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SustainabilityLINKS Linking People, Sustainability & Participation |
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Information sources See The Green Directory 2006 – 2008, the UK’s most comprehensive directory of sustainability contacts, ranging from organic food outlets and green shoes to green employment agencies and local authorities. Its 2006 – 2008 edition is available from www.cat.org.uk Other websites listing organisations working on ESD include: www.oneworld.net www.venue.co.uk and www.vois.org.uk
Advice Activate is Defra’s Environmental Action Fund Newsletter. Available free it gives readers some insight into the sort of projects likely to attract Government funding. o Activate Mailing List, EAF, Defra, Area 6 / E14 Ashdown House, 123 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6DE. 020 7082 8680. chemicals in the home o www.greenpeace.org.uk/Products/Toxins/index.cfm climate change Is your home built on a flood plane? Check this out on the environment agency website. o www.environmentagency.gov.uk climate change A free climate change action pack is available for local authorities and their partners. o www.nottinghamdeclaration.org.uk development Ecological Impact Assessment guidelines are available from the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management. These help users assess the impact of development on biodiversity and are intended for third sector organisations as well as ecologists, environmental managers, planners, developers and planning authorities. o www.ieem.org.uk/ecia/ Every Action Counts Launched in June 2006, EAC is a third sector initiative aiming to build a sustainable future, help community groups create cleaner, greener, fairer and safer communities – and to embed sustainable development in the sector. Sponsored by Defra, the accountable body is CDF and its management group comprises representatives from bassac, BTCV, FCFCG, FCDL, CSC and Capacity Global. o www.cdf.org.uk flooding The Environment Agency has advised us all to draw up an emergency plan to remind us to eg, turn off power supplies, move electrical goods, hide valuables, identify the safest place to go in our homes and stay tuned to local radio broadcasts. All homes should also have prepared a ‘ready bag’, of essential items in case of evacuation which should include such things as keys, passports, first aid items, mobiles, bottled water, blankets, regular medication, portable radio, cash and credit cards, family and local services contact details, toiletries, matches and candles. o Floodline 0845 988 1188. www.preparingforemergencies.gov.uk/you funding search aid This website enables would be applicants to search for funds based on a project’s location or nature, on the amount required or type of applicant. Once the results and summary details are listed further information can be obtained from the appropriate funding bodies. o www.lotteryfunding.org.uk law A free legal rights advice line is to open offering a weekly service for people concerned about infringements of environmental law. FOE’s Rights and Justice Centre also provides legal community support and training. o 020 7566 1682. pmcleish@foe.co.uk Law Works for Community Groups An organisation offering free advice on charity legislation, health and safety, intellectual property rights and other business law to communities of interest without sufficient funds to pay legal fees. o 020 7090 7359. www.lawworks.org.uk local economy A successful website is offering businesses across Britain a chance to emulate its success in serving locally based enterprise. Local Greenlinks has been working for over five years and now hosts a low-cost online database for the Hertfordshire area. It has sections on various green business topics, including food, waste, energy, transport, agriculture, gardens and countryside, building and DIY and community initiatives. Greenlinks has also been running local training seminars and an advice service – and is now attempting to help other initiatives meet the nationwide demand for a green business best practice and experience sharing resource. o 0845 458 4718 www.localgreenlinks.com Voluntary and Community Organisation Helpline Anyone involved in VCS trustee, paid or volunteer work can use this free telephone, email and textphone service. o Freephone 0800 2 798 798. Textphone 0800 01 88 111 (minicom). helpdesk@askncvo.org.uk waste A waste prevention toolkit is available for local authorities and community organisations. o www.wrap.org.uk/local-authorities/
Banks and Investment Co-operative Bank The only high street bank offering credible ethical policies and information about where our money will go, it also enables customers to choose which charities will benefit from their business. Smile is its online service. Tridos Bank o Brunel House, 11 The Promenade, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3NN. 0117 973 9339. mail@tridos.co.uk
Books on Mail Order Barefoot Books Bringing a global perspective to children’s learning. o 0800 328 2640. www.barefootbooks.com Books for Life Promoting sustainability and sentience issues. o Viva, 8 York Court, Wilder Street, Bristol BS2 8QH. 0117 944 1000. www.viva.org.uk Centre for Alternative Technology Many of the books featured in the CAT Catalogue have been written for those people already trying to establish ways of living less tied to our collapsing systems. The catalogue contains dozens of titles on alternative energy sources, water, eco gardening, traditional craft and woodland skills, smallholdings, green building and renovation, recycling, household products, natural health, green living, politics and business, ESD. CAT also sells other mail order merchandise, such as eco lighting, batteries and charges and children’s toys. See Places to Visit below. o Centre for Alternative Technology. 0845 3304592. mailorder@cat.org.uk Earthscan Environmental policy. o Earthscan, Freepost 1, Pentonville Road, London N1 9BR. 020 7278 1142. www.earthscan.co.uk earthinfo@earthscan.co.uk Floris Books publishes titles on a range of sustainability-related themes – environment, organics, health, self-help, spirituality, education. o www.florisbooks.co.uk Green Books Art, politics, gardening, children, cookery, economics, religion, philosophy, alternatives. Publishes a new catalogue of available titles twice a year. o Green Books Ltd, Foxhole, Dartington, Totnes, Devon TQ9 6EB. 01803 868260. www.greenbooks.co.uk sales@greenbooks.co.uk Permanent Publications o Sustainability Centre, Droxford Road, East Meon, Hampshire GU32 1HR. 0845 458 4150. Schumacher Society Publishes briefings bringing a sustainability perspective to mainstream issues such as health and education, as well as those discussing more specialist topics such as bioregionalism. o The Create Centre, Smeaton Road, Bristol BS1 6XN. 0117 903 1081. www.schumacher.org.uk admin@schumacher.org.uk Zed Books are on socialist, environmental and anti-globalisation themes. o Zed Books, 7 Cynthia Street, London N1 9JF. 020 7837 4014. www.zedbooks.co.uk
Broadcasting BBC World See the extent to which national ‘news’ serves to merely screen us all from what’s happening in the real world. BBC World’s available on cable, on satellite and online. o www.bbcworld.com Community TV Digital viewers can see programmes on channel 46 between 06.00 and 09.00. o 08708 505500. www.communitychannel.org info@communitychannel.org Costing the Earth BBC Radio 4’s regular series on sustainability in the 21.00 science banding, usually broadcast on Thursdays. o 0121 432 8888. Earth Report BBC News 24 sustainability series on freeview channel 40. Green.tv Set up by a former BBC director, Green.tv is backed by the UN and over 30 third sector organisations. It’s the world’s first tv channel dedicated to environmental issues; the service is available on broadband and can be downloaded from Apple iTunes. o www.green.tv Home Planet BBC Radio 4’s environment and development version of Any Questions? Passion for the Planet Broadcasting online and on digital in south England, this radio station combines music with something to say and from around the world, with features on sustainability issues. Its supporters include Global Action Plan, The Ecologist, Resurgence, Friends of the Earth, Television for the Environment and British Trust for Conservation Volunteers. www.passionfortheplanet.com Planetary Voices Environment, peace, human rights radio on the internet. o www.planetaryvoices.org.uk Teachers TV For those with digital television, this is on freeview channel 47. On air from midnight to 06.00. Programme listings and other information on website. o www.teachers.tv Undercurrents Costing about £10 each Undercurrents’ videos / DVDs on topical issues provide a platform for perspectives not given broadcast media airtime. Current catalogue includes ‘The Village’ (the decline of British rural communities), ‘Non Violence for a Change’ (different forms of protest), ‘Globalisation and the Media’ (award winning documentary on news media coverage of global trade and terrorism). Also ‘Undercurrents News’ – a compilation of short topical reports, punctuated by music and animation. o Undercurrents News Network, Old Telephone Exchange, Pier Street, Swansea SA1 1RY. www.undercurrents.org
Computers Carfree Green Pages Online directory of over 500 organisations worldwide. o www.worldcarfree.net/greenpages ICT Hub Managed by NCVO, ICT Hub is a partnership of national voluntary and community organisations providing services to enable members to benefit from ICT. o www.ncvo.org.uk Search Engine Google and Yahoo! are well known search engines. Another has a lower profile but every time it’s used web surfers can benefit the charity of their choice. The facility is free to use. Website Builder Free for use by third sector groups. o http://www.communitykit.co.uk
Democracy Council resource An LGA information kit has been produced for council members and officers wishing to develop environmental campaigns. It comprises12 theme based leaflets and a ten point plan for greening our communities. o www.lga.gov.uk EDMs Early Day Motions enable MPs to show the Government they support particular measures. Check if your MP has signed that EDM you asked him/her to o http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID= Empower supports the third sector to ensure full and fair engagement in LSP processes and other local decision and provision making. o Caradog House, Darren Road, Bwlch, Powys, Wales LD3 7RJ. 01874 730067. www.empowersvs.co.uk
Parish Councils Town councils Did you know that under the 1972 Local Government Act (Schedule 12 Paragraph iii) members of a parish have the right to call a non binding referendum on any matter of concern to the parish, provided a quorum of ten people ask for it at a parish meeting? Don’t let these conventional lobbying opportunities slip below your radar! PAGE DEVELOPMENT Details in preparation on Parish Councils and their possible contribution to S&P work..
Economy Local economy information The New Economics Foundation has several download-free reports on ways communities can help strengthen their local economies. ‘The Money Trail’ is favourite, measuring local money flow. o www.neweconomics.org
Energy Energy 21 is a grassroots networking organisation for local groups trying to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. o www.energy21.org.uk Good Energy is the only electricity company to supply each and every customer with 100% renewable energy. o 01249 766090 www.good-energy.co.uk Juice Greenpeace and npower – “By switching to Juice the average household will prevent nearly three tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year”. o 0800 316 2610. www.switchtojuice.com
Sustainable Household Energy Friends of the Earth o 0808 800 1111. www.foe.co.uk/campaingns/climate/press_for_change/choose_green_energy/ Have you switched to green energy yet? Friends of the Earth has produced a guide to the most sustainable suppliers, which takes into account the possibility that while some energy companies may supply green brands or tariffs; most of their supplies are from carbon-emitting sources. FOE recommends using one of these more environmentally responsible suppliers; Ecotricity, Green Energy 10 and 100, Southern Electric (Scottish and Southern RSPB energy) and Unit-e. The guide traces other green sounding brands back to what it calls the ‘carbon dinosaurs’. Juice and npower belong to Innogy, Greenplan to Powergen, Green Tariff, Virgin home, Sweb and Seeboard to London Energy; Green Energy Fund, AA, Sainsburys’ Energy, Union Energy, Lloyds TSB and Green Energy H20 to Scottish Power. Simply Switch An independent organisation is also providing information on electricity and gas and suppliers’ environmental tariffs. Simply Switch will make a donation to Positive News and / or Treespirit for every caller who does make a change. o 0800 068 7188
Food and Drink Events catering Anyone organising events including sustainability related themes or green stalls, presentations or other participants can ensure that their catering arrangements are appropriate. A regular feature of environmental gatherings, Veggies can bring tasty but healthy, compassionate and low footprint food to all those attending. o 0845 458 9595 www.veggies.org.uk Fairtrade mark products The range now offers; coffee, tea, chocolate, cocoa, sugar, bananas, apples, pears, grapes, lemons, oranges, satsumas avocados, yoghurt, pineapples, mangoes, fruit juices, rooibos tea, green tea, cakes and biscuits, honey, muesli, cereal bars, jams and marmalade, chutney and sauces, nuts and nut oil, wine, rice. Also; roses, cotton products and sports balls. Food fairs Ryton Gardens is the venue for yearly national events such as the Organic Food and Wine Fair and Natural Homes and Gardens Show, which are part of an annual programme organised by Creativity, based in Somerset. o Sally Packer, 33 Beechmount Drive, Weston-super-Mare BS24 9EY. 01934 813407. office@organicfoodfairs.co.uk
Funding Many third sector organisations and our socially beneficial activities are wholly or almost completely self-financed – much of our time and energy is taken up simply raising the cash we need to then do our work. Funds are earned through a familiar round of jumble sales, raffles, social events, etc. Grants, an alternative source of money, may be discouragingly hard to come by unless our projects are specifically set up to gain awards. Their acquisition can involve quite a lot of paperwork and waiting, and the prizes can prove rather meagre considering the amount of work applications can involve. Those projects not established to chase resources may be eligible for awards without their backers realising that trusts may give applications a little latitude, so our proposals can be modified and our applications re-presented to become more appealing. So, while there are currently grants available for such sustainability related projects as the installation of renewable energy sources, the creation of school wildlife areas, the maintenance of local biodiversity and allotment education there are other funding streams that could help us to bring sustainability to the fore in, eg, giving young people experience in film making or a greater say in the world we bequeath them. Similarly current funding could be accessed if we proposed to run courses such as ‘living within our means’ in areas of deprivation. Funding Sources www.actionearth.org.uk Action Earth, 0121 328 7455. www.awardsforall.org.uk Awards for All, 0845 600 2040. www.biglotteryfund.org.uk Big Lottery Fund, 0845 410 2030. www.hlf.org.uk Heritage Lottery Fund, 020 7591 6000. www.lotteryfunding.org.uk Lottery Funding, 0845 275 0000. www.treeforall.org.uk The Woodland Trust, 01476 581 111. Co-op Funding Nominate a charity to benefit from Co-operative funding. In 2007 £150,000 was donated to charities working on climate change projects – Stop Climate Chaos, Green Alliance, Womens Institute, Waste Watch, Campaign for Better Transport. o Campaigns Fund, The Co-operative, Freepost NWW 3655A, Manchester M4 9ED. 0800 0286 286. www.co-operativebank.co.uk/cwc cwc@co‑op.co.uk
Gifts on Mail Order Centre for Alternative Technology See Places to Visit below. Christmas Green Starter Kit The kit includes Friends of the Earth Little Green Book of Big Ideas, a year’s subscription to EarthMatters and a packet of wildflower seeds. Usually available between October and 19 December. o 0800 581 051 www.foe.co.uk/gift Good Earth Animal and environment friendly toiletries. o Freepost MID21296, Silverstone NN12 8BR 08270 241 1770 sales@goodearthcatalogue.com Natural Collection Environment friendly products for the house, garden and body. Raises funds for Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and Out of this World. o Eco House, Monmouth Place, Bath BA1 2DQ. 0870 331 3333 www.naturalcollecton.com People Tree Promoting fair trade fashion, People Tree is looking for area representatives. o People Tree, Freepost LON 21472, London EC2B 2BD. 0845 450 4595. www.ptree.co.uk sales@ptree.co.uk Present Aid Mosquito nets, garden implements, maize, water taps, latrines, even worms – there aren’t many gift catalogues offering such a range of products. But this one is different – the items are sent to those who live abroad for whom such things can make life less difficult. Not only this, but for each item purchased Christian Aid send you a gift card for you to send a friend. o 0845 3300 500 www.presentaid.org WSPA Trading Company Ltd Raising funds for the World Society for the Protection of Animals. o WSPA, Long Rock, Penzance TR93 0WS. 01736 333333. wspa@philcarr.demon.co.uk
Legal Environmental Law Foundation ELF was established in 1992 to counter the iniquitous levels of legal representation between those interests causing environmental damage and those opposing them. The Foundation draws upon the skills of over 170 volunteer lawyers and technical consultants plus a network of environmental activists and campaigners. It focuses on public interest cases concerning development proposals, contaminated land, nature conservation and open space protection. o 020 7404 1030 www.elflaw.org info@elflaw.org LawWorks for Community Groups LawWorks For Community Groups was launched by to provide free business law advice to community groups who don’t have funds to pay legal fees. The advice offered is on corporate, employment, intellectual property, and property law etc, though the scheme can’t represent groups at tribunals or court. o 020 7929 5601 www.probonogroup.org.uk
Places to Visit Butterfly World Trust Open, though not fully operational until 2011. o Butterfly World Trust, nr St Albans, Hertfordshire. 01442 257722. www.butterfly-world.org Centre for Alternative Technology The Centre for Alternative Technology is an educational charity and visitor centre demonstrating practical green solutions to many of today’s environmental problems. o CAT Mail Order, Machynlleth, Powys SY20 9AZ. 01654 705959 mailorder@cat.org.uk Leicester EcoHouse The EcoHouse is managed by the environmental charity Environ, with support from Leicester City Council. The house includes a wide range of environmental features and ideas for adapting existing homes or including in new buildings. Its different features demonstrate the greener choices we can all make in our own homes and lifestyles. There’s an organic garden, a shop stocking hundreds of ethical products and a café. o EcoHouse, Environ, Parkfield, Western Park, Leicester LE3 6HX. 0116 254 5489. www.ecohouse.org.uk
Periodicals See Address Book page for a comprehensive list of priced titles Ink is the trade association for the UK’s leading independent publications, its titles including New Internationalist, Positive News, Big Issue, Green World, the Ecologist, Red Pepper, Ethical Consumer, Cadaceus, Green Christian, Permaculture. o Ink, 13 Brecknock Road, London N7 0BL. www.ink.uk.com ink@inkadmin.fsnet.co.uk Jubilee Research Newsletter Quarterly newsletter updating debt campaigners on current developments and lobbying, as well as ongoing in-depth analysis of the structural causes. o Susanna Mitchell, Jubilee Research, NEF, 3 Jonathan Street, London SE11 5NH. susannamitchell@neweconomics.org
Presentations Fairtrade Power Point presentation can be downloaded from: o www.fairtrade.org.uk/resources Procurement Recycled Paper Also design and printing service. o Steve Hammett, Gate Farm, Fen End, Kenilworth CV8 1NV. 01676 533832 www.recycled-paper.co.uk
Recycling It’s better to leave out your kerbside collection boxes when they’re full – this helps crew and recycling efficiency. If your box is full, separate the items and leave them beside the box in carrier bags. Number your box. Empty aerosols can be recycled with other tins. Car boot sales See Charity Shops Below Charity shops recycle ceramics and china, mobile phones, shoes, books, ornaments, furniture, LPs, CDs, videos, wool, toys, coins and stamps, good bedding, clothing and textiles, books. Some charities also collect toner cartridges and greetings cards. Clothes unwanted clothing is a valuable resource for less developed countries. In some areas 90% of the population depend on reclaimed textiles. Cooking oil can be used to paint garden fences. Compost As much as a third of domestic waste can be composted – drastically reducing the amount that takes up precious landfill space. Computers See Computers Above Disks CDs, DVDs, computer disks wanted: Polymer Reprocessors, Reed Lane, Moreton, Wirral CH46 1DW. DIY B&Q operate a waste donation scheme, surplus paint, wallpaper, end of range materials are available for third sector. o www.diy.com Don’t bin anything that’s recyclable. Asbestos. Unused medicines should be returned to a chemist. Batteries should be either posted back to the manufacturer (domestic appliance batteries) or exchanged (car), taken to a recycling centre (domestic appliance and car), returned to hospitals (hearing aid) or to jewellers (camera and watch). o www.hse.gov.uk Don’t recycle any of these items through kerbside / site bins: yellow pages, catalogues, ceramics and china, pyrex, chemicals, paint, pharmaceuticals, batteries, meat, envelopes with windows, greetings cards. Furniture All over the country there are community based schemes and specialist charity shops recycling furniture and other household items. See the Helpful Websites page for sites giving more details. Glass Only a third of glass is recycled, yet it takes less energy than manufacture from raw materials and there is no loss of quality. Green waste Includes garden waste, uncooked kitchen waste, hair, feathers, urine, cardboard, egg shells, wood ash. No meat, oil. Jumble sales See Charity Shops Above Jjunk mail Don’t recycle it – stop it! Contact the Mail and FAX Preference Services. o Mail Preference Service, Freepost 22, London W1E 7EZ. Phone 020 7291 3310 or Fax 020 7323 4226. mps@dma.org.uk www.mpsonline.org.uk Fax Preference Service Phone 020 7291 3330 or Fax 020 7323 4226. fps@dma.org.uk www.fpsonline.org.uk Kerbside collections and recycling bins Newspapers, junk mail, scrap metal, bricks and soil, cookers, carrier bags, phone directories, tin cans, aerosols, clothes, garden and uncooked kitchen waste, computers, car batteries, bathroom suites, plastic containers, magazines, glass, hair and feathers, bedding, cycles, cardboard, carrier bags. Mobile phones Did you know that only 15% of cell phones are properly recycled – 100 million are discarded every year across Europe. Even if it’s not working you can send your old mobile to the Environmental Investigation Agency, who are also pleased to receive spent printer cartridges. o EIA, 62-63 Upper Street, London N1 ONY. Printer cartridges See mobile phones above. o EIA, 62-63 Upper Street, London N1 ONY. Recycling centres collect aluminium, bathroom suites, mobile phones, batteries and car batteries, old bedding, bicycles, damaged books, engine oil, bricks, soil, carpets and rugs, cardboard, timber, damaged and worn clothing, green waste, fridges and freezers, hoovers, foil Shoes In the UK around 260 million pairs of shoes are discarded every year. Donated shoes are either reconditioned and sold in poor countries or reprocessed into other products. The scheme is self-funded, creates employment and reduces waste. o Freephone 0500 827 198. Spectacles Send free to o World in Sight Appeal, FREEPOST LON131109 Stamps Used postage stamps raise funds for a variety of causes. Let LINKS know of those organisations raising funds to aid their work on sustainability concerns and between us we can compile a list. Look out also for your area’s own collection points in libraries, post offices and other shops. Stationery See Procurement above
Training The Directory of Social Change provides training workshops and materials for the voluntary sector, aiming to make organisations more effective. o DSC Training, 24 Stephenson Way, London NW1 2DP. 08450 77 77 07. www.dsc.org.uk
Transport NICHES A log of integrated transport best practice is being maintained through the EU funded NICHES programme. o www.niches-transport.org PLUSBUS PLUSBUS tickets enable rail travellers to gain unlimited bus travel when making train journeys. Most day tickets cost £2, though week and month season tickets work out cheaper. PLUSBUS is available for use in over 200 towns and cities and is operated by Journey Solutions, a partnership of Britain’s bus and train service providers. timetable enquiries Trains – National Rail Enquiries is a 24 hour phone service. o 08457 48 49 50. www.nationalrail.co.uk Buses – Traveline operates between 08.00 and 21.00 daily, with landline calls costing 10p a minute. o 0871 200 22 33. www.traveline.info
Volunteering Volunteer bureaux Befriending and visiting, driving, decorating, dog walking, gardening, conservation, fundraising, hospitals, office and admin – the local volunteer bureau can help put you in touch with a range of volunteering options and local organisations needing help. Campaigning You may belong to a national organisation without a local branch, but this doesn’t mean that you can’t help them. Why not send for some flyers for door to door or street leafleting? What about helping them to collect petition signatures or funds? Retailing Contact your favourite charity shop for details of sales assistant, management, driving and backroom opportunities. School governors There are 300,000 school governors, making this the largest volunteer workforce in the country – and a good place to promote sustainable thinking and doing. o School Governors’ One Stop Shop, 64 Essex Road, London N1 8LR. 0870 241 3883 www.sgoss.org.uk info@schoolgovernors.co.uk Conservation Contact the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers or a local council for details of practical conservation projects. School speakers Many national organisations maintain lists of locally based speakers trained to give presentations to schools and other groups on their fields of interest. If you have expertise or an interest in any particular S&P topics get in touch with your favourite group head office and see if you can help them spread the word. Special needs Nationwide, there are establishments involving people with special needs in local projects, and other members of the community can become involved in their work on allotments, wildlife areas, community recycling schemes, and so on.
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