The discussion document adds: A Synod debate on the environment is timely

The discussion document adds: “A Synod debate on the environment is timely. There is increasing awareness of the urgent need to address the developing ecological crisis. It is politically opportune as one of the Government’s declared priorities for its current presidency of the G8 is climate change and that concern will be carried into its priorities for its chairing of the European Union.”. No; I am at the birth of Veritas, the party founded to accommodate Kilroy’s self-regard. In his foreword to Sharing God’s Planet, Dr Williams calls on each parish to undertake an “ecological audit”.

Among practical ideas for local churches are schemes such as recycling, car pooling and selling fairly traded products at church fetes. Clergy will also be encouraged to use natural materials in worship such as organic bread and wine. He recommends that Christians adopt “sustainable consumption”, recognising their duty “to celebrate and care for every part of God’s creation”.The Synod will debate the issue on 17 February, the day after the Kyoto protocol to reduce greenhouse gases comes into force. The Church is critical of countries such as the United States which have dragged their feet over the protocol.In a second discussion document on the environmental debate, the Synod is asked to recognise that Kyoto is not enough. “It has taken far too long to be ratified as each country fights for its own interests (the US is notable among countries which have declined to sign); its targets fall very far short of what is necessary.”At the same time, Christians will be asked to praise the work of the Body Shop which is described as a “brave exception” for getting people to consider the ethics of their shopping choices.The Synod will also be asked to support the principle of introducing a system of quotas for CO2 emissions that take account of a country’s size of population rather than its industrial strength.But the Church of England will begin its own campaign by introducing eco-friendly policies in its churches. Two-thirds of the world does not have enough to eat while the other third is trying to lose weight.”Dr Williams will introduce the report that also backs the widespread claim that industrialisation has damaged the environment by global warming.

From April, the age limit for early retirement will be increased from 50 to 55. Also in April, but with some exceptions, the right of staff with long service to retire at 60 on a full pension will be withdrawn. The Government, which has ultimate power over the scheme, is consulting on a number of proposals including a suggestion that employees increase their contributions from 6 per cent to 7 per cent.The employers’ side contends that Unison is using the looming general election to put pressure on the Government over changes to pensions being introduced throughout the public sector. Privately, some officials believe that Mr Prentis is keen to take a strong stand at a time when he is facing an internal election Mr Prentis denied lying to his members “We have told our membership the facts,” he said “We have not mixed up proposals with decisions. It was enough, you might say, to make a man dream dreams and think he was already dead.. THE LEADER of Britain’s biggest union was accused yesterday by the most senior official in local government of lying to hundreds of thousands of local government workers in an attempt to persuade them to take pre- election strike action.

Dave Prentis, general secretary of the public service union Unison, “wilfully” misled union members over plans to change their pension rights, it is alleged. A private letter from Rob Pinkham, executive director of the Employers’ Organisation for Local Government, responsible for nearly 500 councils in Britain, urges Mr Prentis to withdraw statements and releases issued by the union.
Mr Pinkham said the Unison general secretary was deliberately misrepresenting proposals out for consultation and decisions already made. Documents issued by Unison wilfully mix up things which are being consulted on and which might be implemented in 2008, with things which are happening in 2005. It is a deliberate distortion.”The comments from such a senior official are expected to inflame a situation which could involve up to a million workers in the run up to the election. He added: “The leadership of the union has lied to its members about the proposals. Mortars? Bombs? Some families were so angry they could not express their thoughts, let alone the details of the dead, through their anger and weeping.