Upcoming Seminar – “The science and art of scientific advice” Thurs 21 May

Posted on May 7, 2015 by manchesterclimatemonthly

Tyndall Manchester and the Manchester Institute of Innovation Research (MIoIR) would like to invite you to attend a seminar by Professor James Wilsdon entitled ‘The science and art of scientific advice’ on Thursday 21st May (room C1, George Begg Building, Sackville Street) at 4.00pm.

Professor James Wilsdon, Professor of Science and Democracy in SPRU (Science Policy Research Unit) at the University of Sussex, and Director of The Nexus Network (biography attached)

In October 1964, Sir Solly Zuckerman was appointed as the first UK Government Chief Scientific Adviser (GCSA). Fifty years on, scientific advice has never been in greater demand; nor has it been more contested. From climate change to cyber-security, poverty to pandemics, food technologies to fracking, the questions being asked of scientists, social scientists and other experts continue to multiply. At the same time, the authority and legitimacy of these experts is increasingly scrutinized.

Taking the institution of the GCSA as his starting point, James Wilsdon will describe how cultures of scientific advice in the UK have changed, to become more open, accountable and multidisciplinary. He will then survey the international landscape, looking in particular at recent controversies over EU scientific advice, and the outcomes of an inaugural global summit of scientific advisers in August 2014. He will ask whether the current enthusiasm for scientific advice and evidence-based policy is part of a broader shift towards more ‘experimental’ forms of government, and consider what this means for the relationship between experts, publics and democracy.

The seminar will take place in room C1, in the George Begg Building on Sackville Street– number 17 on the campus map-http://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/maps/interactive-map/?id=14

 

Please RSVP, or contact Amrita with any queries- tyndall@manchester.ac.uk

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Sustainable Activism Weekend Workshop, Nr Bristol, 19 – 21 June not #Manchester

Posted on May 5, 2015 by manchesterclimatemonthly
Where? Claverham, near Bristol

Cost? Sliding scale of £15 – £100
When? Fri 19 (pm) – Sunday 21 June 2015

Why?
When we think of mounting inequalities, eco-systemic collapse, runaway climate change, and the rise of the Right – the problems we face can seem insurmountable. No matter what we do, it never seems to be enough. Change seems to require such immense effort that no rest is permitted. The result is paradoxical: an activist culture of burn out, disillusionment and high drop out rates.

If this resonates with you, if you have felt or feel on the edge of burn-out and want to develop skills to avoid it, join us for a nourishing weekend of personal and collective reflection on effective activism and personal sustainability.

What?
This two-day residential training was borne out of ‘Sustaining Resistance: Empowering Renewal’ a 10 day residential training developed and delivered at Ecodharma in the Catalunyan Pyrenees.

The introductory training applies ecological/systems thinking and holistic-participatory learning to the practice of activism and the building of social movements. It offers both a space of reflection and practical methods for engaging in the inner work that underpins effective activism for social and ecological justice.

Themes that will be explored include:
– Building group dynamics that support sustainable activism
– Avoiding disillusionment/staying inspired
– What is ‘enough’ and how to manage it
– Self care and how to integrate it into our daily lives

Facilitators?
Nate Eisenstadt and Claire Milne, both of whom are co-facilitators of Sustaining Resistance at Ecodharmahttp://www.ecodharma.com/courses-events/2015/06/13/sustaining-resistance-empowering-renewal

More info / apply?
Please email claire[at]ecodharma.com to request a (short) application form.

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Veg Box scheme at University of #Manchester

Posted on May 3, 2015 by manchesterclimatemonthly

“Introducing our Small Veg Box: the ideal amount for the individual or smaller household. Each box has approximately 6 types of local, organic vegetable each week for £8. Available from the 2nd June from the University of Manchester campus: www.vegboxpeople.org.uk”
vegbasket

NB MCFly receives no payment in cash or in kind for this advert.

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Upcoming Event: Carbon Coop AGM Thurs 21st May #Manchester #climate

Posted on May 2, 2015 by manchesterclimatemonthly

Event Details

Founders AGM

We’d like to invite you to the Carbon Co-op AGM on Thursday 21st May 2015. A chance to find out more about what we’ve achieved, have your say on the activities of your society and elect (or stand for) the Committee.

  • 6.00-8.30pm, Thursday 25th May 2015
  • at Mad Lab, 36-40 Edge Street, Manchester M4 1HN

The evening includes a chance to meet other members over refreshments then engage in small group discussions to explore different elements of Carbon Co-op’s work in more depth, with the formal AGM element of the evening running from 7.30pm-8.30pm.

RSVP HERE: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/carbon-co-op-agm-2015-tickets-16518672795

All are welcome, only members can vote. Scroll down for key information.

JOIN THE CARBON CO-OP COMMITTEE

Carbon Co-op is an exciting, innovative and ambitious organisation with a small staff team, but it relies on the time, enthusiasm and commitment of its volunteer committee members and we encourage members to consider standing for election at the AGM. We are especially looking for people with Human Resources or Health and Safety experience (formal training is available for both roles).

You can read more details and find a nomination form in our nomination pack:
download Carbon Co-op Committee Member Nomination Pack

AGENDA

6.00pm – registration, networking and complimentary light refreshments

6.30pm – small group discussions

  • My Home Energy Planner
    Progress on open source development of our whole house assessment assessment and decision making tool and how you can benefit
  • How can we help you? Advice, information and advocacy
    Open Green Homes weekends, bus tours, seminars, Carbon Co-op socials, training programmes – reflecting on Carbon Co-op’s outreach activities
  • Community Green Deal whole house retrofit project
    An update on the whole house retrofit programme including interim learning, householders’ reflections and an update on technical performance
  • Community Smart Grids
    Carbon Co-op’s latest project centres on how open source smart meters might be used by householders working together to reduce carbon emissions and make better use of energy.

7.30pm-8.30pm – AGM

  1. Members present and apologies
  2. Minutes of last meeting
  3. Report on the year & Future Plans
  4. Presentation of accounts 2014/2015
  5. Election of accountants
  6. Board Election

8.30pm onwards

  • Drinks and networking on Common Bar, 39-41 Edge Street, Manchester

Accompanying documents

The event is accessible for the mobility impaired and wheel chair users.

RSVP HERE: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/carbon-co-op-agm-2015-tickets-16518672795

Do you have questions about Carbon Co-op AGM – 2015? Contact Carbon Co-op
Posted in Energy, Upcoming Events | Tagged | 2 Comments

Upcoming Event: Greenpeace “Arctic 30” campaigner in Manchester on Fri 15th May.

Posted on April 25, 2015 by manchesterclimatemonthly

Phil Ball, who spent three months in a Russian prison when armed commandos stormed the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise in 2013, will be speaking in Manchester after the showing of the documentary Black Ice, which tells the story of the group that became known as the Arctic 30.

Manchester Greenpeace and the Manchester Film cooperative will be showing the film at 7:00PM on Friday 15th May 2015 at the Eight Day Café, 111 Oxford Road, Manchester. Cost £5 waged/£3 unwaged.

When the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise set sail to protest the first ever oil drilling in the Arctic Ocean, none of the people on board could have known what was coming. The ‘Arctic 30’ were thrust into headlines all over the world, facing up to 15 years in prison and finding themselves at the centre of a bitter international dispute. Their imprisonment, which saw worldwide media cast the Arctic 30 in the same mould as political prisoners like Pussy Riot, lasted three months. However, their resolve to try and stop oil drilling in the Arctic was never broken.

Phil Ball filmed the Russian FSB team seizing the Arctic Sunrise and managed to hide the camera’s SD card in his shoe when he was arrested and taken to prison. When he appeared in court to be charged with hooliganism he managed to smuggle the pictures out using a matchbox with a false bottom. Phil will describe this piece of trickery, his arrest at gunpoint and his time in one of the toughest prison regimes in the world, when he tells his personal story after the film.

Local campaigner Martin Porter said “When the Arctic Sunrise set sail the campaign was about saving the Arctic, but very quickly it became about freeing our friends. It’s wonderful to have Phil free again and in Manchester, to tell us his story and explain why it is now more vital than ever to save the Arctic from oil exploration and the earth from Climate Change.”

http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/climate/arctic

https://www.savethearctic.org/

(From press release)

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Job Alert: Urban Orchard Project is hiring!

Posted on April 23, 2015 by manchesterclimatemonthly
TheUrbanOP_logos_longplain_13May2014

The Urban Orchard Project is a pioneering charity, dedicated to creating skilled communities that plant, care for and harvest fruit trees, whilst connecting urban communities and increasing access to fruit.
 
We are recruiting for a Greater Manchester Project Manager to support the charity in delivering a national community orchard programme called Helping Britain Blossom in partnership with HEINEKEN UK and the Bulmer Foundation We are working in partnership with Red Rose Forest to deliver activity in Greater Manchester.
 
Project Manager £24,000 pro rata plus 5% employer pension
Part time: 3 days/week
18 month contract subject to extension dependent on continued funding
 
The project manager will be responsible for the delivery of Helping Britain Blossom in Greater Manchester. They will coordinate the programme throughout the region and will ensure that local partners are fully engaged and supported and that the project is being delivered on time, to budget and is of a high quality.
 
We are looking for candidates who have experience and knowledge of; managing projects with minimal supervision, partnership working, micro and social enterprise, managing contracts with delivery agents, delivering orchard/ horticulture training, community development, monitoring and evaluation. The project manager will be expected to deliver the project activity model as well as finding new opportunities that will add extra value for the project, its partners and the region.
 
They will be passionate about making a positive difference to greenspaces and the communities that live and work in and around those spaces and be self-motivated and driven to achieve the highest standards.
 
 
Application Procedure
 
We are committed to creating an inclusive working environment, where diversity is valued and there is equality of opportunity. We therefore welcome applications from all sections of the community and we offer a range of benefits to encourage a work life balance.  
 
To apply: download the job description / person specification on the website www.theurbanorchardproject.org/recruitmentand follow the instructions on how to apply.
 
The closing date for applications is 18th May at 5pm Interviews will be held in Manchester on 28th May.
 
 
 
Claire Morris
Partnerships Director
The Urban Orchard Project
07921 862 392
 
Please note my working days are Monday–Thursday.
 
Developing resilient communities with the skills to plant, care for and harvest fruit trees; helping us all to rediscover the pleasure of eating home-grown fruit.
 
Visit our website
Read our blog
Follow us on Twitter
Like us on Facebook
Join our community on Project Dirt

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#Manchester Evening News publishes letter about “eco-neighbourhoods” debacle

Posted on April 16, 2015 by manchesterclimatemonthly

From 16th April 2015 MEN
thurs18aprilmenletter

Manchester City Council is very good at making promises.  18 months ago they promised a $14.5m “Clean City Fund” from an airport windfall.  There was lots of coverage about the scheme being set up. Not so much about precisely how all the money was being spent.
Thanks to a Freedom of Information Act request we now know that even when their own bureaucrats submitted a $500,000 bid for an “Eco-neighbourhoods” programme, the Council … declined to fund its own proposal.
Maybe they’d like to explain why they knocked that bid back, and what they’ve actually been doing with all that money.
I wouldn’t advise anyone to hold their breath while waiting for our oh-so-competent and oh-so-transparent Council to supply basic facts though.
From this blog post

Posted in Manchester City Council | Tagged | 3 Comments

Job Alert: Zero Waste Europe Associate Campaigner

Posted on April 15, 2015 by manchesterclimatemonthly

Positions in Manchester (or potentially remote within Europe) and Brussels:
Associate Campaigner Operations Manager, Development and Policy Coordinator.

http://www.zerowasteeurope.eu/job-vacancies/

ZWE’s Associate Campaigner will:

  • Assist and work alongside the Associate Director with daily work of the organization, including administrative, financial, logistics, and communication tasks.
  • Monitor EU policy developments relevant to waste management, circular economy and climate change topics and contribute to the strategic planning of ZWE.
  • Support and liaise with the membership of ZWE in the accomplishment of the strategic goals of the network.
  • Support the organization and potentially be the lead organizer for specific campaigning events & ZWE network activities, such as trainings or strategy meetings (online and in person).
  • Curate website, monthly newsletter, and social media platforms with appropriate content that moves issues forward and reaches target audiences.
  • Maintain ZWE’s blog at zerowasteeurope.eu, write original blog posts, and work with blog contributors to meet deadlines and ensure high-quality posts.
  • Actively participate in the discussions and implementation of the communication strategy of the organization.

The Associate Campaigner will also participate in ZWE’s and GAIA’s international list serves, campaigns, and strategy-setting conversations that support global alliance building.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Experience with local organizing, facilitation and campaigning – preferably international.
  • Strong research and information gathering skills with resourcefulness in strategic planning.
  • Familiarity with EU and national environmental policy.
  • Excellent written and verbal skills in -at least- English.
  • Experience with administrative processes.
  • Passion and commitment to ZWE’s mission and core values.
  • Demonstrated experience in working with people from different cultures and nationalities in a way that facilitates conflict resolution and values community wisdom.
  • Highly computer literate, and comfortable with new media technologies.
  • Strong inter-personal communication skills. Good listener.
  • Self motivated, focused, and organized.

PREFERRED SKILLS:

  • Knowledgeable in the field of resource & waste management, climate or environmental justice;
  • Good communication skills in one or more regional languages other than English. Particularly French, Spanish or Asian languages will be a plus;
  • Able to successfully run a project from conception to completion;
  • Curious and willing to learn and get inspired by other fields of work and grow in the organisation.

LOCATION, COMPENSATION AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This position will be preferably based in Manchester (UK) but it could also be based remotely in Europe under special circumstances.

We offer a competitive salary plus benefits, including health insurance, vacation, maternity/paternity leave, and other similar employment protections. Salary will be negotiated according to local standards and experience.

We take pride in our ability to support one another’s work in an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect, and look forward to introducing the successful candidate to our welcoming and highly motivated team and members.

We are seeking candidates who are excited to make an initial commitment of at least one year to this work. Willingness to travel internationally with frequency is required.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:

ZWE is committed to the principle of Equal Employment Opportunity for all employees, regardless of sex, marital status, nationality, religion, age, sexual orientation and any other characteristics unrelated to the performance of the job.

TO APPLY:

Please send your CV, motivation letter, two writing samples and two reference contacts to jobs@zerowasteeurope.eu. No calls, please.

This position will be open until filled. Screening and interviews will begin as soon as received.

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#Manchester City Council refuses to fund its own “Eco-Neighbourhoods” programme.

Posted on April 14, 2015 by manchesterclimatemonthly

Manchester City Council has refused to spend £500,000 of its £14.5 million “Clean City Fund” on an “eco-neighbourhoods” proposal put forward by its OWN bureaucrats. This extraordinary state of affairs has only come to light because of a Freedom of Information Act request, rather than council bureaucrats being open and forthright with elected representatives of the Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Committee, who received a report on Climate Change in March 2015 which was silent on the failure to fund its own programme.

The Council’s own application  was made by council officers in September 2014, and rejected (the reason is not clear).  This was not the first time the Council had failed to get money – another bid, for £100,000 to Joseph Rowntree, had also been unsuccessful.

Joseph Clough, a member of the Green Party, who submitted the request, told MCFly

 It is disheartening that the city council doesn’t appear to be approaching the task of acquiring funding for the Eco Neighbourhoods programme with much enthusiasm. It perhaps does not come as a pressing need to build on Councillors’ carbon literacy training in this manner due to only around a quarter of councillors having found the time to undertake this training, so this news does not come as a surprise.

Although a “milestone” mentioned in latest Council Climate “Action” Plan gave December 2014  as “the date for funding applications submitted for first phase of delivery” only these two bids have been submitted.  The first one wasn’t even submitted by the council, but by “Groundwork”  (don’t ask).  So, in the last year, the Council has managed to submit only one bid for the work. To itself. Which failed.  What hope then, for “Eco-neighbourhoods”?

The following Freedom of Information Act request has been submitted

Dear Sir/Madam

I am writing to request the following information

  1. A copy of the funding bid made to Joseph Rowntree for “Eco-neighbourhoods”
  2. Any feedback received from Joseph Rowntree on this bid.
  3. A copy of the funding bid made to the Clean and Green Fund for “Econeighbourhoods”, including the names of the authors
  4. The minutes of the meeting at which the bid was considered, including the date, the names of the people who made the decision and the reasons they gave for declining the bid.
  5. A list of other funding bids for Econeighbourhoods” funding made by the Council to external bodies – how much money has been bid for

Please consider this a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000
Marc Hudson

[address]

MCFly says

Just when you think Manchester City Council can’t surprise you any more, they go and do it again.  It shows talent and determination, doesn’t it?

There seem to be three possibilities;
a) the bureaucrats are so completely useless at  writing funding bids that they can’t even get their own bosses to say yes.

b) the people making the decisions don’t actually care about “eco-neighbourhoods”

c) both a) and b)

Posted in Manchester City Council | 4 Comments

Help grow organic food – April 16th, 18th and 30th #Manchester

Posted on April 10, 2015 by manchesterclimatemonthly

“Help out on Greater Manchester’s organic farms with the Land Army this April. We have the following dates planned:_MG_1763

On Thursday 16th April we’ll be heading to an exciting new growing site in Stockport.

On Saturday 18th April and Thursday 30th April we’ll be heading to FarmStart to lend a hand to some of Manchester’s newest organic growers.

Lunch, transport, tools and gloves will be provided. Please email corrina@kindling.org.uk to book your place

Posted in Food, Upcoming Events, volunteer opportunity | Leave a comment