Prof Kevin Anderson's 'real talk' on climate change

The whole Council sat in silence on Wednesday morning listening to the grim reality of how Climate Change will impact on our city and the rest of the world if political leaders continue on their current path. As Councillor Fletcher-Hackwood would say it was 'real talk'. Real talk of the starkest and most depressing kind.

The figure that really shocked me was that 1% of the world’s population are responsible for 50% of the worlds CO2 emissions. That 1% is probably you or me. If you have taken a flight on holiday in the last year it’s definitely you. If you earn over £30k it’s definitely you. But that figure is also where the hope in Prof Anderson’s real talk is. Figures show that making changes to the supply side of energy production won’t have an impact on reducing CO2 emissions fast enough to keep climate change temperature rises below 2°C (the point at which beyond it is now widely accepted the consequences would be devastating to the world). But on the demand side small changes can make a huge impact in terms of emissions. Basically it’s down to us. Deciding to put a jumper on rather than turn the heating on an hour early. Buying the A++ rated fridge rather than the A rated one. Small changes to our lifestyles can make a big difference. If we as individuals can make such a difference how Manchester City Council acts can make a phenomenal difference.

That is why we have the Manchester: A Certain Future Action Plan. In June 2012 we held a mini-Conference in the Economy Scrutiny Committee on Manchester’s economy in the context of sustainability. We came up with a number of recommendations but I think a number of us as Councillors would have liked to have gone further and been more ambitious in our recommendations. In light of Prof Anderson’s talk this week I wouldn’t be surprised if we re-visit our discussion on steady state economics very soon! Watch this space.

Manchester City Council Leader on twitter!

The leader of Manchester City Council has very recently joined the twitter community and is already on his second twitter Q&A session. You can follow him here @SirRichardLeese His 2nd Q&A is taking place on Thursday 31st January between 5.30-6.30 You can follow the conversation via #asktheleader 

Manchester & Salford Uprising

I spent my Sunday afternoon this week talking to an amazing group of young people from Manchester and Salford who have been brought together by an organisation called Uprising . Basically its a leadership programme designed to inspire and support our next generation of community and political leaders. All I can say is WOW! Some of these young people are already beating hands down the current set of rag tag politicians leading this country. I came away from the afternoon inspired and reinvigorated and with a feeling of hope I havent felt since the coalition came to power in 2010. If you get an invite to work with and meet this group of young people take it you wont regret it. I hope that Manchester Labour will continue to strength our links with them and that it wont be too long before we see some of them elected as Manchester Councillors!

Be a friend of your local park

Crowcroft Park Friends Group have just set their meeting dates for the coming year. We are lucky in Longsight to have such an excellent and well used park on our doorstep. Its an important community facility which we all need to support. The Friends of the Park is a voluntary group of local residents, workers or visitors who dedicate some of their time, energy and effort to caring for and improving their local Park. Anyone can join a Friends group and give as much or as little time as they want to nurture their park.

Crowcroft Park friends group will be meeting in the wardens office on the following dates:
Friday 22nd March 12.30pm
Wednesday 22nd May 4pm
Wednesday 24th July 4pm
Friday 20th September 12.30pm
Friday 22nd November 12.30pm

 But crowcroft isn't my local park? - see here - for a list of contacts for other parks in the area.

Northmoor Together

Do you live in the Northmoor area of Longsight? There is a really active residents group based at Northmoor Community centre who are working together to make Longsight a cleaner, greener and generally nicer place to live! The next meeting is at 6pm on Monday 4th February at Northmoor Community Centre, Northmoor Road. Come along and get involved!

Longsight has a facebook group!

It’s not quite reached Levy Massive proportions yet but a local resident, Louise Bolotin has set up a Love Longsight group on Facebook. We now need to get the message out to as many residents as possible and get the group functioning as an online community hub for Longsight like the Levy Massive does. So please join the group and add all your friends on facebook too! Love Longsight

Wish your gas and electric bills were lower?

The Citizens Advice Bureau and Great Places are organising a special event for Longsight residents. There are lots of ways to cut the cost of gas and electric bills and you can find out how on Wednesday 13th February from 11am to 1pm at Northmoor Community Centre, Northmoor Rd. Please confirm attendance with the reception at Northmoor Community Centre.