Transport
Local Rail – A gargantuan effort by the transport group resulted in a very detailed response to the West Midlands Rail Development Plan, calling for passenger stations to be opened on a number of lines throughout the city. Also, in a coalition with Moseley Forum and Kings Heath Business leaders we got over a thousand letters signed, which have added to the pressure being applied for the re-opening of our local stations.
In Town Without My Car Day – an inspired campaign was run targeting the Birmingham Post's Power 50 – people with the most power and influence in the region according to the paper. Letters were sent to all these people challenging them not to use their cars on this day. The response was very positive and, after the media coverage, the council will hopefully organise an event on this day themselves next year.
20’s Plenty for Birmingham – We have around 600 letters calling for default 20mph speed limits to be introduced on all residential roads in Birmingham so far and are getting assistance from local residents groups to acquire more from target areas. There are plans for public events with prominent speakers on the subject and the building of a coalition with other charities and organisations joining our local campaign.
Better Buses for Birmingham – We are still working hard on this campaign too, talking to people about the quality of bus services, then getting them to sign letters calling for a Statutory Bus Partnership to drive improvements on all services. You can also sign an e-petition and join a Facebook group for this campaign.
Local Shops & Food
All over the summer we have been out dressed as cows and chickens getting people to sign postcards to fix the food chain. There is now also the Meat-Free Mondays event in the Warehouse Café and we are hoping to invite MPs along to speak to them there. The campaign is now moving on to the lobbying stage where we are asking MPs to commit to taking the private members bill through the House of Commons next year. Longer term plans are also being made for local food schemes.
Get Serious about CO2
The group have now developed a green manifesto for Birmingham to propose measures for hitting the 60% target for reductions in CO2 emissions by 2026. After speaking to other FoE groups, we are looking to compare ideas and ensure that what we propose is both realistic and ambitious enough to be a good campaign tool. We hope to take it out to the general public and councillors over the autumn.
Stop Climate Chaos – Copenhagen
The Wave in London on 5th December is going to be the biggest ever Climate Change demonstration before the crucial talks in Copenhagen. This group will be looking at the best way of selling tickets to go on coaches and ensure our voice is heard – see the article on this for details.
Faith and Climate Change
This award-winning project is now approaching the crucial time when it will find out whether it has won the Big Green Challenge. The judges will be here early in October, so keep your fingers crossed that all the amazing work to raise awareness of the action needed on Climate Change amongst faith communities is recognised.
