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Environment > 'Seven Steps to Sustainable Living' at Sussex - info, advice and guidance > Step 7 - Campaigning for environmental justice  

Environment

The Students' Union is committed to protecting the environment and is involved a variety of projects and activities to raise awareness about environmental issues and support sustainable initiatives.

For the last to years we have been awarded a Gold ‘Green Impact’ NUS award for our efforts to reduce our ecological impact.

We have an elected part-time Environmental & Ethical Officer, supported by the full time Operations Officer. The role of the Ethical & Environmental Officer is to liase between students, societies, the Union and the University on all things ethical and environmental, and to push forward new policies and ideas for sustainability. We also have four Ethical & Environmental Reps

Contents

► Step 7 - Campaigning for environmental justice

Sustainable Living

While individual lifestyle changes are of course hugely important, the scale of some of the environmental problems currently facing us are going to need some pretty big system changes if we're going to fully overcome them! Sussex is a great place for political campaigning - to get involved look at our list of societies. They are also a good place to meet people, take action together and share knowledge and ideas...

WHY?

Get informed! We recommend these great documentaries:

  • The Age of Stupid
  • The Corporation
  • Crude
  • Dirty Oil
  • Justicia Now!
  • The Story of Cap and Trade

Some of these (and more!) are available at www.freedocumentaries.org

The Centre for the Advancement of the Steady State Economy also has some great links to documentaries about why we need to challenge our current economic system.

WHERE?

Students’ Union campaign groups:

Environmental society
Meets weekly to discuss environmental issues, and takes action to make positive changes and raise awareness of environmental issues. Events, film screenings, fundraisers, talks, campaigns, actions, trips, practical workshops etc – come and get involved!

Greenpeace society

Green party society

World Development Movement society

Student's Union Ethical & Environmental Campaigns
The Student’s Union is actively engaged in pushing for positive solutions to environmental issues – stay updated and get involved through facebook, and the Students’ Union website.

Local Campaign Groups:

Camp for Climate Action – South Coast Neighbourhood
Meets every Tuesday at 7pm, the Cowley Club (London Road). Facebook: 'Climate Camp - South Coast Neighbourhood'

Greenpeace Brighton
Meets on the first Thursday of every month, 7pm-9pm, the Cowley Club. Facebook: 'Brighton Greenpeace Group'

World Development Movement (WDM) Brighton & Hove
Meets on the second Tuesday of every month, 7:30pm at BPEC (opposite Brighton Station). Facebook: 'WDM Brighton & Hove'

Start your own campaign!

Useful lobbying sites
Lobby politicians on an issue that concerns you using these helpful sites - www.writetothem.com - www.number10.gov.uk

National Campaign Groups:

10:10
A growing campaign that aims to unite every sector of society behind one simple idea: cutting our emissions by 10% in 2010. Join the thousands of individuals, businesses and organisations who have taken the pledge, and get help and advice on meeting your target - www.1010uk.org

People and Planet
People and Planet is a national student campaign network tackling issues of human rights, world poverty and the environment. While there isn't a group at Sussex, there are other ways to get involved on-line, and there’s plenty of useful resources on their website. Facebook: 'People and Planet' - www.peopleandplanet.org

Local information resources:

The Cowley Club
This cooperatively-run radical social centre is a vegan café and bookshop by day, and members bar and gigs venue by night. It provides a space for debates, for campaign groups to meet, and has its own radical literature library. Visit the website for upcoming events - www.cowleyclub.org.uk

Brighton Peace and Environment Centre (BPEC)
Aims to raise awareness and understanding of social justice, peace, and environmental matters by providing information, education and positive practical solutions to global problems. 39-41 Surrey Street (next to Brighton Station) - www.bpec.org

Brighton Green Pages
'Brighton Green Pages' is packed full of useful information on sustainable shops, services, organisations and projects around Brighton - www.brightongreenpages.org

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