Politics vs Activism -a debate at the Arcola Theatre

Last Sunday I spoke at the wonderful Arcola Theatre in Dalston at their Green Sunday event. The film 'Just Do It' about environmental activists was shown and I took part in a panal debate : “Direct action or political conventions – which is most effective for creating environmental change?” http://www.arcolaenergy.com/contribute/green-sundays/
This is what I said:
Obviously as a representative of the Green party and a candidate for this years GLA elections I feel politics can be effective, its a way in which I feel I can 'do something'.
Whether we like it or not key decisions are made by politicians; where the money goes, which organisations get funding and support, which environments get protected. The problem we have at the moment is the politicians who make up those institutions.
We'd earlier heard representatives of UK Youth Climate Coalition bemoaning how 'old men in suits were making decisions about us without us' and we heard about a lack of ambition. As a friend of mine said about Durban 'what we have is a deal to stop not very far after the edge of the cliff'.
But just because our politicians are disappointing it doesnt mean politics cant be an effective force for change.
Thats not to say that public activism isnt important, far from it, myself and many Green Party members class themselves as activists. Activism is vital in highlighting issues, bringing them onto the agenda and keeping them there; it is very effective at making it difficult for individuals and businessess to get away with dodgy practices. Effective activism builds support and demonstrates a strength of feeling that it is the job of politicians to respond to.
Unfortunately most of our politicians are not capable of creating an adequate response, they dont 'get' sustainability and green issues, they reflect the status quo; corporate interests, big business and large institutions resistant to change. Green is seen as a 'nice to have', an add on, comething that can be dropped when times are hard.
What we need are politicians that see that Green and sustainable has to be at the centre of things and from there flows the solutions to wider problems, not just the many environmental problems we face but problems of social justice and economics.
Its no surprise that Caroline Lucas, our 1st Green MP, has just be named as the most influential MP of 2011 by the Political Studies Association. True Green thinking is so lacking in our parliament that one person with a deep understanding of the issues we face does make a real difference.

So my conclusion: its not a case of politics vs activism; we need both, but in particular we need the right politicians and actually activists could be those politicians, and probably should.
If you dont want politics dictated to by big business and corporations then individuals need to get involved. I'm not talking about us all being MPs making top down legislation, but getting involved locally.
I find it strange if I'm called a politician, I dont see myself this way, I'm a vet, a Londoner, a women, just an individual. Its not a term with positive connotations at the moment, I believe its time to reclaim the term, for it not to be about self interest but about people like us engaged in the community, working together to make a positive change.

A lively debate followed; there was a wider discussion about whether our political system was fit for purpose and how much activism could make changes without using the political system at all, something that is certainly possible, but probably requiring much more engagement from the population in my opinion. We discussed how this might be achieved, particularly in the current economic climate. How the anti-capitalism movement ties in was also a very interesting issue.
Thanks to Green Sundays for the invitation, it was a very interesting day and I would strongly recommend their events.

The 'silent killer' in London- Islington Greens give residents a voice

Last Monday, the 21st I was honoured to chair an amazing panal of air quality campaigners at an event organised jointly by Islington Green Party and Mapping for Change.The event was held at Highbury Grove schools to report on the findings of an air pollution monitoring project carried out in Highbury by these two organisations. There was a great turn out of concerned local residents.

The Tribune has reported the event here: http://bit.ly/rTcGhS 'Boris fails to act while 'silent killer' stalks our streets'

The results of the research were shocking, with levels of nitrogen dioxide on our main Highbury roads exceeeding EU safe limits. But knowledge is power and having measures of this invisible killer means we can challenge the Council, Mayor and local people to do something about it.

Caroline Russell of Islington Green Party and Louise Francis of Mapping for Change told us about the project design and presented the results.

Simon Birkett of Clean Air in London gave us the wider picture on air quality in London. Over 4000 people are dying per year, more than though obesity and alcohol. I strongly urge you to take a look at the Clean Air in London website, http://www.cleanairinlondon.org/blog where there is a wealth of information on this issue.
Green Party Assembly member and 2012 Mayoral candidate Jenny Jones gave a damning report on Boris's failure to tackle this problem, beyond taking short -cut measures to try and avoid £300 million EU fines.

The next stage is working with the community to draw up solutions to present to the council, I'll be reporting back on that very soon, watch this space....

Greens Launch Action Plan for Animals

This Sunday, the 4th at 3pm, I'll be launching the Green Party's ‘Action Plan for Animals’ at the Animal Aid Christmas Fair:
http://www.jennyforlondon.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Action_plan_for_animals.pdf

The fair is taking place on at Kensington Town Hall, Hornton Street, London, W8 from 10am until 5pm.

As a vet I know animal welfare is a big concern for many Londoners and that there is much to be done to improve the lives of animals in the city and beyond. Animals can give a lot of pleasure, whether through watching wildlife in our parks and green spaces, or caring for a family pet. But there are also problems; many animals have miserable lives, whether in a factory farm, laboratory or puppy farm. In London itself a lot of people are concerned about growing anti-social behaviour with dogs and our rescue centres are full of unwanted dogs. Irresponsible breeding is totally out of hand in areas of the capital and we need coordinated action to tackle it. Sadly I see the effects of this almost daily.

The Green Party’s plan shows how action at the level of the Mayor and Assembly can make a real difference to the lives of many animals. Through policy, education and procurement decisions London could really take the lead in this area and set a great example to other cities.

Noel Lynch, Green Party London Coordinator and fellow GLA candidate will be joining me at the fair. He told me ‘In the past 11 years Green members of the London Assembly persuaded the Mayor to pioneer a London Food Strategy and establish the London Food Board, with a strong emphasis on animal welfare. They have exposed factory farmed chicken that will be served at the Olympics, and secured funding to enhance and connect up the largest network of wildlife habitats through ten boroughs in east London.'

I always enjoy the Animal Aid Christmas Fair, its a great opportunity to stock up on cruelty free gifts, especially the cosmetics, which I can be sure haven’t been tested on animals. I'm really looking forward to launching our plan there and demonstrating that the Greens are committed to improving the situation for animals in London and across the country.

And while we're on the subject...

The Olympics are just around the corner and in my last post I noticed how its ethical standards seem to be being rapidly forgotten.
What about the legacy- more children getting into sport? Well, the former Sport's Minister Richard Caborn has already said that the said the participation drive to get more people was in danger of "failing completely".
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/sep/20/richard-caborn-olympics-legacy-failing
It would be great to see more people across London participating in sport, but particularly in the Olympic boroughs which include Hackney and Waltham Forest.
It is well recognised that there are barriers that limit the participation of women and girls in sport when compared to men and boys. The Women's Sports and Fitness Foundation's research (http://www.wsff.org.uk/)  has shown than 80% of women and girls aren't getting enough exercise. They site the following factors:
· Women lead busy lives and exercise isn’t a priority for most
· PE at school puts up to a quarter of girls off sport for life
· Women’s sport is short-changed in its profile, investment and leadership (my emphasis)
· A lot of facilities miss the mark for women 
· Today’s agenda is to be thin not healthy.

So what do the BBC do to encourage girls into sport- in the same week as they report women in the UK are the fattest in Europe- they announce not a single women is worthy to be shortlisted for the Sports Personality of the Year!  And worse still we find that those bastians of equality and healthy images of women 'Zoo' and 'Nuts' magazines were invited to submit nominations.
What were they thinking.
This is indicative of endemic sexism, men's mags know about sport, women's do not.

Its not enough for the BBC to say they will look into next year. There are loads of women more than eligible for this award, Rebecca Adlington, Keri-Anne Payne, Victoria Pendleton, Nicola Adams, Beth Tweddle to name a very few.
The BBC must draw up a new short list with a proper balance of contributors and female representation.
If they do not I hope to not see a single women in the audience on the night itself.

I will never win Sports Personality of the Year, in fact I would hardly say I'm sporty, but here I actually look like I might be enjoying myself!