Joe Peacock interviews Gergana Manassieva
How long have you been involved with BFoE?
I came to BFoE in June, but I joined FOE as a member in 2004.
How did you first find out about BFoE and what made you decide to get involved?
I searched for the local group on the national FOE website, I also went to the voluntary services centre in Digbeth, but nothing on their system appealed to me as much as BFoE did. FOE I feel is the only environmental organisation with enough clout and experience to influence government and actually change things.
What do you do at BFoE?
Anything from picking up porridge to writing letters to MPs! In the short amount of time I’ve worked here I’ve been able to get involved in many different ways. One was the Bike Trains event to promote cycling in Birmingham, another has been a stall in Kings Heath and I hope to get involved in the Close the Door campaign.
What do you think is the most important environmental issue and why?
Consumption. It’s the single most important factor that drives the destructive practices in the world today. Forests being chopped down for furniture, paper, to grow palm oil or produce beef for our burgers, seas being overfished – I am really happy FOE will have a campaign on this soon.
What’s your best green tip/ advice?
It’s a bit of a cliché but it’s true; “put your money where your mouth is”.
We’re all consumers and that is our “power”. How we spend our money is like voting, and it’s worth spending the extra 10p on organic milk because you know it’s going towards making the world more natural and healthy.
