Photo: zappers

Plastic’s been getting a pretty bad press for quite a while now. Bloggers like my erstwhile colleague Matt over at The Coffee House (‘The Dead Zone – plastic fcuktastic‘) have been covering the problem comprehensively, and quite right too. There can’t be too many people left who aren’t at least aware that plastic bags are a Very Bad Thing. How many of them take the issue seriously enough to actually do something about it is another matter.

Claire Morsman felt strongly enough about the media coverage of the thousands of marine creatures killed by ingested plastic each year, to make her own reusable cloth shopping bag, the Morsbag. This single individual act inspired a worldwide movement of over 200 ‘pods’ (groups of Morsbags creators), in the UK, America, New Zealand, Spain, Japan, Morocco, France. Since the ‘sociable guerilla bagging’ campaign began, the tally of Morsbags has reached 17,869, potentially saving 8,934,500 plastic bags. Says Claire Morsman:

“I’ve learned there are a lot of people out there who want to do something about environmental issues but don’t necessarily know how to start. There’s so much energy and emotion and intelligence ready to be unleashed. I’ve always thought there are many more good people than bad in the world, but now I’ve learned how brilliant people are! They’re joining in and not giving in to desperation.

“Everyone inspires each other. It’s a win-win situation. Anyone can do it, it’s completely universal, and you’re making a bag. How fabulous is that?”

For more information about Morsbags and instructions on how to make your own, go to www.morsbags.com

Today, Tuesday April 22nd, is Earth Day, an annual event that was founded in 1970 and has grown into an international celebration of our collective commitment to building a safer, healthier and prosperous world for all of us, starting in the communities where we live. There are many ways to get involved and no action is too small. On April 22nd, go out and celebrate the earth, volunteer, let your elected officials know your priorities, organize an event – most of all have fun, meet new people, and make a difference where you live.

Download the Relocalization Network’s Action Handbook, outlining examples of relocalization projects, or the Earth Day Network’s Earth Day in a Box toolkit to get started and organize an event! Learn the basics on running a successful event from contacting the media to potential sources of funding. Make use of fliers with tips to reduce energy consumption at home, at school, at work and with your kids, courtesy of the Earth Day Network.

Get a move on. You haven’t got long.

The residents of the village of Martin, Hampshire, have formed a co-operative to grow their own food and wean themselves off supermarkets. 101 of Martin’s 164 households have signed up as members of Future Farms for an annual £2 fee. The “community allotment” raises 45 types of vegetable, as well as pigs and chickens, on 8 acres of rented land. The enterprise has an annual turnover of £27,000, with all profits being ploughed back into the business. Produce is priced on a ‘production cost plus 20%’ basis, and is sold to all villagers, not just members, at a weekly market at the village hall. Future Farms is careful to avoid the use of the word ‘organic’, but says they “work the enterprise on an extensive system using the minimum of chemical inputs”.

I remember reading a colour supplement article about Future Farms a couple of years ago. To my shame, I thought it was a great idea that wouldn’t last. I’m delighted to admit I was wrong. The enterprise has not just survived but expanded to incorporate locally-produced lamb and honey, with plans for soft fruit and dairy products. This is how villages used to be, a real community, and I wish I lived there.

‘The real Good Life’

Future Farms

If you’re one of those people who’s prone to lightbulb moments, when a bright idea pops into your head when you least expect it, your time has come. NESTA, the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts, has launched the Big Green Challenge, a nationwide competition to come up with innovative ways of reducing CO₂ emissions in the community by 60%.

The £1 million prize fund is designed to encourage and reward people working together to develop new approaches to saving energy. So, the competition is only open to organisations or groups of people. These will need to be formally constituted as ‘not-for-profit‘, although newly formed groups can apply for this status later.

Ten finalists will have a year to turn their ideas into action. The winner will be announced in late 2009. The first stage of applications closes at the end of February, so get together and get those thinking caps on.

Individuals can’t enter, so if anyone wants a partner for this challenge please let me know. I give great brainstorm, and I’m so easy to work with