As global warming takes effect and the recession starts to bite, any desire our elected representatives had to tackle climate change has disappeared up the chimney of their second homes. They are too busy trying to emulate those that really run the country - the filthy rich.

This is the same profit seeking, filthy rich that do most of the emitting, and whom the most powerful man in Parliament, the un-elected Peter Mandelson, was famously extremely relaxed about. Of course he's been there, done that, been sacked and come back!

It's obvious that those at the top have no inclination to bring in the 'root and branch' changes needed to deal with global warming. To do so would mean fundamental changes to the economic system built on consumerism and waste, which creates inequality and climate chaos. And as we know, these people are only interested in making money.

People at the bottom of the 'food chain' will have to do it for themselves. We are faced with such a catastrophic disaster that there is no option. Beware though, taking power into your own hands is challenging the foundations of the capitalist system. The right-wing press will try to undermine you, and campaigners will be beaten up and jailed by the police.

Nerve has consistently shown examples of community groups campaigning to save their resources and improve their lives; we are inspired in this by the movements of the past. Inside this issue, 'Revolting Times' draws the parallels between history and today. We tell of local initiatives to reduce the effects of Climate Change, starting with the Transition Towns movement through to a local community trying "to create an environment that is clean, green, environmentally friendly, aesthetically pleasing, well-maintained and well-managed." On the way we look at how our food is changing. We have articles about the built environment and open spaces including restrictions in Liverpool's newest shopping precinct, L1. We even have a bird quiz.