Hi all,

a date for your diaries: the evening of Tuesday 20th November sees the launch of the “Beyond Growth” report, looking at how Manchester can move towards a steady state economy. It’s at the Mechanics Institute on Princess St. There’ll be lots of mingling, opportunities to find out about things happening in Manchester that you can get involved in and generally interesting people to talk with.

Arwa Aburawa and Marc Hudson

Coming up this week

Monday 15^th 6 to 8.30pm Manchester Permaculture Network open planning meeting at the Biospheric Foundation’s ‘Irwell House’

Tuesday 16th, 6pm Inequality: The Enemy Between Us – Kate Pickett and Richard Wilkinson, authors of The Spirit Level: Why More Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better
Comparing life expectancy, mental health, levels of violence, teenage
birth rates, drug abuse, child well-being, obesity rates, levels of
trust, the educational performance of school children, or the strength of community life among rich countries, it is clear that societies which tend to do well on one of these measures tend to do well on all of them, and the ones which do badly, do badly on all of them.  What accounts for the difference? The key is the amount of inequality in each society. The picture is consistent whether we compare rich countries or the 50 states of the USA.  The more unequal a society is, the more ill health and social problems it has.
Inequality has always been regarded as divisive and socially
corrosive.  The data show that even small differences in the amount of inequality matter.  Material inequality serves as a determinant of the scale and importance of social stratification. It increases status insecurity and competition and the prevalence of all the problems associated with relative deprivation. Particularly important are effects mediated by social status, friendship and early childhood experience. However, although the amount of inequality has its greatest effect on rates of problems among the poor, its influence extends to almost all income groups: too much inequality reduces levels of well-being among the vast majority of the population.
Venue: Friends Meeting House main hall. Doors open 6pm for 6.30-8.30pm.
Tickets: £5 for GMH and BHA members, and students; £7 for others.

Thurs 18 12 to late-ish, Keep Calm Prepare for Change. RSA event at MMU

Thurs 18, 6.30pm – 9.00pm Action for Sustainable Living Social, Font Bar, 236-238 Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M14 6LE “All past and present volunteers and friends are very welcome to attend. If you’ve never been involved with AfSL or environmental volunteering, come along – its a great way to meet like minds and find out more over a quiet drink! No need to book, just turn up!”

Friday 19, 6pm to 9pm Climate Survivors monthly meeting (film night) at Jacquie’s home, Chorlton “Our regular meeting, but including a film viewing and discussion afterwards – film to be confirmed.” For details, contact http://climatesurvivors.ning.com/

Stories you may have missed on the MCFly website

• “Crowdfunding” bid for Solar Panels on South #Manchester school
• New funding opportunity for communities, campaigners and activists…
• Book Review: “The Cooperative Revolution”, (from #Manchester Climate Monthly issue 10)
• The Energy Academy – what is it, how to get involved…
• Steady State #Manchester report to be launched Tuesday 20th November @ the Mechanics Institute
• Youtube: #Manchester Friends of the Earth meeting October 2012
• Event Report: “Good for Nothing”
• Upcoming Event: Breakfast at Rylands – Planes Trains and Bicycles. Tues 23rd October
• Youtube: Dr Alice Bows talks about the ‘What’s Cooking’ report
• Platt-itudes from #Manchester City Council?
• Re-imagining Activism: An Open Discussion About Class and Climate Change

Upcoming Event: South #Manchester Environment Forum: Thursday 18th Oct, 6.30-8.30pm

• GM Climate Change Implementation Plan Delay is ‘Strategic’
• The October MCMonthly Interview – Jacqui Carroll of REELmcr