The future of Sustainability Matters - discuss

[Geoff Benn]

Hi Sustainability Matters email list members,

Please join in the discussion on the future of Sustainability Matters? The main thrust of which has been the extent of the use of the Internet in engaging with people, and now includes a possible revision to the Mission Statement. Feel free to air your thoughts on-line whether or not you can attend the meeting ;-)

I'm forwarding this email to both of the new Sustainability Matters email lists:

• Announcements ( for important emails like this one)
  
• Discussions (which allows you to reply to the group)
  

You should all be in the Announcement list. If you're not in the Discussion list then you've probably got an outstanding invitation. Please see http://sustainabilitymatters.org.uk regarding the email lists and also our new Facebook Page/Group?

Latest proposed text for new Mission Statement:

Sustainability Matters was established in 2003 as an umbrella organisation to represent the community of Stafford Borough on sustainability issues.

We are a non party political group open to any individual, organisation and business that shares our passion for improving our future.

We want to help create a community in Stafford that is environmentally, socially and economically sustainable and is shaped by the people that live here.

We recognise that adoption of sustainable practices is very much in the hands of people and to that end we work closely with Stafford Borough Council, voluntary organisations, businesses and individuals so that environmentally sound and sustainable practices are encouraged and adopted.

In particular we aim to promote low carbon living through:-

1)����� Energy saving in homes and businesses

2)����� Alternative transport� including cycling, public transport, hybrid technology

3)����� Local and home grown food

4)����� Re-use and recycling

5)����� Micro business and home working

6)����� Improved biodiversity and respect for our flora and fauna

7) � �� Inform inspire and enable renewable technologies and the businesses and teaching establishments involved in them

Text of current 2011 mission statement:

Sustainability Matters in Stafford Borough was established in 2003 as an umbrella organisation to represent the community in Stafford Borough on issues relating to sustainability. We are a non-party-political organisation open to any individual, organisation or business sharing our aims. We are concerned that humans are damaging the planet, and threatening its capacity to support life for an increasing number of species, including the human species. Hence we see the urgent need to highlight the many problems caused by current lifestyles, and to promote solutions that offer hope to all who share this planet.

We want to help create a community in Stafford Borough that is environmentally, socially and economically sustainable and is founded on sound ecological principles.� This will be a community in which:

1.��� we all feel a sense of being part of nature and not above it;
2.��� we have an economy which does not aim for constant growth on the conventional model but instead is low-carbon and low-waste, and encourages the local production and distribution of goods and services;
3.��� we strive for a quality of life based on simpler, slower-paced, healthier lifestyles, along with cleaner air, water and soil and greater biodiversity and natural beauty.

The meeting is planned for Tuesday 16th July 2013 at 7:30pm in The Vine, Salter Street, but feel free to respond on-line meanwhile ;-).

Regards,
Geoff Benn