Encouraging Action for Peace
Let’s challenge Birmingham City Council to stop burning 75% of the waste that they collect from households and businesses. Tyseley Incinerator is where Birmingham’s general waste is currently burned – the plant is the biggest single source of carbon dioxide emissions in the city. The contract for this rubbish burning will soon be running out, […]
Our current theme Refuge & Freedom is all about combatting modern slavery. But what do we mean by ‘modern slavery?’ The Medaille Trust state that: Modern slavery is a crime that reaches into every community. It includes all forms of slavery, human trafficking and exploitation. At its core is deception. Victims are often vulnerable, coming […]
Image: Protest against tax cuts for the rich, in Columbus, OH in 2017. Becker1999 from Grove City, OH / CC BY Paying tax doesn’t sound very exciting. But taxes help maintain a functioning economy that pays for schools and hospitals and roads and lots of other things we all use and value. Taxes can also […]
Our theme A Burning Issue is coming to an end – but the issue of climate change isn’t going away, and there are many ways to keep taking action: Support Fridays for Future by joining the digital strike each week; Join the upcoming Earth, Climate & Birmingham online workshops organised by our friends at Footsteps; […]
Image: USDA CC BY 2.0 There are lots of small actions we can all take to eat more sustainably. But to make the big changes we need to feed everyone whilst also maintaining our environment, our food systems need to change. A sustainable approach to this called ‘Agroecology’. The Agriculture Bill will be debated in […]
During this time of lockdown, many people have been reflecting on what it all means for the environment, and for climate action. The public response to the Covid-19 crisis has shown that individuals, organisations and governments are willing to make significant and rapid changes when faced with a major threat. Can this translate into climate […]
In this article, we’re looking at how we could Tackle Problems like Climate Breakdown. Our most basic security need is to have a liveable planet. Yet climate change is often left down the list of security priorities. Climate breakdown could also make increase conflict, as resources become more scarce. Could tackling problems like climate breakdown […]
In this article, we’re thinking about how we could Promote Human Rights. Sometimes, we see security as holding onto the power we already have. We can be convinced to give up our basic rights in the name of protecting the status quo; and we can certainly become convinced that it’s necessary to take away other […]
In this article we’re thinking about how we could Meet People’s Basic Needs. Poverty and lack of access to resources are at the root of many conflicts around the world. Economic inequality is also linked to a whole range of social problems from poor public health to violent crime. Could ensuring that everyone has the […]
In this article, we’re exploring how we could Invest in Peacebuilding. If we see others as competitors or enemies, we naturally seek security in out-competing or defeating them. But this can lead to a cycle of destruction – even if we briefly ‘win’ we’re never secure. What if instead, we invested in peacebuilding, diplomacy and […]