Job Alert: FeedingManchester Co-ordinator, closes Jan 9

Posted on December 29, 2011 by manchesterclimatemonthly

From the Kindling Trust’s website

“Foodlink NW were so impressed with what we had been able to do in Manchester with very little money that they are funding two part-time FeedingManchester co-ordinators for the next two years…. The funding will allow us to find even more groups to populate the website’s extensive database of over three hundred entries, encourage more people to attend our FeedingManchester gatherings but crucially promote local and sustainable food to a wider audience.

“One of the workers first tasks will be to re-map the sector and create a sustainable food charter for the City based on our adopted definition of sustainable food. Not only will this allow FeedingManchester to go from strength to strength, but also it puts us at the heart of a regional partnership, enabling local and sustainable food enterprises from across the Northwest to connect to local people.

“If you are interested in working for FeedingManchester, please send your CV and a covering letter explaining why you would like to work with us, to The Kindling Trust by 12 noon on Monday 9th January.“

You can download the job application form and information packs from here
Project:Foodlink Northwest Local Food Project
Job Title: Foodlink/FeedingManchester Co-ordinator
Job Type: Part Time working on average 19 Hours per week, with some seasonal variation. (0.5 FTE)
Location: Working from The Kindling Trust Office in Hulme
Salary: £7,900 per annum (£15,800 pro rata)
Reporting To: The Kindling Trust & Foodlink NW’s Project Director
Responsible For: The delivery of the Foodlink project in Greater Manchester
No of staff managed: No staff, but a number of volunteers supported
Terms and Conditions:Northwest Chefs Association standard terms & conditions apply to this post.

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Event Report: Citycamp Manchester

Posted on December 28, 2011 by manchesterclimatemonthly

MCFly asked Ruth Rosselson to explain a recent event called “Citycamp Manchester.”

Citycamp Manchester took place on 14th and 15th October at the Friends Meeting House. With the very broad theme of “making Manchester a more sustainable and resilient city”, we hoped that the series of talks, workshops and openspace sessions would encourage collaboration and inspire some new initiatives.

In the plenary sessions, Neil McInroy from the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES) and Paul Clarke from Incredible Edible Todmorden talked about the challenges that cities such as Manchester face with both economic and environmental challenges ahead. Both speakers entertained us with some possible solutions, and both emphasised the importance of linking our cities to nature through city farms and growing initiatives. Our programme of workshops highlighted some of Manchester’s existing initiatives – such as Moss Cider, FC United, Carbon Co-op and a project looking at allotments and opendata.

However, Citycamp was never about just listening – it was always about action, and creating something new. The openspace sessions, or focussed discussions, were all about helping people problem-solve issues and develop their ideas. They covered a range of topics including: Developing a Geek Youth Club, Bringing rickshaws to Manchester as a self-sustaining enterprise, finding every apple, mapping Manchester, and exploring how communities could be persuaded to engage more with local democracy. A Chorlton ‘pop-up farm’ growing project, inspired by Incredible Edible, and initiated at Citycamp has already received £750 funding and will start with a simple food-growing project within one of Manchester’s schools.

Although we’re not sure whether there will be a second Citycamp Manchester, there are plans afoot for some of the team to facilitate one-off focussed discussions to assist people with idea development and problem-solving particular issues. Watch this space.

http://citycampmcr.org

 

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Competition: £150 and warm innner glow to be won…

Posted on December 27, 2011 by manchesterclimatemonthly

MCFly got this in our email inbox, and is passing it on…

EMERGE‘s Zero Waste Champions Competition

Reduce your waste by taking Emerge’s Zero Waste Challenge, encourage other people in your community to do the same, and you could win up to £150 worth of prizes!

EMERGE guarantees:

–    Comprehensive training so you will know how to reduce your waste and have the confidence to pass on your experience to others
–    Support as you plan events and gain pledges.

Not only will you receive a certificate for volunteering with EMERGE but you will also:

–    Gain new knowledge and skills
–    Have valuable experience to enhance your CV
–    Meet new people and have fun – all whilst doing your bit to save the environment!

Interested? Then book one of the  Waste Induction Sessions on your premises at a time convenient for you. These sessions are FREE for community groups and businesses until March 2012. You will find out:

–    Why it is important to reduce waste sent to landfill/incineration
–    How to complete the Zero Waste Challenge and Slim your Bin
–    How you can volunteer to encourage people in your community to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
–    How you can win up to £150 in prizes!

For more information, or to book your place, call 0161 223 8200, or email volunteering@emergemanchester.co.uk

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Book Review: “Earth Grab!”

Posted on December 26, 2011 by manchesterclimatemonthly
Publisher: Pambazuka Press
ISBN: 978-0-85749-044-5
Pages: 170 plus index
Price: £14.95

Earth Grab is a straight-forward look at how the ecological crisis could get ugly(ier) if we end up relying on techno-fixes. It warns that if we are not careful, quick-fixes pedalled by powerful corporations could be the final nail in this planet’s coffin. The book is divided into three sections/reports, looking at geo-engineering, the biomass economy (that’s not a typo in the book’s title, in case you were wondering) and genetically engineered ‘climate-ready’ crops.

It reads a lot like a textbook and each chapter is filled with definitions, case studies, quotes, pictures and headings which break the topics down into very small manageable chunks. Although the text flows fairly well, the book doesn’t have a clear ‘voice’ (as i’ts actually written by a group of researchers). This makes it hard to keeping reading at times, but even so, it tells you everything you need to know about issues such as geo-engineering; why and when they emerged, who the major players are, as well as why its hugely problematic.

As it’s broken down so well, it’s easy to dip in and out and is useful as a reference guide. It is completely jargon-free and every single word is defined and explained- I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to a complete climate change newbie

The only down-side I can think of is that it can be a little apocalyptic. I mean, do people really believe that reflecting sunlight to cool the planet is a good idea? Or that we could realistically get everyone to agree to it? Personally, I’d like to have a little faith in common sense. Although, after reading about the shady going-ons of various corporations and supporters, that faith was tested! However, I stick with my point that the image of gangster-style capitalists after a chunk of the planet versus the Pocahontas-like farmers was a bit grating after a while.

Overall, a well researched and clearly written book which looks at some important issues which will undoubtably become more important as the climate situation gets more desperate.

::Earth Grab is available at www.pambazukapress.org.

Arwa Aburawa

mcmonthly@gmail.com

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MCFly climate bulletin #8, Dec 26 2011

Posted on December 26, 2011 by manchesterclimatemonthly

Hi all,

Hope Santa brought you what you wanted, in his low carbon way.  Here’s an email bulletin to distract you from those repeating-on-you brussel sprouts and the Bond movie….

The first Manchester Climate Monthly (dead tree format) hits the streets … next Monday!! Please encourage your climate-concerned friends to take out a (free!!) subscription – via our subscribe page.
Here’s a 40 second video explaining the top ten reasons folks should subscribe…
And follow us on twitter (@mcr_climate).

MCFly stories you may have missed

Lessons we like to believe we’ve learnt this week

The Planning Fallacy. Again.

Grab the money and run Continue reading →

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Competition: Climate Justice poster – 1000 euro first prize

Posted on December 21, 2011 by manchesterclimatemonthly

MCFly wonders if anyone will ever organise something like this in Manchester? In the meantime, you can enter this…

Germanwatch is running a contest with cash prizes for the most original, artistically high qualitative and meaningful poster on climate justice. The three winners will be awarded a total prize money of 1800 euros. Closing date is the 15 February 2012.

The poster contest shall call the attention of a wider public to the subject of climate justice in the context of international cooperation. A special emphasis will be put on opportunities of action.

Possible contents could be the following topics:
–    Adaptation to the impacts of climate change in developing countries;
–    Climate protection as a contribution to global justice;
–    People responsible and people affected by climate change;
–    Climate protection as a future opportunity for developing countries;
–    International climate financing;
–    International coalitions for an ambitious climate policy.
–    Three Pillars of Climate Justice (right to survival, effort/burden sharing, opportunity sharing)

Continue reading →

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Council Executive to make Wythenshawe Park a Local Nature Reserve

Posted on December 21, 2011 by manchesterclimatemonthly

Manchester City Council’s 9-member Executive (see our youtube video about ’em here) will today agree to turn Wythenshawe Park into a Local Nature Reserve.

Local Nature Reserves “are sites that contain wildlife and/or geological features that are of special interest locally. Their function is to provide opportunities for people to become involved in the management of their local environment as well as giving people special opportunities to study, learn or simply enjoy nature.”

There are currently seven in Manchester – Chorlton Water Park, Blackley Forest, Clayton Vale, Chorlton Ees & Ivy Green, Boggart Hole Clough, Highfield Country Park and Stenner Woods & Millgate Fields; covering a total area of 307 hectares (ha), relative to the 2005 baseline of 19 ha. Continue reading →

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Volunteer opportunity: Fareshare…

Posted on December 20, 2011 by manchesterclimatemonthly

MCFly reckons this volunteer opportunity that landed in our in-box sounds really good. If you’re not interested/eligible, please forward it to some people you think might be!

Do you want to be active and gain skills while helping to fight hunger and tackle food waste?

FareShare minimises food waste by redistributing quality food to organisations working with homeless and disadvantaged people.

FareShare is offering a 10-week volunteering placement for people who want to gain valuable experience as warehouse and delivery assistants based at our depot on New Smithfield Market, Openshaw.

What could FareShare offer you as a volunteer?

New skills, experience and full training in the role
Accredited Food Safety qualification
Career, CV advice and support
A reference for future employers
Travel and lunch expenses
The opportunity to help to fight food poverty and reduce food waste
Meeting like-minded people and making new friends. Continue reading →

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White Christmas or Green Christmas – or both?

Posted on December 20, 2011 by manchesterclimatemonthly

MCFly reporter Laurence Menhinick looks into ways you can lighten your carbon footprint while still enjoying a stylish Christmas…

Paper, card, glass; cartons, bottles, plastic and the compostables too- each to its own bin. Recycling is now anchored in our every day routine. But let’s face it, the novelty has worn off and we shouldn’t feel smug because we recycle some of our stuff- there’s always more we could do, and it doesn’t mean extra hassle…

This was exactly the idea behind the Watch your Waste Week organised by Recycle for Greater Manchester (1) from the 14th to 26th of November. Coinciding with the European Week for Waste Reduction, its main focus was to encourage reducing and re-using and give new ideas to the public on how to broaden their environmental efforts. A range of workshops throughout Greater Manchester promoted clothes refashioning, furniture re-using and savvy cooking. The week was a great success, ending with a fashion show in Salford in partnership with TRAID (Textile Recycling for Aid and International Development). TRAID have recently opened a base in the North West. Continue reading →

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MCFly Climate Bulletin #7, Dec 19 2011

Posted on December 19, 2011 by manchesterclimatemonthly

Hi all,

Please encourage your climate-concerned friends to take out a (free!!) subscription – via our subscribe page. The first Manchester Climate Monthly (dead tree format) hits the streets on January 2nd, 2012, and they definitely will thank you for the tip.

And follow us on twitter (@mcr_climate).

thanks!

Marc Hudson and Arwa Aburawa

MCFly stories you may have missed
Council carbon reduction progress scrutinised.
Steering Group v2.0 membership
Solar Salsa!

Grab the money and run
Film competition – make a film about the upsides of low carbon living, between 30 seconds and 5 minutes and you might win five grand (Aussie).

Peoplefund.it

Training Opportunities
Community Renewables Training Continue reading →

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