So far the Kyoto Protocol has arguably done very little to tackle climate change on a global scale, but is there another way? Oliver Tickell believes there is. The journalist, environmentalist and author of Kyoto2: How to Manage the Global Greenhouse is coming to Birmingham to discuss the Kyoto2 Initiative which proposes a new framework for a global climate treaty.

Jointly organised by Birmingham Friends of the Earth and Aston University, the event will be taking place on Tuesday 17th February at 6:30pm at Aston University Business School Conference Centre and will be introduced by Professor Julia King, Vice Chancellor of Aston University and advisor to the government’s climate change committee.

Climate change guru George Monbiot describes Kyoto2 as “The most intelligent treatment of the politics and economics of climate change I have ever read. Brilliant, clear and unanswerable.”

You can find out more about Kyoto2 and Oliver Tickell at www.kyoto2.org.

Help to spread the word by joining the Facebook event page here.

From the Birmingham Friends of the Earth website.

The language may be tongue in cheek – the content is serious stuff presented by small companies committed to a better way of doing business. Whilst others may huff and puff about the difficulties we face, these people are making their mark with products and services which are changing the world – from the bottom up, and for the long term good of ourselves and future generations!

Our distinguished “Green Dragons” panel includes:-

Professor Rex Harris – Birmingham University and responsible for the development of the hydrogen powered canal boat which featured in the summer Climate Change Festival; the boat will come into the city during Changing Lifestyles;
Molly Scot Cato - Green Party Economics spokesperson; launches her new book “Green Economics” in Oxford on 16th January; another book signing at Changing Lifestyles is possible;
Rob Hopkins - Transition Towns guru from Totnes – author of the TT Handbook – the ‘bible’ of the TT movemen, and available at this event;
Seiji Mukai - Director Nagoya Carbon & Technology Exchange (NCTX) and now Government Advisor on the CTX rollout;
Jane Sarkar - design innovator at Birmingham City University with radical technical innovations.

See also Changing Lifestyles 2-4 Feb

FOOD – why buy imported wines and cooking oils when top award winning products are available within 25 miles of Birmingham? Think of the damage to a 500 year old eco system when you buy wines with plastic stoppers. Low energy cooking retaining nutrients, is cheaper and healthier – find out more at Changing LIfestyles.

FASHION – just think – cotton causes more environmental and human damage than any other textile crop; materials such as HEMP; BAMBOO; CORK FABRIC; are not only sustainable but pleasant to wear. It’s not just recycling but “UPCYCLING” which brings you incredible styled footwear, and fashion accessories.

FUEL – Have you seen the hydrogen powered boat from Birmingham University – well it will be on our city canals during Changing Lifestyles (on the Wednesday). At the Town Hall will be other sustainable fuel vehicles including high powered electric bikes. There’s also the opportunity to find out how your waste vegetable oil can power your car.

FINANCE – Did you know it is perfectly legal to create your own currency? That’s what BrumLETS have done; and Changing Lifestyles will see the launch of an “Eco Currency” for businesses.

FAITH GROUPS – bring another perspective to both the environmental issues and FINANCE. Islamic banking views the charging of interest as usury. Can a banking systemm function without interest?

FUN – Another F we seem to have let slip – until the musicians and singers offered to join in! Occasional appearances throughout the 3 days from a variety of entertainers

For more information see www.globallylocal.net

As we move into difficult economic times there is obviously a moral imperative to support local producers and artisans, and we’re really passionate about encouraging people to buy – and perhaps even have a go at making – high quality recycled fashion.

We are hoping that this event, which we believe will be the UK’s first exclusively concentrating on high quality recycled fashion, (or if not certainly in the Midlands), will encourage others to join the movement.

We have a simple website at www.remadefashionfair.info where which we will be updating with more images of confirmed brands attending as we get closer to the day.

You might also be interested in the results of our clothing revamp competition, which had a large number of excellent entries from students at Matthew Boulton college – www.v-vamp.info

Submitted by Joe of the http://Freedom Clothing Project

The Custard Factory is in Gibb Street, B5