This is the latest newsletter from Climate Action Network West Midlands (CANWM).

It concentrates on developments in the COP 26 Coalition West Midlands. In particular, the confirmed venue of Centenary Square at 12 pm for the Birmingham rally, a contribution to the national November 6th COP 26 rally, a public meeting for Tuesday the 28th of September, and an online petition calling on the West Midlands Combined Authority and others to move rapidly to zero carbon policies and emissions and enable the democratic participation of stakeholders in planning and decision making. We conclude with news of local events for the Great Big Green Week. Your help in promoting these actions would be invaluable.

Contents of this page

COP 26 Coalition West Midlands

Another online meeting of the COP26 Coalition West Midlands was held on the 14th of September. On this occasion the Birmingham sub group met again to plan for action in Birmingham on the 6th of November – A national day of action for the COP 26. The venue for the 6th of November Birmingham demo/rally is Centenary Square and it will start at 12 pm. A meeting for the wider West Midlands coalition planning group will follow. The Coalition Facebook page is available here

Public Meeting

An online public meeting to discuss how we can build action for COP 26 in Birmingham has been organised for Tuesday the 28th of September. 18-30 – 20.00. It will be chaired by Councillor Olly Armstrong. Speakers to include, Camille Barbagallo the COP 26 Coalition coordinator. You can register for the event here

Online Petition. Please sign and Share

The group have produced an online petition calling on national governments, and here in the West Midlands its local councils, businesses and the West Midlands Combined Authority, to move rapidly to zero carbon policies and emissions, demanding that the WMCA should set up a broad task force or forum with representatives of climate campaigns, community organisations and trade unions, along with councillors on the Environment & Energy Board, meeting regularly in public. Similar task-forces should be set up by all Local Authorities in the West Midlands. The petition will be handed over to the WMCA and the Mayor on the 19th of November.

Trade Union Caucus

The COP 26 Coalition Trade Union caucus for Climate Justice has produced a model motion for branches that can be viewed here on the website of Birmingham Against the Cuts. If you are a member of a Trade Union then do encourage your branch to publish and act upon its recommendations. The caucus has also published a briefing for trade unionists available here

Schools Resources

The UN Climate Change Conference home page has produced resources for teachers and schools to engage with students on climate change in the run up to COP 26.

Fare Free Public Transport

CANWMS campaign for FFPT continues to seek support for a feasibility study, a feasibility study that BCC endorsed but won’t action or fund. In the meantime the Transport Action Network continue to highlight the growing evidence of Public Transport and Private Profit and the Human Cost of Privatising Buses in the United Kingdom. In addition, The Tribune is promoting the need for FFPT Free busses, as are Hereford and Swansea. https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/news/article/1209/you-wait-until-the-weekend-for-a-day-of-free-bus-travel-–-then-two-come-along-at-once
Free buses Swansea: https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/swansea-council-free-bus-travel-21099366
https://www.wearepossible.org/carfreecities Swansea free buses up dated: https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/free-buses-swansea-travel-holidays-21479299

Rethinking Resilience

Common Vision have created the project ‘Rethinking Resilience’, an exciting participatory research programme through which they hope to co-design a new policy framework that aims to enable young people to recover from the pandemic, and live fulfilling, prosperous and connected lives. The workshops run on multiple dates so many people can join. Please sign up to ONE event, picking the time that suits you best. This session is designed for young people aged under 30. If you have any questions about this session or Common Vision’s wider work please contact: miriam.brightbart@covi.org.uk.

The Union of Justice

The Union of Justice is a European, independent, people of colour (POC) led organisation dedicated to racial justice and climate justice. They maintain that there is a clear and crucial connection between both and believe that we cannot talk about the climate crisis without recognising that it is also an inequality and race issue. You can learn more about the UoJ and its founder member Magid Magid at this online event on the 20th of October. The Art of Disruption: A Manifesto For Real Change.

Zero Carbon Tour

The Zero Carbon Tour Bus is coming to Birmingham. Book your tickets here

Birmingham’s Climate Assembly

Councillor Waseem Zaffar is inviting you to Birmingham City Council’s Second Climate Assembly, to be held on Wednesday 6 October 2021 from 1800-200hrs in the Avon Room at the University of Birmingham. This will be held in a hybrid format, meaning you can either attend in person or join on line. Please use the Eventbrite link to register for a place. If you wish to attend in person, please register for a place before 6pm on 30 September 2021.

Great Big Green Week

The Great Big Green Week has organised and collated a national week of events celebrating action on climate change from the 18th to 26th of September.

Eco Birmingham have organised a children’s arts festival celebrating action on climate change as part of the Great Big Green Week. The festival will take place across Birmingham and the Black Country from 18th to 26th of September 2021. Click the link for more details. Other related events that might interest you are listed here:-

Sunday September 19. As part of EcoFest 2021, the Midlands Art Centre is showcasing a selection of short film screenings in MAC’s Hexagon Theatre. These films will play on a loop throughout the duration of EcoFest for you to drop-in and watch when you wish. The films cover a range of topics including climate change and action, relating to this year’s theme at EcoFest of Building Back Better.

Monday September 20. The Camino to COP 26 is coming to Birmingham! Buy your tickets here for an evening of stories and sharing around the theme of climate/ecological crisis.

20th – 24th September. Exhibition of Loving Earth Textile Panels in the Peace Hub: FREE: http://peacehub.org.uk/events/loving-earth-textiles-exhibition/

Saturday 25th September. Family event: 2pm – 4.30pm Create and Craft Textile Panel for Loving Earth: Please register using this link: https://centralenglandquakers.org.uk/events/loving-earth-family-craft-workshop/

Sunday 26th September. Loving Earth Poetry created by young people as part of an XR Brum event: 3pm – 5pm Warehouse Sol Cafe: 54 – 57 Allison Street, Birmingham B5 5TH. A free event.

Tuesday 28th of September. The David Middleton sustainability conference. A great line up of speakers on a variety of green issues. Tickets available on the site.

On the 16^th of September the Wylde Green United Reform Church is hosting overnight the Pilgrimage for Nature walk to COP26. There is a meal for them at 6.30 and at 7-30 the Mayor of Sutton Coldfield will officially welcome them.Their website is https://www.pilgrimagefornature.com

In the run up to COP 26 there are 4 green days at churches in Sutton Coldfield and Lichfield listed below with their contact details if you want to go or have a stall:

Lichfield 18^th September 2021. 11-4 pm, Lichfield Methodist Church, 30 Tamworth Street, Lichfield, contact pambeale1@gmail.com

25^th September 2021,Streetly Methodist Church, 6 Thornhill Road, Sutton Coldfield, B74 3EH, 11-4 pm, contact Diana Newson at diana@newson.org.uk

2^nd October 2021. Wylde Green URC, Britwell Road, 11- 4 pm, contact Bev Lyne, lyne760@btinternet.com

9^th October 2021. St Chads, Hollyfield Road, Walmley. B75 7SN, 11-4 pm, contact joint organisers, k.price86@btinternet.com Eileen Qayyum eileenqayyum@hotmail.com

Millions on the Move in Their Own Countries: The Human Face of Climate Change.

The UK Climate & Migrant Coalition have highlighted a report by the World Bank forecasting the huge impact of climate change upon global populations

Why Do People Migrate? The Facts

Future Learn are providing an introduction to one of the most misunderstood issues in the modern world: migration. Join the course for free.

Back by popular demand! CANWM have updated and reprinted their Climate Action Now! leaflet. A document with links to extra information on climate action ideas is now available to download at https://www.climateactionwm.org.uk/take-action. If you’d like a bundle of leaflets for your school / workplace / street / social club please email us at canwestm@gmail.com

Keeping in Touch
A reminder: You can share news and events via our facebook page. You can also write blog posts on our website – just ask if you’d like an account.

Coventry Climate Action Network

Coventry CAN make a difference to Climate Change

Climate Action Network West Midlands September 2021 Newsletter