Birmingham Friends of the Earth Newsletter - Summer 2015

Birmingham

Newsletter Summer 2015

friends of the earth

Waste isn’t Rubbish!

On Wednesday 1st July Birmingham residents queued up with kitchen caddies outside the Council House to recycle their food waste.

This fun creative action was to formally launch our new campaign Waste isn’t Rubbish, and aimed to show the green alternatives to our rubbish going up in smoke.

Continued on Page 20

Contents 3 - Campaigns’ Digest 5 - In the Media 7 - Community Energy Birmingham 8 - Power for Good 10 - Basecamp 11- Big Green Debate 14 - Climathon to Zero Waste 16 - Speak up Climate Lobby 18 - Sutton Hustings 20 - Waste isn’t Rubbish 21 - Volunteer Spotlight 22 - Thank You Ted 22 - Diary 23 - Contact us

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Campaigns’ Digest Greetings and welcome to your latest Birmingham Friends of the Earth newsletter! With summer arriving the weather’s hotting up, and so is our campaigning!

We’ve had a busy few months as we get stuck into some of our new priority campaigns, as well as responding to some consultations, and lobbying our MPs on the climate.

Economy Plans are continuing afoot for a Birmingham Pound, with the main organisers getting stuck into some detailed research. Our campaigner Adam McCusker has been attending the steering group meeting to keep us updated, so stay tuned for more news on this going forward.

Energy & Climate Change After attending the Time to Act demo back in March, BfoE campaigners followed this up by taking part in the “Speak Up For the love of” Climate Lobby on 17th June. We lobbied five MPs from Birmingham & West Bromwich in what was a really successful day all round. Have a read of Safiya Saleh’s article to find out more Nature We’re getting stuck into some nature work as part of our Nature Everywhere campaign, with our One

Pot Pledge competition. Checkout our website for more details. We also had our first small event in early May with some guerrilla gardening and seed bombing around Digbeth. Keep an eye out for details of forthcoming nature events via social media and the Birmingham FoE website.

Planning Back in 2013, Birmingham City Council decided to move the Wholesale Markets from their current location out to Witton. They have recently been consulting on how this area should be developed once the markets are moved. We responded, supporting the positive aspects of their plans, such as pedestrianisation, while also pointing out the dangers of gentrification and making this area identical to every other part of the city centre. We also feel the remaining retail markets should be made into the centrepiece and the area should retain its current feel.

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Campaigns’ Digest

(Continued from page 3)

Transport It’s been a little quiet on the transport front over the past few months. However, a presentation from a representative from the West Midlands Integrated Transport Authority (ITA) gave some encouraging news that the longawaited re-opening of stations on the South Birmingham line through Moseley and Kings Heath may happen by 2026. The ITA will be consulting on its transport strategy over the summer. You can be sure that BFoE will be responding to this, and pushing to make sure any opportunities to re-open the South Birmingham line is taken advantage of.

Waste Our Waste isn’t Rubbish campaign is now in full swing. We’ve had several stalls garnering support for our campaign petition. We also had our first media appearance for the campaign courtesy of BBC Radio WM - see In the Media for details of how this went. Campaigners took part in the Birmingham Climathon, developing our ideas for a zero waste city - have a read of the main article for more details about this. If all that wasn’t enough, we formally launched our campaign with a great stunt outside the Town Hall. Phew!

As always, if you’re been inspired to get involved with any of our campaigns, please get in touch.

Contact details are on page 23!

Julien Pritchard

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In the Media You often don’t get a lot of notice with media appearances. I’ve lost count of how times we’ve been contacted about doing an interview that’s scheduled to take place within an hour or two of the phone call.

It’s often the reason why I’m the campaigner interviewed on behalf of the group rather than someone else.

So it’s nice when we’re given something more in the region of 20 hours’ notice of a media appearance, as happened for a media interview on 10th June. A journalist at BBC WM had gotten wind of our new Go Local: Waste Isn’t Rubbish campaign and wanted to interview us about the issues around waste, resources and the incinerator.

Up stepped our amazing campaigner Libby Harris and, after some interview prep the night before, we were all set for an early morning trip to the Mailbox. A little after 7am, Libby spoke to Breakfast presenter Adrian Goldberg about the issues with Birmingham’s waste system.

Libby made the case for a greener, more efficient waste system for Birmingham. Libby argued for a food waste collection, collecting as many materials as possible for recycling and re-use, and using local companies to process our waste.

She also made the point that if we did this, we would find that

we wouldn’t need an incinerator, something which effectively wastes the resources in our waste system by burning them.

Not forgetting context, Libby also talked about why this was such an important issue for right now, explaining that as the Council’s waste contract with Veolia was up for renewal, now was the perfect time to push for a more sustainable waste system.

With a successful interview out of the way it was mission accomplished, and Libby and I headed off to find some well-earned breakfast. If we continue having as much notice as this for media interviews, you’ll hopefully hear a lot more from Libby and other BfoE campaigners in the media going forward!

Julien Pritchard

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Support

Birmingham Friends of the Earth We are the only organisation in Birmingham that campaigns on Air Quality, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Energy, Transport, Planning, Waste and Recycling.

You can help us to do this in a number of ways: 1) By taking part in our campaigns; 2) By joining us as a supporter; 3) Both.

Whichever route you decide, you are helping to change your environment for the better and making sure that those who pollute, monopolise or despoil locally, nationally, or internationally are held accountable.

What your gift could provide: £10 To help campaign for cleaner air and a more sustainable transport system.

£10 To help push for more and better recycling in Birmingham. £10 To help create a community garden in the heart of Digbeth

birminghamfoe

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Community Energy Birmingham In the February 2014 issue of this newsletter we featured several community energy projects in and around Birmingham. Now, excitingly, two of them are opening a new share offer for more community energy schemes. Here, they showcase their projects and what they’re planning.

Julien Pritchard Community Energy Birmingham is a “society for the benefit of the community”, which has put up three solar roofs and is ready to put up three more. The buildings get cheap fixed price electricity, to help sustain their services in a time of spending cuts. Community Energy Birmingham (CEB) are about to launch another share offer to fund these future projects.

Ackers Adventure is one partner, a charity that provides outdoor activities for young people on their site in Sparkbrook. CEB’s panels on the office building mean that it has half of its electricity from the sun, and has halved the carbon emissions. Ackers Residential Centre has a diverter, which takes excess solar power into the hot water tank, for everyone to enjoy a shower after a day of activity. This means almost all the power is used in the building.

Later in 2015, the Ski Centre will get a new roof, giving the opportunity to add 10kW of panels to that building.

At the Moseley Exchange, the many groups

that use that building are enjoying electricity from CEB panels on the rear roof, but another 10kW on the main roof could make the building more self-sufficient. Altogether, CEB will produce up to 65kW of solar energy. CEB is in discussion with other community buildings to identify future projects. Local people are invited to invest and to receive

Many groups that use the building are enjoying electricity from CEB panels a return on their savings from the income that is generated. CEB’s Share Offer opens with a Launch Event at Moseley Exchange on 2nd July; details are on CEB’s website: http://communityenergybirmingham. coop/ John Newson

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Power for Good £42,000 of investment invited by West Midlands’ Power for Good.

Power for Good (PfG), believed to be Britain’s first faith-based community energy enterprise, has now launched its pilot project in the West Midlands. Solar panels are to be installed by November at two churches: St Andrew’s Carters Green in West Bromwich (expected to produce 23.635kWh pa) and St Richard’s Lea Hall in Birmingham (expected to produce 8,075kWh pa).

Both churches are communityminded and located in disadvantaged areas. St. Andrew’s is home to youth work, children’s and older people’s activities, as well as being a meeting place for settlers from Zimbabwe. In Lea Hall, where little non-statutory community provision remains, St Richard’s has a major role in meeting local needs, sponsoring after-school activities, help for the unemployed, support for parents, families and special-needs children, computer training and youth work.

Power for Good has now launched a Share Offer to finance this project; investment of £42,000 is needed.

In just six weeks over half the shares have been purchased; the whole sum is needed by August 5th.

Shares are withdrawable. Investors can expect four benefits: a tax break equal to 50% of the sum invested; a

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projected annual return of 2% from Year 4, membership of PfG and satisfaction! – every pound invested will reduce the carbon footprint and the daytime electricity costs of all who use these premises.

This is PfG’s pilot project. When it’s all completed in November, PfG aims to initiate a much bigger scheme to supply solar panels on an interfaith basis for religious communities across the less affluent areas in the West Midlands.

See www.pfg.coop for more information and for the Share Offer Document, which includes the application form. Email PfG on info@pfg.coop or phone John Heywood on 0121 242 5830.

John Wilkinson

Warehouse Merchandise Organic, Fair Wear, Artist Designed, Locally Printed T-Shirts

£15

All Proceeds Go To Our Community Garden

Our limited edition ‘Green Heart’ T-shirts have been lovingly produced for you by Stanley and Stella and Get a Grip.

Stanley and Stella are specialists in ethically produced garments, using only sustainable and environmentally friendly raw materials.

Stanley and Stella work with the Fair Wear Foundation, an independent non profit organisation that aims to improve labour conditions for textile and garment workers.

Get-a-Grip are a unique, local screenprinting company that use their Punk Rock DIY ethic to print a wide range of garments. Their Digbeth based workshop employs a small production team that use traditional screen printing techniques and waterbased inks.

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Basecamp

I had been looking forward to my first trip to Basecamp and I was not disappointed! Situated in the picturesque Castleton, Derbyshire, I could not think of a better place to hold this annual gathering. It brought together people from all over the world each with their own story to tell.

Friday night provided the perfect opportunity to catch up with fellow campaigners, whom I had not seen in a long time. We sat outside in the warm evening with a locally brewed cider, which definitely set the tone for an amazing weekend.

The rain on Saturday could not dampen the mood and energy of

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Basecamp. There was so much to do that I found it hard to decide: film screenings, discussions, workshops and crafts. I took part in a variety of discussions from TTIP (Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership) to sustainable diets. I picked up some useful advice in the workshops and my interview skills were put to the test during the media workshop.

The ‘how to lobby your MP’ was very useful and I will be using tips from that when lobbying the Council.

The Real Junk Food Project returned to Basecamp this year and produced a tasty dinner from food that would have otherwise ended up in the bin.

At the Earthmover’s Ceremony

on Saturday night we celebrated the past year’s achievements of campaigners. After the ceremony, the party began with a lively reggae band that kept the party going till midnight.

The evening’s entertainment did not end there. There were stories and songs around the campfire, which was a relaxing end to a busy day.

There was so much to do, that I found it hard to decide.

Back at camp there was no time to lose; there was so much I wanted to do before I had to go home.

There were more discussions and workshops to attend.

opportunity for children to engage with environmental issues through a range of activities, which included crafts and music. The children put on a flawless sketch at the end of Basecamp highlighting the importance of businesses to invest in renewable energy. I’m already looking forward to the next Basecamp!

Basecamp also provided an

Libby Harris

I took advantage of the good weather on Sunday and started the day with a guided walk exploring the local area.

Big Green Debate - Should we put a price on nature?

Introduction We’re going quite traditionally green in our Big Green Debate this issue, as we have a debate that ties in nicely with our Nature Everywhere campaign. Specifically, we’re talking about the idea that you can put a price on nature or “Natural Capital” as it’s better known.

Tim Thorpe will be articulating that this has its uses, while Christina Nijjar will be arguing that the very concept is a bad idea. As always, this debate comes with the caveat that the arguments outlined may not be the views of the authors.

Julien Pritchard

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Big Green Debate - (continued from page 11) Yes While democratic political decisionmaking must still be at the heart of environmentalism, I think that ‘Natural Capital’, and the market based approach it represents, also has some role to play.

The concept, and the accounting process that goes with it, is useful for persuading two important groups of people. The first group is politicians. Even the most neoliberal politicians and those who are committed to economic growth at any cost, can be convinced by the Natural Capital argument. This approach should be used sparingly and with caution, but if decision makers can be shown that growth is put at risk, then it may be possible to convince them to support much needed environmental legislation.

The second group is business owners and managers. Natural Capital allows us to convince business executives that their company relies on natural systems and threats to those systems are also threats to the long term profitability of their business.

A topical example is the recent campaign on bees. Many campaign organisations have quoted figures from the National Audit Office valuing the pollination services at £200 million in the UK alone by

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looking at the cost of pollinating crops by other means.

Indeed, this message has been a significant component of the lobbying effort. The economic value of pollination have put bees in the pages of business news and blogs as well as national and international news, and has even caught the attention of international investment companies. A report published

by Shroders, the global asset management firm, concluded that it should engage with companies to “halt and reverse” the decline in bee populations.

This sort of pressure from investors can only be seen as positive if we want to see a move away from reckless and destructive practices.

Bee and the stock market (2014) http://www.schroderstalkingpoint. com/tp/ Tim Thorpe

No With a vastly growing civilisation, we now live in an urban world. As a result, it seems that people have lost the connection we once had with nature.

For the city dwellers that do enjoy nature, accessible green space is normally limited to parks and allotments. These precious pockets of green space are paramount for so many reasons, including the maintenance of our biodiversity and contributing to our wellbeing. Many people value these small spaces in the city. This being said, can you literally put a price on nature?

It is apparent that we are failing to protect the natural world. It is argued that the problem is that the majority of people just aren’t valuing nature. The building of new housing structures, office blocks and roads appears to take priority over

the land that is being destroyed.

We know how important nature is.

We know that the natural world is what sustains us and yet this is an obsolete notion when it is overpowered by the opportunity for economic growth and profit.

Destruction of land, habitats, oceans and forests continues at a huge cost to the future of the planet but it provides profit now. Government can put monetary value on areas of natural beauty but what are being valued are aesthetics and not the irrefutable significance of nature for our continued existence.

Now, the problem with putting economic value on nature is that it creates a false sense that the problem is solved or that something is being done to change things.

Putting a value on a piece of land does not mean it is going to be preserved or protected from further destruction. In reality, putting a price on nature isn’t going to change anything.

With neoliberalism failing to work and an apparent ignorance towards the importance of the natural world and the purpose it serves, it seems that giving nature a financial value is essentially worthless in hindsight.

Another approach needs to be taken and fast.

Christina Nijjar

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Climathon to Zero Waste “ What is the role of the citizen in a zero waste Birmingham? “ This was the question posed at a Climathon, a marathon international event, which was recently hosted by Innovation Birmingham. As waste campaigners we could not stay away since a zero waste Birmingham sounds like the right goal (although far from today’s reality). Our team of John Newson, Maria Marsden and Libby Harris had 24 hours in the bowels of the Novatel hotel to come up with some solutions. http://www.climate-kic. org/climathon Birmingham’s recycling rate is only 30% compared with Wales, which recycles 60%. The main difference is that in Wales all the authorities collect food waste in separate bins from their households. Other West

Birmingham recycling rate is only 30%!

Midlands councils such as Sandwell do this, so we believe Birmingham people could, too. Our first step is to imitate this system using existing vehicles, teams etc., to separately collect the waste. People have

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been happily signing our petition in support of such a change. The primary purpose is to remove the organic contaminant, leaving a waste stream of items that could be sold for recycling instead of rubbish.

What to do with the waste? If a regular tonnage of organic waste could be guaranteed, then it will be worth companies investing in anaerobic digestion (AD) plants to consume it, and, in fact, they already are doing so to cope with the waste from the commercial food industry. Our solution will only work if there is a high value use for the resulting bio-gas, i.e. methane that is made by the bacteria, while fossil fuels are rather cheap. For this, we were inspired by the Bio-Bus that runs between Bristol Airport and the city centre. It is fuelled by gas made from food waste and sewage, but looks like any bus and it provides a normal service. Diesel fuel is expensive and polluting as we know,

so replacing it with gas gives both financial and environmental savings.

We understand that such bio-buses are running in Barcelona, a twin city of Birmingham, so this is definitely a feasible option. http://www.geneco. uk.com/Biobug/biobus.aspx

of an area would feel they were feeding their bus service, having a collective purpose and motivation to participate, unlike the current waste system which really offers no incentive. Free bus tickets might be given to regular contributors.

Our suggestion is therefore to involve the citizen by linking up household waste with public transport. Not for the first time, since in Birmingham one hundred years ago vehicles were horsedrawn and fuelled by grass etc., while waste food was collected as pig food. So this is really a reinvention, using 21st century technology in which the AD plant replaces the animals’ digestion and the bus engine their muscles. AD actually produces a by-product of fertilizer, an equivalent to animal manure. The quantity probably would not power all buses, but the primary aim is to remove a contaminant that prevents recycling.

Buses can act as moving advertisements for the scheme.

This would also boost the visibility and popularity of the bus service, which is a key element in the new Birmingham Connected transport plan to get the city away from its unusual dependence on the private car.

The bio-bus would give residents a very visible use for their waste, in powering a local bus service that everyone can use. The residents

There are some details to resolve of course, and a feasibility study and costing would be needed, covering the economics of: 1. The collection method for waste from households and businesses 2. Scale location and operation of AD plants 3. Operation of gas powered buses Our idea was well received at the event, and hope to take the idea forward soon. If you can help then please get in touch with Birmingham Friends of the Earth.

John Newson

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Speak up - Climate Lobby On 17th June 2015, Birmingham Friends of the Earth joined many other organisations, including Christian Aid and RSPB, at the “Speak up For the love of” mass lobby of the Climate Coalition. A total of around 9,000 constituents came together outside the Houses of Parliament and collectively sent a strong message to our MPs to act on climate change. As a group at Birmingham Friends of the Earth, we lobbied a total of five MPs – and a total of eight out of 10 MPs from Bimingham constituencies were lobbied on the day.

As the first mass lobby I’ve been to as a new volunteer, it was a great one! The sun was shining and the atmosphere was lovely and positive.

Thousands of us joined to pressure MP’s to act on climate change Thousands of us joined to pressure MPs to act on climate change, with asks such as a complete ban on fracking, no airport expansions, and insulating at least six million homes by 2025.

We arrived at the Houses of Parliament at around one o’clock and, after a few phone calls and a walk through security, Jodie, Julien and I were waiting in Westminster Hall for Shabana Mahmood (Ladywood constituency).

Jodie, a constituent of Ladywood, had an effective discussion with her, particularly about the Solar Schools Action Plan, which Shabana Mahmood previously had no knowledge about. She is going to look more into it and contact Jodie about a follow-up meeting back in Birmingham – success.

As a constituent of West Bromwich East, I spoke to Tom Watson

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alongside another constituent. Tom seemed really supportive of acting on climate change after we spoke about local issues such as solar panels for schools and insulating homes, both of which he seemed to find important, as well as other renewable energy sources.

Meanwhile, Roxanne had a discussion with Roger Godsiff (Hall Green) - getting through all 10 of the FoE asks. Julien, along with over 20 other constituents, met with Steve McCabe (Selly Oak) and Paula met with Jack Dromey (Erdington).

The day ended with the rally, consisting of speakers such as Asad Rehman of the Climate Coalition, who gave a very inspirational speech, and finally some lovely music from the band Stornoway.

Overall, it was a great day shared with thousands from all over the country coming together for this urgent issue – let’s hope we see some changes soon.

Safiya Saleh

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Sutton Hustings On Tuesday 5th May, just two days before the election, we were privileged and delighted to put on the Sutton Coldfield Debates – the parliamentary hustings for Sutton Coldfield.

We’d organised this in little over three weeks, which brought its own challenges but was also quite exciting.

We arrived at the venue at 6.30pm and rapidly got everything ready before members of the public and candidates started to arrive.

We were delighted that all six candidates were able to make it and take part in what was an interesting and enjoyable evening.

With the room packed to capacity and standing room only we got underway at a little after 7.20pm.

We kicked off with the candidates giving a two minute opening speech.

All the candidates talked a bit about themselves and what they would do for Sutton.

Liberal Democrat Richard Brighton Knight talked about a town council for Sutton. Marcus John Brown for UKIP spoke of his connections to the area. Andrew Mitchell for the Conservatives talked about how he would work to continue reducing the deficit.

Rob Pocock stated the opposition parties combined would win the election in Sutton and how Labour

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was a community party. David Ratcliff for the Greens spoke about needing to tackle climate change and the dangers of TTIP (Transatlantic Trade Investment Partnership). Mark Sleigh for Ubuntu talked about the dangers of money and making banks owned by people.

We had a range of questions including ones on the local hospital, the town council, housing, electoral reform, refugees, income inequality, faith, and second jobs for MPs. To avoid making this article too long I’m concentrating on candidates’ notable responses to questions on TTIP and climate change.

For more info about what happened on the night, check out the Sutton Coldfield Local: http://bit.ly/ suttonhustings On TTIP, Rob Pocock said we needed to stop any secret deals involving services such as the NHS. Marcus John Brown used it as an example of the problems of negotiating within an EU bloc, and said they would scrap it.

David Ratcliff said the Greens were outright opposed. Richard for the Liberal Democrats said we needed to trade but needed to see what was in the deal. Andrew Mitchell gave the most supportive response to the deal, saying trade was good for Britain but would make sure the deal wasn’t bad for constituents.

Next, we discussed how to tackle climate change nationally and where the candidates stood on ending subsidies for fossil fuels. Marcus John Brown for UKIP said we needed a balanced energy mix and while he wasn’t anti-wind turbine, they weren’t economical at the moment.

Rob Pocock talked about the need for a target to decarbonise the electricity supply by 2030. Richard Brighton-Knight talked about greater need for research and development.

David Ratcliff talked of massive increase in renewables and greater insulation.

On negotiating internationally to keep temperature rises below 2 degrees, Andrew Mitchell said that under this government we had taken a lead and applauded the

Liberal Democrats on this. Richard Brighton-Knight talked about the frustrations of trying to get a deal at international level. David Ratcliff said how we needed to get an equitable deal.

At a little after 9.05 candidates gave their one minute summing up, bringing to an end what was a very interesting and informative evening.

A big thank you to our partners in organising the event: Equality West Midlands, Birmingham Jubilee Debt Campaign, and Eco-Sutton.

Hopefully, the environment and social justice will feature as highly in the national political discussion in this new Parliament as they did in Sutton on 5th May! Julien Pritchard

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Waste isn’t Rubbish (continued from front page) Our photo stunt for the launch of the campaign was short, sharp, and to the point, but more importantly was lots of fun! It has also generated quite a bit of media coverage, and it feels like we are leading the debate on this issue.

For readers who aren’t familliar with Waste isn’t Rubbish, the campaign is calling on Birmingham City Council to implement a greener waste system for the city that makes best use of the city’s resources locally.

Birmingham City Council is consulting on its new waste strategy this year and we hope to push for as green a waste system as possible, which would mean the Tyseley Incinerator is no longer needed.

Waste is a rubbish fuel. We need a waste system that makes best use of the resources in all our waste, instead of letting them go up in smoke in an outdated incinerator.

With the Council contract with Veolia

up in 2019, now is the perfect time for the Council to rethink its waste strategy.

41% of the residual waste sent to the incinerator is organic matter. By taking food out of the waste stream, and sending the food waste to an anaerobic digester, it becomes a cleaner, renewable energy source.

Seperating out organic matter means we can make better use of all the resources in our waste.

This would mean the incinerator is no longer needed, leading to a reduction in CO2 emissions.

As well as a food waste collection and better recycling facilities, priority should be given to smaller, local waste companies, creating more jobs and ensuring the value of Birmingham’s waste stays in the city.

People can support the campaign by signing the petition online at http:// bit.ly/wasteisntrubbish We’ll also be making the case for greener waste system at stalls and events throughout the summer.

If you’d like more information or to get involved then get in touch campaigns@birminghamfoe.org.uk Libby Harris & Julien Pritchard

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Volunteer Spotlight Julien Pritchard interviews Maria Marsden

Birmingham.

What do you like about working here?

The variety is the best thing! One day you could be volunteering on a stall and the next, planning a campaign.

What have you learnt from volunteering with BFoE? That change can take a long time, as you may come up against various barriers, some unexpected! So persistent/patience is key!

How long have you been volunteering with BFoE? I’ve been helping out at BFoE for just over a year now!

What do you do here?

During the year, my role in BFoE has varied greatly. I started out as a stall volunteer throughout last summer. This involved working every couple of weeks on a stall promoting the ‘Let’s get Moving’ campaign. After the summer stall season drew to a close, I began working in the office instead. There I got involved in alliance building for LGM, general research for the new campaign and planning events. Currently, alongside Libby and John, I am heading up the new waste campaign: ‘Waste isn’t Rubbish!’ which is calling for a food waste collection service across

What do you think is the most important environmental issue and why?

Recently, I learnt that the meat industry produces 5% more CO2 globally than the whole transport sector! Therefore, a globally reduction in meat/diary industry would really help to reduce the impact of climate change.

What’s your best green tip/ advice?

I think one of the most useful things we can do as individuals is to eat fewer meat and dairy products.

Not only is it healthier, it is also much better for the environment!

However, my love for cheese can make this goal problematic!

Maria Marsden

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Thank You Ted Several months ago I was sad to hear that one of our members, Ted Duke had passed away. I never met him in person, but had spoken to him several times on the phone.

Ted was one of our long established members, who would contact us much more often than most. He would phone us to tell us about a particular news item he’d seen, or an article he’d read. He was that rare thing in the modern internet age, a financial supporter with whom we had a more personal relationship.

One of my abiding memories of Ted, was when he rang up to discuss the new Birmingham Mobility Action

Plan that Birmingham City Council had just launched in November 2013. He congratulated our years of campaigning, which he argued had produced the shift we were now seeing in this new plan.

Earlier this week, we received a cheque for £3,500 from his estate. We were bowled over by his generosity. For me, what was remarkable was not the amount of money he left, but that he clearly valued his remote involvement so much he felt he wanted to leave something to us. So, thanks Ted, it means a lot.

Julien Pritchard

Diary Campaign Meetings - Mondays 7.30pm 3rd August: General Meeting 10th August: Action Meeting (TBC) 17th August: Action Meeting (TBC) 24th August: Action Meeting (TBC) 31st August: No Meeting 7th September: General Meeting 14th September: Action Meeting (TBC) 21st September: Action Meeting (TBC) 28th September: Action Meeting

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Other Events 22nd August: Birmingham AntiAusterity Festival - Victoria Square 10th October: Reclaim Power Day of Action 15th October: Sutton Coldfield Climate Discussion with Andrew Mitchell MP (Details TBC) See Northfield Eco Centre (http:// www.northfieldecocentre.org) for more events and workshops.

Contacts Contact us: Friends of the Earth (Birmingham) The Warehouse 54-57 Allison Street Birmingham B5 5TH

Campaigns Co-ordinators: Roxanne Green & Shaz Rahman Campaigns Support Worker: Julien Pritchard General Manager: Philip Burrows

Tel: (0121) 632 6909 Fax: (0121) 643 3122

Treasurer: Margaret Lynch

E-mail: info@birminghamfoe.org.uk

Climate Change & Energy: Jacob Williams

Web: www.birminghamfoe.org.uk

Friends of the Earth is: - The largest international network of environmental groups in the world, represented in 72 countries.

- One of the UK’s leading enviromental pressure groups.

- A unique network of campaigning local groups, working in more than 200 communities in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

- Over 90% of its funds come from its supporters.

Birmingham FoE: Campaigns at a local level to effect environmental change (in ways which feed into national and international policy) through: - Lobbying

Economics: Adam McCusker Nature Christina Nijjar Planning: Ben Mabbett Waste & Recycling: John Newson Maria Marsden Libby Harris Newsletter Editors: Milli Jenkins Zoe Wright Margarita Galkina Website Editor: Philip Burrows Talks: Julien Pritchard and others All enquiries and callers welcome.

- Education - Empowering others to take action - Participation and representation through public fora

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