talks take place with the aim of securing a strong international agreement to cut carbon emissions and protect the future of the planet.

This week the International Trade Union Confederation issued the results of a global poll showing support for stronger government action.

And a new ITUC briefing explains the importance of the Paris talks and a Just Transition to a low carbon economy.

Scottish political leaders have backed Earth Hour, as usual. But the Scottish Government has missed three climate change emissions reduction targets already, despite proudly boasting of Scotland’s world leading legislation.

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland is asking supporters to lobby First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to deliver the action needed to meet the Scottish Act’s targets and to work for a strong global deal this year.

As the ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow said: “We know the science is unequivocal. Without urgent and ambitious action we will face a temperature rise of 4ºC or more this century and irreversible changes in our climate.”

Climate change is a trade union issue and there are no jobs on a dead planet.

UNISON Scotland supports #EarthHour 2014 #BeBrilliant

UNISON Scotland has once again dimmed the lights on its website for WWF's Earth Hour  on Saturday 29 March 2014 at 8.30pm. See it here.

 

Earth Hour 2014 asks us all to #BeBrilliant for the planet. Taking part can be as simple as 'just' switching off the lights for an hour but in doing so you're part of the world's biggest celebration to highlight the need for action on climate change.

And of course everyone can take part - both at home and often at work. Many public bodies in Scotland are already involved and if your employer isn't you could ask them to sign up.

For lots more information from WWF about why we're all doing this, about taking part, and to sign up, click here.

This toolkit was developed for UNISON branches and has a range of good ideas for Earth Hour activities.

UNISON Scotland supports #EarthHour 2014 #BeBrilliant

UNISON Scotland is once again supporting WWF's Earth Hour, which this year takes place on Saturday 29 March 2014 at 8.30pm.

Earth Hour 2014 asks us all to #BeBrilliant for the planet. Taking part can be as simple as 'just' switching off the lights for an hour but in doing so you're part of the world's biggest celebration to highlight the need for action on climate change.

And of course everyone can take part - both at home and often at work. Many public bodies in Scotland are already involved and if your employer isn't you could ask them to sign up.

For lots more information from WWF about why we're all doing this, about taking part, and to sign up, click here.

This toolkit was developed for UNISON branches and has a range of good ideas for Earth Hour activities.

UNISON Scotland turns the lights out for #EarthHour 2013

23 March 2013

UNISONScotland visitors will notice today that we "turned the lights out" on the UNISONScotland website homepage as a gesture to raise awareness of WWF’s Earth Hour 2013.

Ok, it saves no energy; modern displays use the same amount of power regardless of what they display but it will draw attention to WWF’s Earth Hour - an inspiring message of hope and action – and a global demonstration about climate change.

Today, Saturday, March 23, 2013, Earth Hour invites people around the world to turn off their lights for one hour – from 8:30pm to 9:30pm in their local time zone (we've started a earlier to remind people of the event and we'll return to the usual page a little later).

WWF’s Earth Hour 2013 aims to unite the world’s people to demonstrate their concern about climate change.

UNISON supports the Earth Hour campaign, and we have darkened our homepage today to help spread awareness of what we hope will be a highly successful global event.

.

UNISON supports WWF's Earth Hour 2013, Saturday 23 March 8.30pm

12 March 2013

UNISON Scotland supports WWF's Earth Hour 2013. Saturday 23 March 8.30pm

It’s not just about an hour of darkness...


it’s about a brighter future.

At 8.30pm on 23 March hundreds of millions of people will turn off their lights for one hour, on the same night, all across the world in a huge, symbolic show of support for action on climate change and for a more sustainable future.

It’s always a memorable and spectacular event with cities, communities and landmarks across the globe going dark for the hour.

More information from WWF here This toolkit was used last year by UNISON branches and has good ideas that are still relevant this year.

.

Website puts lights out for Earth Hour

We've put the lights out on the UNISON Scotland website to remind you of WWF's Earth Hour tonight at 8.30 http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/