Project EARTH is a new initiative that has grown out of conversations between faith communities across the West Midlands, about how to enable individuals and groups to respond positively to the challenges of climate change and sustainability.
EARTH – Environment and Religions Transformation Hub – builds on the work of the Faith and Climate Change project [www.faithandclimatechange.org]. The key idea is the setting up of an interactive website and ‘Human Library’ that would enable faith communities to connect with each other to provide advice, support and training on practical issues related to sustainability and climate change, as well as the theological context.
A steering group composed of representatives from different faith communities has been set up and they have appointed two consultants, Jackie Zammit and Andrew Simons, to carry out a feasibility study across the region.
Between April and September 2011, Jackie and Andrew will be visiting individuals and groups across the West Midlands region to gather responses to the various aspects of the proposal. This includes the idea of setting up a database of volunteer advisers – individuals willing to offer their skills in support of other places of worship in addressing environmental challenges – assessing training needs and opportunities and exploring the idea of an interfaith award scheme for ‘greening your place of worship’.
In addition to the structured interviews there are other ways to participate in the feasibility study:
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By completing the online survey. This will help inform the final proposals for Project EARTH. The survey can be found at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ProjectEARTH.
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By attending one of the four Focus Group Workshops at venues across the West Midlands. These workshops will provide an opportunity for people to meet up with others in the region and contribute views and ideas in response to the project proposals. Refreshments will be provided. The workshops are to be held at:
Coventry – Thursday 21st July – Garden Organic, Ryton on Dunsmore – 2-4pm
Worcestershire – Friday 16th September – Bishops Wood Centre, Stourport on Severn – 2-4pm
Contact Jackie Zammit [see below] to book for one of these workshops
Birmingham – Thursday 28th July – Nishkam Centre, Handsworth – 6-8pm
Wolverhampton – Saturday 10th September – Wildside Centre, Whitmore Reans – 10am-12pm
Contact Andrew Simons [see below] to book for one of these workshops
Please contact us if you would like further information about Project EARTH and the feasibility study.
Andrew Simons – andrew.simons@blueyonder.co.uk (Tel: 0121 515 1995 or 07906 556094)
Jackie Zammit – jackiezammit2@yahoo.co.uk (Tel: 07557 358990)
