katanita

I'm hoping someone here is more expert on this than me, but my understanding is that it is sometimes ecologically preferable to allow an area to rewild itself rather than introduce new species. May not work for smaller areas, or in central London with so many introduced plant varieties around, though? Anyone know more? Would love to see more wild areas generally!

I thought this was a reasonable suggestion in the circumstances

https://www.peckhamfestival.org/events/8803/extinction-rebellion-southwark - see attached poster and details below: -- Extinction Rebellion in Southwark are holding an open meeting as part of the Peckham Festival in the Copeland Park and Bussey Building (Unit 2B) from 6pm to 11pm on Saturday the 14th of September. This summer we have seen wildfires in the Arctic and unprecedented levels of deforestation in the Amazon that have brought home to all of us how critical the situation is right now. We will have an XR speaker at the meeting to explain the science of what is happening with the climate and ecological crisis and we will also have a second part to the meeting that is dedicated to discussing what we can do about it here in Southwark. We are very keen to invite as many local people and groups as possible to be represented at the event and to use this as an opportunity to co-ordinate and strengthen our campaigns at a local level to deal with the climate emergency. There are many local groups in Southwark actively campaigning to protect green spaces, improve air quality and reduce our reliance on carbon energy as well as trying to stop unsustainable development that will involve massive amounts of unnecessary carbon emissions as well as all the other negative impacts on the local community and the environment. As a council, Southwark has declared a climate emergency, but as a community we need to push for policies that will deliver the urgent action we need, not just from the council but from businesses, transport companies etc and the mayor and national government. Please join us to talk about what your group is doing and how other people can get involved or support you. Please also extend this invitation to any other people or groups who you think may be interested.

@thecat why not say what these other more effective ways are, or point us at organisations who are doing them then? Climate campaigners have been trying all sorts for years and nothing has yet worked (whereas, as I gave examples of above, XR has already, in a short space of time, moved the agenda on and started to get changes made). Is it just about getting pensions and investment funds to change priorities (really, that's it??), if so, how? Genuine question, as blocking roads and whatnot is actually not my idea of a good time, nor does it actually make me feel particularly warm and fuzzy. I just see that it seems to be having an effect, so continue. But all for a better solution if you have one. And on Occupy, you may find Blueprint for Revolution an interesting read, in which Srdja Popovic points out exactly why Occupy failed (mostly due to very vague goals and demands). I would argue that XR is a different beast, much clearer in its aims and much better organised. Agreed @natty01295, let's lead the way then. @uncleglen not sure what your point is, the movement has continued to gain momentum since November, even more so since the April actions, no sign of it tailing off yet.

@uncleglen - I've been doing everything I can to reduce my carbon footprint over the last ten years or more. Weirdly, me taking personal responsibility for my carbon footprint doesn't seem to have solved this quite massive global issue Which brings me to @thecat. Correct! It is a global problem and the UK's part in causing it is relatively minor (but rather disproportionate all the same). Thank goodness then that XR is a global movement now, but one which has its origins in the UK, demonstrating nicely the way in which something started in one country can indeed have cascading effects throughout the world. Note that XR doesn't claim to be able to solve climate change. Rather, it has very specific demands which, if met, should bring about the awareness, clear objectives and democratic framework for real change to happen. For what precisely that change should be, it's over to the People's Assemblies and the work of experts such as those at Project Drawdown. The first goal is to get governments (and media) to tell the truth and I really don't see how you could argue that XR haven't made inroads here. Climate change is finally on the news and political agenda in a much bigger way than it has been in the past and Parliament did declare a climate emergency (just a start, but a start all the same). The second is to Act Now in agreeing to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2025 and stop destroying biodiversity. Got a long way to go here, but if one government can be persuaded to start acting on this basis, it should provide a useful model and potentially influence others to do the same. The third is to create Citizens Assemblies on climate change. This has begun to happen, isn't that good? https://news.camden.gov.uk/camden-citizens-assembly-to-take-on-climate-crisis-challenge/. I fail to see how we can solve a global problem WITHOUT starting at home. Of course other countries are bigger polluters etc, but I have pretty much zero opportunity for influence in China or India, unless you have some suggestions for how to do this?? In the absence of a better answer, we will continue with the direct action and community outreach such as that happening this weekend. Loads of people signed up to be part of the movement at Blackheath after finding out more, which is great. FWIW, I have indeed moved my banking to the most ethical and environmentally friendly options I could find. Have also had discussions about this within XR, so your assumption is off-base. But as we know, personal choices are not enough, and it is implausible to expect most people to have the time, energy and resources to audit all of their life choices to make sure that they are doing the right thing (which is often very unclear anyway). Suggesting that people who don't do this just don't REALLY care is OTT and not in line with the XR no-blame and shame philosophy that recognises how hard this is, and the fact that the problem really needs to be tackled at a much higher level for anything to happen, as you yourself said. XR are not perfect by any means, but thank goodness someone is finally doing something. I highly recommend reading This is Not a Drill, the XR "handbook" which is really a collection of essays about where we are, and where we could be, and the latter is actually a really inspiring and positive vision of a better future. In fact, I'll send a copy to the first 4 people who PM me here, let me know if you want one.

I think most people involved in XR would rather not have to do any of this, but non-violent, disruptive direct action has a history of being the most effective tool in similar circumstances. Note: even in that article the police acknowledge that protest of this sort is a basic right - quote "we have facilitated a peaceful protest, balanced the rights of individuals with the right of free assembly and speech." Do you have any better suggestions? Genuine question. There is liaison happening between police/council and XR at these events, btw, or there certainly was at Hackney and Blackheath, that I know of personally.

This weekend is the SW London Uprising festival, a little closer to ED actually in Brockwell Park https://www.facebook.com/events/648407405657612/.

Sorry to hear about the attempted mugging, a useful reminder to be alert (anywhere! The two pub thefts I've experienced first hand happened on Carnaby Street and near Kings Cross). Bizarre suggestion that Rye Lane is a no-go zone. Have spent many a lovely evening without incident in the places named above by fishbiscuits (including with my parents - took my mum for her 75th to Pedler and very good it was too). @Fishbiscuits, you missed the Peckhamplex and several other places behind the Bussey, but I lose track of exactly what is there now. I prefer going out in Peckham to ED to be honest, much more going on there.

This weekend on Blackheath Common - full details at https://www.facebook.com/events/1118852464972779/ From the FB page: "Concerned about the climate crisis? Let's turn our ideas, hopes and fears into positive action. Extinction Rebellion is hosting a two-day festival on Blackheath Common with the aim of bringing our local communities closer together in the face of unprecedented Global climate change. Join us for creative discourse on climate solutions and training on direct action. You can get your clothes printed with our famous woodblocks, take part in collaborative artwork, hear from notable speakers, dance to live bands, watch engaging performances and more. Set on Blackheath Common, a historical meeting point of the Suffragettes, Chartists, climate camps and the ?Great Uprising? of 1381, we are reclaiming the land and continuing in the tradition of rebellion."

Highly recommend Zoe and team at Mortram's moggies https://www.mortramsmoggies.com/aboutus. Used them for years and they were fantastic with my cats.

Is there an answer yet on the garden bags, in particular whether we can use older ones? I have one that will be full soon. Many thanks.

https://www.facebook.com/events/293169278234914 does that work? Should find it under clock house tropical disco tho.

Yes please! Can't make this one but would definitely be up for it in future.

Jellybeanz Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > paper cups and plates can be recycled Even if dirty/used? I didn't think that was the case but would be very happy to be proven wrong. Also some are plastic coated I believe so would not be.

Biodegradable materials are not necessarily compostable, and compostable materials are not necessarily compostable at home. This is a long but interesting article on the subject https://www.growingcommunities.org/blog/2018/11/packaging-update-reuse-reuse-reuse and an article on misleading claims about biodegradability in plastic products https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/apr/29/biodegradable-plastic-bags-survive-three-years-in-soil-and-sea. That's not very hopeful, sorry! Maybe someone here has deeper knowledge and can suggest something but I suspect the best solution is to encourage people to bring their own?

And also a zero waste/bring your own shop at 2 Girls Cafe in Peckham, small but lots of good stuff (and a nice stop for a vegan lunch too)!

Organic Village and SMBS Foods on Lordship Lane both sell fresh turmeric root

Another good source of protein is quinoa. I hated it for ages but recently learned that you're meant to rinse it before cooking otherwise it can be bitter and this has made all the difference. Love the stuff now. Can get it in bulk at 2 Girls Cafe, Peckham, the red quinoa is good to bulk up salads etc and has a nice nuttiness.

Tofoo say you don't need to press theirs, and it does seem to be quite firm without it. What I'd really love to find is a plastic free source of tofu though, so if anyone finds one, please share!

Veolia have been quite response when I've asked questions in the past on twitter https://twitter.com/VeoliaUK, if you want to try them there, or on other channels https://www.veolia.co.uk/southwark/contact-us#no-back. They also have an open day in September https://www.veolia.co.uk/southwark/iwmf/wonder-day-2019.

Am a fan of the Minimalist Baker https://minimalistbaker.com/, especially for sweet stuff Anna Jones is wonderful http://annajones.co.uk/recipes (this daal is the business http://annajones.co.uk/recipe/harrods-dhal-crispy-sweet-potato-quick-coconut-chutney) Also recommend The Green Roasting Tin by Rukmini Iyer Have found some good stuff on the Virtual Vegan site https://avirtualvegan.com/recipe-index/ Meera Sodha for the Guardian (and her Fresh India cookbook) https://www.theguardian.com/profile/meera-sodha Loads of vegan inspiration on instagram, if you're on there. The closest thing I've found to meat for something that isn't super processed but you can easily just fry and have with veg on the side is smoked tofu, so I always have some in (usually the tofoo stuff). I also always keep lots of tins of beans that go well in salads (esp flageolet) and can pull together a hearty bean salad in about 5 minutes. Chickpeas also your friend. For treats/trashy food - the Fauxmagerie for "cheese" in Brixton village, the amazing vegan build your own hotdog at Meatliquor, Vivera fake chicken pieces and burgers, Linda McCartney Sausage Rolls, Honest Burgers B12 burger. Prep helps - e.g. make loads more than you need when you do cook something and then freeze it for when you're too tired to faff about making daal... Gave up meat years ago, dairy and eggs about two years ago, and fish/seafood in Jan. Not bored yet. I could go on for ages, if you get stuck and want more recipes just ask. My triumph is an extremely good and completely vegan quiche (the trick is to mix gram flour and tofu...).

Thank you for answering on garden waste bags James. It would be good if details about this service were more prominent on the council website, including whether we can use existing bags. On a related note, what do we do with our food bags from next week? I have yet to receive the new caddy and it sounds like others haven't received theirs yet either?

You did, but that's OK, I may try that route too at some point!

Dear Councillors, There seems to be very little information about the paid-for garden waste bag scheme. There is no mention of this at all on the leaflets that were sent out. I can see no mention on the main page about garden waste on the Southwark website, and have to scroll all the way to the bottom of the FAQs before it appears. https://www.southwark.gov.uk/bins-and-recycling/garden-waste-collection-subscriptions?chapter=2 This copy says you can order bags from the main website, but there is no apparent way to do this from the front page of the site, nor any information about how to book a collection. Is there a reason that this is so hidden? Or am I missing something? Please can this be clarified here and on the website with more detailed information about how this scheme works and a working link to order them or book a pick up? I would also like to know if the Southwark bags I have already for garden waste will still be able to be used for this or whether they are now useless and I have to order more. I will have a bag ready to go soon and don't much fancy trying to cycle to the waste recycling centre with it. Many thanks

Thanks all. I used cycle.travel to plot a route, and then Citymapper which came up with a very similar one (and easier to navigate using the app). The route I took started on route 21 but then after Catford it wiggled through back streets to Orpington. It was a lot of rather dreary suburbia, and a bit tedious navigating all the back streets (apart from a pleasant stretch through Jubilee Country park). Also the A224 it took me along has no segregated path and is quite fast, not very nice. Such a shame that there is no nice official cycle route in that direction. Eventually made it into the countryside and almost all the way up Well Hill (brutal incline on a loaded bike!) before onto Shoreham. Unfortunately your post came too late for this trip @amac but will try that next time!