Redditch Friends of the Earth

Here are some articles from our recent edition of 'Green Itch', our newsletter.

If you would like us to post you the next copy please send your address to greenitch@hotmail.co.uk

Also if you have any stories, poetry, pictures, letters, questions etc to add to the next 'Green Itch' why not drop us a line. Thanks to everyone who has contributed so far.

Beat the crunch – Buy Nothing

Now in its 18th year, Buy Nothing Day is celebrated every November by environmentalists, social activists & concerned citizens in over 65 countries around the world.

Resources going up in smoke

Villagers in Hartlebury, near Kidderminster, are on standby for a battle to oppose a massive incinerator near their homes. Severn Waste, who dispose of our rubbish in the county, are planning to build an ‘energy-from-waste plant’ (an incinerator) at the Worcestershire site.

The incinerator would burn household waste from Worcestershire & Herefordshire and is planned to be used to generate power, which Severn Waste are calling 'renewable energy'.

However, concerns about the safety of chemicals (like dioxins) released by incinerators ensure that this is not a healthy way of disposing with waste.

Schemes that involve burning rubbish also waste valuable resources & contribute to climate change.

·        Encourages more waste.

Incinerators need a minimum of rubbish to operate. So as to meet demand, councils are abandoning recycling and waste reduction schemes.

·        Generates energy inefficiently

Incinerators that generate electricity produce more greenhouse gases than gas fired power stations.

·        Wastes energy

Recycling saves far more energy than is generated by burning waste because it means making less new things from raw materials.

·        Causes pollution

Smoke, gases and ash from incinerators can contain harmful dioxins which are a cause of cancer.

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Friends of the Earth believe that our taxes are being wasted on subsidising incinerators when really there should be investment in greener alternatives.

Also, the money raised from Landfill Tax should be used to get our recycling & composting rate up as high as other parts of Europe, such as in Flanders where over 70% of household waste is recycled.

Incineration locks councils into long contracts to supply large, fixed amounts of waste. This will create a ceiling on recycling rates, particularly now there are signs that waste volumes are stabilising.

This potential over-capacity is also likely to lead to commercial and industrial waste being incinerated when it should be being recycled.

Fairtrade Fortnight -

22nd Feb to 7th March 2010

Two billion people – a third of humanity – still survive on less than $2 a day. Unfair trade rules keep them in poverty, but they face the global challenges of food shortages and climate change too.

Fairtrade is a people’s movement for change that aims to tip the balance of trade in favour of poor producers. We all need Fairtrade more than ever and we all have the power to create positive change for people and planet.

The Big Swap

It's time to swap your usual stuff for Fairtrade stuff.

Fairtrade products include (amongst others): bags, clothes, chocolate, footballs, fresh fruit, juices, jewellery, nuts, pottey, rice, tea & coffee.

Take part in Fairtrade Fortnight 2010 and play your part by joining a powerful global movement for change!

http://www.fairtrade.org.uk

Look-out for films, competitions, meals and the Fairtrade stall in the Kingfisher Centre this year.

Meat-Free Monday          www.meat-free-monday.com

In May, the Belgian city of Ghent announced an initiative called Meat-Free Thursday, which attracted worldwide media and public attention. The launch of this new initiative followed a visit by Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, Chair of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, who urged Ghent citizens to try one meat-free day a week and, if possible, further decrease meat consumption from there. This is because (according to the United Nations report Livestock`s Long Shadow) animal farming is responsible for 18 per cent of human-generated global greenhouse gas emissions. That’s more than is produced by the entire transport sector worldwide.

In the UK, Sir Paul McCartney has just launched Meat-Free Monday with the same objective. As climate change is one of the biggest challenges we face, going meat-free one day a week is an action that each of us can take, and one which will produce an almost immediate drop in dangerous emissions.

Climate change is far from the only environmental catastrophe that the meat industry contributes to. The same UN report found that the livestock sector is one of the top two or three most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems, including land degradation, air pollution, water shortage and water pollution, and loss of biodiversity. The senior UN official Dr. Henning Steinfeld stated that the meat industry is “one of the most significant contributors to today’s most serious environmental problems" and that "urgent action is required to remedy the situation."

National FoE`s new `Fix the Food Chain` campaign intends to put pressure on MP`s to do just that. It aims to change the way that meat and dairy is produced in the UK so that the industry becomes more sustainable. The first stage of the campaign is already underway and is encouraging people to urge their MP to sign an EDM on the issue. The campaign is the first of it`s kind by any environmental group and whilst it`s great that FoE are highlighting this issue amongst the general public and MP`s, it has been criticised by many for not going far enough. The campaign focuses largely on deforestation, a result of animal feed production, and gives the impression that environmental problems with the meat and dairy industry can somehow be `fixed` by the government supporting low impact meat production. In my view, FoE need to be more honest about the scale of the problems and could do alot more to beat climate change etc by supporting initiatives such as Meat-Free Monday.

As a local citizen concerned for the environment, I would like to see Redditch Borough Council declare a weekly Meat-Free day. Of course, it needn’t be a Monday. Town wide organisations including council offices, schools, restaurants and ‘meals on wheels’ services, could voluntarily agree to serve only vegetarian options on a day of their choosing in a collective bid to help protect the environment and reduce the town’s eco footprint. While local authorities cannot and should not dictate, they can play a vital role by way of influence and example.

A well-balanced vegetarian meal is not only better for the environment, but it is a healthy option too. Research shows that eating too much meat can increase the risk of suffering from heart disease, obesity, diabetes and some cancers.

The government, local councils and environmental groups advise us, for the good health of ourselves and the planet, to walk/cycle more, insulate our homes, eat more fruit/veg, recycle, conserve water/energy, compost etc. If they`re really serious about promoting eco-friendly & healthy living, they should follow the example of Ghent and support Meat-Free Monday.

Kevin White - Redditch Vegetarians & Vegans

Local foodweb research a benefit

Volunteers in Alcester are helping a new research project by mapping the network of local food in and around the Warwickshire market town.

Coventry and Warwick universities are developing the project, funded by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) and it is unique because it relies on members of the community to gather the information.

In particular, Friends of the Earth local group members have been interviewing local retailers and producers. The research will explore the social, environmental and economic impacts of local food, to determine what benefits it has.

Foodwebs are networks of relationships between food enterprises and consumers within a defined geographical radius. Food produced within this 30 mile radius is understood to be ‘local food’.

There has been a lot of debate in the media, amongst campaigners, policy makers and academics about what local food actually is.  For some people, local food is that which is produced as close as possible to where they live. For others, it may mean food grown in their county or region.  For supermarkets, local might refer to the whole country! 

Along with Moseley (in Birmingham), Alcester is the first place to be testing the design for this foodweb project. In all, volunteers in a variety of locations will undertake 32 individual mapping projects across England.

You can buy local food at Bromsgrove Farmers’ Market on the 2^nd Saturday of every month. www.wfmg.co.uk

Bottoms Up !!  Top tips for reusable cotton nappies  - by Stacey Temple

It’s horrible to think that 8 million disposable nappies are thrown-out to landfill every day – and they can take up to 500 years to decompose!! Take the plunge and get your little people into reusable nappies. It took me until my 3^rd child to make the switch & I wish I had done it sooner. It is really more simple & economical than you realise!

1. Wait until the baby arrives

It may sound obvious but babies come in all shapes and sizes! I know several people who have bought an entire nappy system prior to baby arriving- then discovered these nappies did not suit their baby. It is better to wait until baby arrives and then try different styles and shapes to find the one that suits. You can always use dispoable nappies for the first few weeks; this time is very busy and tiring anyhow so its one less thing to worry about.

2. Get help with having the nappies fitted

The Real Nappy Association can point you towards a local group like Nappucciono or a Community Roadshow or private seller who are all on hand to offer friendly advice and assistance. There are literally hundreds of shapes & styles and combinations of nappies, liners and pads. My son tried on 10 or 12 different nappies until we found the right one for his long body! Girls/boys need padding at different places and there are different types of fastening clips, velcro, poppers & so on.

3. Remember they are bulky!

Cotton nappies are gorgeous! Soft and chemical free they keep those little bottoms rash free. The natural fibres allow the skin to breathe and ensures that the skin or the baby does not over heat. However they are much bulkier than disposable nappies. Beware! Babies will not be able to sport the latest skinny jean fashion but will instead be more comfortable in dungarees or comfy spacious trousers or tights for girls. All this padding is great for little bottoms though as babies begin to pull up and down and often end up falling over!

4. Practicalities

The biodegradable nappy liner is fantastic at collecting all of the more ‘solid’ baby waste which can be flushed down the toilet (unfortunately even baby poo cannot be composted) and this can all be disposed of leaving little if any mess on the nappy itself. Remember to only flush liners containing bowel movements. A good bucket with a lid is all you need to keep the nappies out of the way and odour free until you can wash. I have got into a good habit of washing every other day and the nappy bin is really not offensive in between! You can also reduce environmental impact by using flannels to wash babies bottom and then washing these with the nappies. Biodegradable nappy bags can also be used.

5. Washing advice

Try and wash as many nappies at once as possible and do not use fabric conditioner. A good non bio detergant is all you need. Wash on the lowest setting that the nappy advises, I have found that my nappies are more than clean at 40 degrees. Try to avoid the tumble drier, many of the new styles dry super quick on radiators. And there is nothing more heart warming than the sight of a line of clean nappies drying on the line in the wind! This also serves to naturally bleach nappies back to white again. Remember you can purchase your electricity on a Green Tariff which is a better way to consume your energy.

6. You don’t have to be militant

As mentioned previously in relation to newborns- you do not have to beat yourself up about using the occasional disposable nappy. Disposables can be invaluable when you are away from home- or on other occasions where washing nappies is not practical or convenient. Using unbleached nappies for times like these reduces the environmental impact. Most cheches, childminders and nurseries should be sympathetic to using reusable nappies and it helps here as well as at home if you make the nappy up once it is washed you will find them more convenient to use when you need them!

7. Nappies have a long term future and are cost effective

You can save over £400 per year by switching to Reusable Nappies. Most local councils offer a nappy start-up grant which can often pay for over half of your costs. Contact your council for details. Once you have finished with your nappies you can use them again with any more children you may have or you can pass them on to friends & family or via freecycle.

For more information: contact the Real Nappy Association (www.realnappy.com), Women’s Environmental Network (www.wen.org.uk), or see the Natural Collection (www.naturalcollection.com).

You can also speak to your Local Health Visitor, your Midwife or your antenatal and postnatal groups.

Down the pub with your mates and never quite sure what the right thing to say is when the conversation turns to GM food , climate change or lazy politicians?

You need … Pub Ammo

Impress mates with your extensive knowledge on green issues

(without being the pub bore).

Visit:  www.foe.co.uk/living

Planning a holiday?

consider the ethical get-away. 

In the forests of the night

I read about Sadhana in the Vegan Society magazine and was inspired. A reason to return to India! For the princely sum of around £1.50 a day I could stay in Sadhana Forest, volunteering at a reforestation and sustainable living project.

Sadhana is situated on India's east coast, and following by a 4 hour taxi ride from the airport, by the time we arrived at Sadhana I was hot, tired & irritable, so took myself off to The Mud Hole to cool off. Later I was allocated a beautiful loft hut, reached by a ladder, spacious & airy but with a pillow I was convinced was a thinly disguised sack of cement. Later that night dubious singing, guitar & didgeridoo awoke me.

To my amazement I arose at dawn unaided by any beverage other than my water bottle. Alcohol & drugs are banned, & this includes coffee. The day starts with a gathering in which people volunteer for the tasks, eg. tree planting, breakfast prep etc. The latter consists of fresh fruit chopping & the cooking of a porridge sweetened with jaggery (palm sap syrup to which I became quite addicted). After breakfast another 2 hours of work continued, watering, cleaning loos, or various odd jobs. The loos produce compost for the young trees, so each lavatorial function, if you will, has a separate receptacle. The solid waste pits are closed off when full & left to mature, & yes, I did see the finished article, which is dry, crumbly and quite unrecognisable.

Food for the other 2 meals consists basically of rice and vegetables (all food is vegan). Washing-up involves each person putting their utensils through 3 large bowls of water; in the first they are cleaned with a brush and fire-ash used as an abrasive, the other 2 bowls rinse and then vinegar spray is used to disinfect utensils and work surfaces.

The showers consist of thatched enclosures with buckets of water pumped from the well - rather refreshing as the water is cool but not icy. Electricity is produced by solar panels (with static bicycle back-up; try it and see how unfit you didn't know you were) and there is computer and telephone access. But no "street" lights! So a torch is a must.

Sadhana shows eco films once a week, inviting non-residents. The night we watched one was "The boss" Aviram's birthday & the next day we were told to our horror that he was in hospital, having been bitten by a venomous snake in the dark. Not a nice birthday present. He spent several days in treatment but thankfully returned recovered. However, to add to his problems some witless Brit had hired a moped (standard transport at Sadhana - never ridden one before) and laughingly telling her travelling companion "I may be gone for some time" had ridden off and got utterly and hopelessly lost. Aviram had been disturbed in his hospital bed by the police & had to organise a taxi and a rider for the bike to effect a rescue. I arrived back about 11 pm and apparently hold the record for "Getting lost furthest away from Sadhana". So there!

Wildlife at Sadhana included toads, frogs, birds, lizards, butterflies .. oh and don't forget the snakes and mozzies. Another day, I was delighted to find an amazing, huge tree (I was later told a Banyan) with branches & trunks spreading everywhere. Awesome, as they say.

To sum up – a very cheap & interesting place to stay. The atmosphere was pleasant & apart from the evening karaoke sessions, peaceful.

I didn't find the loo/shower set-up a problem and laundry can be done using a stone slab, soap & scrubbing brush and hung-out to dry.

Personally I am vegan anyway and don't drink or use drugs so that was OK too, I did miss tea & coffee though! I loved my hut and my moped. We actually ended up only staying a week as an Indian friend summoned us to the west coast - but that's another story!  

Spanish Bombs – by Alabaster Yabasta

It took almost 36 hours to travel door-to-door from Redditch to my amigo’s in Andalucia, two hours north of Granada. I’d chosen NOT to fly, travelling by public transport. That meant using 4 trains, 2 coaches and 3 tubes – to go one way!

I was keen to get straight to my destination, but days of sightseeing in Madrid & Granada could easily be done along the way at a relaxed pace.

The journey home took the same route, with the addition of a day in Paris. And although I felt I was frequently fighting to make connections I arrived everywhere ahead of schedule.

The tickets were economy, as I had booked in advance. The Man in Seat 61(www.seat61.com) is useful for planning long distance journeys. The sleeper train to Spain is a compact, shared space but fine if you enjoy meeting people who travel like that - activists & concerned folks.

The Andalucian landscape is dominated by the Sierra Nevada mountain range. But around this rolls a ruthless near-desert. My arrival in mid October was greeted with autumn rain that turned this arid region into carpets of rosemary & wild fennel with outcrops of pomegranates.

My amigo’s place is ‘off-grid’. He has no mains electricity and gets his water once a fortnight, unless it rains. Hot water comes from wood-fuel fire by heating a pan of water with a coil inside.

A 40-minute fire can shower 2 people & does 2 days washing-up. In summer, hot water comes from a length of black hosepipe left in the sun.

Greywater from washing stays onsite & is used as a resource, as is the effluent - traditionally where the prickly pears (or ‘chumba’) grow.

Olives, figs, almonds, grapevines & bamboo all grow well despite being on steep terraces.

Food miles were low as I scrumped the thriving outdoor aubergines, peppers & tomatoes.

In contrast, large areas of Andalucia’s coastline are covered in plastic tunnels, growing many of the fruit & vegetables that are eaten in the UK.

Solar hot water heating is a common sight, as is photovoltaic technology to generate power. But like the UK many people can’t afford the initial set-up cost. Caves dwellings are still popular.

I spent one week volunteering for a desert technology charity, Sunseed. They’re finding ways to live & grow sustainably in deserts, with organic gardening, solar power, compost loos, communal living & appropriate technology.

One technique is to make ‘seedbombs’, mixing seeds & clay into balls. Baked in the sun they’re thrown into areas to promote growth. On return to my amigo’s, I soon started throwing bombs in the hope of greening the desert once more.

The green motorist

Greener cars will be crucial in reducing transport's impact on climate change and should be introduced widely as soon as possible. Some local authorities seem to be in the slow lane when it comes to promoting the benefits of owning a greener car. Plugging into clean electricity from renewable sources like wind, solar and tidal energy will mean our cars aren't adding to air pollution in our towns or contributing to climate change.

The time has come for motorists to choose more efficient vehicles, for their pocket and for the environment. Gas-guzzling 'Chelsea tractors' will soon be as much a rarity on our streets as the Sinclair C5.

Choosing a more fuel efficient car can help save money and reduce greenhouse emissions. For motorists considering buying a new car there are many green options. The most efficient cars, such as the VW BlueMotion, emit less than 100g CO₂/km, in comparison to the Range Rover Freelander 1.8 petrol, which creates 248g CO₂/km.

Hybrid cars, like the Toyota Prius, have a petrol engine and an electric motor that is charged as you drive. At slower speeds, under 30mph, the electric motor automatically powers the car, but driving faster means relying on the petrol engine. In comparison to a petrol vehicle they cost two-thirds of the price to run and have a reduced road-tax. In short, it's a green car if you drive at slower speeds.

Electric cars, like the G-Wiz, have no exhaust emissions and are currently the greenest and cheapest way to drive. They plug straight in, costing only a few pence worth of electricity. For households that have switched their electricity to a supplier generating from renewable energy they will be producing zero carbon emissions. Electric cars also have the benefit of not contributing to air pollution that causes respiratory problems.  

Drivers of electric cars enjoy free road tax and free parking permits in cities like Manchester and London. In the centre of London there are over 50 charging points where electric cars can charge for free. Currently, electric cars are only suitable for driving locally as a charge will last 40-50 miles. However, technology is developing fast, as the Tesla Roadster shows, travelling over 200 miles from a 3 hour charge and easily exceeding the national speed limit.

Converting to LPG (liquified petroleum gas) could reduce your fuel cost by up to 50% and lower your road tax. LPG costs less at the pump, reduces our reliance on petrol & diesel, whilst LPG vehicles produce 20% less CO₂ than petrol equivalents.

Some motorists are turning to Biofuels to save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their vehicles. Biofuels are derived from plants and can, in theory, be used in any diesel engine. However, there are concerns about its production. Biofuel crops are causing the loss of ancient rainforest habitats and are competing with land grown for food. The sustainable production of biofuel comes from re-using waste materials like cooking fat. Many fleet vehicles are using biodiesel produced from waste cooking oil. It's something that local authorities could easily be doing.

Other suggestions to motorists are:

- Not driving excessively fast.

- Changing gear at the correct speed.

- Ensuring tyre pressures are correct.

- Reducing drag by removing roofrack.

                      - Planning to avoid needless journeys.

Besides switching to a more efficient car, there are other green options for motorists and companies. Birmingham now has pay-as-you-go car-sharing clubs, and the online network 'Liftshare' helps save cash whilst cutting emissions by sharing car journeys.

One thing a greener car doesn't reduce is traffic congestion. Choosing public transport or walking and cycling can help us all stay healthy and get around quicker.

Why not visit:

- www.liftshare.co.uk

- www.thegreencarwebsite.co.uk

Cycle trainer and bike maintenance guru Andrew Greenall from WorkPlayBike lent a hand to keep local members up to speed on looking after their bikes this spring.

It was such a fun time we hope to repeat it later in the year. Let us know if you are interested in coming to the next one.

 There is also a murmur of skill-sharing days, to include themes like ‘food for free’ and ‘organic gardening’. Watch this space!

*  The council are offering grants to people who install efficient boilers. Or you may be entitled to costs towards your loft insulation.

* Growing a few of your own vegetables or herbs in your garden or window-box can help tackle climate change by reducing transport.

*  Hopwood Services (off the M42) have gravel pits and pond systems to sustainably manage the fuel run-off from the petrol station forecourt.

*  The average American high school child will recognise almost a 1000 corporate logos but fail to identify 10 plant species local to them.

*  A local project is encouraging school children to think about local food, seasonality and green issues. Grassroots Allotment Project works with children in Batchley to garden organically. It comes at a time when many families are taking on allotments in town. We wish them success.

·        Local shops are more likely to provide local food that hasn’t been flown halfway across the world

·        Local shops offer a much more personal service than big supermarkets

·        Local shops keep money circulating in the local area so they support other local businesses

·        Local shops and street markets often offer better value than big supermarkets for fresh fruit and vegetables

·        Local shops are more energy efficient than huge superstores – it would take more than 60 greengrocers to match the carbon dioxide emissions from just one average superstore

·        A diverse range of local shops provides more choice than one big supermarket

Small shops are struggling to survive due to the dominance of the big supermarkets:

·        The four biggest supermarkets already control over three quarters of the grocery market

·        Tesco alone dominates 30 per cent of the grocery market

·        In 2004 alone 2,157 independent shops went out of business or became part of a larger company (compared to an annual average of 300)

THINK GLOBAL, BUY LOCAL

Biofuels are the latest transport fuel that oil-hungry President Bush, and European ministers, are talking about. Biofuels are made from crops like rapeseed, maize (corn), or palm oil and they are grown exclusively as a fuel for cars and trucks.

Despite being wet, cold and windy, around 10,000 people turned up to demonstrate. The horrendous weather was not going to prevent us from demanding decisive government action on climate change.

After assembling on Millbank, the march soon passed the Houses of Parliament and then into Whitehall. A small delegation, made up mainly of children, handed in a letter at Downing Street on behalf of the Campaign against Climate Change (www.campaigncc.org). Interesting as it is the younger generation that will undoubtedly see the biggest impacts of climate change. The letter demanded that the government introduce a strong and effective climate bill.

With banner carriers struggling against the wind and torrential rain, marchers soldiered on, chanting slogans in defiance of the weather, down Whitehall, through Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus and on through Mayfair to Grosvenor Square, the home of the U.S. Embassy. The U.S. have for many years delayed international government progress in dealing with climate change, including rejecting the Kyoto Protocol, so the embassy is often the focal point for protests.

At Grosvenor Square we assembled around a stage where we were greeted with music from 'Seize the Day' to raise our soggy spirits. Then came a line of terrific speakers, including Michael Meacher (former Environment minister), Chris Huhne (the Lib Dems shadow Environment Minister), Caroline Lucas (Green party MEP), Zac Goldsmith (of the Ecologist magazine) and in a triumphant finale the author and environmental activist George Monbiot.

The National Climate March was part of a Global Day of Action with demonstrations and events in more than 50 countries demanding real action on climate from world leaders at the UN Climate Talks in Bali. The next round of climate talks will take place in Poland in December this year. Saturday 6 December 2008, midway through the talks, has once again been declared a Global Day of Action.

It is hoped that coach transport will again be arranged from Redditch, as before, under the banner of Redditch Alliance of Greens. For details, keep an eye on: www.redditch-ag.info

 Local campaigners met with Jacqui Smith this spring to encourage her support for a tough law to tackle the causes of climate change.

The Government is introducing a law this year that will limit the carbon emissions responsible for climate change. Great news? You’d think so, except the new law ignores emissions from aviation and shipping, two major contributors to CO2. Friends of the Earth think that’s missing the point. It’s like creating a drink-driving law for the first time, then allowing people to drink a bottle of whiskey and drive their mates home.

Friends of the Earth want a tough climate change law that:

• Commits the UK to cutting its emissions by 80 per cent.

• Ensures steady progress by cutting emissions by at least 3 per cent a year.

• Covers all sources of CO2 emissions, including the UK’s share of emissions from international aviation and shipping.

The Rt Hon Jacqui Smith MP says that she does not necessarily support these targets at the moment but will pass on our concerns to the environment minister. She praised Friends of the Earth for raising the profile of the issue, and for encouraging thousands of people to send postcards to their MP. The Climate Change Law is likely to be passed this autumn.

National liftshare Day   Monday 9th June

·        A typical liftshare member saves around £1,000 and 1 tonne of CO2 per year by sharing their daily journey.

·        National liftshare Day aims to cut CO2 from cars by 20% by increasing the average car occupancy to 2 people.

What is car sharing?

Car sharing is when two or more people share a car and travel together. It’s something many of us do all the time without thinking about it, but there are some occasions when you might want to share a car and don’t know anyone going your way. That’s where we can help. www.liftshare.com can put you in touch with travel companions to all destinations across the UK, free of charge.

What are the benefits of car sharing?

Benefits individuals and the environment by:

·         Reducing travel costs

On average a carsharer will save themselves around £1,000 a year.

·         Reducing congestion

Car sharing reduces the number of cars on the road making it easier for everyone to get around.

·         Reducing pollution

By car sharing you can significantly reduce the amount of harmful CO2 emissions which cause global warming.

How you can get involved.

Help us to make better use of the 38 million empty seats on the UK’s roads every weekday by logging onto www.liftshare.com and spending 5 minutes entering the details of any journeys you are making.