Resources
Some resources to inform, inspire and engage...
Environmental Politics & Economics
- Prosperity Without Growth
Read a summary of Professor Tim Jackson's book, 'Prosperity Without Growth', in it he discusses economics on a finite planet and how our current models of growth based consumerism are threatening the very ecosystems upon which we depend for life. Read aGuardian review of the book here. - IPCC Fourth Assessment Report: Climate Change (2007)
The findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The investigations span the physical sciences and mitigation efforts. The findings are sobering but there is much there to suggest how we can transition to a low carbon economy and avoid the worst effects of climate change.
- Earth Rights and Earth Law
New initiatives are forming to champion Earth Rights and Earth Law. These include Wild Law, an organisations wanting to see nature imbued with rights (currently property law regards the earth as an inert, seemingly limitless supply of resources, but if instead we view it as a living entity teeming with vibrant ecosystems we can protect these things with law). Meanwhile, the barrister Polly Higgins is proposing that ecocide (the large-scale destruction of the earth) be made the 5th Crime Against Peace in the UN, punishable by the International Criminal Court. Polly is pioneering the Eradicating Ecocide campaign.
- Common Cause by WWF
This publication explores the core values that underpin our work towards the environmental. It differentiates between 'intrinsic' and 'extrinsic' values - the former concerning our compassion and empathy, and the latter our status and self-aggrandisement. - Finding Frames - New ways to engage the UK public in global poverty
This report explores how the UK public engage with global poverty issues and asks why over the past years support for these international issues has dropped. From Live Aid to Make Poverty History it analyses our approach to global poverty and the way we address it.
- News
Some good environmental news sights include the environmental section of the Guardian, The Ecologist, andResurgence (a forward thinking magazine inspired by the works of E F Schumacher and eco-spirituality).
Grassroots & Campaigning
- Via Campesina
Discover Via Campesina: a global movement of peasant famers, small and medium scale farmers, women farmers, landless people, and indigenous people around the world striving for food sovereignty and food justice. In defence of small-scale, organic farming and opposed to the corporate agri-business that damages people and planet alike with resource heavy, labour light monoculture methods of farming. And discover Navdanya International, a movement pioneered by Vandana Shiva that strives to encourage organic, small-scale farming. - Get involved
To get involved and campaign on these issues one good place to start is 6 billion ways - a coalition of campaigners on local and global justice issues, aiming to build a broad movement for progressive change. Other great campaigning organisations includeGreenpeace, Friends of the Earth, 38 Degrees and Avaaz. Meanwhile, Forum for the Future offers a practical and inspirational masters in sustainability leadership. For a practical and immersive experience close to nature why not apply to join the Catalystyoung leaders programme at Embercombe.
Lifestyle
- Green New Year's Resolution Ideas by Izzy Braithwaite
This is a short description of what a carbon footprint is, some small steps that help reduce personal carbon footprint as well as information on what's going on in Cambridge, key contacts within Cambridge green societies etc.
Want to wear ethical fashion - from Fairtrade jeans, to upcycled jewellery, to vegetarian shoes, and even to ethical pants. Check out this great Ethical Fashion Guide that Tasha at Southampton Hub put together - it's crammed full of great info and links, so you can find out more about the fashion trade as well as ensure all your future clothes purchases are the right ones!
