December 2009 Archives

I would be amazed if there is any reader of this blog whose footprint on this planet doesn't need to be made lighter, to help the global community to limit global warming to 2C above pre-industrial temperatures. If anyone reading this is confident that their current footprint is sustainable, I hope that you will get in touch. I'm sure that all readers would like to learn from you.

I know that I should do more to reduce my greenhouse gas emissions and the following is my plan for 2010.

I will keep things simple, focussing on three words which remind me where I should concentrate my efforts: BALANCE, CLUTTER and WASTE, listed in alphabetical order as I'm unclear, so far, of their priorities; perhaps that will become clear during the year.

WASTE
Taking the last first: the need to reduce waste is obvious, but we may need to spend a bit of time recognising what is waste. It is easy to persuade ourselves that by putting bottles, cans and paper in a recycling bin and sending leftover food to a Biodigester, we are avoiding waste.

Recycling involves considerable greenhouse gas emissions: could any of the items be reused (as containers for something else, as scrap paper, as insulation, as anything else?) or should we have planned ahead to avoid buying them (bottled water, canned drinks, tinned food)?

Planning ahead is also important in avoiding food waste, which is far more significant for both our household budgets and limiting global warming than the benefits of anaerobic digestion over landfill.

Giving cast off clothing and other items to jumble sales and charity shops may not seem like waste, but did we really need new items?

CLUTTER
I don't expect that I am alone in my need to reduce clutter, though I realise that the clutter in our house is a more severe problem than is usual. Living amongst clutter wastes time in so many ways, and also makes my footprint heavier as I sometimes buy new, small items and then find that I had one (or even more) already...

Each day I intend to ask myself if I have done anything to reduce my clutter and, if not, what I can do tomorrow. This is likely to include visits to charity shops - with a large rucksack or our bicycle trailer.

BALANCE
Balance is necessary for sustainability, not only for the survival of the planet but also for personal survival to avoid becoming a drain on the overstretched NHS and a burden on our friends and relatives.

For the planet I might balance an occasional helping of meat with some vegan meals, or buying new shoes that I didn't really need with teaching people how to crochet decorative patches on moth holes or worn cuffs, to prolong the life of much loved garments.

For my personal survival, a good balance is needed for physical and mental health. I need to balance:
> working for others and doing things for my household, my family and myself;
> activities requiring sitting still, concentrating hard and physical activities;
> strenuous activities, both physical and mental, and relaxing activities.

If my guidelines are not what you were looking for, and you need a useful checklist, try the FoE website.

If you have any suggestions for resolutions for 2010, please add a comment.

The lack of any binding agreement at the Copenhagen Summit is disappointing to all with serious concerns about tackling climate change. We must be wary of allowing this failure to prevent us from continuing to do all we can to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Birmingham City Council was represented at the Summit by Sandy Taylor, Head of Climate Change and Sustainability and Councillor Paul Tilsley, Deputy Leader. Only four cities sent people to the summit. Birmingham will be undeterred by the lack of support from the heads of state: read Sandy Taylor's reports.

Birmingham communities also continue to do our bit. SusMo is beginning to plan energy efficiency improvements to four community buildings and twenty homes in Moseley, paid for by British Gas through their Green Streets programme 2010-11, and has joined BHIOP (Balsall Heath is our Planet) in applying for £500,000 from the Department of Communities and Climate Change (DECC) through their Low Carbon Communities Challenge Phase 2 awards, for similar improvements in both Moseley and Balsall Heath.

Improvements to the energy efficiency of buildings is only part of the solution: our behaviour in using buildings, and all non-renewable resources, is what really matters.

Whilst we enjoy our seasonal festivities we might pause occasionally and reflect what gives us real, lasting pleasure and causes least damage to the future lives of our families and to the future of the planet.

Our resolutions for 2010 need to be truly Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timed.

With best wishes and smiles, to you all, for the festive season and for 2010.

Do you wish that your children had the freedom that you enjoyed as a child, to cycle safely in Birmingham, or wherever you lived? Wouldn't it be great for you and your kids to cycle safely together? Well, thanks to a Big Lottery grant, this will soon be possible in Birmingham.

Birmingham has lots of parks, towpaths, traffic free roads that are safe -if only they were joined together. Push Bikes, the Birmingham Cycling Campaign, has won a lottery award to produce 10 short routes for different parts of the city and make them freely available. They should be ready in Spring 2010.

John Bennett, Chairman of Push Bikes explains "Cycling is fun, good for health and the environment. It's a great way for kids to get active and fit. Most people - adults and kids - have bikes but many are not used. We talk to lots of Brummies who tell us that traffic is what stops them cycling. These new routes will be chosen to avoid busy roads, start at car parks or stations and include café or pub stops".

John adds "We want them to be great ways to have fun and enjoy cycling together. Rides will be five to ten miles long. For a young family we think that's worth a rewarding drink or ice cream. If you want a longer ride it is possible to join two together".

Check the Pushbikes website now, and get ready for the first rides on these routes next year. Leaflets will be available in the Spring, on the Pushbikes website and at libraries.

Please consider joining the "20s plenty" campaign referred to on the Pushbikes website, and join the Birmingham campaign, co-ordinated by Birmingham Friends of the Earth, which is working to persuade politicians to save lives in Birmingham by reducing speed limits in residential areas. This would make it safer for your children, and for you, to use your bike instead of your car for short journeys.

Join the campaign to make a real difference to your health, to your budget, to improve life in your neighbourhood and the future of our planet.

I would like to draw your attention to three events taking place in Birmingham in December, where you will be able to spend your cash, in a thoughtful way, for more sustainable seasonal festivities.

Two take place next Saturday, December 12th, in Kings Heath and in Northfield. The third is the following Saturday, December 19th, in Moseley, along with the Moseley Farmers' Market and the Arts Market.

On December 12th Midlands Vegan Campaigns are staging a Christmas Fair in Kings Heath. "There'll be approx 20 stalls, a vegan cafe, cookery demos/talks, free food samples & lots more...! Read further details here."

This will demonstrate how easy it is to provide a delicious feast with a lighter footprint and without any cruelty to animals.

Also on December 12th, from 10:00 - 13:00, perhaps for a younger age group, "...you are invited to Northfield Ecocentre for tips on how to enjoy a sustainable Christmas, costing less for you and our planet, and activities including:

> family recycled craft activities such as make your own Christmas Crackers;

> LOAF (Local, Organic, Animal-friendly, Fairtrade) Christmas recipes;

> quality products for sale from local designers at Northfield Meeting House Christmas Gift Fair;

> meet the Green Father Christmas and

> find out why Green Santa's runways are melting.

Northfield Ecocentre, 53 Church Road, Birmingham, B31 2LB

On Saturday December 19th, from 10:00 - 16:00, Birmingham Friends of the Earth are holding a Green Christmas Fair in Moseley at Moseley Community Development Trust / the Exchange.

The Post Office Building
149-153 Alcester Road,
Moseley
Birmingham
B13 8JP

For details contact roxannehgreen@googlemail.com