ONLY
PLANET
Manchester
Selected Answers to Questionnaire
So far we've received some cracking replies! We've removed identifying features.
1. If I could wave a magic wand, the one main thing I'd change about Manchester's response to climate change would be...
The
renationalisation of all public transport, but the buses in particular.
Running local public transport with competition as a motivating factor
is clearly illogical. The profitable routes are overcrowded with unsafe
buses, the unprofitable routes are over-priced and badly served. Taking
the profit motive out of public transport would enable transport
planners to decide which routes were actually needed by the public
rather than ones that would make them money.
A popular grass roots movement to push for a change in which the
economy is structured. Including a recognition that ever greater
'economic' growth needs to be replaced with sustainable increases in
human well-being.
Everything
Get
it honestly committed to reducing aviation emissions, starting with not
supporting further expansion of Manchester Airport, and
developing a strategy to cut out domestic flights and promote
alternatives to short haul.
To separate it from economic growth, what use is a strong economy on a dead planet?
Will echo the nationisation comment and add water services and energy generation / supply (higher priority that PT)
encourage more open mindedness , show people a little now is alot over a life time.
to make people wake up to the urgency of the situation ahead and ask them to take their heads out of the sand
2. Good things groups in Manchester are doing...
Bothering
to talk about climate change in a concrete way, even though I disagree
with many of their ideas, when many politicans only give lip service.
Numerous groups doing good things, Climate Camp, Critical Mass etc.
Although I am not sufficiently well informed to know enough about all
the good things that are happening.
No idea.
Working
together on climate issues, and especially on transport issues;
cooperation, networking and mutual promotion of events around trade
justice and human rights is also evident. Many are linking social
justice with environmental needs, which is very important.
Challenging the powers that be and asking difficult questions. Not
taking the nonsense our political 'leaders' spout. Spreading the word
and providing an avenue to affect change.
networking, spreading the word, making effort to make change
Manchester has a huge amount of dedicated environmentalist from every
part of the political spectrum. This year there has been allot of
direct actions either in Manchester or by Manchester groups. From the
Ruth Kelly protest to the Mass Trespass in Derby shire at the site of
the new Opencast mine to the Fossil Fools Day Parade to vegan stalls in
Piccadilly....also gorilla gardening,info stalls,bike week etc etc
3. Things that aren't happening in Manchester that should be happening:
Improvements
to public transport, cycling and pedestrian routes. Building of new
council houses with better insulation to replace inefficient, leaky old
social housing.
See answer to Q1. Also grass roots groups need somewhere like the Basement Cafe to meet up in the city centre!
More
emphasis on reducing carbon emissions, whether due to consumption of
fossil fuels, or consumption of goods whose production has involved
carbon emissions, or food waste or whatever.
Well, it
would be ideal if the City council, Tyndall Centre, NW Dev Agency and
activist groups could lobby government on a common agenda, saying 'give
us the resources and we'll give you the example of how all conurbations
can hit the emissions reductions we need... wouldn't it?
Democracy
Re-opening of the basement! Come on people what are we playing at? We need to group together and pull our fingers out!
the groups are too fragmented and not networked enough
4. On Manchester and Climate Change, I wish I knew more about...
What
powers the council has to spend money on the problem. Could the council
fund mass insulation schemes for instance? Can they pass legislation to
give free bus travel? What can they actually go out on a limb for, even
if they do lack the political backbone.
What is happening on a regular basis. [Ed- see www.manchesterclimatefortnightly.info!]
Manchester's carbon footprint, not just directly but that caused by products imported into Manchester.
The
contribution of visitors (private/business/commuters) and of imported
goods and services ("exported emissions") to Manchester's carbon
footprint, relative to the impacts of residents, buildings and work
activities.
Turning gyms into powers stations, all that energy going to waste!
the solutions
5. The main problem I find in getting anything done on climate change is....
The
dominate idea is that we can solve climate change through individual
solutions, but major social and economic change is needed. The easy way
out is for people to think that recycling is enough, when actually we
need to involve people in political activity which forces action from
national and local government.
Not knowing enough people who are actively involved and how I can contribute / help.
The general and wilful ignorance on this subject.
The
tendency of institutions and individuals not to act until/unless
there's an obvious crisis e.g. Manchester under 6 feet of water.
Same everywhere! Plus, it's easier to campaign "anti-something"
than to make positive proposals which mean working together with all
sorts...
The 'there is no profit in' attitude from the corporates
people trying to knock you for your efforts and not wishing to support.
in fighting within groups and overbearing personalities putting people
off getting involved and disempowering well intention people
6. When the book comes out it should include an article/chapter on...
Historic
attempts to make manchester greener - why did the victorians spend time
building parks and sewers? How did we go from the appalling slums and
factory areas of Engel's times to the modern city? How have people
campaigned and struggled to improve their city's environment in
the past? [it's done! ]
Local community groups in regular neighbourhoods.
Why
Manchester remains anti-nuclear and how we can urgently build
influential support for this position (hopefully the Council could write
this, or at least Nuc-Free Local Authorities with backing from as many main parties as poss).
People power, how to get involved, why to get involved and where, on any issue that impacts on the whole
how vegeterianism/veganism can battle world hunger and global warming
empowerment and the psychology behind Climate Change denial
7. When the book comes out, a copy should definitely go to...
Trade union branch secretary and environmental representative in the area.
My esteemed MP Ivan Lewis ;-) Although I think that party politics
should definitely be kept at arms length from the Only Planet
Manchester process.
All
politicians representing Mcr at Westminster and EU levels. Key
officers in Regional Assembly (now 4NW, The Regional Leaders Forum: and
NWDA. Leaders of political parties on Mcr City Council, if not all Ward
Councillors. Political party leaders on other AGMA authorities
and the other 7 Core Cities. City/regional newspapers, magazine
and broadcast editors. ? Sus Dev Commission
All elected reps and senior officers and business bods
the city's councillors so they can see people care and efforts they can make to change.
Sir Howard and the boys at the council
8 Other comments.
Good
on you for taking this on, a very ambitious project, looking at the
proposed content, and potentially a most important contribution.
Have
you seen the WWF/SEI stuff that breaks down the footprint of each English local authority? http://www.sei.se/reap/local/l_download.php#nw