News – Page 2 – envirolution

September 1, 2019September 1, 2019

Extinction Rebellion Comes to Manchester!

Extinction Rebellion comes to Manchester!

XR as they are also known, received a massive Envirolution welcome to our home city this weekend, as they set up their non-violent action climate protest in the very heart of Manchester.

Deansgate and John Dalton Street became traffic free zones as Extinction Rebellion Manchester set up camp in one of the most polluted parts of the city, usually bumper to bumper with cars, buses and taxis.

And as afternoon progressed in to evening over the city centre shoppers were treated to a carnival atmosphere, with DJ’s, talks and workshops taking place, drawing much attention to their campaign.

But there is so more meaning to their movement than just having a good time.

XR Climate Rebellion John Dalton Street Manchester

Existential Threat to Humanity

Speaking to Envirolution, Zoe from Extinction Rebellion Manchester had this to say;

“It’s about raising awareness of the climate and ecological crisis”.

And she added that partly as a result of their non-violent action in London in April this year, Parliament passed a motion of climate and ecological environmental emergency.

Which all sounds like great news for the planet.

However, Zoe went on to say that unfortunately, this motion “wasn’t legally binding” and that actually, nothing is happening, humanity is facing an “existential threat to humanity”, so they continue to be fully committed to keeping up pressure on the government by taking direct action and making their demands heard.

Extinction Rebellion 3 Demands

Extinction Rebellion is an international network and consider themselves to be ‘apolitical’. Their demands are aimed at governments around the globe, and here in the U.K their 3 demands are as follows:

Tell the Truth

XR want the government to work with the media and other institutions throughout the country to make sure the actual truth about the climate and ecological crisis is communicated accurately to all citizens, because many still don’t realise the extent, or the threat, of the disaster that we are heading towards.

Act Now

The second demand from XR is for the government to reduce carbon emissions to Net Zero for 2025. And whilst they acknowledge there is a commitment to achieve this by 2050 it’s too slow and too far in the future for any politicians to act upon. Moreover, science dictates this needs to happen sooner so XR would like politicians to act now and ‘gear up society’ to create the changes that are needed NOW.

Citizens Assembly

The third demand from XR is for a legally binding Citizens Assembly. In other words, people chosen at random, representing the population and similar to a jury, who are able to suggest proposals that the government has to act upon in everyone’s best interests and with advice taken from independent experts to help in the decision-making process.

XR Working for All of Us

One thing XR are keen to point out is they really don’t want to disrupt people’s lives.

In fact, they are particularly apologetic, saying they fully understand that some people might find the interruptions to their normal routine frustrating.

However, XR are keen to get the message out there that the reasons they are taking this direct action is because decades of ‘polite campaigning’ simply hasn’t worked, and governments are not keeping their citizens safe.

And with the impact of extreme weather events such as the floods we have seen this summer in the Peak District and in Yorkshire, it’s clear their message needs to be heard.

So, if that means turning John Dalton Street into a green space, and Deansgate into a full-on climate emergency festival site complete with big Yellow Boat and Yoga sessions for the kids, let’s have more of it we say!

And to be honest, writing about XR Manchester in one blog hardly does justice to the campaigning efforts of these dedicated individuals, many of whom are ordinary people who have never been involved in activism before, yet are turning to XR out of a real fear for the future we face.

People like Jo, a mother of three, (who hadn’t slept very much at all), who described herself as ‘not a hippy’ just an ordinary human being who feels compelled to act for the benefit of her children and her children’s children.

In an impassioned interview, Jo spoke of the connection with humanity and how these protests and direct non-violent campaigns were vital to push for change from governments if we are to have any kind of future on this planet.

So, out of full respect for Jo, we are going to write another blog very soon for Envirolution, outlining more of what she had to say and focus on the very real human side of this crisis we all face.

Contact us

In the meantime, if you want to know more about the work XR or Envirolution are involved in with regards to direct non-violent climate action, you can contact us here.

We always love to hear from you, and we are currently busy planning our 10^th Envirolution Festival for May 2020, so if you want to get involved, we always have a need for volunteers or local action groups who want to take part!

Watch out for our Second blog dedicated to XR Manchester or contact us TODAY to find out more!

August 22, 2019August 23, 2019

What is Fracking and Why is it Bad for the Environment?

$Anti-fracking campaigners in Lancashire$

‘What is fracking and why is it bad for the environment?’ is a rather pertinent subject to be discussing in our blog this week.

For no sooner had the energy company Cuadrilla started the fracking process again at the plant on Preston New Road in Lancashire, than they had to stop, due to the largest earth tremor ever to be recorded at the site taking place earlier this week.

This latest shutdown comes less than a week since work commenced following the previous earth tremors in 2018, caused due to operations at the site near to the Fylde Coast in Lancashire.

And figures from the British Geological Survey website outline the number of recorded seismic activity events in the area in 2018 alone, to be around 50.

So, if you live in an area where fracking is an issue that concerns you, or if you want to know more about what the impact of fracking is on the environment, read on!

What is Fracking?

‘Fracking’ is a term used to represent the process of Hydraulic Fracturing of the earth in order to draw down into the gas and oil minerals beneath the surface, in effect mining for a fossil fuel.

This hydraulic fracturing involves injecting water, sand and chemicals at high pressure to literally fracture the shale rocks below the earth’s surface and release the gas.

The process starts off by vertically drilling down into the rock, then there can be any number of horizontal shoots drilled off from the original well; these fractures can extend for up to two miles away from the original well.

Which basically means that fracking could extend under people’s homes and properties and there is little they can do about it.

Why is Fracking so bad for the environment?

Before answering this it’s worth remembering of course, the energy companies, and organisations producing reports sponsored by energy companies, will have you believe that fracking isn’t bad for the environment.

Which, considering the financial gains these companies stand to make, means their motives are questionable and reports unbalanced.

However, when reading scientific reports, including this latest paper from the Oxford Research Encyclopaedias on Global Public Health, researchers Irene Gorski and Brian Schwartz discuss the physical and social impact on communities as well as the impact on climate change; and it doesn’t make good reading.

Evidence points towards a particularly negative impact on pregnancy and birth weight, and although studies are still very much underway, health implications from water and air pollution linked to certain types of cancer and neurodegenerative disease, can not be ruled out.

In addition, the United Nations calls climate change the ‘defining issue of our time’, and the IPCC state in no uncertain terms, that ‘replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources’ is just one of the measures needed to reduce the impact of climate change.

$Diagram of fracking well$

What about Fracking Globally?

Although the current U.K Government have given the go ahead for fracking to take place, there are many countries, including France, Germany, Bulgaria and Ireland that have banned the drilling for shale gas completely.

China, Poland, Canada, Argentina and the U.S are among some of the world’s biggest contributors to the fracking industry, however both New York and Maryland State have banned the practice, and other countries are examining the impact and building a resistance network.

Here in the U.K there are over 100 licences for fracking to take place, with many being in the North of England, and Preston New Road being at the centre of much of the controversy and news coverage.

Resistance to Fracking

Public support for the anti-fracking movement has always been strong, particularly at the Lancashire site.

And in one way or another, activists have been defending the site for over 7 years, as the first earth tremors brought on by drilling were felt way back in 2011.

Since then, there have been many public votes and protests, with Greenpeace getting involved and launching a campaign outside the former chancellor, George Osborne’s Cheshire home in 2013 by setting up a mock drilling rig in the leafy constituency.

The campaigners built up a great deal of support, and were victorious in 2015 when Lancashire County Council blocked the applications from Cuadrilla to frack at Preston New Road and another similar site in the region.

Unfortunately, a year later this was overturned by Sajid Javid the then Home Secretary, and fracking was once again very much on the agenda for local communities, as the energy firm started construction of the drilling wells in the early part of 2017.

However, resistance to fracking is in many ways stronger than ever, with many action groups both locally and nationally set up to fight the fracking industry. In Lancashire, where many of the sites are commissioned, activists have been particularly dedicated to the cause, holding regular protests and ensuring there is a presence at the Preston New Road site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

These groups include Frack Free Lancashire, the Knitting Nanna’s, and the Preston New Road Action Group. They are all committed to increasing the awareness of the dangers of fracking and encourage anybody who is interested in finding out to more to get in touch.

In addition, there are national groups such as Frack Off, who offer a wealth of information and useful resources for your local groups to tap in to.

Contact us

So if you are part of a local anti-fracking group or you want to find out more about the impact of fracking, or you are interested in getting involved in any Climate Action, why not contact us here?

After all, when fracking for shale gas is banned in many countries and the process is literally fracturing the earth we inhabit, is it not an issue we should all be concerned about?

August 15, 2019August 14, 2019

Why is Plastic Bad for the Environment?

Discarded plastic bottles for Envirolution blog

Why is plastic bad for the environment? It’s long-lasting, durable, cheap to produce and can be manufactured in to almost any shape or size of product on the planet.

Oh, and it’s ridiculously strong. So why is it such a problem to environmentalists and one of the single biggest contributors to the ever-looming climate catastrophe?

Where do we begin with this one?

The best place to start is at the beginning, and the beginnings of plastic come from crude oil.

Then there’s the amount that is produced, in particular, in single use items such as plastic drinks bottles, carrier bags, drinking straws and single use, plastic cutlery used in takeaways and containers for toiletries or cleaning products.

Then, at the end of its use the amount of plastic that is disposed of, often irresponsibly, that makes its way in to our oceans and animal feeds.

And, if plastic does finally make its way to a recycling centre, there’s only a limited amount of plastic that is actually recyclable, the rest goes to landfill; and this takes hundreds of years to decompose, if at all.

So, you want to know more about why plastic is bad for the environment? Read on here!

How is plastic made?

Plastic is made from petroleum, or more accurately oil, which means that for every piece of plastic produced, this is depleting the natural oil supplies, in fact, around 10% of global oil supplies goes on producing plastic.

Plastic is also made from natural gases, so considering there is almost 300 million tonnes of plastic produced globally each year, the amount of energy used in the extraction of the raw materials, the disruption of local eco-systems, the energy used to process these materials in to the finished products, plus finishing techniques including dying and printing, the impact on the environment is astronomical.

Where do we use plastic?

There are a wide variety of different plastics being produced, the most common ones are listed here, and you will find plastic used literally everywhere in our daily lives.

In our homes and the construction industry with items such as PVC windows and doors, in car manufacturing, in food and drinks packaging, toiletries, detergents, agriculture, gardening products, even clothing, accessories and stationery; not to mention the machinery that goes in to producing all of these items.

The list is endless for where we use plastic, and as we’ve already mentioned, one of the biggest culprits contributing to the climate catastrophe is single use plastic.

There has been a fight back in recent years against single use plastic, including the retail sector introducing a charge for plastic carrier bags, bars and restaurants switching from plastic straws to paper ones, (although this is not always the answer), and the return to the good old fashioned milk man with reusable glass bottles.

There has also been a significant endorsement from the highly regarded naturalist David Attenborough in the fight against single use plastic with what has become known as the ‘Blue Planet effect’, which brought the effects of single use plastic on our oceans and animals in to our living rooms earlier this year with the critically acclaimed T.V show.

Where does plastic end up?

According to the Plastic Free Challenge, globally only 10% – 13% of all plastics are recycled, and in the UK, we are just as guilty of not recycling as much as we should. This is largely down to a lack of provision of recycling centres by local authorities and, thanks to the confusion over what is ‘good plastic’ for recycling and what is not, a lack of confidence on behalf of the consumer.

So, what happens to all of our plastic waste?

Well, it may cause shock and dismay, but the reality is that a large quantity of our plastic waste is shipped overseas.

In fact, almost two thirds of waste plastic in the UK is sent abroad; one of the main recipients being China. Although in 2018 China effected a ban on imports of waste products, meaning countries such as Malaysia, Turkey, Poland, Indonesia and Vietnam increased their capacity.

Of course, all of this waste going overseas is causing a massive problem for our oceans and marine wildlife. Pictures of turtles and dolphins swimming amongst huge amounts of illegally dumped waste is commonplace, with many dying as a result of swallowing plastic bags that are mistaken for food.

And approximately one million seabirds have died as a result of ingesting plastic, with the figures continuing to rise.

How can we safely dispose of plastic?

This is a tough one, because there really is no safe way to dispose of plastic. If it doesn’t end up polluting our oceans and rivers and does makes its way to landfill, it can take up to 1000 years for it to decompose!

And when somebody next asks you, ‘why is plastic bad for the environment?’ Remind them of the headlines that the UN have reported we have only 12 years left to reverse the unimaginable damage to the planet the human race is creating.

So here at Envirolution HQ we believe the best way to deal with the plastic crisis is to remember the simple mantra reduce, recycle, reuse and refuse.

If we all commit to reducing our use of single use plastic by changing our purchasing habits, and doing our best to recycle where we can, it will make a difference. We can also look at ways of reusing plastic in creative ways and simply refusing to use companies who are not committed to the reduction of plastic in their business model.

Contact Us

So, the evidence is pretty clear as to why plastic is bad for the environment and is one of the biggest contributors to climate catastrophe, but there is hope and we can all do something about it.

If you have any fabulous ideas you would like to share about how to reuse plastic or you would like to know more about our campaigns you can contact us here we are always happy to hear from environmental campaigners, whether you are just starting out or you are a seasoned crusader, there is no time like the present to get involved! And if you interested in visiting us at our Festival next year, there will be loads of great recycling ideas on display and a chance to get involved with like minded organisations, dedicated to making a difference.

August 8, 2019August 8, 2019

How Easy is it to go Meat Free?

Herd of cows depicting blog for meat free diet

‘How easy is it to go meat free?’ is a question that many meat-eating consumers with a conscience ask themselves on a regular basis.

And it would appear, that’s quite a lot of you. Figures show that the trend for a lifestyle that is meat and animal product free has grown rapidly in the last decade, with The Vegan Society reporting a massive rise to over half a million people now following a vegan diet.

And with a further 1.4 million people following a slightly less meticulous vegetarian diet, the trend for a more sustainable and cruelty free diet shows no signs of slowing down.

Which is all great news for the planet, as the amount of greenhouse gases produced by agriculture is particularly damaging.

Let’s not be too prim here, we are especially talking about methane, a highly potent gas that is produced when cows burp or fart. A gas which over a twenty-year period, traps 84 times more heat than Carbon Dioxide.

And these are the gases which are damaging the ozone layer, causing temperatures to rise which is effectively leading to extreme weather conditions that we wrote about here, last week.

Furthermore, the link between eating meat and the risk to health is a well-established fact, with certain cancers, stroke and heart disease being linked to red and processed meats.

So, just how easy is it to be ‘meat free?’ carry on reading to find out!

Alternatives to meat

Choosing a diet free from meat, fish or poultry, might fill some people with dread; what do you eat when you want a cooked breakfast for example, or if you have the family coming around for a good old-fashioned Sunday roast?

Well, to reassure you straight away, the vegetarian diet has come a long way since cheese on toast or omelette and chips were the staple foods for non-meat eaters.

And sincethe wife of a very famous musician started out almost 30 years ago as one of the original vegetarian food producers for the mass consumer market, there are a myriad of choices out there for people looking for a tasty and healthy alternative to eating meat.

High protein substitutes such as Tofu and Quorn have seen a dramatic rise in their sales figures, and can be used as sausages, burgers and in stews, casseroles or Bolognese.

And there are new products being developed every day in laboratories across the globe, as food technology becomes more advanced and scientists develop more products based on soy or wheat protein.

Vegan diet

For many however, this doesn’t go far enough, opting to eliminate all animal by products in addition to no longer eating meat.

This includes cutting out dairy, eggs and honey, and for people who opt to follow a vegan lifestyle, the wearing of any animal products (for example leather), and using products that are not tested on animals is also an important factor.

To follow this kind of diet, you have to ensure you get your vitamins and nutrients from a variety of sources. Eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables especially ones that are rich in iron such as spinach, is a must, pulses, beans and nuts too, provide proteins and wholemeal rice and pasta provide the carbs to keep your energy levels and fibre intake at optimum levels.

Dish of fresh vegetables for blog on meat free diet

Flexitarian diet

People who don’t want to commit to a strict vegan diet yet still want to eat more healthily and do their bit for the planet can opt for a plant based or flexitarian diet.

This means cutting down on your meat intake, but not ruling it out completely.

So, building your diet around plants and vegetables is going to be better for the planet and your overall health without the rigidity of cutting out meat, and means you can take the process a little more slowly if that is your ultimate aim.

A plant-based diet rich in fruits and vegetables has a much higher fibre intake than one where meat is the main source of protein.

And a diet that is rich in fibre is better for heart health, leading to a reduction in heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and hyper-tension.

Additional benefits to having a flexitarian diet means cutting down on processed foods such as trans fatty acids and unnatural processed sugars, which can lead to diabetes and different types of cancer.

The importance of nutrients

The most important thing to consider when you are deciding to change your diet is that you get all the important nutrients and vitamins that you could leave yourself short of from other sources.

Spinach, kale, dried fruits, peas, beans and other pulses are all rich in iron for example; and to make sure you absorb the iron into your body, you need to take in plenty of foods rich in vitamin C such as fruits and vegetables.

Interestingly, there are certain food and drinks which limit your iron intake.

Tea, coffee and dairy products can stop your body from absorbing iron, so do some research first before any massive dietary change and listen to your own body.

If you start to feel extreme tiredness or you get ‘aching leg’ syndrome at night, this could be an indication that you are iron deficient, and you need to up your intake.

Contact Us

So, we asked ‘how easy is it to go meat free’ or simply to cut down on your meat consumption to improve your health and have less impact on the environment, and the answer is, very easy.

There are loads of options and alternatives so why not give it a try?

And if you are interested in improving your health and doing your bit for the planet by reducing your meat consumption, then why not contact us here to discuss your ideas or even recommend your own delicious meat-free recipes?

We are always looking for new and fresh ideas, and who knows, the best ones may get published on our website or used at our Festival next year!

In the meantime, enjoy experimenting and trying new meat-free foods!

August 2, 2019August 2, 2019

Climate Change; The Real Impact Affecting our Towns and Cities

Forked Lightning depicting Extreme Weather

The real impact of climate change and how it affects our towns and cities is a topic that is particularly relevant at the moment.

In the last week, many areas predominantly in the North of England, have experienced devastating flooding, with towns such as Poynton and Bramall in Cheshire receiving a month’s worth of rain in just 24 hours.

And all 6500 residents in Whaley Bridge have been advised to evacuate their homes due to a dam being critically damaged at the Toddbrook Reservoir, and the River Goyt below, already at bursting point, meaning a threat to life is a very real danger.

The Yorkshire Dales has also witnessed shocking scenes over the last few days, with one farmer losing up to 80 sheep, plus silage and farming land, to the flash flooding.

So, can this latest bout of flash floods be attributed to Climate Change, or is this just an isolated incident? And what about other areas of the UK, how are they being affected, and more importantly, what can be done about it?

How Do I Find Work in the Environmental Sector?

‘How do I find work in the environmental sector’ is a question we are often asked by individuals who have been stuck in the corporate 9-5 rut for longer than they can remember, and by those who want to ‘make a difference’ both socially, and environmentally.

It’s a tough decision to make, leaving the job that has paid your mortgage for the last however many years, yet sometimes when we feel so trapped or so morally outraged that we have to do something, it’s the best time to act.

So, what can you do? How can you find that dream job and do your bit for the environment at the same time?

Well there are a few options, and here at Envirolution we love to help anybody who cares about the environment and the world we live in, so we’ve come up with our top tips for working in the environment sector.

Find a Cause You Are Passionate About!

It’s okay saying you want to work in the environment sector, but honestly, there are loads of different ways in which to be involved, so find a cause you care about and go for it!

And think about the skills you already have that you can put to good use.

Maybe you have an engineering background or you are a whizz at recording computer data, you may already have skills working with people or animals; the point is, think about those transferable skills that you already have and can put to good use in your next career move.

And if it’s something you care passionately about, AND you are making a difference, you will never feel like you will work another day in your life!

Want to find out more? Read on!

Volunteer

The act of volunteering for an environmental organisation can never be underestimated.

Firstly, you are under no pressure to meet unrealistic targets and you won’t have an unfriendly boss breathing down your neck checking up on your every move.

Secondly, you will get to meet lots of new and interesting people who like you, are enthusiastic environmental supporters and who can offer loads of advice and tips and share ideas with.

Thirdly you will probably get free training whilst you are volunteering that will look great on your CV in the future!

It’s also worth remembering, that volunteering does not have to take up lots of your time. If you have a spare couple of hours a week many organisations would bite your arm off, (metaphorically anyway!), including here at Envirolution!

And you honestly never know where it might lead in the future. There is nothing to lose through volunteering, yet everything to gain!

Go Get a Qualification

If you are really serious about wanting to work in the environmental sector it may be useful to go back to education and get yourself a qualification.

You can do this in a variety of ways; check out your local colleges and training providers. Have a look at the Open University, although this will invariably include fees, but you may qualify for student loans or financial support depending on your personal circumstances.

There are also a variety of organisations which offer specific training for the Institute for Environmental Management and Assessment qualifications. You can check out IEMA here; they offer loads of advice and resources for people interested in sustainability, as well as events and webinars that people can sign up to.

Sign up to Receive Job Alerts and Newsletters

If you are really serious about working in the environmental sector, you will need to improve your understanding of the industry as a whole and get to know what’s out there, the latest facts and figures and up and coming projects, and the best way to do this is to do your research!

Sign up to websites such as The Carbon Literacy Trust who offer excellent research and impact assessment papers for you to boost your knowledge and who can lead you on to other areas of information.

Or check out Green Jobs, where you can create a job alert, upload your C.V. find out who is recruiting and more, so that you are again positioning yourself in the heart of the environmental sector. You may not be ready to apply for jobs just yet, but there is no harm getting yourself ready for when the time is right!

Step Outside your Comfort Zone and Don’t Give Up!

It’s really okay to go for it you know! Okay so it may be different to everything you have done before, but remember those transferable skills? They will see you through, and a desire to succeed and means you may be more employable that somebody with experience!

You never know what an employer is looking for, but be realistic of course, whilst it’s great to be enthusiastic and determined, don’t apply for jobs that have specific requirements that you don’t yet meet, you will only set yourself up to fail, and that will leave you demoralised.

Stay motivated by getting your foot in the door, work out if you can take a salary cut if you have to, and check out those volunteering opportunities that may give you a way into an organisation that is otherwise unattainable.

Contact Us!

We may not be able to offer the job of your dreams, but we can certainly chat to you about your options and offer advice about how to work in the environmental sector.

We may even have volunteering opportunities that might interest you! We are always on the lookout for talented individuals who have the environment and social responsibility at their heart, and if you are looking to be part of our 10^th anniversary than why not contact us here?

Good luck! Working in the environmental sector is always going to be rewarding and you will be making a difference no matter how big or small, the opportunities are definitely out there, you’ve just got to be the one that takes them!

May 9, 2019May 9, 2019

Envirolution becomes Manchester’s ﬁrst ofﬁcial plastic-free festival!

Envirolution Festival 2019 is set to return on Saturday 25 May, in what is being billed as the ﬁrst ofﬁcial plastic-free festival in Greater Manchester.

Following work with the team at Mayor Andy Burnham’s Plastic-Free Greater Manchester campaign, the festival volunteers have been working to eliminate all single-use plastics on site. With all vendors and traders signed up to eliminate unnecessary plastics, the community-run festival is expected to have its biggest year yet, as the people of Manchester look for ways to improve their environmental footprint.

Envirolution will again play host to a wonderful selection of plant-powered traders curated by GRUB, who are returning with an even tastier lineup in 2019. All of the businesses welcomed to the festival are independent and local, and this is a conscious choice to give festival-goers a great opportunity to support amazing food made right here in Greater Manchester.

The Envirolution movement has been running for ten years now, and has been working with local community leaders to provide a platform for everything great and green happening in Manchester, so everyone can get involved in brilliant action happening right on their doorstep.

Envirolution festival is regularly billed as one of the best free events in Manchester, and this year will see two stages of live music with local artists coming to the fore to show off their latest exciting pieces.

In keeping with the theme of sustainability, there will also be a range of speakers on the day, including Afzal Khan MP, and local media business owner Sam Jones, who co-ordinates free meals for those in need every Tuesday with Not Just Soup.

This is a family-friendly event, so you can expect a range of kids activities to keep everyone engaged, including a unique take on traditional fairground games, and also face painters and interactive art installations.

Envirolution Festival 2019 will also welcome back Jo and Carolina, who run the Healing Garden. Their timetable will be packed with a selection of activities designed to work on awakening and energising the body and mind, with everything from yoga to gong baths.

Corin Bell, lead for the Plastic-Free Greater Manchester campaign, said: “It has been fantastic to work with Envirolution to achieve their goal of becoming the ﬁrst plastic-free festival in Greater
Manchester. The blueprint we have set here shows it is completely possible to run events without needing to create huge amounts of plastic waste, and we hope this trend can inspire everyone else to make positive changes.”

To make sure you don’t miss the latest announcements, you can keep up to date with everything by following the event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/428892410907426/

[ENDS]
Notes to press: We would be delighted to welcome members of press on the day to show them around and ﬁnd out what Envirolution Festival 2019 is all about. To register your interest, please email hello@envirolution.org.uk

Contact for comment: Corin Bell, Lead – Plastic Free Greater Manchester campaign Email: corin@openkitchenmcr.co.uk Tel: 07912 509 665

Contact for comment: Dan Gibbon-Walsh, Envirolution Festival Organiser Email: dgibbonwalsh@googlemail.com

February 21, 2019February 21, 2019

How environmental politics can benefit from local action and local communities can benefit from environmental politics

by Rhiannon Orton

It is generally accepted that there has been a tendency for people to wait for a top down, international solution for the environmental crisis. However, a lot can be achieved through local action. In the absence of top governmental or international decisions, local action can bridge an important gap. Actions taken by a community can produce a cumulative global effect whilst improving the immediate environment. Additionally, with councils increasingly experiencing budget cuts, there is a bigger incentive to maximise efficiency to minimise the effects this austerity policy has on the community. It’s a win-win situation to implement environmental policies.

Directing funds towards energy efficiency

A Local Government Association report found that potential savings for low cost, quick payment energy efficiency measures alone range from £60,000 to £2.4 million a year for an individual council’ (2015, p,4). Many councils have already begun to take energy-saving measures but there is still massive, untapped potential. Such measures include, upgrading boilers, lights and air-conditioning in council owned buildings e.g.in a school.
Improving energy efficiency helps to reduce emissions helping to mitigate climate change.

Pollution reduction

Air pollution can have both long-term and short-term impacts upon public health and healthcare. Exposure to pollutants can cause and increase the risk of numerous illnesses. ‘The Environment Audit Committee estimated that excess mortality due to air pollution costs between £8.5bn and £20.2bn a year’ (Public Health England, 2018, p.9). Therefore, implementing air pollution reduction policies will not only help the environment but save public money in the long run.

What can you do to help this happen?
Lobby your local council and MP to be more environmentally minded and voice support when they do. Support when due is as important as criticism.
This can be done through writing letters/ e-mails, signing petitions or speaking directly to an official figure. At the end of the day your representatives are exactly that, they are there to represent you, make them aware that you care about environmental issues.

References

Local Government Association (2015). The potential for energy efficiency and renewable energy – a guide for councillors. London.

Public Health England (2018). Estimation of costs to the NHS and social care due to the health impacts of air pollution. Protecting and improving the nation’s health. London.

November 9, 2018November 9, 2018

Local Hero: StitchedUp, Chorlton

With the BBC’s documentary on the issues with fast fashion and clothing production, how can we make green choices in what we wear?

Stitched Up in Chorlton has a few ideas:

Clothes swaps – including tips from a stylist, how to care for your clothes and more
Sewing courses – make your own clothes; from beginners to advanced, one day workshops to longer courses, copy a favourite garment
Yard sale – saving remnant material from landfill and passing it on at bargain prices

They are also the home of the Manchester Repair Cafe.

For more details, visit their website: https://stitchedup.coop/

With kind credit to Green Manchester Map for reposting their content.

November 9, 2018November 9, 2018

Local Hero: SeaStraw

However hard we work to make a plastic or waste-free home, going out to eat or drink can be a minefield. Thanks to Blue Planet II, plastic straws are often no longer given by default but plastic cutlery, disposable plates and hard-to-recycle cups are still common.

SeaStraw are a local project encouraging pubs, bars and restaurants to avoid single-use plastic and look for sustainable alternatives. They’re doing a great job of encouraging city-centre businesses to change away from plastic and also have places signed up further afield, in Sheffield, the Lake District and beyond.

So if you’re going out, why not check out the SeaStraw map to find somewhere nearby. If you run a food or drink-based business and are still using disposable plastics, they can guide you on replacing them.

https://www.seastraw.co.uk/about-us

With kind credit to Green Manchester Map for reposting their content.