Greenprint 2020

By Amy Whitney, Greenprint Steering Group Member

It is 8:30 in the morning and I am sat in a studio at the News International Headquarters being questioned about why we need a new inter-generational model for work. As a recent graduate I am painfully aware that my generation are paying ridiculous sums of money to attend university only to find when they leave they are unable to find work. Meeting with 27 others concerned with this issue, with speakers from The Times, Youth Employment UK, and SAGA Insurance. A broad group of people sat down to discuss what has become one of the most challenging issues facing the UK. The UK is suffering dual pressure on its welfare system, both from youth unemployment, those aged 16-24 and those in the late 50’s nearing retirement age.  The unemployment rate was 20.8% for those aged 16-24 in the period October-December 2012 last year. The Generations Talking Together work panel confronted this issue by examining which direct provisions could keep both age groups earning.

In what has been termed ‘the baby boom crisis’ millions of aging Baby Boomers on the brink of retirement not only lost their jobs in the Great Recession but also saw their savings diminish. Older people in the UK who find themselves out of work are increasingly being frozen out of the labour market, with limited chances of finding a job. Unemployed older people are being forced into early retirement with a lack of tailored support to help them find work. Nearly half (49.6%) of all unemployed men in the country who have been out of work for more than a year are over the age of 50, up from 44.8% in 2011.  Older generations are having to become flexible about how they work, whether this is setting up their own businesses or working from home. The Generations Talking Together work panel were faced with the issue of whether the government can provide a role in reducing benefit reliance in the over 50’s. Looking at the success rates of business start-ups there is scope to increase the availability of enterprise funding for the age bracket. It has been shown that 48% of entrepreneurs over 50 are more likely to succeed in creating their own business than any other age group. Older workers are more mature, reliable and have developed interpersonal skills for dealing with clients.

Those over 50 shouldn’t be pressurised to retire early but businesses should open up flexible working opportunities so that individuals can pursue tailored retirement plans. Flexi-time has proven to be successful in retail, communications and services sectors. Part time work provides extensive advantages to businesses by providing a full work force at different times, enabling staff holidays and keeping motivation levels high. Can this innovative way of working be transferred into other sectors to increase participation? There should be more alternatives for workers who are forced to give up work early, as often they require an income to support other family members. The UK needs solutions that provide more flexible part-time positions, with continuous training to ensure a mobile and efficient work force can be mobilised in different areas.

Youth unemployment is at nearly 1 million for young people.  A shortfall in jobs demonstrates a mismatch between business career prospects and the courses people are prepared to undertake at university. The government have tried to counteract the issue of youth unemployment by funding youth apprenticeships but the uptake of these has been below expected.  It is significant that the government have created attractive apprenticeship opportunities and yet those that it is tailored towards haven’t applied for the schemes. Which raises the question of whether the government’s decision to withdraw Connections, a face-to-face careers advice platform in secondary schools was wise? Connection advisors were placed in secondary schools around the UK and provided a service young people could identify with. The current system lacks appropriate opportunities to gain this crucial guidance. Focused career advice is needed to reduce the disparity between the skills businesses require and the skills students are gaining. Young people need to be given the tools in order to adapt to become more driven and resilient to survive in the current economic climate.

There is a perception in some sectors that those who have left university with a degree are ill equipped to survive in the work environment. Those in higher education require insight into the different skills that are required in full time roles. Mentoring schemes in the work place are extremely important so that young people can demonstrate their use of technology and more experienced workers can show trainees how to communicate with clients. Not only do young individuals require a substantial education but they also need to be enterprising. Undergraduates today need to have their hands in several different pockets at once in order to increase their exposure to career opportunities.  

The Solution?

The key to solving these issues is increasing the flexibility of different work schemes. With a re-emergence of some paid and part government funded internships that can be accessed by people from all social backgrounds. New models are forming between the public and private sector such as the Birmingham Job Guarantee funded centrally from Birmingham City Council. The use of technology, specifically cloud computing has enabled businesses to provide services remotely to their clients, perhaps this technology can be mobilised to provide those working from home connections with businesses in a way to maximise worker utility. Businesses need to develop more flexible roles to support participation by working mothers and carers. Innovative businesses that are ahead of time already offer workers training remotely. Mobile computing provides the opportunity to develop facilities to support and engage with those from a variety of different backgrounds to improve employment opportunities. There is role for NGO’s to form connections with struggling communities, providing an outlet for leadership roles and mentoring opportunities to those most at risk of becoming long term unemployed. It is important that different bodies work together to improve shared practice. The government can directly influence the amount of jobs available to young people by investing in sectors of the economy that have the prospective to grow. Funding has the potential to stimulate new roles in the fields of green energy, technology and care. Part-funded university scholarships in these sectors may well generate workers with the specific skills and training to work in available job vacancies. An important part of this process should be investments in green internships, and leadership training across the UK to encourage the next generation to become active at reinventing themselves and accessing work in new places.

The Generations Working Together Manifesto, which tackles the issue of intergenerational work, will be presented to both public and private bodies to pursue these ideas further.

By Marie Dunnion

In today’s technologically-driven, “busy-busy-busy” society, it may well seem difficult for people to see where they can possibly fit in saving the world alongside their various other responsibilities. Everybody seems to be juggling varying levels of commitment to jobs, family, study, etc., and this can often leave very little time for any other considerations. However, if people took a few minutes to contemplate their long-term residency on the planet, then they would, hopefully, arrive at the conclusion that it is very much worthwhile investing some personal effort into caring for the earth who sustains our very being here.

There is little doubt that we hear a lot more in the media these days about green issues, with businesses in particular seeming very keen to emphasise their commitment to corporate sustainability. Whilst it may be tempting to think that the green problems of the planet are all in hand and being well taken care of by those at the top, the reality suggests otherwise. It could be argued that for every story about improved green policies, there are many more reports of huge expanses of rainforest being cut down, endangered species being further threatened with extinction, oil companies destroying natural habitat, and the unfortunate list goes on and on. Therefore, with so much more green-fingered work to be done, each and every one of us has a responsibility to ask ourselves, “How can I help?”

Saving the planet is not somebody else’s job, no matter how distant the rainforests may seem, or how irrelevant specific green issues may appear in relation to peoples’ day-to-day lives. For example, the trees in the rainforest emit vital oxygen which is the very life source of human-beings’ existence, as well as that of other non-human animals. We all take our breath for granted, but imagine a future where there are so few trees left that the oxygen in our world has deteriorated into such a polluted fog that we have to wear gas masks to leave our homes. This may not be our future, but it could certainly be the one which we bequeath to the next generation.

So, how can you help? Perhaps by sharing a couple of my own experiences, I can inspire you into action! My personal green contribution, and one which I can comfortably fit in alongside my other daily activities, is the regular signing of petitions which pop into my inbox courtesy of various environmentally-linked agencies. Once I have signed the petitions I support, I can then quickly share these on Facebook and twitter to enlist friend and family’s support. To give you some ideas, I have listed three websites below which I subscribe to.

If you have a little more time available in your life and are passionate about a particular topic or organisation, you could check whether there is any way in which you can get further involved. This is something which I have recently done by signing up to Greenpeace’s political lobbying training. Yet again, via my trusty e-mail inbox, I spotted an opportunity to apply to join Greenpeace’s new political lobbying/communication network. “Why not?,” I thought, “I write lots of e-mails and letters to my MP anyway, so this would be a great opportunity to consolidate my existing skills.” 

So, the upshot is that I attended an information-rich day of Greenpeace lobbying training in Birmingham at the end of April. Along with the other attendees, I was encouraged to express any concerns I had about the process and through various exercises, such as role plays, we spent the day working our way through this worry list. The end result was that I left the training day feeling a lot more galvanised and confident about communicating with my MP on various green issues!

So, the moral of the story is that we can each carve out our own green niche in the hustle and bustle of life. I wish you well with finding your own special role, and with incorporating it into your existing activities!

Recommended websites:

Care 2 Make a Difference 

One International

Tiger Time

A fantastic piece of art from one of our Summer Step NCS participants!

Are you 16-17 and living in S/E London? 

Summer Step is taking 100 16-17 year olds from South and East London on an action packed adventure this summer. You’ll get the chance to take on new challenges, learn new skills, have fun and make a real difference to your community and the environment.

Everyone taking part in Summer Step will get a free digital camera to document their journey. On top of that, sign up now for the chance to win iTunes, mobile and cinema vouchers!

Find out more and join us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news.

Marie Dunnion (Animal Voice)

The theme of my contributions to Greenprint 2020 have so far been characterised by a commitment to promoting animal equality and veganism. Many people do not immediately see the links between animals and the environment, but the relationship is actually one of utmost importance and, although I personally view the animal rights movement from an ethical point of view, I think it is crucial that the environmental perspective is collectively understood. 

I have previously covered how you can limit your individual contribution to environmental destruction by living a life free from animal products. According to the United Nations FAO report, Livestock’s Long Shadow, “The livestock sector is a major player, responsible for 18% of greenhouse gas emissions measured in CO2 equivalent. This is a higher share than transport.” (Transport causes 13.5%). You can find out more about veganism and the environment at www.vegansociety.com.

I have a subscription to a very special magazine, called Resurgence, which is dedicated to the environment. They recently produced a special issue entitled: “Animals: A New Ethics – The Call for Change” (you can buy a copy at www.resurgence.org). The inimitable editor, Satish Kumar, introduced the issue as having a dual agenda by explaining, “It’s time for the environmental movement to embrace the cause of animal rights.”

Whilst I could use my own words, I feel that Satish Kumar captured the situation so expertly that I cannot possibly compete. So, here is what he had to say:

“The environmental movement is rightly concerned about global warming, diminishing wildlife populations, loss of biodiversity, clear-cutting of rainforests, the pollution of our rivers and oceans and the explosion of the human population.

But one important dimension is missing from our environmental agenda and that is the plight of the pigs, cows, cats, dogs, horses, monkeys and other animals that humans use for food, medicine and entertainment.

With this issue of Resurgence, I call upon all environmental activists and organisations to remedy this and embrace the cause of animal rights as an integral and important part of the environmental movement.”

We all have our own role to play in meeting Satish Kumar’s call to action, and perhaps by sharing my own story, you may be inspired towards taking steps to help change the world’s treatment of its animal population.

Back in 2010, I found a group of like-minded individuals in Birmingham and we have since formed the not-for-profit organisation, Animal Freedom. To clarify, this organisation does not approach animal rights from an environmental stance, although the end result of abolishing all forms of animal exploitation will ultimately have the effect of improving the welfare of the planet. 

Through peaceful activism, Animal Freedom aims to educate people about the abolition of all forms of animal exploitation and to promote veganism as the solution to this exploitation. In our current society, animal use is considered an acceptable practice, causing the deaths of literally millions of non-human sentient beings. Utilising veganism as a moral baseline, Animal Freedom promotes ways of living without using animals as commodities or machines. Animal Freedom offers a vegan mentoring scheme to help guide and support anybody who is switching to this lifestyle. 

If you have any questions you can find Animal Freedom on Facebook, Twitter or contact me directly at marie@animalfreedom.eu. I would be more than happy to hear from you! 

Summer Step is a National Citizen Service (NCS) volunteering programme bringing together 100 young people this summer holiday to take on new challenges, embrace new skills, meet new people and have fun!

In the first of its kind Summer Step will not only give you the chance to make a difference in your community but to the environment as well. You’ll take part in team challenges and adventures that will provide you with inspiration to deisgn a group project which you will bring to life with professional support!

Who: 16 - 17 year olds living in Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham, Newham and Tower Hamlets London boroughs.

When: The programme will run for 6 weeks, starting on the 25 June and 2 July. You can choose which date you start.

Where: London, with 1 residential week outside of London.

Find out more

Jonathan Bock, University of Connecticut and Global Action Plan intern

My time in England feels like it has been a complete whirlwind. Even though I spent nearly four months in the country, I feel as if I have been here for only a matter of weeks. From my internship at Global Action Plan, classes, travelling, and experiencing all that London has to offer, it has been a busy time for me, but I would not trade it for anything.

One of my most enjoyable and without a doubt my most valuable experiences since coming to England has been working as an intern with Global Action Plan (GAP). At GAP, I have done work with NEETs (young people not in employment, education or training) involving BTEC courses to help disadvantaged youths get into work or education. While the internship has had its share

 of challenges, it has been a very fulfilling and rewarding experience. Whether it was through recruiting NEETs to the program or coming up with objectives to fulfil BTEC requirements, the work and responsibility remained challenging as it was mostly new to me, but helped me to step outside of my comfort zone and broaden my horizons. Through this internship, I have picked up a variety of useful and practical skills that should serve me well into the future. My time at GAP has been some of my most enjoyable times in England because of the great people I have been privileged to work with and because of the rewarding experience of what I feel I have accomplished here.

Another great part of studying and interning here is just living in London. Being from a small town in the middle of nowhere, living in such a bustling metropolis is a completely different experience for me. In fact, living in London has been the polar opposite of anywhere else I have lived. There is always something to do or see, no matter the time of day. The lifestyle of living in London is probably what I will miss most. If possible, I would like to come back here sometime, the sooner the better, as this has become my favourite place I have ever been.

By Amy Louise Whitney (London EcoBarbie), Greenprint 2020 volunteer

When considering the process of conventional shopping we immediately think about neat rows of pristine garments, just waiting to be touched and tried on. Clothes glistening as they hang on manikins, the feel of something new when you wear if for the first time and the exciting rush of the fitting rooms. What a thrill it is finding that perfect item and finally the shiny packaging!

“Oh look a lovely floral corset dress; the colour combination is lovely indeed. It would be great for dinners too”. As you console yourself with your sensible purchase. The thought of your next outing in a glossy new dress and what it might match in your bursting-to-the-brim wardrobe. Full of garb you don’t remember buying. Sound familiar yet? You already imagine yourself posing in front of the mirror with it playing dress up at home. The smugness you believe you will feel when you see jealous looks on friend’s faces. Surely this delight can’t be that bad, the odd treats you buy to pass your time on a lunch hour. After all you deserve it don’t you? You think to yourself I work so hard and anyway, it doesn’t matter its just another £10.

The fact is today’s shopaholics are in denial. They operate in an industry that allows individuals to fund their addictions with plastic. Many have a shameful disbelief that they can all act and dress like pop stars. With each covetable item making them even more stylish and classy. Fashion has been allowed to become the superficial fix to patch up people’s deeper personal problems. The worst thing is the industry actually endorses these shallow views that goods are a solution to all of lives problems.

The issue is consumers shopping do not consider the chemically processed man-made fibres itching at their skin. The harshness of the shop lighting, workers sweating away in sweatshops 12 hours a day or the fish floating listlessly in nearby waterways to bring them an acid washed, dip dyed pair of jeans. Even those shoppers who claim to be well educated don’t care; in the 21st century it’s all about fabricating an image.  Consumers are showing little change in their habits they will quite happily spend on an item only to throw it away carelessly in 3 months time. The problem is shoppers aren’t just buying the odd item now and again; they are buying time after time to perk themselves up from their hectic lives. One in today’s society must have an image.

Sustainable fashion is something that has been shifting on and off the radar for a few years now. The word eco-fashion still gives the average ‘Fashionista’ nightmares, and conjures up images of garish hemp clad hippies. You know the rugged looking tie-dye wearing types. However, for some designers eco-fashion has become more than just a buzzword. With some brands offering simple, collectable and dare I say it stylish pieces, which haven’t been made through the exploitation of human and natural resources. If in doubt google Eva Zingoni who up-cycles excess fabric from Parisian fashion houses, ASOS Africa who employ Kenyan cooperatives, also Fair and True who use organic bamboo from Vietnam.

In a groundbreaking move fashion houses such as Vivienne Westwood, H&M, Marks & Spencers, and WGSN are part of an industry consortium operating under the title of NICE CONSUMER exploring sustainable fashion. Those steering the helm are helping these firms to make decisions whether it is valuable to them to hop on the ecologically friendly bandwagon so to speak. NICE CONSUMER are investigating whether practices endorsed by sustainable firms are really profitable, to appeal to a fresher, more demanding market of eco-warriors. Larger firms are facing pressure from groups of individuals who are not accustomed to the spend-spend-spend ethos of those growing up in the 90’s boom years.  A hybrid consumer is emerging which is not only uncomfortable with current industry practices, but demand durable attire at a reasonable price. There are broad ranges of demographic groups who are becoming more aware of processes such as ‘Up cycling’ as a preferred
production method. With potential for organic fabrics and zero-waste design to change the way people think about purchasing their clothes. Yet, not all of these groups can afford to buy the likes of Stella McCartney. Who actually has managed to make vegetarian footwear appealing! What NICE CONSUMER is exploring is whether it is viable to provide a sustainable palette for everyone.

In an attempt to carve a sizeable chunk in a highly specialised niche market NICE CONSUMER are actively looking for dynamic, fiery and passionate individuals to get involved in the consultation process. Critical questions that need to be addressed by the Advisory Group consider issues with respect to both consumers and producers. Potentially explosive questions could inspire a whole new attitude towards the economic cycle that generates fashion. These are the questions we will be considering in the next few days. What is the role of government if any to play in driving behaviour change in the fashion industry? Is there potential for new enterprise to make the process much less wasteful? What policies are workable to encourage sustainable business practices? And how can firms address the buying behaviours of consumers through advertising or incentivise different structures for producers?

If you find this topic fascinating and feel you have something to contribute to these questions participate in the NICE Consumer project’s consultation process. By emailing niceconsumer@bsr.org to join in a webinar on April 3 at 4pm European time.

Water scarcity is a real issue in parts of the UK, with the average Briton using 150 litres each day. South-East England has less water available per person than parts of Sudan and that just 3% of water is freshwater safe for drinking. So with the summer approaching it’s essential we use water efficiently, and there are lots of ways to do this.

Last week a team of Greenprint 2020 volunteers and interns headed to Barts Hospital in London for ‘Bust a Flush’, showing the public how easy it is to save water. We donned our hippo costumes and gave away shower timers, save-a-flush bags and water hippos.

Over the year these people will now save 965,000 litres of water and over 4 tonnes CO2!

Register here for updates about future events.

Barts building just opened in March 2012 so it is a fantastic example of new energy efficient architecture. Barts and the London NHS Trust have created an environmental programme, reducing their annual CO2 emissions by 6000 tonnes. That’s enough to fill over 31,000 double decker buses!

Way’s you can save water:

Bronze (saving up to 5,000 litres per household per year)

• Use a water hippo or save-a-flush bag
• Fit a water efficient shower head
• Install a water butt/rain barrel and use this to water your garden

Silver (5,001 to 10,000 litres per household per year)

• Fix dripping taps
• Turn off taps when your brushing your teeth
• Fit water efficient tap adapters

Gold (saving 10,001 to 15,000 litres per household per year)

• Use the plug or a bowl when washing up
• Spend less time in the shower, aim for less than 4 minutes
• Switch from baths to showers

Platinum (saving over 15,000 litres per  household per year)

• Avoid sprinklers and hoses – use a watering can

Global Action Plan Resources