Climate Action Network
West Midlands
Climate Action Groups We Know About + Useful Resources
If you know of another group or activity you think should be listed here, please email us the details and sign up for the newsletter.
Keep scrolling down - the list is growing! To see the resources list, click here:
Groups are not listed in any particular order. CANWM is not responsible for the content of external sites and we don't recommend any particular groups / actions.
Birmingham Green Commission
Main page for Birmingham Council policy and news about the City "Carbon Roadmap". Its great we have one, but it's not going to deliver 100% fossil free by 2050, which is what the climate science says is needed to prevent run-away climate breakdown. See latest newsletter and sign up for future issues here.
Birmingham Friends of the Earth
BFoE campaigns locally to effect environmental change through lobbying, empowering people on campaign issues, participation on public forums and talking to the public on stalls and at events. They are active on many sustainability issues related to climate, such as the local economy, nature and recycling.
Birmingham Climate Justice
Focussing on divestment campaigning as part of the global divestment movement. Over $50 billion has been transferred away from fossil industry so far.
Avaaz
OK, it's a global movement of over 41 million people, not a local group, but we found there are many Avaaz members in the region and we aim to do more to bring these people together. Sign our online Avaaz petition to Birmingham Council here.
Birmingham Green Party
Green Party members are heavily involved in local actions and in setting up CAN:B as well as campaigning in local and national elections.
GreenPeace
Another global movement with many members in Brum, supporting actions on fracking, artic oil exploration, deforestation and many others.
Northfield Ecocentre
Loads of practical action to reduce personal and community carbon footprint in housing, transport, food production, the GreenDeal, etc. Spreading these initiatives to the rest of the city will make a huge contribution to the City's low-carbon plan.
People and Planet
Student activist group on climate and the environment. Organised the Fossil Free UK Tour including Bill McKibben, one of the founders of 350.org
Birmingham Innovation Hub
News of what's happening on the innovation front, including the European Climate KIC (knowledge and innovation community). See also the pages of W Midlands Regional Innovation Centre for local action on Climate KIC.
Climate Outreach and Information Network (COIN)
OK, they're in Oxford, so not that local, but they hosted Naomi Klein's talk on "This Changes Everything" and publish lots of useful campaign and communications material.
Birmingham Quakers
Campaign on many environmental and social justice issues including climate change. Birmingham Quakers were strong supporters of the climate action in September 2014.
Transition Movements
Transition Towns started in Devon around 2006 and have been spreading rapidly ever since. Many people are showing that it's possible to live a better life without fossil fuels! In Brum and the rest of the region we know about Malvern, Stourbridge, Kings Health, Moseley, Sutton, Bewdley, Redditch, Coventry, Leamington. There's a great interactive map of local initiatives around the world here. Once upon a time, there was a Transition Birmingham group - maybe it's time to revive it?
The New Optimists
Challenging gloom and doom, the New Optimists and their forum discuss and promote science-based solutions to thorny problems. They have a major interest in food production. See their Elliot Review 2014 (PDF).
One Million Climate Jobs
Linked to Climate Action Network, climate change jobs is Trade-Union sponsored campaign to shift investment into sustainable energy sources and oppose fuel-poverty. Read their report here (PDF).
The Information Daily
Wide ranging online news service based in Digbeth, includes coverage of environment issues.
Gloucester Climate Action Network
Great example of what can be done to mobilise a local community. Part of the global 350.org network.
Green Revolutions Car and Cycle Club
- Is a social enterprise, trading for people and planet and part of the UK-wide Co-wheels CIC. They help people to drive less but get out more, by operating a green car club (Co-wheels Car Club Birmingham), and promoting healthier travel and local outdoor activities. Watch out for their crowdfunding campaign to buy the first electric car for the club.