Big Lunch. Big Community. Big Ambition.

According to the creators of the Big Lunch, rebuilding our sense of community could be the antidote to global warming and global isolation.

What is that?!?! How?

Well, if you don't already know, the big lunch is a concept that as a community, or a whole we are stronger- so, get to know the people around you and BUILD a community together. By getting rid of the isolation, individually we morph into a whole, and of course we feel warmth, responsibility, and pride in the new "whole" we become. So, by reforming a sense of community, we are more likely to be more environmentally and socially concerned with those around us- and dare I say it, they for us. By getting to KNOW the people who surround you- you begin to care about them and their future- your collective futures. Things such as community watch, recycling programmes, composite and growing schemes are just a few of the ways caring about the people and place you live in can fight climate change. Not a bad concept if I do say so myself!!

The Big Lunch is "your party" as they say. They suggest the most popular socially conducive event....a meal...a BIG LUNCH if you will. However, they arent trying to control or monopolise what you want your community to be, so they say to "Do whatever you would feel comfortable with." The site is clever in their acknowledgement that it is hard to not be a stranger, but the benefits massively outweigh the initial awkwardness.

The Big Lunch is scheduled for communities all over the UK this Sunday July 19th. To find your Big Lunch, simply visit the site http://www.thebiglunch.com/find-big-lunch, and plug in your post code.

Let us know what you find, we would love for you to post your Big Lunch stories!!

Food for thought

Hello Everyone,

We hope you're enjoying the beautiful weather, fickle as it may be! But fret not, the weekend promises a few hours of sunshine mostly on Sunday.

However, for rainy Saturday, here's some interesting ways to pass time:

1. People and Planet conducted an evaluation of the University's 'green-ness'. Results can be found on:
http://peopleandplanet.org/green-league-2009?ggl09profile=2104&test=91cf39#grades
These are some good ways to reflect upon how we can make the University a greener, more sustainable environment. All your thoughts, comments, ideas, suggestions and questions are always welcome, so don't hesitate to drop us a line

2. Some interesting links which include easy to do, quick fix ways of being more sustainable in our everyday lives:

http://www.green.tv/energy_savings_trust_ecopads

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuX9O_MWWOY

http://www.supportmfm.org/

http://adoptanegotiator.org/

3. Lastly, a fun idea for the weekend, which could win you a fantastic prize: the third annual westPHOTO photography competition. The theme is sustainability, so click away people!
For more info, check out: http://www.wmin.ac.uk/mad/page-1596

Have a great weekend, and be green!

Its the Little Things...

There are lots of little things we could all do to help in the fight against climate change. Check out the links below.

Meat Free Mondays!!
A fun way to help reduce climate change by not eating meat one day a week. Finding alternatives can be fun and adventurous. Check out the Meat Free Monday site and if you don't want to take our word for it, check out what Sir Paul McCartney has to say about it...
http://www.supportmfm.org/
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20090615/ten-green-mccartneys-meat-free-monday-pl-8a3eada.html

Train vs Planes
We all know that trains are a much more environmentally responsible form of transportation than a plane, but are we fighting an uphill battle with it in the UK? The Government is giving tax breaks every year to planes, and wants to increase what is already the highest rail fares in Europe! Find out more in the link below...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuX9O_MWWOY

Adopt a Climate Negotiator
This link is a blog you can follow- just set up an RSS feed :). It is the journey and stories of a Climate Negotiator building up to the UN Climate Conference in December 2009. The blog entries are interesting, and you can check the archives to start from the beginning if you would like. WELL worth a look.
http://adoptanegotiator.org/

HOME: a film by Yann Arthus Berthrand

The link below is to a full-length film. We suggest taking a minute to have a look at it. The person behind it is a famous photographer : Yann Arthus-Bertrand, his photos are simply breathtaking.

http://www.youtube.com/homeproject

Enjoy!

Comments, suggestions, opinions are welcome as always!

westPHOTO photography prize

Great News!

westPHOTO is organizing their third annual photopraphy competition. For those who don't already know this, westPHOTO is an agency set up at the University of Westminster that helps photography students sell their pictures. Every year they hold a comptetion, with a different theme that is open to ALL students.

This year, the theme chosen is sustainability... so start clicking folks for a chance to win a great prize!

World Environmental Day!

For some interesting thoughts on Climate change and our role in helping slow it down, if not reverse it:

http://www.sustainabilityforum.com/blog/climate-change-does-every-little-help-0

Please feel free to contribute!

Age of Stupid...Dawn of Awareness

We would like to thank everyone that turned out to view the film and speak with the panel last Thursday at the Old Cinema for the Age of Stupid screening. There was great discussion by the audience and the panelists, and again we would like to thank you all for that!!

For instance, some of the best ways for us to individually make an impact is to support and campaign for more wind farms here in the UK- This country has the greatest wind resource in all of Europe!! Also, don't take flights on Holiday (visiting family is an exception)- but don't fly anywhere you don't HAVE to! Generally, just do everything you can to reduce your carbon footprint!!

Please visit the University's sustainability website to watch the video of the event and visit our Facebook to view some pictures from the event, http://www.wmin.ac.uk/page-16980 and facebook Tomorrow's Leaders Westminster.



AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
Thank you for all of you who have been taking the ribbons in support of the awareness campaign! We appreciate your support and it helps us know that the bigger and better campaign we will launch in the autumn will be supported!!


Friday is...WORLD ENVIRONMENTAL DAY 2009
Mexico City is to Host World Environment Day, commemorated each year on 5th June. It is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action.

To find out more on how to get involved and everyday pointers on how to do your part please visit the website http://www.unep.org/wed/2009/english/


IBE Student Essay Competition 2009
CSR is not just about the environment, it is also about caring about the community surrounding you and making your institution a better place. This is why we wanted to let you know about the IBE Student Essay Competition 2009. You also have a chance to win £500!!

The IBE Student Essay Competition 2009, is proud to launch the 2009 Student Essay Competition in Business Ethics.

Business ethics is an increasingly important issue for all organisations. Scandals continue in the business world and society has higher and higher expectations of the role of business.

To find out more, go to http://www.ibe.org.uk/education/studentawards.html, where you will find the essay requirements.

We wish you the best of luck, as Business Ethics is important- now more then ever!!